Business van tracking Tracking your vans using GPS can make them more efficient - and cheaper to run. Discover how a van tracker could benefit you, and compare quotes from top suppliers. Written by Alec Hawley Updated on 13 July 2023 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Written and reviewed by: Alec Hawley If your business regularly uses business vehicles and vans, business van tracking can not only take the hassle out of managing your fleet, but make a significant difference to the efficiency and profitability of your company by cutting down on the costs of running a fleet.Van tracking devices are small vehicle monitors that allow you to actively monitor your business vehicles via GPS – saving you time, money, and resources whilst optimising security, productivity, and performance.This guide will explain how a business van tracking system works, the benefits of using a van tracking system, and how much van trackers cost.We will also look closely at some of the best business van tracking systems to help you find the right option for your small business.We will cover the following: What is business van tracking? What are the benefits of business van tracking? The best UK business van tracking systems. Verizon Connect RAM Tracking Movolytics Quartix How to choose a business van tracking system Business van tracking: a case study How we test vehicle tracking systems for small businesses Business van tracking FAQs Final thoughts What is business van tracking?As mentioned above, business van tracking works through GPS – a small tracker is installed in your business vehicle and this then keeps track of the location of the vehicle and other useful data.This information can then be easily accessed via an online system (or even a smartphone app), ensuring that you always know where your vehicles are.If that’s all you want to do, then you simply need a basic GPS tracker.But a more advanced business van tracking system can give you a wealth of valuable information; including fuel usage, route data, vehicle speed, driving style, and even CO2 emissions.Once you’re easily able to track and measure these factors, you can then find efficiencies that will make a real difference to your bottom line.To immediately compare business van tracking options, simply complete the form at the top of the page to receive bespoke quotes from some top vehicle tracking companies. What are the benefits of business van tracking?Here are some of the ways business van tracking can make a real difference to your business.With business van tracking, you will be able to:Keep track of your employeesWith a GPS tracker, you will know exactly where your drivers are at all times.This will not only allow you to keep track of employee performance and idling, but also means you can allocate jobs more efficiently based on driver location.Optimise customer serviceWhen you’re able to see where your business vehicles are in real time, you can give far more accurate information to your customers, including more precise delivery windows and rapid notification of any delays or delivery issues.Assess driving behaviourVan tracking software allows you to keep closely monitor the behaviour of your drivers, and keep track of dangerous actions like speeding or harsh braking.This has two key benefits.Firstly, it helps you to avoid accidents and reduces the cost of your insurance.Secondly, ensuring that your employees drive safely and sensibly is crucial to the reputation of your company.Each and every time your vans take to the road, they do so emblazoned with your company logo and they represent your company to the public. If a driver behaves poorly, it’s the name of the company that will be linked with that behaviour, not the name of the driver.Stay on the right side of the lawVehicle tracking systems make it easy to keep track of mileage, so you’ll know exactly what to put down when you need to fill out your tax return.You can also be 100% confident that this information is accurate – say goodbye to guessing or simply trusting what your drivers tell you.Knowing exactly how long your employees are driving for also makes it much easier to comply with laws that limit the amount of time an employee can drive in a given time period.Reduce your insurance premiumsBusiness van tracking systems help to both promote safer driving and increase the chances of stolen vehicles being recovered. By doing so, they can reduce the cost of your motor insurance premiums. Business van tracker types Van tracking devices come in many different forms. Looking to distinguish your passive from your active devices? Confused about RFID and GPS? Here’s a quick guide to the business van tracking terms you need to know:Passive tracking devicesPassive tracking devices offer basic vehicle tracking – they record information based during the journey but only transmit this information once they return to a specific place. Some may also need to be removed from the vehicle for data to be accessed.Passive tracking devices do not offer the real-time monitoring services that many businesses are looking for, but are a low-cost option that may suit smaller operators that have relatively short journey times.Active tracking devicesWith an active tracking device, data is transmitted in real time via a satellite or cellular network. This allows users to see exactly where their vehicles are at any time, with the only potential disruption coming from areas with a poor signal.This