CalAmp vs Samsara: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

CalAmp

7.0(380 reviews)

IoT telematics platform for fleet tracking with crash detection, ELD compliance, and asset monitoring. Hardware + software from $15/vehicle/mo.

9.0(3,200 reviews)

Connected operations platform with AI dashcams, GPS tracking, and ELD compliance for mid-size and enterprise fleets.

Aspect	CalAmp	Samsara
Best For	Construction and oil/gas companies tracking equipment in harsh field conditions	Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction
Pricing Model	Subscription	Subscription
Starting Price	$15/mo	$27/mo
Deployment	cloud	cloud
Platforms	WEB, IOS, ANDROID	WEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating	7.0/10	9.0/10

Hardware reliability proven across 40+ years—devices work in extreme heat, cold, dust, and vibration
Crash detection with impact severity and direction data goes beyond basic harsh-braking alerts
Asset tracking for non-powered equipment with battery-powered devices lasting 3-5 years
Starting at $15/vehicle/month makes it one of the more affordable telematics options
LoJack stolen vehicle recovery technology built on the same platform

Software interface feels dated compared to Samsara, Motive, and other modern platforms
API documentation has gaps that slow down custom integration projects
Company has faced financial challenges—stock delisted from NASDAQ in 2023, raising long-term viability questions
Customer support response times inconsistent, especially for smaller accounts
Report generation workflow requires more clicks and manual steps than competitors

Best-in-class AI dashcams with accurate event detection and automated driver coaching
Real-time GPS updates every few seconds with a clean, fast map interface
Open API with 200+ native integrations covers nearly every fleet tech stack
Excellent mobile app for drivers handles DVIR, HOS, and messaging cleanly

Hardware costs $150-300 per vehicle upfront before you pay any subscription fees
Standard 3-year contracts are difficult to exit and increase total cost significantly
Overkill and overpriced for small fleets under 10 vehicles that only need basic GPS
Video telematics features add complexity that operators without safety programs do not need

Product	Pricing Model	Starting Price
CalAmp	subscription	$15/mo
Samsara	subscription	$27/mo

Choose CalAmp if...

Construction and oil/gas companies tracking equipment in harsh field conditions

Choose Samsara if...

Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.