ELD Cost Per Month: 2026 Price Comparison Of 25 Devices
Ask five ELD sales reps what their system costs and you'll get five answers, three of which start with "it depends." That's not entirely their fault. Pricing really does depend on fleet size, contract length, hardware and add ons like dash cams. But it makes comparison shopping painful.
So we did the tedious part. We went through 25 ELD options and recorded what each vendor actually publishes: monthly fee, hardware cost and contract terms. Where a vendor doesn't publish prices, we say so instead of guessing. Every figure below was checked in October 2026 on the vendor's own site unless we've marked it otherwise.
Average ELD Costs In 2026
Here's the short version, based only on plans with published prices:
- Basic ELD only plans run from about $19 to $40 a month per truck on monthly or annual billing.
- Month to month without a contract can cost a lot more. TT ELD, for example, lists $89 a month month to month against $50 a month on a 12 month term.
- Hardware ranges from free (usually with annual prepay) to around $135 for a plug in device, with cables extra.
- No subscription options exist. Garmin eLog is a one time $249.99 purchase.
- Dash cam bundles add roughly $25 to $35 a month over a basic plan where vendors publish both.
Enterprise platforms such as Motive, Samsara, Geotab and Verizon Connect generally don't publish list prices. You'll need a quote, and pricing varies by fleet size, term and features.
Full Price Table
| # | ELD and plan | Monthly fee | Hardware | Contract | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOS247 ELD Compliance | $19 | Free with annual, or $79 if paying monthly | None | Verified |
| 2 | HOS247 ELD Track (adds GPS tracking) | $22 | Free with annual, or $79 | None | Verified |
| 3 | HOS247 ELD Plus (adds IFTA) | $25 | Free with annual, or $79 | None | Verified |
| 4 | HOS247 ELD TeleTrack | $35 | Free with annual, or $79 plus $69 GPS device | None | Verified |
| 5 | HOS247 ELD TeleTrack CARB | $40 | Free with annual, or $149 | None | Verified |
| 6 | TT ELD, 12 month term | $50 | PT30 listed at $135 | 12 months | Verified |
| 7 | TT ELD, month to month | $89 | PT30 listed at $135 | None | Verified |
| 8 | TT ELD with dash cam | $75 | Plus device | Check terms | Verified |
| 9 | Blue Ink Tech BIT ELD | $40, or $400 a year | Included with annual | None | Verified, see note |
| 10 | Blue Ink Tech BIT Dashcam ELD | $50, or $600 a year | Free with annual | None | Verified |
| 11 | Linxup ELD | $30 | $99 tablet on a 3 year plan | 3 years | Verified |
| 12 | Garmin eLog | $0 | $249.99 one time | None | Verified |
| 13 | ELD Mandate Bundle A | $22.95 | Bundled | Monthly, annual or 3 year options | Verified |
| 14 | ELD Mandate Bundle C with Android tablet and data | $55.95 | Bundled | Monthly, annual or 3 year options | Verified |
| 15 | Motive | Quote only | Quote | Typically multi year | Quote |
| 16 | Samsara | Quote only | Quote | Typically multi year | Quote |
| 17 | Geotab (sold through resellers) | Reseller quote | Reseller quote | Varies by reseller | Quote |
| 18 | Verizon Connect Reveal | Quote only | Quote | Quote | Quote |
| 19 | Omnitracs | Quote only | Quote | Quote | Quote |
| 20 | J.J. Keller Encompass | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Check vendor |
| 21 | Rand McNally ELD | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Check vendor |
| 22 | Matrack ELD | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Check vendor |
| 23 | BigRoad | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Check vendor |
| 24 | Ezlogz | Not published in a readable price list | Not verified | Not verified | Check vendor |
| 25 | EROAD | Quote only | Quote | Quote | Quote |
A note on Blue Ink Tech: its ELD page lists $40 a month or $400 a year, while its homepage pricing block showed $30 a month when we checked. Confirm the current figure with Blue Ink Tech before you buy.
"Not verified" means we couldn't confirm a current price on the vendor's own site in October 2026. Third party sites list prices for these, but they're often out of date, so we left them out rather than repeat numbers we couldn't check.
How To Read ELD Pricing
Monthly versus annual
Many low cost ELDs charge the same monthly rate either way but give you free hardware if you pay a year up front. HOS247 works this way: $79 per device if you pay monthly, free if you pay for a year. TT ELD does it differently, with a much higher rate if you don't commit to 12 months.
Hardware
There are three hardware models:
- Buy it. You pay once and own the device. Garmin eLog is the clearest example.
- Free with a term. The device is free if you pay annually or sign a contract.
- Leased or bundled. The hardware cost is built into the monthly fee. ELD Mandate's bundles work this way.
Don't forget cables. Many trucks need a specific diagnostic cable, and those are often sold separately. HOS247 lists cables at $15 and $17, and TT ELD lists them at $15 to $20. Some newer trucks need a different cable entirely. TT ELD notes certain 2025 Volvo models need an RP1226 cable.
The tablet or phone
Most ELDs run on your own phone or tablet. If you don't already have one that meets the app's requirements, budget for it. Linxup's $99 tablet on a 3 year plan and ELD Mandate's Bundle C with an Android tablet and data are examples of vendors bundling one. Our guide to the best tablets for ELD apps covers what to look for.
Contract length
Month to month gives flexibility but often costs more. Multi year contracts lower the monthly rate but lock you in. Before you sign, ask:
- What happens if I sell a truck mid contract?
- Is there an early termination fee, and how is it calculated?
