ELD Cost Calculator
Work out what an ELD really costs your fleet over the full contract, not just the monthly sticker price.
Start from a provider preset
Preset prices were checked in October 2026. Providers change prices, so confirm the quote you are offered.
How the ELD cost is calculated
Full-term total = trucks x (monthly fee x months + hardware + installation + data plan x months), then the card processing fee is added on top. Cost per truck per month = total / trucks / months. Year 1 cost counts all one-time costs plus up to 12 months of fees.
| Example | Full-term total | Per truck per month | Year 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOS247, 10 trucks, $22/mo, 12 months | $2,640.00 | $22.00 | $2,640.00 |
| Matrack, 5 trucks, $24.95/mo, 36 months | $4,491.00 | $24.95 | $1,497.00 |
| Blue Ink annual ($400/yr), 3 trucks, 12 months | $1,200.00 | $33.33 | $1,200.00 |
| Generic: 5 trucks, $25/mo, $150 hardware, $50 install, $10 data, 3% card, 36 months | $7,519.00 | $41.77 | $3,193.00 |
Hidden costs to ask about: hardware that must be bought or leased, cellular data plans, installation, early termination fees and card surcharges. A low monthly price on a long contract with paid hardware can cost more than a higher monthly price with free hardware.
Rules, prices and device details on this page were checked October 2026 against the official sources listed at the bottom. Where a provider doesn't publish a number, we say so instead of guessing.
The monthly price on an ELD ad is only part of the bill. Hardware, installation, card fees, cameras and the length of the contract all change what you actually pay. This calculator adds all of it up so you can compare two or three offers on the same footing before you sign anything.
Use the Calculator
Pick a preset to load a provider's published price, or choose Custom and type in the numbers from your own quote. Then set your truck count and how many months you're committing to. You'll get three numbers back: the total for the full term, the first year total, and the cost per truck per month. That last one is the figure that matters most when you compare offers.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or saved.
How the Estimate Works
The math is simple on purpose, because the goal is to put every cost in one place where you can see it. Here's the formula the calculator uses:
Total = trucks x (monthly fee x months + hardware + install + data plan x months + camera fee x months + camera hardware) + card fee
The card fee is a percentage applied to the subtotal. Some providers charge one when you pay by credit card, and Motive's terms of service, for example, allow a card fee of up to 2.99%. If you pay by ACH or check and there's no fee, leave it at zero.
What each input means
- Trucks: the number of power units that need an ELD. Count spares if you'll put devices in them too.
- Months: the contract term. For a no contract plan, use the number of months you expect to stay, usually 12 for a fair comparison.
- Monthly fee: the per vehicle subscription price.
- Hardware: the one time cost of the logging device. Some plans include it free if you pay a year up front.
- Install: what you'll pay a shop, or zero if the device plugs into the diagnostic port and you do it yourself.
- Data plan: if your drivers use company phones or tablets, add the monthly cellular cost here.
- Camera fee and hardware: optional, for plans that bundle or add a dash cam.
Worked Example
Say you run 5 trucks and you're comparing two published plans over 12 months. Prices below were checked October 2026 on the providers' own pages.
| Item | HOS247 ELD Compliance, paid monthly | Garmin eLog |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee per truck | $19 | $0 |
| Hardware per truck | $79 (it's free if you pay for a year) | $249.99 |
| 12 month fees, 5 trucks | $1,140 | $0 |
| Hardware, 5 trucks | $395 | $1,249.95 |
| 12 month total | $1,535 | $1,249.95 |
| Per truck per month | $25.58 | $20.83 |
Now stretch the same comparison to 24 months. HOS247 paid monthly comes to $2,675 for the fleet, while Garmin stays at $1,249.95 because there's no subscription. That's why the term matters so much. A low monthly fee can look better in month one and worse by month eighteen, or the other way around. Keep in mind that the two products aren't the same thing, either. Garmin eLog is a logbook with no fleet portal or GPS tracking, while HOS247 includes a fleet manager portal. The calculator shows cost, and you still have to weigh features.
Typical Costs by Fleet Size
Here's how the published plans we checked play out per year. These are the provider's own list prices with hardware included the way each one offers it on an annual payment. Quote only providers like Motive and Samsara aren't in this table because they don't post prices.
| Plan (published price) | 1 truck, year 1 | 5 trucks, year 1 | 20 trucks, year 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOS247 ELD Compliance, $19/mo, device free with annual pay | $228 | $1,140 | $4,560 |
| Matrack Basic, $19.95/mo, device free on annual plans | $239.40 | $1,197 | $4,788 |
| Blue Ink BIT ELD, $400/yr | $400 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Garmin eLog, $249.99 one time | $249.99 | $1,249.95 | $4,999.80 |
For bigger fleets, the gap between published plans and quote based platforms is usually about features rather than the logbook itself. Cameras, driver scoring, maintenance alerts and integrations are what push the price up. If you need those, get quotes and run each one through the calculator with the full term.
Next Steps After You Estimate
Once you've got a number you're comfortable with, do three things before you sign:
- Get the full term total in writing. Ask for every fee, including hardware, cables, cameras, shipping, activation and card fees. Plug that into the calculator, not the headline price.
- Read the renewal and cancellation terms. Some contracts renew automatically unless you give notice, and leaving early can mean paying the rest of the term. Our ELD cost breakdown covers the hidden costs in more detail.
- Check the device is registered. Whatever you buy has to be on FMCSA's registered ELD list. A cheap device that gets revoked costs you a replacement.
If you'd like to see a few offers side by side, you can compare ELD quotes and run each one through the calculator. Our list of the best ELD devices is a good place to shortlist providers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ELD cost per month?
Among providers that publish prices, we found plans from $19 to $25 per truck per month at HOS247 and $19.95 to $24.95 at Matrack, checked October 2026. Garmin eLog has no monthly fee after the $249.99 device. Big platforms like Motive and Samsara only quote.
Is an ELD with no monthly fee cheaper?
Usually over a long term, yes, but it depends on how long you keep it. Run both options through the calculator for 12, 24 and 36 months. Also compare features, since no fee devices often skip fleet tools like GPS tracking.
Why does the calculator ask for contract length?
Because the term changes the total more than anything else. A plan that is cheap per month can cost more overall if you are locked in for years, and free hardware offers usually require paying a year up front.
Does the calculator include taxes?
No. Sales tax depends on your state and the provider. Add it to your quote total if your provider charges it.
Sources
All prices, terms and registration details were checked October 2026 on the pages below. Providers change pricing often, so confirm before you buy.