Fleet Tracking : How Much Will Tracking My Small Business Fleet Company Cost?

There are plenty of reasons to track your fleet’s vehicles and drivers, but the biggest one is simply efficiency. With technology, it’s possible to know where each vehicle in your fleet is at any given time, what routes they take, and how much fuel they use while doing their jobs.

This can result in significant cost savings and improve customer satisfaction at the same time. But before you jump right in, it’s important to know the costs associated with these systems—and whether they work as advertised.

What Is Fleet Tracking?

Small business fleet tracking is a service that helps monitor the whereabouts of your company’s vehicles. It can be used to find out where a vehicle is at any given time or to see the route it traveled.

Fleet tracking software usually includes dispatch management, GPS systems, driver behaviour monitoring, fuel management, vehicle maintenance logs, and alerts on speed limits.

The price of fleet tracking will vary depending on whether you want an installed hardware solution with dash cameras or a more software-based solution (less expensive but might not provide as many benefits).

How Much Does Fleet Tracking Cost?

How much does it cost to track my small business fleet?

Fees vary depending on the level of service you need, including the number of vehicles you want to track, how often you want them monitored, whether or not you want your vehicle’s location shown on a map in real-time, etc.

The average cost is around $40-50/month with an upfront fee that ranges from $150-$600+.

Buying vs. Renting Fleet Tracking Systems for a Small Business

Most fleet management companies have a monthly subscription fee for your GPS tracking hardware and fleet management software.

While you’ll always have to pay a monthly fee for your fleet management software, some companies will allow you to buy the hardware upfront without leasing it – cutting costs.

Pricing ranges from $99-$450 per device, with many packages starting at around $100.

What are the major differences between Buying and renting software tracking solutions? Keep reading to find out!

Buying GPS Tracking Devices

GPS tracking devices can cost anywhere from 99-450 USD per device, plus monthly subscription fees for an accompanying software program.

When you purchase a GPS tracker, you pay upfront for the hardware and fleet management software.

However, once you own the system outright (a process called perpetual licensing), there are no restrictions to how it can be used.

GPS Tracking Price Range: $99-$450 per device, plus monthly software costs.

When you buy a GPS tracking device, you’ll spend upfront on the car tracking hardware and fleet management software.

From thereon out, it’s yours to do with as you please (or whoever else is paying). This gives you what’s called a perpetual license, or in other words—you can keep using the equipment (and installing new updates) with unlimited restrictions

Pros

You’ll eventually save money by not needing to buy another system.
The technology will be your own—you can do whatever you want and use it as long as you need to.

Cons

The initial cost might be high
You’ll be required to always cater to maintenance and repair costs

Renting a full fleet management system

Renting a full fleet management system ranges between $14-$250 per vehicle per month. If you settle on leasing, you’ll be required to pay a monthly fee for both the software and hardware of your fleet management system.

Moreover, with this option, the supplier always issues you with a subscription-based license based on your contract.

Pros

Initial installation cost tends to be low
The service provider caters to all updates, maintenance, and repairs at no extra cost

Cons

Some fleet companies may find the monthly subscription costs to be higher in the long run
Non-accidental damages to the hardware may occur at separate repair costs

What Are the Additional Costs of Fleet Tracking?

Unfortunately, your monthly fee may not be the only charge you end up paying. Yes, we’re talking about two words that no one wants to say out loud when it comes to business operations. For fleet and truck GPS tracking systems, additional costs come in two forms:

Add-ons – These are the extra hardware and features you purchase as an optional addition to your already-priced package.
Additional charges – are fees from your provider and the third party for certain services.

Extra hardware and feature add-ons

On top of the key features included in their packages, some fleet management company providers will offer you the opportunity to add extra hardware and software features to your bundle at an additional cost. Such additions may include the following:

ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices) – to comply with FMCSA regulations.
Dash cams – for recording incidents and keeping drivers safe.
Asset and trailer trackers – when you want to track assets that aren’t vehicles.
Temperature monitors – for vehicles transporting temperature-sensitive goods, such as food.
Driver ID kits – so your system can identify who’s driving each vehicle.
Staff training – so that you and your drivers understand how to use the system to its full potential.

It can be difficult giving a clear estimate on the added costs you might come across because it will depend on what you decide your fleet needs are or what type of extras your chosen provider charges–what one fleet management company thinks is an added feature may be considered a basic need by another.

