Cartrack vs Samsara: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Cartrack
Vehicle tracking and fleet management dominant in Africa and Southeast Asia. Now Karooooo (JSE: KRO), serving 1.9M+ subscribers globally.

Samsara
Connected operations platform with AI dashcams, GPS tracking, and ELD compliance for mid-size and enterprise fleets.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Cartrack | Samsara |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Fleets in Africa where stolen vehicle recovery is a primary concern | Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $27/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Cartrack
Pros
- Stolen vehicle recovery with 90%+ success rates and sub-3-minute response in major metros
- Pricing from $10/vehicle/month makes professional fleet tracking accessible to tight budgets
- 1.9M+ subscribers across 23 countries—proven at massive scale in emerging markets
- App works reliably on low-end Android devices common in Africa and Southeast Asia
- Hidden secondary tracking unit provides backup if thieves disable the primary GPS device
Cons
- No integrated dashcam or video telematics—you need a third-party camera solution
- Advanced analytics and AI-powered insights lag far behind Geotab and Samsara
- Minimal North American presence—support and infrastructure are concentrated in Africa and Asia
- Reporting is adequate but not sophisticated enough for data-driven fleet analysts
- The web interface is dated and navigation feels clunky compared to modern competitors
Samsara
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cartrack | subscription | $10/mo |
| Samsara | subscription | $27/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Cartrack if...
Fleets in Africa where stolen vehicle recovery is a primary concern
Choose Samsara if...
Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.