Rastrac vs Samsara: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Rastrac
GPS fleet tracking for SMBs since 1993. Real-time vehicle location, geofencing, driver alerts, and maintenance scheduling at $19.95-34.95/vehicle/month.
Samsara
Connected operations platform with AI dashcams, GPS tracking, and ELD compliance for mid-size and enterprise fleets.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Rastrac | Samsara |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | SMBs with 10-100 vehicles wanting reliable GPS tracking at mid-range pricing | Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $19.95/mo | $27/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Rastrac
Pros
- Three decades of operation—one of the most experienced GPS tracking vendors in the market
- Geofencing is unlimited and works reliably for construction and delivery operations
- Maintenance scheduling by odometer and time catches service intervals accurately
- Mid-range pricing at $19.95-34.95 hits a sweet spot between cheap trackers and enterprise platforms
- Fuel card integration provides basic consumption monitoring without a separate tool
Cons
- Interface looks and feels dated—new users face a learning curve navigating the dashboard
- No video telematics or dashcam hardware available, a growing gap in 2026
- Mobile app is functional but trails the desktop experience in features and usability
- Integration ecosystem is smaller than Samsara, Geotab, or Verizon Connect
- No ELD compliance capabilities for regulated trucking operations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rastrac | subscription | $19.95/mo |
| Samsara | subscription | $27/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Rastrac if...
SMBs with 10-100 vehicles wanting reliable GPS tracking at mid-range pricing
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.