The 7 best business vehicle tracking systems 2020
Do you want to monitor and manage your business’ fleet? These are seven best vehicle tracking providers in the UK
Whether you operate a courier and delivery startup, or a service business that sends professionals out on jobs, the best vehicle tracking systems for business can boost your profitability and efficiency in all sorts of ways.
It’s not just a case of having a GPS tracking device installed in each of your business's vehicles, then checking up on their location every now and then.
These days, using real-time data, a vehicle tracking system can provide in-depth information on your drivers' speeds, idling times, and estimated arrival times. It can also monitor fuel costs and consumption, as well as calculate the most efficient routes and records of past trips.
But with so many vehicle tracking suppliers available, working out which might offer the biggest benefits to your business can seem daunting.
Fortunately, we’ve examined seven of the best vehicle tracking suppliers so that you don’t have to.
The top business vehicle tracking systems that we'll look at in this article are:
As well as learning about the top providers, you can discover the benefits of vehicle tracking, and even read a case study, in the dedicated sections further down the page. Got any questions? Head to the FAQs section, where we answer some of the most common queries about vehicle tracking.
Ready to compare quotes for vehicle tracking systems right away? Get bespoke quotes and find the ideal system for your small business – simply fill out our quick questionnaire to be put in contact with suppliers today!
Best business vehicle tracking systems UK comparison
Before we tuck into these suppliers in full detail, here’s a bitesize breakdown of the seven top vehicle tracking system suppliers:
| Supplier | Best for |
|---|---|
| Verizon | Alerts to manage driving behaviours |
| Movolytics | Fast and accurate data management |
| Quartix | Shorter contract lengths |
| UK Fuels - Kinesis Telematics | Fuel card integration |
| RAM Tracking | Budget-conscious vehicle tracking |
| Samara | Fuel and driving efficiency |
| Vodafone Fleet Telematics | Flexible, connected tracking |
Keep reading for detailed insight about each supplier. Or, to compare vehicle tracking providers right now, complete our quick and easy form at the top of the page – you'll receive custom quotes based on your specific business requirements!
Comparing business vehicle tracking suppliers: What do you need to know?
If you’re looking to compare vehicle tracking options, there are a range of factors to consider. These include:
Cost
Balancing the amount you can afford to spend with the price of the vehicle tracking services your business requires is likely to be a priority for many small business owners. It’s sometimes possible to negotiate prices, but if not, you’ll need to choose the best provider that’s available within your budget – check out how different providers prices compare below.
Fleet size
Another key aspect is the number of vehicles that your business needs to track. A supplier that specialises in vehicle tracking for large fleets is more likely to understand the specific requirements and details that are involved with this type of operation, and vice versa for smaller enterprises.
Industry
While you can choose from many suppliers that offer general vehicle tracking services, it’s possible to narrow your search based on which providers offer systems that are especially suitable for monitoring vehicles in a specific industry, e.g. food delivery. This can help to refine your search and find a provider that’s best suited to your business.
Equipment
Whether it’s ensuring compatibility between systems and devices, or simply wanting the best possible technology for the task, equipment is a crucial component of vehicle tracking systems. Be sure to speak with suppliers to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need.
Verizon pros:
- Comprehensive, advanced features
- Trial available
- Suitable for all industries
- Top-notch tracking features
- Custom reporting
- Smartphone app
Verizon cons:
- More expensive pricing in comparison to other providers
- Long contracts
Verizon packages and pricing
Verizon charges a monthly licence fee.
To find out how much Verizon might cost for your business, you can request a custom quote, which will be based on the size of your business and its needs.
You can expect the monthly licence to cost in the region of £40-£200.
Remember: Verizon also offers a trial, so you can try before you buy.
Verizon top features
Alerts: Verizon offers an extensive array of alerts, allowing you to monitor diagnostics, as well as driver history and behaviour (such as starts, stops, and speeds). If alerts are essential to your business vehicle tracking requirements, Verizon is your best bet.
Reporting: With a dashboard providing custom reports, Verizon is a great choice for businesses who are serious about managing data – and have the resources to do so. This includes detailed fuel purchase data with different types of fuel history reports available, meaning you can monitor by vehicle, fleet, or fuel card. Plus, Verizon summarises statistics for each day and presents them in reports categorised by driver or vehicle.
