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

Samsara
Connected operations platform with AI dashcams, GPS tracking, and ELD compliance for mid-size and enterprise fleets.
Wheels
Enterprise fleet management and leasing from the merger of Wheels and LeasePlan US. Manages 800K+ vehicles with EV expertise.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Samsara | Wheels |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction | Enterprise fleets actively planning or executing EV transitions (500+ vehicles) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | $27/mo | Contact Sales |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 9.0/10 | 7.3/10 |
Pros & Cons
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
Wheels
Pros
- Leading EV transition expertise with real-world electrification experience across major fleets
- Driver experience app reduces administrative burden by letting drivers self-serve common requests
- Scale of 800,000+ vehicles means strong manufacturer relationships and volume pricing on acquisitions
- Combined Donlen analytics heritage gives strong lifecycle cost modeling capabilities
- Deep sustainability reporting helps companies meet ESG commitments with real fleet emissions data
Cons
- Integration of legacy systems from multiple acquisitions is still incomplete—client experience can vary
- Dashboards and reporting interfaces feel dated despite deep data capabilities
- Enterprise-only pricing and 2-4 month sales cycles exclude smaller fleets entirely
- Some data extraction still requires working with account teams rather than self-service
- Implementation takes 2-3 months even after contract signing
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsara | subscription | $27/mo |
| Wheels | contact sales | Contact Sales |
Our Verdict
Choose Samsara if...
Mid-market and enterprise fleets with 20+ vehicles prioritizing driver safety and liability reduction
Choose Wheels if...
Enterprise fleets actively planning or executing EV transitions (500+ vehicles)
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.