capability makes active tracking devices ideal for large companies that need highly accurate information and instant visibility of their whole business fleet.RFID trackingRFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is generally used in things like electronic door passes that allow access to certain buildings, or contactless payment cards.They function via electromagnetic fields, with tags using the energy generated by RFID readers to transmit information.In the field of vehicle tracking, RFID is not used that often, but some US logistics companies have used RFID to track when their vehicles pass certain checkpoints, and car rental companies often use RFID to track their cars in huge airport car parks.However, RFID will generally be used to track whatever is being transported rather than the business vehicle it’s being transported in.GPS trackingMost vehicle tracking systems work via GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology. This means that they use the signals sent between satellites to track their location, just like how Google Maps works on your phone.This location data is then sent to the monitoring platform, usually via a cellular network. The best UK business van tracking systems.Now you’ve got to grips with how business van tracking works and how it could help you, it’s time to take a look at some of the best van tracking systems currently available.We’ll take you through what they offer, and help you work out which is right for you.Best UK van trackers:Van tracking providerKey FeaturesCostVerizon ConnectDriver leaderboards show staff how their driving compares to their colleagues’, 24/7 phone support£22 - £42 per vehicle, per monthRAM TrackingFinancial reporting data shows cost of travel and time on site, ability to monitor CO2 emissions£8.99 - £14 per vehicle, per monthMovolyticsHighly accurate data, live traffic information, wasted fuel report£7.49 - £14.49 per vehicle, per monthQuartixGoogle Maps integration, free installation, mobile app, transparent pricing£9.90 - £16.90 per vehicle, per month(Prices listed do not include installation and ongoing costs. Prices correct at time of writing and sourced from proprietary competitor research.)We’ll now look more closely at each supplier. Verizon ConnectVerizon Connect sits at the premium end of the UK vehicle tracking market, with a comprehensive range of features and prices slightly higher than many other providers.Its key features include:Data trend dashboardsCurrent and historical data is combined in dashboards (see above) that reveal key trends, and help you to work towards performance KPIs. This gives a great overview of performance across different metrics, and the default dashboard view can be personalised to show the metrics that matter most to your business.Driver managementWith ID tokens (available at an additional cost), you can track drivers across multiple vehicles. This is a great solution for businesses where multiple drivers use the same vehicles.This data can then be collated into driver leaderboards that show how your drivers compare in different metrics (and can be shared with your employees to promote some healthy competition).Detailed driver behaviour reportsThe driver data provided by Verizon Connect goes beyond just speeding and idling. Track factors like hard braking, quick starts, and harsh cornering to gain in-depth insight into how your drivers are behaving on the road and where efficiencies can be found.Pros ✅Cons ❌Global coverageComprehensive range of featuresCommitted customer service, inc. 24/7 phone supportSmartphone and tablet compatibleMight be out of budget if you’re looking for basic vehicle trackingPrice rangeLike most vehicle tracking providers, Verizon Connect charges a monthly fixed fee for each vehicle you’re tracking. This cost includes both software and hardware – and is between £22 and £42 per vehicle, per month depending on the size of your fleet and the features you require.VerdictWith relatively high prices and a huge range of features, Verizon Connect is a great option for small businesses prepared to make a serious commitment to their business van tracking. RAM TrackingWhile it doesn’t offer some of the more elaborate features of its more expensive competitors, RAM Tracking is a dependable vehicle tracking solution used by businesses across the UK.Some of its key features include:Friendly customer serviceWhile it only offers support during business hours (8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday), RAM Tracking is renowned for its friendly and efficient customer service. A rating of 4.7 on Trustpilot backs this up, with small business users praising the relaxed approach to sales, speedy installation, and well-informed staff.Crash detectionRAM Tracking offers the option to have specific notifications for impact detection, as well as the ability to see on the map view exactly where the incident occurred.Financial reportingWithin the timesheet reports, RAM Tracking users are able to track the cost of travel and time on site, and generate fuel cost expectations that allow small business owners to gain a better understanding of the costs of specific journeys. An additional report also allows users to track CO2 emissions.Pros ✅Cons ❌Friendly, efficient customer serviceFinancial reportingCO2 emissions dataStrong SME user baseLittle info on driver behaviourPrice rangeThe price of a RAM tracking system ranges from £8.99 – £14 per vehicle, per month. This cost