Verizon verdict: Is it for my business?
Verizon Connect could be the ideal vehicle tracking solution for your business if:
You want a supplier with a longstanding reputation and expertise. The result of a merger between three high-standard platforms – Verizon Telematics, Fleetmatics, and Telogis – Verizon Connect brings together a broad spectrum of fleet and workforce management expertise.
You’ll be making use of a wide range of features. From Garmin satnav integrations and weather updates to allowing unlimited users, Verizon Connect boasts a variety of advanced capabilities for your business to explore and implement.
You’ll be using vehicle tracking for larger vehicles or bigger fleets. If your business processes a high quantity of data, Verizon’s extensive reporting could be well-suited.
Movolytics pros:
- Lifetime warranty for hardware, including free replacements
- Unlimited training
- Unique fuel wastage reporting
- Data is sent directly from vehicles
- Driver scores are calculated from more than 150 driving behaviours
- Patented technology
Movolytics cons:
- No anti-theft features
Movolytics packages and pricing
Movolytics charges a monthly fee of £7.49 for its standard service, which you’ll have to install yourself. If you choose the hardwired option, you can expect to pay £14.49 on a per vehicle basis, across 36 months. A 12-month contract may also be available.
| Service type | Installation type | Price per month |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Self-installation | £7.49 |
| Service type | Price per vehicle | Contract length |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwired | £14.49 | 36 months |
With Movolytics, there aren’t any installation fees, while a 30-minute demo is available free of charge.
Movolytics top features
Fuel monitoring technology: Movolytics uses data from engines directly to provide insight on emissions, usage, and revolutions per minute (RPM). This information is displayed in a dashboard that’s updated in real time, and which highlights fuel wastage in terms of amount and cost. This level of fuel wastage reporting is unique to Movolytics.
Data management: Unlike many of its competitors, Movolytics doesn’t use GPS technology, instead linking directly to engines to offer precise data, quickly. The timesheets and location data are also robust.
Movolytics verdict: Is it for my business?
Movolytics could be the ideal vehicle tracking supplier for your business if…
You’re concerned about fuel efficiency. Movolytics offers standout fuel reporting that can drill down into the details of how your fleet is powered. Whether you’re looking to monitor emissions or reduce costs, you could use its fuel reporting features to streamline fuel usage.
You want in-depth information on driver behaviour. It’s possible to create a profile for each driver, then score them based on more than 150 driving behaviours, including how they accelerate, brake, corner, and use the gears. This is ideal if you have a large roster of drivers, or want to finetune how your drivers perform while out on the road by comparing them to their peers.
Your business relies on real-time data. With data drawn directly from vehicle engines, this information can be relayed to you in an instant – providing insight more quickly than GPS, but without compromising on accuracy.
Quartix pros:
- Comprehensive customer service
- Free installation
- Smartphone app available
- Transparent pricing
- Warranty included in price
- 12-month contract
Quartix cons:
- Driver messaging not available
- 1-2 minute plan refresh difference (longer times to refresh data compared to competitors)
Quartix packages and pricing
One of the more affordable vehicle tracking suppliers around, Quartix offers the following products:
- Infopoint
- Infoplus
- Infofleet
The below prices are based on a 12-month contract arrangement:
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Infopoint | £9.90 per month |
| Infoplus | £11.90 per month |
| Infofleet | £16.90 per month |
Additional features include:
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary input | £1 per month |
| Panic button | £1 per month |
| Driver ID | £1.50 per month |
Fuel card reporting is available on the Infoplus and Corporate plans, which can be integrated with Fleetcheck.
Quartix top features
Eco fuel management: Thanks to its partnership with Fleetcheck, Quartix can offer its Infoplus and Corporate plan customers a fuel card report service upon request. That said, certain conditions will have to be met – for starters, you'll need to be registered with Fleetcheck, and ensure that your fuel card is provided by a third-party supplier.
