Compare Fleetio & Samsara
Features, Pricing & Real User Feedback
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Fleetio vs. Samsara Overview
Features: Fleetio offers more robust maintenance management features for both in-house and outsourced teams while Samsara provides comprehensive telematics capabilities
Partnership: Fleetio integrates with Samsara to provide a complete fleet management solution
Integrations: Both platforms offer a wide array integration options (including with each other), but only Fleetio provides integrations that power the specific maintenance workflows your team needs to function day-to-day
Pricing: Samsara requires hardware investment while Fleetio offers software-only options with a free trial and flexible payment options
Ease of use: Both platforms are user-friendly with Fleetio focusing on maintenance workflows and Samsara on connected operations, and both are easily connected to one another through direct integration
Support: Both platforms provide comprehensive phone, email and in-app support options
Customer reviews: Users value both platforms for their respective specialties
Fleetio vs. Samsara: which is right for your fleet?
Which is the right platform for better fleet management?You've researched fleet management solutions and now you're trying to decide between Fleetio and Samsara for your organization. Both are respected platforms in the fleet management space, but which one aligns better with your specific needs?
Samsara's connected operations platform facilitates asset tracking, workflow digitization, and video-based monitoring with a strong focus on telematics. Meanwhile, Fleetio — a comprehensive fleet optimization platform — enables organizations to run, repair and manage their vehicles, assets and tools with emphasis on maintenance and lifecycle management.
In this guide, we'll compare both Fleetio and Samsara's features, pricing approaches, support options, user reviews and more to help you determine which platform best suits your fleet management requirements.
Fleetio excels in maintenance management; Samsara excels in telematics
If you're short on time, here's the bottom line: each solution has distinct strengths for different aspects of fleet operations. Samsara is a leader in telematics with its hardware-software combination, while Fleetio excels in comprehensive maintenance management and fleet optimization.
Interestingly, these platforms aren't necessarily direct competitors — with native integrations between Fleetio and Samsara, they support a complete fleet management solution. Samsara's strength in real-time monitoring complements Fleetio's expertise in maintenance tracking and optimization.
For fleets primarily concerned with maintenance management, repair histories, and operational costs, Fleetio offers the more comprehensive solution. For those prioritizing GPS tracking, driver behavior monitoring and IoT solutions, Samsara might be the better fit. Many fleets choose to leverage both platforms through integration for a complete fleet management ecosystem.
Let's dive deeper into the specifics to help you make an informed decision.
Fleetio vs. Samsara: At a glance
| Feature | Fleetio | Samsara |
|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Fleet optimization and maintenance management | Telematics and connected operations |
| Pricing | Software-only subscription starting at $4-10/asset/month | Hardware costs ($100-200/unit) plus software subscription ($30/vehicle/month) |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Features | Maintenance management, DVIRs, integrations, work orders, warranty tracking, tools management. | Real-time GPS tracking, driver safety, compliance, workflow digitization |
| Maintenance Management | Suited for in-house, hybrid, and outsourced maintenance through Fleetio's Maintenance Shop Network. | Limited |
| Telematics | Certain features available through integrations | Core functionality |
| Integrations | Comprehensive library, including Samsara | Selected partners, including Fleetio |
| Hardware Required | No (optional through partners) | Yes |
| Best For | Maintenance optimization, repair tracking and handling, operational cost management | Real-time monitoring, safety, compliance, IoT solutions |
Features
Both platforms thrive in different areas of fleet management
Both Fleetio and Samsara help fleet managers track and optimize their operations, but with different primary focuses. While Samsara positions itself as a connected operations platform with telematics at its core, Fleetio enables organizations to optimize fleet maintenance and operational costs.
Samsara features
Samsara's comprehensive IoT platform connects data from fleet vehicles, equipment and sites to help businesses optimize operations.
Connected Operations Platform
Samsara provides a unified platform for real-time visibility across operations, connecting vehicles, equipment, sites and drivers.
GPS Tracking & Telematics
Samsara's real-time GPS tracking provides minute-by-minute vehicle location updates and data on vehicle health, utilization and driver behavior.
Safety & Compliance
Samsara helps fleets improve safety with AI dash cams, driver coaching tools and maintains compliance with hours of service (HOS) tracking and electronic logging device (ELD) functionality.
Workflow Digitization
Samsara streamlines operations with digital workflows, mobile forms and automated reporting to reduce paperwork and administrative tasks.
DVIRs & Inspections
Samsara offers connected forms including driver vehicle inspection reports, though these are primarily focused on compliance rather than driving maintenance workflows.
Light Maintenance Tracking
Samsara provides smart work order creation and maintenance alerts based on engine data and mileage thresholds, though its maintenance management capabilities are more limited compared to dedicated maintenance platforms.