varies according to the features selected, size of fleet and the length of contract.VerdictRAM Tracking is a solid option for many small business van tracking customers, with friendly customer service and a clean interface that’s easy to understand. However, advanced users may find the feature list a little lacking. MovolyticsMovolytics’ key USP is that it takes vehicle data straight from the engine rather than relying on GPS. This makes it more accurate in areas like fuel usage than its rivals, making it an especially attractive option for small businesses that need to keep track of every penny.It’s also one of the most affordable options on the market, and offers a good range of features for business van tracking.Some of its key features include:Highly accurate dataAs mentioned above, Movolytics’ tracking systems pull the data straight from the engine rather than relying on GPS. This means that it has industry-leading fuel usage data, and its bespoke wasted fuel report can show you exactly how much fuel your business vehicles are using in pounds and pence.Keeping a handle on fuel costs can be crucial to the bottom line of your small business and Movolytics makes it easy.Live traffic informationAnother area in which Movolytics excels is traffic information. With live traffic data, Movolytics makes it easy to reroute drivers headed for a traffic jam.Driver behaviour trackingAny company wanting to improve driver behaviour should strongly consider Movolytics. The company’s patented algorithm analyses over 150 driving manoeuvres across four key categories – acceleration, braking, cornering, and gear use.It then uses these to build a profile for each driver and, through the MotoDrive app, gives each driver live prompts on how to correct inefficient driving behaviour.Pros ✅Cons ❌Highly accurate dataLive traffic informationWasted fuel reportAdvanced driver behaviour trackingLacks some advanced features, including cargo temperature monitoringPrice rangeDepending on what sort of system is selected (self-install plug and play vs a fully hardwired system, Movolytics costs between £7.49 and £14.49 per vehicle, per month.VerdictDespite being one of the most affordable business van tracking options on the market, Movolytics impresses with its highly accurate fuel data, live traffic information, and advanced driver behaviour tracking. Users who need advanced features like cargo temperature monitoring may want to look elsewhere though. QuartixQuartix is another strong option at the more affordable end of the van tracking spectrum. Founded in 2001, the company has decades of experience in vehicle tracking and offers a strong range of features and excellent customer service.Some of its key features include:12-month contractsMany vehicle tracking companies lock users into 3-5-year contracts to ensure continued business. Quartix sees things differently – all contracts last for just 12 months, making this a great option for any business owner that doesn’t want to tie themselves to a long-running expense.This also demonstrates Quartix’s faith in its product and its ability to keep customers beyond that initial 12 months.Mobile appThe fully featured Quartix mobile app means this is a great option for any small business owner that wants to access business van tracking on the move.Wherever you are, you can access live tracking, trip data for the past six months, and driving style reports that analyse acceleration and braking.Drivers can use the app to see their own driving style reports, without seeing the data for the other drivers at the company.Excellent customer serviceAlthough it only offers phone support during business hours (8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday), Quartix has an excellent reputation when it comes to customer service. Trustpilot reviews back this up, the company has an overall score over 4 and, of the 127 reviews posted at the time of writing, 88% rated the company as excellent.Pros ✅Cons ❌12-month contractsFully featured mobile appExcellent customer serviceGoogle maps integrationNo driver messaging optionPrice rangeAs is generally the case with vehicle tracking companies, Quartix charges on a per vehicle monthly basis. The cost is £9.90 – £16.90 per vehicle, per month, with the price varying depending on the features required.Verdict.Quartix is a great option for business van tracking. The price makes it affordable for early-stage businesses, the 12-month contracts introduce welcome flexibility into the vehicle tracking market, and the powerful mobile app and excellent customer service are other key points in its favour.The lack of driver messaging is unfortunate, and users keen on Quartix will need to assess how important this is to their business.Read Quartix full reviewFor a much more accurate idea of how much business van tracking will cost, fill in the form at the top of the page. You’ll receive bespoke quotes from top vehicle tracking companies and get the opportunity to easily compare their capabilities. How to choose a business van tracking systemWhen comparing business van tracking systems, make sure you consider the following points:Identify your vehicle tracking objectivesThis should be your starting point. Think about exactly what you want to achieve with a vehicle tracking system – is the priority simply keeping track of your vehicles, or do you want to focus on reducing fuel costs, slashing idling time, or planning more efficient routes?Pick three key focus