Samsara vs Motive

by Gralio Feb 03, 2025

Samsara and Motive are both cloud-based fleet management solutions, but they cater to different needs. Samsara is a more comprehensive platform for managing various aspects of physical operations, while Motive focuses primarily on fleet management, particularly driver safety and compliance. Samsara is a better choice for businesses needing extensive equipment monitoring and advanced safety features. Motive is a better option for businesses prioritizing driver safety, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 2769 reviews and 60 websites, saving 15 hours, 53 minutes of reading.

Logo of Samsara
Samsara
Logo of Motive
Motive

About

Samsara provides cloud-based software for managing physical operations. It helps companies with large fleets of vehicles or mobile workers improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Imagine tracking vehicles in real-time, monitoring driver behavior, and optimizing routes - all from one platform. That's a glimpse of what Samsara offers. Companies like DHL and XPO use Samsara to gain insights into their operations and make data-driven decisions. If you're looking for a way to streamline your physical operations and improve your bottom line, Samsara is worth considering.
Motive is a cloud-based fleet management software designed for businesses of all sizes. It brings together GPS tracking, dashcams, vehicle diagnostics, driver safety features, and fleet fuel card management into a single platform. Motive helps manage vehicles and equipment, track expenses, improve driver safety, and streamline operations, aiming to increase productivity and profitability. It is used by industries such as transportation, construction, and field services.

Summary

Main difference
Samsara offers a more comprehensive and integrated platform for managing various aspects of physical operations, including equipment monitoring and video-based safety. Motive focuses primarily on fleet management, with a strong emphasis on driver safety and compliance.

Relative strengths of Samsara (compared to Motive)

  • Stronger equipment monitoring capabilities, including real-time location, utilization, and diagnostics.

  • Advanced video-based safety features with AI dash cams, driver coaching, and in-cab alerts.

  • More robust reporting and analytics features, covering a wider range of operational data.

Relative weaknesses of Samsara (compared to Motive)

  • Potentially higher pricing compared to Motive.

  • Less focus on fleet fuel card management compared to Motive.

  • Some reported issues with occasional service bugs and GPS accuracy.

Who should use Samsara VS. Motive

Samsara is a cloud-based platform ideal for businesses with physical operations, particularly those managing fleets and mobile workforces. Users praise Samsara's real-time vehicle tracking and user-friendly interface. While some experience occasional bugs and GPS inaccuracies, many appreciate the comprehensive data and reporting features, as well as the driver safety tools. Samsara is a valuable tool for companies looking to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Motive is a cloud-based fleet management software that offers GPS tracking, dashcams, vehicle diagnostics, and driver safety features. Users praise Motive's easy-to-use interface, comprehensive reporting, and effective safety features. However, some have reported issues with billing, connectivity, and customer service. Motive is best for businesses in the transportation and logistics industry looking to improve driver safety, optimize fleet operations, and gain real-time visibility into their vehicles.

  • Best fit for medium and large businesses with mobile workforces and fleets.

  • Ideal for Transportation & Logistics, but also suitable for Manufacturing, Energy, and other related sectors.

  • Best for small, medium, and large businesses.

  • Ideal for transportation and logistics companies.

Samsara and Motive features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
  • AI-Based Driver Safety
    Supported

    Samsara uses AI dashcams to detect risky driving behaviors like tailgating and drowsiness, and alerts drivers to improve safety.

    Supported

    Motive uses AI dashcams and automated coaching to improve driver safety.

  • Video-Based Safety
    Supported

    Samsara offers AI dash cams with in-cab alerts, driver behavior monitoring, and video retrieval.

    Supported

    Motive offers AI dashcams, driver coaching, in-cab alerts, GPS tracking, behavior monitoring, and video retrieval.

  • Vehicle Telematics
    Supported

    Samsara supports real-time GPS tracking, routing, fuel and maintenance management, and insights into vehicle electrification.

    Partially supported

    Motive supports GPS tracking, fuel and maintenance management. Routing and electrification insights are not clearly documented.

  • Reporting & Analytics
    Supported

    Samsara provides reporting and analytics features covering vehicle usage, driver performance, and fuel consumption. This includes custom reports, real-time data analysis, and specific metrics tracking.

    Supported

    Motive platform offers robust reporting and analytics features, including customizable reports, data insights, and dashboards, covering vehicle usage, driver performance, and fuel consumption.

  • Real-time Driver Tracking
    Supported

    Samsara offers real-time driver tracking with features like live GPS updates, location sharing, route optimization, geofencing, and real-time traffic/weather overlays.

    Supported

    Motive supports real-time driver tracking, providing visibility into driver locations, progress, and estimated arrival times. It offers features such as real-time GPS tracking, driver location visibility on a map, breadcrumb trails, real-time alerts, route optimization, and estimated arrival times.

  • Driver logs
    Supported

    Samsara provides the ability to view and manage driver logs directly through the Samsara ELD Driving App and Driver Portal.

    Supported

    Motive provides extensive features for viewing and managing driver logs, including real-time monitoring, automated recording, and compliance management tools.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    +0.04
    Neutral sentiment
    -0.26
    Neutral sentiment
  • Customer Service
    +0.29
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.66
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.87
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.77
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.35
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.09
    Neutral sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    +0.69
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.62
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Scalability
    +0.5
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.17
    Neutral sentiment
Samsara and Motive Pricing
No data

User sentiment

Neutral
+0.04

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Neutral
-0.26
We couldn't find a pricing page for Motive.