Fleetio features
Fleetio's comprehensive fleet management platform focuses on helping organizations optimize how they run, repair and manage their assets.
Maintenance Shop Network
Fleetio connects with outsourced maintenance providers in-platform, allowing seamless management of third-party repairs and maintenance. With Fleetio and Auto Integrate together, fleets are able to efficiently automate, schedule, and manage maintenance repairs from end to end.
Maintenance Management
Fleetio provides comprehensive maintenance tracking, scheduling, and history to extend vehicle lifespans and reduce downtime with a dedicated focus on maintenance workflows, regardless of whether you manage maintenance in-house, outsourced, or a mix of both.
Work Order Management
Fleetio's work order system allows users to create, assign, track, and manage maintenance tasks with a dedicated calendar view for scheduling, parts kits, and workflow automation.
Tools & Small Equipment Management
Fleetio supports tracking and status of your fleet's power tools and small equipment, allowing you to track these tools in the same platform as your large fleet assets and improve team accountability to get the job done.
DVIRs & Inspections
Fleetio offers fully customizable digital vehicle inspection reports that automatically trigger maintenance workflows when issues are identified.
OEM Automated Service Programs
Fleetio offers automated service programs informed by manufacturer recommendations to ensure vehicles receive proper maintenance at appropriate intervals.
Warranty Management
Fleetio helps track warranty information to ensure covered repairs aren't unnecessarily paid out-of-pocket.
Tire Management
Fleetio provides dedicated tire tracking features to monitor tread depth, wear patterns, and replacement cycles.
Fleet Metrics & Analytics
Fleetio delivers comprehensive reporting on maintenance costs, vehicle utilization, and fleet performance metrics to identify trends and optimization opportunities.
Fleet Reporting & Dashboards
Fleetio provides out-of-the-box reporting, with advanced functionality to build custom dashboards, set threshold alerts, and surface meaningful metrics that drive confident, data-backed decisions.
Parts and Inventory Management
Fleetio enables robust parts and inventory tracking with several inventory valuation methods, purchase orders, and re-order points.
Power in Partnership
Fleetio integrates with Samsara to combine Samsara's telematics capabilities with Fleetio's fleet optimization features, creating a comprehensive fleet management solution.
Integrations
Both platforms offer valuable connections
Third-party integrations expand platform functionality by connecting with other tools in your tech stack. Both Fleetio and Samsara offer integration options, though with different focuses.
Samsara integrations
Samsara connects with various partners in transportation management, maintenance, compliance and operations. Key integrations include:
- McLeod (Transportation Management)
- Wex (Fuel Cards)
- Trimble (Transportation)
- Holman (Fleet Management Company)
- Ford (OEM)
These integrations focus primarily on transportation management, compliance and operational aspects of fleet management.
Fleetio integrations
Fleetio offers an extensive integration library that expands its capabilities across various aspects of fleet management, including:
- Telematics (Geotab, Samsara, Ford Pro and others)
- Fuel Management (cards and on-site, ie: Wex, Comdata, etc. )
- Maintenance Providers
- Payment Processing
Fleetio's integration with Samsara is particularly valuable, as it allows fleets to combine Samsara's telematics data with Fleetio's maintenance management capabilities.
Pricing
Different approaches to fleet management costs
Pricing structure is an important consideration when selecting fleet management software. Samsara and Fleetio take different approaches to their pricing models.
Samsara pricing
Samsara's pricing model includes both hardware and software components:
- Hardware: $100-200 per device (one-time cost)
- Software: Approximately $30 per vehicle per month
Samsara requires an upfront investment in hardware devices for vehicles, which provides the foundation for its telematics and connected operations capabilities. The company doesn't offer a free trial, requiring potential customers to contact sales for demos and pricing details.
Fleetio pricing
Fleetio offers software-only subscription plans with transparent pricing:
- Free Trial: 14-day free trial available
- Software: $4-10 per asset per month depending on selected plan and features
Fleetio doesn't require proprietary hardware investment, focusing instead on software-based solutions that can integrate with existing telematics providers (including Samsara and vehicle OEMs). This approach allows for more flexible implementation and potentially lower upfront costs.
Ease of use
Both platforms prioritize user experience
Both Fleetio and Samsara have invested heavily in creating intuitive user experiences, though with different focuses based on their core functionalities.
Samsara ease of use
Samsara users note that the platform provides a clean, modern interface with intuitive dashboards for monitoring vehicle and driver performance. The mobile app ensures information is accessible on the go, and the platform excels at presenting complex telematics data in an understandable format.
Users particularly appreciate Samsara's visualization of driver safety data and real-time vehicle tracking. However, some users mention that the depth of features can create a learning curve for new administrators.
Fleetio ease of use
Fleetio users highlight the platform's intuitive design and straightforward navigation, even for team members who aren't especially tech-savvy. The mobile application receives particular praise for making inspection workflows simple for drivers and maintenance technicians.