In addition to breakdowns of how fuel is allocated across your vehicles and the cost to your business, Fleetcheck can provide carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter reporting. This can help with meeting Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) standards – a membership organisation that champions best practice in the industry.
Driving history: Vehicle data logs are available each day, helping you to know when and where your employees will start and end their routes. The trip reporter feature allows you to view a driver’s movements during a shift, which can be useful for any insurance claims that may arise.
Quartix verdict: Is it for my business?
Your business should consider a Quartix vehicle tracking system if…
You don’t have much experience in vehicle tracking. Quartix provides straightforward fleet tracking, with on-site installation available – ideal for business owners who don’t have the time to learn the nitty-gritty of a new process.
You want a cheaper solution. The contract length and price points are more accessible than the vehicle tracking supplier standard, so a Quartix package could work well for you if you’re on a budget.
You operate a car fleet. With a focus on cost-cutting and driver behaviour, as well as its easy-to-use interface for informing customers of estimated arrival times, Quartix is particularly suited to taxi or retail businesses.
Kinesis Telematics pros:
- Can be used solely for fleet management or combined with a fuel card
- Fuel costs and fleet operations can be managed via an online account
- Smartphone and tablet apps are available
- Transparent charges
Kinesis Telematics cons:
- Not a specialist vehicle tracking provider
- Not suitable for larger fleets
Kinesis Telematics packages and pricing
Kinesis offers the following plans:
- Atom – a basic, budget-friendly solution that can be self-installed
- Kinesis – ideal for small to medium fleets, professionally installed
- Kinesis Pro – suitable for larger fleets, can be customised
The Kinesis Vision package is also available – a camera solution that can be integrated with either Kinesis or Kinesis Pro.
Contact Kinesis Telematics to learn more about pricing options for its packages.
Kinesis does provide some details of its charges, which include:
- Set-up fee – £20
- Service call – £55
- Out of hours surcharge – £25 (per vehicle)
Kinesis Telematics top features
Fuel card data integration: Backed by fuel card specialists UK Fuels, Kinesis claims to be the first vehicle tracking solution to fully integrate fuel card data, and provide the most accurate mile per gallon (MPG) reporting. And, with its Velocity system, you can manage both fuel costs and fleet operations in one online location.
Driver performance: This feature records any instances where your drivers speed, accelerate/brake harshly, or idle, giving each driver an individual score. This allows you to prioritise helping drivers make improvements where they need to, thereby reducing fuel consumption – not to mention the risk of accidents.
Kinesis Telematics verdict: Is it for my business?
UK Fuels’ Kinesis Telematics could be suitable for your business if…
Fuel economy is a priority for you. Kinesis is well-optimised for small fleet managers who want to keep a close eye on the MPG that their drivers travel at, and use this information to boost fuel efficiency and reduce costs in their organisation.
Your drivers are active in places with heavy traffic. With its Live Map function, Kinesis can identify and warn of any traffic, as well as provide estimated distances and arrival times for drivers.
RAM Tracking pros:
- Affordable vehicle tracking solution
- Only provider to offer reporting on cost-saving specifically
- Crash report data available
RAM Tracking cons:
- Limited features, e.g. no driver messaging or fuel card integration, minimal reporting
- Larger fleets may find other systems more suitable
RAM Tracking packages and pricing
| Contract length | Price per month |
|---|---|
| 12 months | £14 |
| 36 months | £10.99 |
| 48 months | £9.99 |
| 60 months | £8.99 |
RAM’s smartphone app, RAM Assist, is available for an additional cost of £5-7 per month.
RAM also offer dashcam bundle deals, featuring tracking and cameras, at the following price points:
| Contract length | Price per month |
|---|---|
| 36 months | £18.99 |
| 48 months | £16.99 |
| 60 months | £15.99 |
A lifetime warranty is available, as well as free installation and a free trial.
RAM Tracking top features
Crash report data. RAM Tracking stands out from its competitors by offering direct crash data reporting. You can receive notifications about driver activity, such as detecting impacts. Plus, the visual reporting allows you to locate the precise place an accident occurred.
Financial reports. Designed to help you track costs and profits, RAM Tracking can provide you with an overview of how much each job has cost your business, including labour costs and spending on fuel.