Samsara and Motive review insights

2749 reviews analysed from and

Users love

  • Real-time vehicle tracking is highly praised, providing accurate location data and timely updates.
  • The system is user-friendly and easy to navigate for both administrators and drivers.
  • Comprehensive data capture and reporting features provide valuable insights into fleet operations.
  • The driver safety features, including in-cab alerts and driver scorecards, are effective in promoting safe driving practices.
  • Easy-to-use interface and driver-friendly app.
  • Excellent and responsive customer support
  • The comprehensive reporting features are highly valued.
  • Safety features, especially driver coaching and dashcam footage, are praised for accident prevention and exoneration.
  • Effective GPS tracking for accurate location monitoring and ETA updates.

Users dislike

  • Occasional service bugs can cause cameras to go offline and vehicles to be incorrectly listed as offline.
  • GPS location can be inaccurate, sometimes showing vehicles on the wrong road.
  • Some users find the routing feature to be more suited for regular deliveries and less useful for industries with unpredictable routes.
  • The video playback speed cannot always be slowed down enough for detailed review.
  • The accident videos are not long enough.
  • Customer service isn’t always helpful and resolution times can be slow.
  • Billing and pricing issues require manual monitoring.
  • There are frequent connectivity issues with the ELDs, especially for drivers out of the city.
  • Some users feel misled by sales representatives regarding pricing and contract terms.

Samsara and Motive Ratings

  • G2
    4.7/5
    (147)
  • Capterra
    4.3/5
    (436)
  • TrustPilot
    3.8/5
    (20)
  • Glassdoor
    4.3/5
    (1048)
  • G2
    4.4/5
    (558)
  • Capterra
    4.5/5
    (1608)
  • Glassdoor
    4.0/5
    (1270)

Company health

Employee growth

33% increase in the last year
14% increase in the last year

Web traffic

1% increase in the last quarter
21% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

June 2020 - $930M
No data

How reliable is Motive's ELD connectivity, especially in remote areas?

Motive's ELD connectivity is a concern for some users, particularly those operating in remote areas, who report frequent connectivity issues. While the software offers many desirable features, this reliability issue is a significant drawback to consider.

Which product provides more granular data analysis for driver behavior?

Motive and Samsara both offer driver behavior monitoring, but Motive provides more granular data analysis. Motive uses AI-powered dashcams to detect specific unsafe driving behaviors like harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and distracted driving, providing real-time alerts and automated coaching. While Samsara also offers in-cab alerts and driver scorecards, Motive's AI capabilities suggest a deeper level of analysis and feedback on individual driver actions.

What are the advantages of Samsara?

Samsara offers a broader range of features relevant to physical operations, including equipment monitoring and video-based safety, which are not explicitly mentioned for Motive. Samsara also exhibits stronger performance in ease of use according to the provided data. Finally, Samsara's user reviews highlight the system's comprehensive data capture and reporting capabilities, suggesting a stronger focus on data-driven decision-making.

What are the disadvantages of Samsara?

Samsara suffers from occasional service bugs affecting camera functionality and vehicle status reporting. GPS accuracy has been criticized, with some users reporting location discrepancies. The routing feature is considered less suitable for businesses with unpredictable routes. Finally, some users find the video playback speed insufficient for detailed review of incidents.

Alternatives to Samsara and Motive

Logo of Cin7 Omni
Cin7 Omni
Cin7 Omni is a cloud-based software designed for mid-sized to enterprise-level businesses that need to manage complex inventory and sales across multiple channels. It combines inventory management, order management, and warehouse management into a single platform. Cin7 Omni stands out with its built-in EDI integration, simplifying transactions with large retailers. It offers real-time inventory visibility, automated order fulfillment, and seamless connections with popular e-commerce platforms and marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify. Cin7 Omni promises to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks, helping businesses scale efficiently.
Logo of FarEye
FarEye
FarEye is a delivery management platform designed to optimize last-mile deliveries for retailers, e-commerce businesses, and logistics companies. It provides real-time visibility of shipments, dynamic route planning, and tools to enhance the customer experience. FarEye helps businesses manage deliveries efficiently, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction by offering features like order tracking, delivery notifications, and flexible delivery options. The platform is designed to be scalable and adaptable to meet the evolving needs of growing businesses.
Logo of GoComet
GoComet
GoComet is a cloud-based software platform that helps businesses manage their freight and shipping operations. It offers tools for tracking shipments, getting competitive freight rates, automating invoice auditing, and improving communication within the supply chain. GoComet aims to increase transparency, reduce costs, and minimize manual effort for its users. It's used by mid-to-large companies in industries like pharmaceuticals, automotive, and consumer goods. GoComet stands out with its user-friendly interface and focus on using AI to provide real-time visibility and insights into supply chain operations.
Logo of GeoOp
GeoOp is job management software designed for businesses with field staff, especially in trades and services. It helps you schedule and track jobs in real time, send quotes and invoices, and manage your team's schedules and communication, all in one place. GeoOp aims to reduce admin time and improve efficiency for small to medium-sized businesses.
Logo of Azuga Fleet
Azuga Fleet
Azuga Fleet is a cloud-based fleet management software designed to improve safety, efficiency, and productivity for businesses of all sizes. It offers GPS tracking, driver behavior monitoring via dashcams, vehicle diagnostics, driver rewards programs, and reporting tools. A key feature is its driver safety scoring, which encourages safer driving habits through gamification. Azuga Fleet also provides asset tracking, eLog compliance, and field service management features, making it a comprehensive solution for managing mobile workforces.
Logo of Fleet Complete
Fleet Complete
Fleet Complete provides cloud-based software to track and manage vehicles and equipment in real-time. Its system helps businesses of all sizes improve driver safety, optimize fuel consumption, manage compliance (including ELD mandates), and track assets. With features like GPS tracking, dashcams, and electronic logging, Fleet Complete offers data-driven insights to make smarter decisions about your fleet operations.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?
Did this help you select your product?
Other issues? Vote & Let us know