Users value Fleetio's maintenance-focused workflows that guide teams through processes like inspection failures, work order creation, and preventive maintenance scheduling. Some users note that the extensive customization options can require initial setup time, though this investment pays off in tailored workflows.
Support
Both platforms offer comprehensive assistance
Access to quality support ensures you can maximize your investment in fleet management software. Both Fleetio and Samsara provide support resources for their customers.
Samsara support
Samsara offers multiple support channels:
- Email and chat support
- Phone support for urgent issues
- Extensive knowledge base
- Regular webinars
- Customer success programs for enterprise clients
Samsara's support team is particularly knowledgeable about hardware installation and troubleshooting connectivity issues, reflecting the platform's hardware-software approach.
Fleetio support
Fleetio provides comprehensive support options:
- 14-day free trial with guided onboarding
- Email, chat, and phone support
- Extensive knowledge base
- Video tutorials
- Regular webinars
- Dedicated implementation assistance
Fleetio's support team receives strong reviews for their expertise in maintenance management workflows and integrations with third-party services.
Customer reviews
Users value both platforms for different strengths
Both Fleetio and Samsara receive positive reviews from customers, though users tend to highlight different strengths for each platform.
Samsara customer reviews
Users particularly praise Samsara for:
- Real-time GPS tracking accuracy
- Driver safety features and coaching tools
- Hardware reliability
- Intuitive dashboards for telematics data
- Compliance management features
Customer feedback indicates Samsara excels at providing visibility into vehicle location, driver behavior and compliance status.
Fleetio customer reviews
Fleetio users consistently highlight:
- Comprehensive maintenance tracking and reporting
- Intuitive mobile inspection processes
- Cost tracking capabilities
- Integration flexibility
- Responsive customer support
Feedback suggests Fleetio distinguishes itself with maintenance management depth and the ability to optimize fleet operational costs.
The power of partnership: Using Fleetio and Samsara together
It's worth emphasizing that Fleetio and Samsara aren't necessarily an either/or decision. Many fleets leverage both platforms through their integration capability:
- Samsara provides real-time vehicle data, GPS tracking and driver monitoring
- Fleetio uses this data to trigger maintenance workflows, track costs and optimize vehicle lifecycle management
- Together, they create a comprehensive fleet management ecosystem
This integration allows fleets to leverage each platform's strengths while avoiding their respective limitations.
Which is the right platform for better fleet management?
The ideal choice between Fleetio and Samsara depends entirely on your fleet's primary needs and priorities:
- If maintenance management across in-house and outsourced maintenance, repair tracking and cost optimization are your primary concerns, Fleetio offers the more comprehensive solution with its deep focus on these areas.
- If real-time tracking, driver safety and compliance are your highest priorities, Samsara's hardware-software combination provides excellent capabilities in these domains.
- For many fleets, the optimal solution is using both platforms together through integration, creating a comprehensive fleet management ecosystem that addresses both operational monitoring and maintenance optimization.
Consider starting with a free trial of Fleetio to experience how dedicated maintenance management can optimize your fleet operations, regardless of whether you're already using Samsara or considering it for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fleetio is a fleet optimization platform. We provide comprehensive solutions and resources needed to run, repair and optimize vehicles and assets, so fleets gain control of what’s happening today, stay ahead of what’s coming tomorrow, and confidently deliver results for their business.
Samsara is a telematics provider and connected operations platform for asset tracking, workflow digitization, and video-based monitoring. Their solution combines hardware devices with software to provide real-time visibility into fleet operations.
Yes! Fleetio and Samsara integrate with each other. This integration allows you to combine Samsara’s telematics capabilities with Fleetio’s fleet optimization features for a comprehensive fleet management solution.
Fleetio offers simple, scalable pricing that you can easily understand – no tricks, gimmicks, no hidden fees. Pricing typically ranges from $4-10 per asset per month depending on the selected plan. Check out our plans here.
Samsara pricing includes hardware costs (approximately $100-200 per unit) plus monthly software subscription fees (around $30 per vehicle per month). For exact pricing, you would need to contact Samsara’s sales team.
Yes! Get started in Fleetio today with a 14-day free trial.
Samsara doesn’t typically offer a free trial period, but they do provide demonstrations of their platform upon request.
The primary difference is in their core focus: Fleetio specializes in maintenance management and fleet optimization, while Samsara focuses on telematics, GPS tracking, and connected operations with hardware components.
No, Fleetio is a software-only solution that doesn’t require proprietary hardware. It can integrate with existing telematics providers (including Samsara) if you want to incorporate that data.
Yes, Samsara’s solution requires their hardware devices to be installed in vehicles to collect telematics data and provide their core functionality.
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