Best ELDs for owner-operators (2026): 9 compared

By the Owner Op Stack editorial teamPrices checked Nov 4, 2026How we rank

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Quick answer

For the lowest cost per year, Garmin eLog is a one-time $249.99 with no monthly fee (third-party reported). HOS247 has the lowest monthly plans ($19–$25), and the device is free with an annual plan. Motive, Samsara, Rand McNally and BigRoad are quote-only. Before you buy any ELD, check it on FMCSA’s registered ELD list.

Key takeaways

Most ELD prices come from third-party reviews. Only HOS247’s hardware terms are on its own page.
A one-time device (Garmin) can beat a monthly plan over 3 years.
Watch the contract: TT ELD’s $50 needs 12 months, Motive reportedly auto-renews for 12 months, and Samsara reportedly needs 3 years upfront for small fleets.
ELDs are self-certified by makers. Registration is not an FMCSA endorsement, so check the revoked list too.

Top picks

No subscription
Garmin eLog
$249.99 one time, $0/mo (third-party). source
Details Visit site
Lowest monthly
HOS247
Device free with annual; $19–$25 plans. source
Details Visit site
Month to month
Blue Ink Tech (BIT)
$40/mo or $400/yr (third-party). source
Details Visit site

Side-by-side comparison (9 compared)

Prices checked 2026-11-04. "Ask for a quote" means the vendor does not publish it online. Transparency = columns with a published fact.
Vendor	Monthly price	Hardware	Contract	Source type	Visit
Garmin eLogTransparency 4/4	$0/mo source for $0/mo	$249.99 one time source for $249.99 one time	None source for None	Third-party, Oct 2026	Visit site of Garmin eLog
HOS247Transparency 4/4	$19 / $22 / $25 plans source for $19 / $22 / $25 plans	Free with annual; $79 if monthly source for Free with annual; $79 if monthly	No contract source for No contract	Vendor + third-party	Visit site of HOS247
Blue Ink Tech (BIT)Transparency 4/4	$40/mo or $400/yr source for $40/mo or $400/yr	Included with annual source for Included with annual	Month to month source for Month to month	Third-party, Oct 2026	Visit site of Blue Ink Tech (BIT)
TT ELDTransparency 4/4	$50 (12-mo) or $89 (no contract) source for $50 (12-mo) or $89 (no contract)	Free on 12-month plans source for Free on 12-month plans	12 months, or none at $89 source for 12 months, or none at $89	Third-party, Oct 2026	Visit site of TT ELD
Rand McNally ELDTransparency 1/4	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	Verify on FMCSA list source for Verify on FMCSA list	Visit site of Rand McNally ELD
MotiveTransparency 2/4	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	12-mo auto-renew (third-party report) source for 12-mo auto-renew (third-party report)	Vendor + third-party	Visit site of Motive
SamsaraTransparency 2/4	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	3-year upfront (small fleets, reported) source for 3-year upfront (small fleets, reported)	Third-party, Oct 2026	Visit site of Samsara
BigRoadTransparency 1/4	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	Verify on FMCSA list source for Verify on FMCSA list	Visit site of BigRoad
MatrackTransparency 2/4	$19.95 / $24.95 plans source for $19.95 / $24.95 plans	Ask for a quote	Ask for a quote	Third-party, Sep 2026	Visit site of Matrack

Garmin eLog
Transparency 4/4
Monthly price
$0/mo source for $0/mo
Hardware
$249.99 one time source for $249.99 one time
Contract
None source for None
Source type
Third-party, Oct 2026
Visit Garmin eLog
HOS247
Transparency 4/4
Monthly price
$19 / $22 / $25 plans source for $19 / $22 / $25 plans
Hardware
Free with annual; $79 if monthly source for Free with annual; $79 if monthly
Contract
No contract source for No contract
Source type
Vendor + third-party
Visit HOS247
Blue Ink Tech (BIT)
Transparency 4/4
Monthly price
$40/mo or $400/yr source for $40/mo or $400/yr
Hardware
Included with annual source for Included with annual
Contract
Month to month source for Month to month
Source type
Third-party, Oct 2026
Visit Blue Ink Tech (BIT)
TT ELD
Transparency 4/4
Monthly price
$50 (12-mo) or $89 (no contract) source for $50 (12-mo) or $89 (no contract)
Hardware
Free on 12-month plans source for Free on 12-month plans
Contract
12 months, or none at $89 source for 12 months, or none at $89
Source type
Third-party, Oct 2026
Visit TT ELD
Rand McNally ELD
Transparency 1/4
Monthly price
Ask for a quote
Hardware
Ask for a quote
Contract
Ask for a quote
Source type
Verify on FMCSA list source for Verify on FMCSA list
Visit Rand McNally ELD
Motive
Transparency 2/4
Monthly price
Ask for a quote
Hardware
Ask for a quote
Contract
12-mo auto-renew (third-party report) source for 12-mo auto-renew (third-party report)
Source type
Vendor + third-party
Visit Motive
Samsara
Transparency 2/4
Monthly price
Ask for a quote
Hardware
Ask for a quote
Contract
3-year upfront (small fleets, reported) source for 3-year upfront (small fleets, reported)
Source type
Third-party, Oct 2026
Visit Samsara
BigRoad
Transparency 1/4
Monthly price
Ask for a quote
Hardware
Ask for a quote
Contract
Ask for a quote
Source type
Verify on FMCSA list source for Verify on FMCSA list
Visit BigRoad
Matrack
Transparency 2/4
Monthly price
$19.95 / $24.95 plans source for $19.95 / $24.95 plans
Hardware
Ask for a quote
Contract
Ask for a quote
Source type
Third-party, Sep 2026
Visit Matrack

Prices checked 2026-11-04. Transparency = fields with a published fact.

