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Since the FMCSA ELD mandate took full effect, every owner-operator running a commercial motor vehicle must use a registered electronic logging device. No exceptions, no workarounds, no paper logs. The problem is that most ELD providers built their platforms for fleets of 50 or 500 trucks, not for the single-truck owner-operator watching every dollar. Fleet-focused solutions come loaded with dispatch dashboards, multi-driver management tools, and enterprise analytics you will never touch -- and they price accordingly.
The best ELD for an owner-operator strikes a different balance. You need FMCSA compliance that passes inspection every time. You need hardware you can install yourself in 30 minutes without calling a technician. You need a monthly cost that does not eat into already-thin margins, or better yet, no monthly cost at all. GPS tracking and IFTA reporting are valuable extras, but only if they come at a price that makes sense for one truck.
We tested and researched the top ELD devices on the market and narrowed the field to four options that deliver the best combination of compliance, simplicity, and value for owner-operators and single-truck operations. Whether you prioritize the lowest possible ongoing cost, the best feature set per dollar, or zero monthly fees entirely, one of these picks will fit your operation.
Our Top Picks
Top Pick
BigRoad
★★★★☆4.0
Best overall value for budget-conscious owner-operators
Best overall value for budget-conscious owner-operators
BigRoad offers the lowest monthly cost in the ELD market at $19.99 with free hardware included and true month-to-month flexibility. For owner-operators who need compliance on a budget without being locked into a contract, BigRoad removes the financial barriers. The built-in load board is a practical bonus that no other ELD provider matches. Customer service and Bluetooth connectivity are weaker than the competition, but for cost-conscious operators who can troubleshoot on their own, the value is hard to beat.
Pros
Lowest monthly cost in the industry at $19.99/month
Free ELD hardware included with service
True month-to-month terms with no cancellation fees
Built-in load board helps find your next haul
Easy self-install in under 30 minutes
Cons
Customer service quality is consistently criticized
Bluetooth connectivity issues reported frequently
App bugs and crashes are common complaints
Limited advanced features compared to premium options
Garmin eLog is the only major ELD with zero ongoing costs. Pay $249.99 once and you own it outright -- no subscriptions, no renewals, no per-truck charges ever again. Backed by Garmin's decades of hardware expertise and A+ BBB rating, the device is built to last. It is a compliance-only device with no GPS tracking or IFTA reporting, but for owner-operators who just need to log hours and get back on the road, the long-term savings are substantial. The device pays for itself within 12 months versus any subscription ELD.
Pros
Only major ELD with truly zero ongoing costs
Garmin brand reliability and hardware quality
Complete ownership with no vendor dependency
Pays for itself versus subscriptions within 12 months
Cons
No OBD-II port support -- verify vehicle compatibility first
No GPS tracking capability
No IFTA fuel tax reporting
Bluetooth connectivity issues reported by some users
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) delivers the strongest feature set in the budget ELD tier. Starting at $20-25/month per vehicle, you get ELD compliance, real-time GPS tracking, and genuinely easy plug-and-play setup. The AI Omnicam and IFTA automation on higher tiers give Motive room to grow with you if your operation expands. The catch: read every word of any Motive contract before signing. The D- BBB rating and widespread complaints about automatic renewals and difficult cancellations mean you need to understand exactly what you are committing to.
Pros
Genuinely easy setup -- most drivers running within an hour
Competitive pricing starting from $20-25/month per vehicle
Real-time GPS tracking and IFTA reporting included
AI Omnicam available for safety-focused operators
Cons
D- BBB rating with serious contract dispute complaints
Automatic renewal clauses can trap you in extended terms
Best premium option for reliability-focused operators
Samsara is the premium option on this list and earns its spot for owner-operators who want the most reliable, feature-rich ELD available and are willing to pay for it. The 99.99% uptime guarantee, 1-second GPS updates, and AI-powered dashcam integration are best-in-class. However, the 3-year contract requirement and $27-33/month pricing make it a harder sell for single-truck operators watching every expense. Samsara makes the most sense for owner-operators who plan to grow into a small fleet or who prioritize technology and reliability above all else.
Pros
Industry-leading 99.99% platform uptime guarantee
Real-time GPS tracking updated every single second
One integrated platform that scales as you grow
A+ BBB rating and strong customer satisfaction
Cons
3-year contract commitment is non-negotiable for most customers
Premium pricing at $27-33/month per vehicle
Feature-rich platform can be overkill for a single truck
What is the best ELD for a single truck owner-operator?
For most single-truck owner-operators, BigRoad offers the best overall value at $19.99/month with free hardware, no contract, and month-to-month flexibility. If you want to eliminate monthly fees entirely, Garmin eLog costs $249.99 once with no subscription -- it pays for itself within a year. Motive is the best choice if you want GPS tracking and IFTA reporting at a competitive price, though you should carefully review their contract terms before signing. The right answer depends on whether you prioritize the lowest ongoing cost, the best features per dollar, or zero recurring fees.
How much does an ELD cost per month for one truck?
ELD costs for a single truck range from $0 to $33 per month depending on the provider and plan. BigRoad starts at $19.99/month with free hardware. Motive's entry tier runs $20-25/month. Samsara charges $27-33/month for its premium platform. Garmin eLog is unique in that it costs $249.99 upfront with zero monthly fees ever. For a single truck over three years, total costs range from about $250 (Garmin) to $720 (BigRoad) to $900+ (Motive) to $1,200+ (Samsara). Hardware costs vary from free (BigRoad) to $249.99 (Garmin), with Motive and Samsara falling in between.
Do owner-operators need an ELD?
Yes. The FMCSA ELD mandate requires all commercial motor vehicle drivers who are required to keep records of duty status (RODS) to use a registered electronic logging device. This applies to owner-operators just the same as large fleet drivers. The only exemptions are drivers who use paper logs no more than 8 days within any 30-day period, drivers of vehicles manufactured before model year 2000, and drivers operating under certain short-haul exemptions (within a 150 air-mile radius who return to their reporting location within 14 hours). If none of those exemptions apply to you, you need an ELD. Fines for non-compliance can reach $16,000 per violation, and your truck can be placed out of service.
Can I install an ELD myself?
Yes. All four ELDs recommended on this page are designed for self-installation and require no professional technician. Most plug-and-play ELD devices connect directly to your truck's diagnostic port (J1939 9-pin, J1708 6-pin, or OBD-II depending on the device), then pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth. BigRoad and Motive users typically report being up and running in 15-30 minutes. Garmin eLog takes about the same time but requires a J1939 or J1708 port specifically -- it does not support OBD-II. Samsara's vehicle gateway also plugs in without tools. No wiring, no drilling, no special equipment needed.
What happens if my ELD malfunctions during a DOT inspection?
If your ELD malfunctions during a DOT inspection, you are required to reconstruct your records of duty status on paper logs (or a printout) for the current 24-hour period and the previous 7 consecutive days. You must also note the malfunction on your daily log and notify your carrier (or yourself, if you are the carrier) in writing within 24 hours. Under FMCSA regulations, you have 8 days from the date of the malfunction to get the ELD repaired, replaced, or serviced. During those 8 days, you can continue driving using paper logs. An officer should not place you out of service for a malfunction alone as long as you can produce compliant paper records. This is one reason to always carry a supply of blank paper log forms in your truck, even with a working ELD.
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