- Does the contract auto renew? TT ELD's terms, effective January 3, 2026, include auto renewal with no proration.
Hidden Fees To Ask About
Advertised monthly prices rarely tell the whole story. Ask about each of these before you sign anything:
- Activation or setup fees. Some vendors charge per device.
- Shipping. Often small, but it adds up across a fleet.
- Cables and adapters. Usually sold separately.
- Installation. Plug in devices are free to install yourself. Hardwired units or dash cams may need a technician.
- Feature add ons. IFTA reports, GPS tracking, dash cams, DVIR and driver scoring are often extras.
- Data plans. Your tablet or phone needs data. Some bundles include it.
- Return fees. Leased hardware usually has to be returned at the end of the contract, sometimes at your cost.
- Price increases. Check whether the vendor can raise prices during your term.
Cheapest Options
Cheapest with no subscription: Garmin eLog
At $249.99 one time with no monthly fee, Garmin eLog is hard to beat on long run cost for a single truck. The trade off is limited fleet features. It's best for owner operators who only need compliance. See our ELD no monthly fee guide for more.
Cheapest monthly: HOS247 ELD Compliance
At $19 a month with a free device on annual payment and no contract, HOS247's base plan is the lowest published monthly price we found from a vendor that also publishes its full plan list. If you need IFTA, the ELD Plus plan at $25 includes it.
Cheapest bundle with hardware built in: ELD Mandate Bundle A
At $22.95 a month with hardware bundled, this is worth comparing for fleets that don't want to buy devices.
Cheapest with a dash cam
Among vendors that publish dash cam bundle prices, BIT's Dashcam ELD at $50 a month and TT ELD's dash cam plan at $75 are the published options we found.
Cost Over Three Years
Monthly price alone can mislead. Here's what one truck costs over 36 months, using only published figures and no dash cam:
| Option | How we calculated it | 3 year total |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin eLog | $249.99 one time | $249.99 |
| HOS247 ELD Compliance, annual | $19 x 36 | $684 |
| HOS247 ELD Plus, annual | $25 x 36 | $900 |
| ELD Mandate Bundle A | $22.95 x 36 | $826.20 |
| Linxup ELD | $30 x 36, plus $99 tablet | $1,179 |
| BIT ELD, annual | $400 x 3 | $1,200 |
| TT ELD, 12 month terms | $50 x 36, plus $135 PT30 | $1,935 |
| TT ELD, month to month | $89 x 36, plus $135 PT30 | $3,339 |
Taxes, cables and shipping aren't included. Prices change, so treat this as a snapshot from October 2026. For your own fleet, try our ELD cost calculator, which totals hardware, install and monthly fees across fleet sizes.
What You Get For More Money
Cheap ELDs cover the legal minimum well: logs, DVIRs, data transfer and a fleet portal. Spending more usually buys:
- Real time GPS tracking from a dedicated device instead of the driver's phone.
- AI dash cams that flag risky driving and help defend against false claims.
- Maintenance alerts from engine fault codes.
- Integrations with TMS, payroll and fuel card systems.
- Support with account managers for larger fleets.
For a two truck operation, those extras often aren't worth it. For a 50 truck fleet, the safety and efficiency tools can pay for themselves. Our ELD ROI calculator helps you check.
Is A Cheap ELD Risky?
It can be, but not because of the price. The real risk is FMCSA revoking a device's registration. In 2026 FMCSA removed devices in several batches, including 12 devices in May, 10 in July and 5 in August. When a device is revoked, carriers have a set window to replace it. TT ELD's TT ELD 40 was among those revoked in July 2026, while its TTELD5 device remains registered.
Before you buy any ELD, check that it's on FMCSA's registered list. Our copy of the FMCSA registered ELD list is updated with the latest checks.
How To Get A Better Price
- Pay annually. It often gets you free hardware.
- Ask about fleet discounts. Many vendors discount at 5, 10 or 25 trucks. BIT, for example, offers free hardware on monthly plans for fleets of 5 or more.
- Get competing quotes. Enterprise vendors negotiate. A written quote from a competitor helps.
- Skip features you won't use. Pick the plan for what you actually need.
- Time it right. End of quarter deals are real at larger vendors.
If you'd like help comparing quotes, use our custom quote page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ELD cost per month?
Published basic plans run from about $19 to $40 a month per truck, with month to month plans sometimes costing more. Enterprise systems are quote only.
Is there an ELD with no monthly fee?
Yes. Garmin eLog is a one time purchase of $249.99 with no subscription, as checked in October 2026.
Do I have to sign a contract?
Not always. HOS247 and Blue Ink Tech list no contract plans. Others require 12 months or longer to get their best price.
Why don't Motive and Samsara publish prices?
Both sell through sales quotes. Pricing depends on fleet size, contract length and features, so you'll need to request a quote.
Do I need to buy a tablet?
Most ELDs work on your own phone or tablet. If you don't have one that meets the app's requirements, either buy one or choose a bundle that includes it.
Sources
- HOS247 ELD pricing page, hos247.com, checked October 2026.
- TT ELD pricing, store and terms pages, tteld.com, checked October 2026.
- Blue Ink Tech ELD and homepage pricing, blueinktech.com, checked October 2026.
- Linxup pricing, linxup.com, checked October 2026.
- Garmin eLog product page, garmin.com, checked October 2026.
- ELD Mandate pricing, eldmandate.biz, checked October 2026.
- FMCSA revoked ELD list and registered ELD list, fmcsa.dot.gov, checked October 2026.