areas and make sure you keep referring back to these during your business van tracking search.Consider contract lengthMake sure you read the small print. Vehicle tracking companies typically lease the equipment to you for as long as you pay to use their services, so signing up for a lengthy contract could put you seriously out of pocket.Anything longer than two years should raise alarm bells, while the rate per month may be lower than with a shorter contract, the total cost might mean you end up paying more than if you’d bought a vehicle tracking system outright.Think about scalabilityDon’t just consider how different business van tracking systems would suit your business now, but also plan ahead.Try to imagine how your needs might change as your company grows, and check how much adding new vehicles or new features might cost under different providers.For more great info on how to make sure you get a great value business van tracking deal, head to our dedicated page on vehicle tracking costs. Business van tracking: a case study Contracting company Oakleaf Commercial Services provide a great illustration of the benefits of business van tracking:Since installing vehicle tracking devices, the company has noted a 30% reduction in harsh braking/acceleration, and annual reported savings of over £9,500 in fleet fuel costs.The introduction of trackers has also reduced unnecessary vehicle idling by 50%.Executive Business Manager Keith Burgess states that:“I can’t imagine us operating without our tracking system. As responsible managers, we want and need the information it gives us.” How we test vehicle tracking systems for small businessesWe tested 29 vehicle tracking systems to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, driver management, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to small UK-based businesses.Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in six main categories of investigation and six subcategories – in fact, we covered 51 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs of our Startups.co.uk readers.Our main testing categories for vehicle tracking systems are:Price: the cost associated with using the vehicle tracking software, such as upfront costs, subscription fees, and hardware costs (if applicable).Tracking: the core functionality of the vehicle tracking software, which involves monitoring and tracking the location and movements of vehicles in real-time.Driver Management: the features and tools provided by the vehicle tracking software to manage and monitor driver activities.Vehicle Management: the functionalities that allow for the efficient management and maintenance of vehicles, such as vehicle health monitoring and maintenance scheduling.Product Features: the additional functionalities and capabilities offered by the vehicle tracking software beyond basic tracking and management, such as driver routing and dispatching.Support: the resources, assistance, and guidance provided by the vehicle tracking software company to users, including phone support and email or chat support.The Startups product testing process Business van tracking FAQsHow accurate is business van tracking?As with other vehicle tracking systems, van trackers that use GPS are accurate to a three-metre radius of the vehicle. Exactly how accurate a live tracking system is depends on how often it refreshes its position – this varies from 30 seconds to five minutes depending on the provider and plan selected.How do GPS business van tracking devices work?GPS trackers work by emitting signals that are picked up by the GPS satellite network, before being sent back to the cloud server. This real-time data is then sent to the computer program or mobile app, showing small business owners exactly where their vehicles are at a given time.What are the benefits of GPS business van tracking systems?Some of the key benefits of GPS business van tracking systems include:Optimised vehicle deployment that reduces downtime and improves reliabilityImproved vehicle security that helps to reduce insurance premiumsMore precise route planningReduced fuel costsIn-depth insight into driver behaviourEnhanced customer service through more accurate delivery windows and arrival times Final thoughtsAs you can see, there’s much to consider when comparing business van tracking systems – including features, costs, contract length, and customer service.Start finding the right fit for your business by filling in the form at the top of the page to receive bespoke quotes from top vehicle tracking companies, all tailored to your specific needs and capabilities.This will give you a great chance to see what options are out there, as well as the opportunity to ask any detailed questions related to your vehicle tracking goals.Whether you have 5 vans or 50, finding the right business van tracking system could transform your business, so make sure you take the time to carefully compare your options and consider how your business might change in the future.Good luck! Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Alec Hawley Alec is Startups’ resident expert on politics and finance. He’s provided live updates on the budget, written guides on investing and property development, and demystified topics like corporation tax, accounting software, and invoice discounting. Before joining, he worked in the media for over a decade, conducting media analysis at Kantar Media and YouGov, and writing a wide variety of freelance pieces.