RAM Tracking verdict: Is it for my business?
You should take a look into RAM Tracking’s vehicle tracking solutions for your business if:
You’re on a budget. With some of the most affordable pricing available and dedicated cost savings reporting, RAM Tracking is ideal for price-conscious businesses.
You don’t have time for complex software. RAM Tracking’s intuitive interface is simple to understand and use from the off, and can be installed on your premises at a time of your choosing by an engineer.
You manage a small fleet of cars. As RAM Tracking focuses on the key features of vehicle tracking, you won’t have to worry about paying for or grappling with a system that has lots of excess functions.
Samsara pros:
- Strong fuel usage reporting
- One-of-a-kind, extensive driver messaging features
- Safety focused
- Quickest refresh time (every 30-60 seconds)
- Exceptional optimisation and routing functions
- Calculate Departure Times feature
Samsara cons:
- Lengthy contracts
- Alerts have to be manually configured
- Self-installation may not be suitable for every business
Samsara packages and pricing
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Hardware | £99-£359 (varies according to contract length and product type) |
| Licence | £10.83-£23.75 per month |
Most Samsara products are covered by a five year warranty, while many accessories include a one year warranty. Contract lengths usually range from three to five years.
Self-installation means there aren’t any setup fees, while a free trial is also available.
Samsara top features
Fuel reporting. Samsara's market-leading functions allow you to create extensive fuel usage reports. It’s possible to filter usage by current levels, amount used, and approximate costs, as well as miles per gallon (MPG).
Driver messaging. This standout feature allows users with admin access to send messages to drivers directly within the dashboard. This is ideal for altering schedules to maximise efficiency. Drivers can view messages via the app, when safe to do so. A warning is displayed if drivers try to access the messaging function while their status is set to ‘driving’. Samsara’s driver messaging feature is the sole product available that can operate this extensively.
Scheduling and routing. It’s easy to schedule and optimise routes with Samsara – the ‘Calculate departure times’ button allows you to work out the time spent on site, the time spent travelling, and the traffic conditions. And with a standard refresh time of between 30-60 seconds, you can receive the very latest information quickly. Maintenance tasks and reports can also be scheduled.
Samsara verdict: Is it for my business?
You should look into investing in Samsara for your business if:
You operate in the transportation industry. The ability to plan and enhance a route quickly and easily, as well as contact drivers, means Samsara is an ideal choice for this industry – whether you're responsible for passengers or products.
You want a real emphasis on safety. With Samsara’s maintenance reports, you can identify which vehicles need inspecting and servicing, as well as which insurance renewals are due.
You want to have some hands-on input. You’ll need to be able to code to set up the alerts, or at least have the resources to outsource this task. Although Samsara does provide snippets of code, it needs to be configured manually.
Vodafone Fleet Telematics pros:
- Crash reporting functions
- Modular packages
- Full integration with Vodafone and partner networks
Vodafone Fleet Telematics cons:
- Modules require tech knowledge to set up
Vodafone Fleet Telematics packages and pricing
- Pricing varies according to the type of system, with prices starting from £9
- A free demo is available for the My Connected Fleet app
Contact Vodafone for more information.
Vodafone Fleet Telematics top features
Modular packages. Vodafone’s offering is available on a modular system, meaning you can ‘pick and mix’ its services to design a solution that’s tailored to your business needs. Options include:
- Fleet platform and APIs (Application Programming Interface)
- Fleet safety and driving style
- Fleet location-based services
- Crash, Claims and Emergencies
- Maintenance
- Fleet telemetry
- Box operations
Electronic First Notification of Loss (eFNOL). The Crash, Claims and Emergencies module includes this crash alert feature, which instantly informs the designated contact in your business that an accident has taken place. It provides the vehicle’s details, as well as when and where the accident happened.
Vodafone Fleet Telematics verdict: Is it for my business?
Your business should consider Vodafone Fleet Telematics if…
You have fleets that travel internationally. Vodafone Fleet Telematics can completely integrate with Vodafone and other partner networks. This means that your vehicles can travel globally, all the while maintaining connection – without extra roaming charges.