Additional Charges

Apart from the cost of any additional hardware or features you might need, your supplier may ask for extra payments that include the following:

Installation fees: What your suppliers will charge you to have engineers come to your business and install the tracking devices in your vehicles. A few exceptions stood out when researching this topic, such as GPS Insight, one of the few providers providing an installation fee. While other providers tend to offer both hardwire and plug-and-play device installation at no cost at all.
Customization fees: If you want your preferred fleet management tracking system to be branded with your company’s logo, the supplier might charge you an extra according to their branding price chart
Integration fees: For fleet management companies that prefer integrating other software tools, such as payroll or safety apps, into their fleet management system, the tracking supplier might charge an integration fee.
Geofence Fees: these are Fees applied by your supplier for geofencing your fleets. Some suppliers may allow you to set up boundaries – virtual geographic zones where vehicles are not allowed to go beyond – and charge you if your vehicle goes over these boundaries.
Termination fees: no companies like seeing clients walk away from their services. However, you shouldn’t be on a subscription that does not align with your company’s needs. And, as much as some tracking services offer a 30-day free trial for its new clients. Others tend to charge termination fees once you cancel your contract with them.

Factors Affecting Fleet Management

When deciding which fleet management software to purchase, the size of your fleet will determine how much you are willing to spend. A small trucking business with less than five drivers would require different needs than a corporation with 1,000+ trucks.

Another factor to consider is if you want basic functionality or all the bells and whistles. If this is your first rodeo using a fleet management program, it might make sense to try something simple and easy rather than going all-out immediately.

On the other hand, if you’re a veteran managing fleet without any management platform up until now, it makes sense to go for something robust enough to incorporate what you already do well into its structure – saving time and money.

Average Cost for Fleet Tracking

Remember the bottom line as you contemplate investing in fleet-tracking solutions for your business. The average cost of GPS fleet tracking services must be taken into consideration with your company’s growth.

After all, the whole point of using such services revolves around growing customer trust and bolstering revenue opportunities. When deciding which level of service your company needs, you’ll need to consider how much it would cost each month.

Generally speaking, monthly GPS-based vehicle trackers usually come in between $30 and $55– installation costs can vary wildly, however; prices start at free but can go up to nearly $200 if we’re talking about promotional discounts or incentives currently available elsewhere.

Value of Fleet Tracking Services

Fleet managers who switch to fleet management systems instantly start getting rewarded. Allowing them access to all their business-related tasks – such as tracking routes and managing purchasing decisions – saves them tons of time.

Not only is this system capable of locating your drivers at any given moment, but it can eliminate many problems arising from driver behavior concerns to delivery speeds.

It also provides freight-tracking services for shipping customers, increasing customer trust with the ability to monitor shipments themselves through fleet management apps or technology.

Extended Fleet Equipment Life Span

One of the many benefits of fleet management systems is their capability to extend the lifespan of your equipment. Trucks, vans, buses, and other commercial vehicles run smoother when drivers put less stress on them.

With a central platform for communication and logistics—your team members are all on the same page! Because they’re better prepared for seamless trips due to more thorough planning and coordination—along with utilizing less fuel and producing fewer diesel emissions; engine life increases too.

6 Ways how to Save Money on Fleet Tracking Costs

You can do a few different things to lower the price of your fleet or truck GPS tracking system as much as possible. Check out our six helpful tips:

Compare the Price of Different Providers

It may seem trivial, but it’s very important. You won’t know which option is best for you until you’ve compared your preferred picks. If it sounds like too much work at first, don’t fret – we’re here to help!

Fill in the free short forms from different, and they will send you quotes tailored to your specific fleet size from several vetted providers. This way, you’ll have the power to decide who can cater to your needs and at what price point without having to do any extra legwork yourself.

Consider Long, Auto-Renewing Contracts

When considering leasing a fleet management system, it’s worth being aware of how long your contract will last. As a newbie, you’ll be better off with a shorter contract that won’t obligate you for years to come.

When signing up, make sure you know whether or not the contract will automatically renew at its end – because some providers require users to notify them well in advance if they would like to cancel this renewal option – often several months before the contract’s expiration date!

Check Your Cancellation Period

Following the installation and set-up of your system, some suppliers may offer a cooling-off period during which you can decide if the system is suited for you.

Canceling after this point means being charged for a product that doesn’t suit your needs – but before then, be sure to understand what those stipulations are! Compared to other tracking services Fleetr offers a 30-day free trial. While others such as Samsara – will provide a different cancellation timeframe depending on factors such as fleet size and need. Ensure to read everything thoroughly before signing up!

Look for Free Trials

It’s only logical to try before you buy! Some fleet management systems offer a trial period that allows users access for free for a limited amount of time (usually 30 days). After this grace period has ended, the user can decide if they want to enter into an agreement and continue using the system or decline.

Find a Fleet Management Software That Includes Everything You Need

Consider what’s included in the fleet management package – and, most importantly, what isn’t. Earlier, we discussed how different providers would charge different rates for various add-ons. It’s worth finding a supplier that includes all the functionality you need under their monthly base rate or can provide it at as little as possible.