Worked cost examples (3 years, one truck)

Math only, using published or third-party-reported prices. Prices checked Nov 4, 2026. Excludes phone/tablet and data.
ELD	Price used	3-year cost
Garmin eLog	$249.99 once source	$249.99
HOS247 (lowest plan, annual)	$19/mo, device free source	$684
Blue Ink Tech (annual)	$400/yr source	$1,200
TT ELD (12-month plan)	$50/mo source	$1,800
Motive / Samsara	Ask for a quote	Get a written quote

FMCSA registration: what it means

Important: ELD makers self-certify their devices. Being on FMCSA’s list means the maker registered it, not that FMCSA tested or endorses it. If FMCSA revokes a device, carriers must replace it. Check both the registered list and the revoked list before you buy. FMCSA ELD rule

Each option, in detail

1. Garmin eLog

No subscription

Garmin eLog is a one-time $249.99 purchase with no monthly fee (reported by third-party sites, checked Oct 2026). Confirm the model on the FMCSA registered list before buying.

Watch for: Records are stored on your phone; keep a 6-month backup.

Sources (includes third-party reports): bestelddevices.com · lucideld.com · eld.fmcsa.dot.gov

Visit Garmin eLog

2. HOS247

Lowest monthly

HOS247 gives the device free when you pay for a year, or charges $79 per device on monthly billing (vendor page). Third-party listings show plans at $19, $22 and $25 a month, with no contract.

Watch for: Device is $79 if you pay monthly.

Sources (includes third-party reports): hos247.com · truckingstack.com

Visit HOS247

3. Blue Ink Tech (BIT)

Month-to-month

Third-party listings show $40 a month or $400 a year, month-to-month and cancel anytime.

Watch for: Annual plan is the better price.

Sources (includes third-party reports): truckingstack.com

Visit Blue Ink Tech (BIT)

4. TT ELD

Free device on 12 months

Third-party listings show $50 a month on a 12-month agreement (with a free device) or $89 a month with no contract.

Watch for: $89/mo with no contract.

Sources (includes third-party reports): truckingstack.com · bestelddevices.com

Visit TT ELD

5. Rand McNally ELD

Navigation brand

We could not verify a current Rand McNally ELD price on a page we could read, so ask for a quote. Confirm the model on the FMCSA registered list.

Watch for: Price not verified; ask for a quote.

Sources: eld.fmcsa.dot.gov

Visit Rand McNally ELD

6. Motive

Full fleet platform

Motive quotes its price through a form. A third-party report says contracts auto-renew for 12 months unless you give 30 days notice, and early cancellation owes the remaining term. It is on the FMCSA list as "MOTIVE."

Watch for: Third-party report: 12-month auto-renew; early cancel owes remaining term.

Sources (includes third-party reports): gomotive.com · eldfocus.com · eld.fmcsa.dot.gov

Visit Motive

7. Samsara

Larger fleets

Samsara is quote-only. A third-party summary of its help-center FAQ says small fleets pay upfront for a 3-year term. Get the term in writing, and confirm the model on the FMCSA list.

Watch for: Small fleets: 3-year upfront term reported.

Sources (includes third-party reports): lucideld.com

Visit Samsara

8. BigRoad

Ask for a quote

BigRoad does not publish a price we could verify, so ask for a quote and check the FMCSA registered list.

Watch for: Price not verified; ask for a quote.

Sources: eld.fmcsa.dot.gov

Visit BigRoad

9. Matrack

Budget

A third-party review lists Matrack plans at $19.95 and $24.95 a month.

Watch for: Verify current pricing with Matrack.

Sources (includes third-party reports): fleetopsclub.com

Visit Matrack

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest ELD for one truck?

Over 3 years, Garmin eLog at $249.99 one time (third-party reported) is the lowest total we found. HOS247 has the lowest monthly plans at $19–$25, with a free device on annual billing.

How do I know an ELD is legal?

Check that the exact model is on the FMCSA registered ELD list (eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List) and is not on the revoked list. Registration is self-certified by the maker.

Do ELDs have contracts?

Some do. TT ELD’s $50 price needs a 12-month agreement, Motive reportedly auto-renews for 12 months, and Samsara reportedly needs 3 years upfront for small fleets. HOS247 and BIT are month to month.

Does HOS247 charge for the device?

HOS247’s pricing page says the device is free with annual prepayment, or $79 per device if you pay monthly.

Why are some prices marked third-party?

Several ELD makers don’t publish prices on a page we could read. We label those figures as third-party and link the source. Confirm them with the vendor.