You want detailed accident and crash insight. If you choose the Crash, Claims and Emergencies module, you can benefit from crash detection and automatic emergency services alerts (if applicable). You can also gain a greater understanding of how an accident occurred using Vodafone's reconstruction reports.
Benefits of vehicle tracking for small businesses
- Better safety – Drivers will be more connected to the business, so any issues that arise on the road or with a vehicle can be reported immediately. Also, by tracking your drivers, you'll be able to see if any of the team has run into trouble, and get help to them quickly and efficiently
- Minimise insurance costs – The improved safety that comes with vehicle tracking also means that it can become cheaper to insure your fleet
- Reduce fuel costs – Installing a fleet tracking system can revolutionise your fuel expenditure by regulating driver behaviour, habits, and routes
- Improve client relationships – Tracking your fleet means that your business can operate with greater efficiency, delivering promptly and communicating accurately if delays or problems occur. This in turn can strengthen your relationship with your clients, helping them to see you as a trustworthy, efficient, and communicative service
Many different businesses can benefit from vehicle tracking, no matter how large or small your fleet might be. Whether you run a taxi service, manage a fleet of delivery drivers, or have a team of construction workers who all drive a company vehicle, a wide variety of businesses see massive benefits to tracking their fleet.
Andrew Calf, general manager at PB Supercars, the UK’s leading supercar hire specialist, uses vehicle tracking systems to ensure the safety and security of the business’ 25-strong fleet.
Calf comments: “Running a supercar hire fleet is not the same as your average car hire company, and requires top of the range tracking and driver monitoring systems to prevent unsafe use of the cars or any thefts.
“Vehicle tracking also enables us to constantly monitor the vehicle’s location and speeds. In addition, they have g-force sensors that send alerts to us if harsh driving, such as rapid braking or acceleration, is detected.
“Another great benefit is that cameras are installed, which gives us a remote view of the driver and the road ahead at all times. These systems all run in real-time, and upload the data via GPS to cloud storage. This is a great feature which prevents unauthorised users from driving the cars.
“Without these monitoring systems, it would simply no longer be possible to safely operate the hire business.”
Best business vehicle tracking systems FAQs
Puzzled by a vehicle tracking query? We're here to provide clear and concise answers to some of the key vehicle tracking concerns!
What is business vehicle tracking?
Business vehicle tracking is a way of monitoring vehicle locations, as well as the driver’s behaviour (including their driving speed, route, and overall efficiency), for commercial purposes.
How does vehicle tracking work?
Tracking devices are installed into each vehicle, transmitting key information via satellite or radio signals. Devices or programs use either GPS (global position system) or RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to monitor journeys.
Vehicle location and performance details can include:
- Stopping times
- Brake force expenditure
- Speed
- Fuel consumption
- Route
The information is available to review and utilise via a dashboard.
How long does vehicle tracker installation take?
On average, vehicle tracker installation takes 1-2 hours.
How much does vehicle tracker installation cost?
Installation costs can range from £50-100. For more detailed information, see our guide to vehicle tracking costs. Or, learn how to do it yourself with our simple guide to vehicle tracking installation.
What's the battery life of a vehicle GPS tracker?
Normally, batteries last for around three years.
Methodology
The information on this page is based on information and research that was available and correct at the time of writing.
In addition, the page includes research that was conducted independently by two researchers, analysing 200 companies across 500 metrics, including features, pricing, and support.
Compare vehicle tracking providers for business
When comparing vehicle tracking systems, there are several factors to take into account, including your budget, the size of your fleet, and the industry it operates in, as well as the equipment you’ll need. Each provider stands out in its own way – this could be providing best-in-class reporting, cost-saving functions, or another specialist feature.
A clear theme across the board is the range of benefits that vehicle tracking can offer, such as cutting costs, maximising fuel usage, and helping you to streamline operations.
Whether you need a full fleet management system, have multiple vehicles to track, or simply want to get your business from A to B in the most efficient way possible, there are a number of providers to choose from.
For personalised help finding the right vehicle tracking supplier for your small business, complete the form at the top of this page, or below. In a matter of moments, you'll receive tailored quotes from the suppliers that best suit your business’ needs!