Opt for a Scalable System

As your business grows, you need a fleet management system that can grow, too – at a minimal cost! So, talk to your supplier about what kind of process they have for adding more vehicles to the program and how much it’ll take from you if you decide to add them. If it seems like it’s going to be complicated or expensive when it’s all said and done, don’t hesitate! Keep looking!

What Influences Fleet Management Costs?

The price of fleet management software can range from $500 to over $1000, depending on several factors. Some include the system’s capabilities, the number of vehicles and equipment used in the company’s operations, and the type of contract agreed upon for payments.

Most businesses will operate on either a pay-per-vehicle or per-user contract; however, some allow clients to choose which they prefer. A few aspects that affect prices are whether or not the software and hardware are connected to one person tracking all vehicles or if it syncs with every vehicle being tracked in real-time.

Below are just some of the features which can increase costs when looking at fleet management solutions:

Features

A fleet management software’s features will affect its overall price. It is not easy to find a tracking system that offers both route optimization and real-time tracking.

Still, when there is no proof of delivery, you risk losing customers, which would lessen your company’s productivity. If you want the best out of your business, it might be worth paying for these extra features – even if it means spending more money.

Types Of Vehicles

Businesses use different types of vehicles depending on what they need. For example, cars, vans, trucks, and even motorbikes are all common modes of transportation for businesses.

But because they’re considered ‘common,’ the price point is usually similar across the board. However, some larger vehicles, such as heavy mining trucks or operating off-road, require a satellite due to a lack of cellular service. Unfortunately, this increases vehicle prices, increasing your overall fleet management costs.

Equipment

Fleet management software can offer solutions that improve visibility between you and your drivers, but these solutions might come with a hefty price tag.

For example, Fleetr offers multiple types of GPS trackers, which are priced differently. Plug-and-play devices are affordable and easy to install on any vehicle – they’re also great because they can be used interchangeably across different cars without installation being required.

Hardwired units are more expensive than plug-and-play trackers; these units need professional installation for the best performance. Since they offer increased safety regarding potential theft, ensuring every vehicle is tracked properly throughout its lifetime.

Type Of Business

If you’re a small business owner, you’ll likely have just a few vehicles within your fleet that need to be managed. However, large companies with dozens or even hundreds of vehicles – all carrying out deliveries- will take another approach that suits the size and demands of such an enterprise.

Across these two different sizes, when it comes to costs for fleet management software – smaller businesses may be charged a less expensive fee compared to those businesses with large fleets.

Software Chosen

The software chosen for fleet management is another factor that weighs on the average cost of your preferred software. Web-based fleet management software allows fleet managers to track their vehicles through a browser.

You can usually access this software through an internet connection or by downloading it onto your computer – it’s common to find both options within packages.

Cloud-based Fleet Management Software, meanwhile, lets you track your fleet anywhere and everywhere (literally). This type of mobile-friendly software lets you communicate with drivers, keep tabs on driving routes in real-time, and even more features we won’t spoil here!

Since these are two different types of software, prices will vary accordingly; we’re guessing they’ll be pretty similar, though, because they’ll each offer different things.

Fleet Management vs GPS Tracking

Are you wondering what the difference between fleet management and Gps tracking is? If yes, then this is a brief overview of their difference and how they can work in sync together to benefit your fleet business

GPS Tracking Technology is great for businesses because it can track your drivers’ live locations, monitor your fuel systems, and offer geo-fencing. Still, a fleet management system offers all these things plus much more – which increases customer service levels and the overall performance of your business.

On the flip side, fleet management software is equipped with various features that helps fleet companies save time and money.

Route optimization helps create efficient routes for drivers instead of fleet managers spending hours creating them manually.

Increasing operational efficiency, these routes are created in mere seconds, giving you more confidence that your vehicles will arrive on time. Another useful feature of GPS tracking technology is proof of delivery which places an electronic signature or photo sent to you and your customer when a package has been delivered.

It provides peace, of course – knowing where and when the package was delivered – so if anything goes wrong during transit, you know right away.

Get Started with Fleet Management Today

Fleetr provides fleet companies with top-of-the-line fleet management systems that help track vehicles and drivers in real-time, optimize routes, and make managing bookings easy.

We offer packages starting at just $9.99 monthly for clients who need tracking via phone only, up to $55 monthly per user if they want access to everything – excluding any customization or onboarding work needed.

We’ve got something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a simple but effective system, an upgraded solution with more perks, or anything in between.

With prices varying depending on what features are included and how many people will be using it, Fleetr is perfect for small businesses and bigger corporations.

Book A Demo Today

With Fleetr, save time and money while ensuring the efficiency of your fleet. Fleeter easily organizes your fleets, so your team can offer excellent customer service.

Click here now to learn more about how Fleeter works or just to request a demo.