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BigRoad vs KeepTruckin (Motive): Budget ELD Showdown

79Good

BigRoad

Average Score

VS
84Very Good

KeepTruckin (Motive)

Average Score

Winner: KeepTruckin (Motive)

Category Breakdown

Pricing

BigRoad wins
BigRoad90
KeepTruckin (Motive)80

BigRoad's DashLink ELD is one of the most affordable compliant ELD devices on the market, with low hardware costs and competitive monthly subscription rates. KeepTruckin offers a free basic tier but its paid plans with GPS tracking and fleet features cost more than BigRoad's equivalent offerings. For pure budget-conscious compliance, BigRoad wins on price.

App Quality

KeepTruckin (Motive) wins
BigRoad76
KeepTruckin (Motive)87

KeepTruckin's driver app is more polished and receives consistently higher ratings on both app stores. BigRoad's app handles basic HOS logging adequately but the interface feels dated and some users report occasional sync issues. For drivers who interact with the app throughout their shift, KeepTruckin provides a notably smoother experience.

ELD Compliance

KeepTruckin (Motive) wins
BigRoad82
KeepTruckin (Motive)87

Both devices are FMCSA-registered and meet the ELD mandate requirements. KeepTruckin handles edge cases like unassigned driving time and rule-set switching more gracefully. BigRoad covers standard compliance scenarios well but drivers with complex multi-rule HOS situations may encounter more friction. Both pass DOT inspections without issues.

Fleet Features

KeepTruckin (Motive) wins
BigRoad72
KeepTruckin (Motive)86

KeepTruckin offers a significantly broader fleet management platform including GPS tracking, dashcam integration, fuel cards, and maintenance scheduling. BigRoad focuses primarily on ELD compliance and basic fleet visibility through its Fleet Complete integration. For fleets wanting to grow into a full telematics platform, KeepTruckin provides a clearer upgrade path.

Customer Support

KeepTruckin (Motive) wins
BigRoad75
KeepTruckin (Motive)80

KeepTruckin offers more support channels and faster response times, with phone, chat, and email options available during extended hours. BigRoad provides email and phone support during business hours but wait times can be longer. Both maintain adequate knowledge bases, though KeepTruckin's self-service documentation is more comprehensive.

Score Summary

CategoryBigRoadKeepTruckin (Motive)Leader
Pricing9080BigRoad
App Quality7687KeepTruckin (Motive)
ELD Compliance8287KeepTruckin (Motive)
Fleet Features7286KeepTruckin (Motive)
Customer Support7580KeepTruckin (Motive)
Overall Average7984KeepTruckin (Motive)

Our Verdict

KeepTruckin (Motive) wins this comparison on the strength of its superior driver app, broader feature set, and better growth trajectory. While it costs more than BigRoad, the investment pays off in smoother daily operations, fewer compliance headaches, and access to a full fleet management platform as your business scales.

BigRoad remains a solid choice for owner-operators and very small fleets whose sole requirement is affordable ELD compliance. If you need a device that logs hours, passes inspections, and costs as little as possible per month, BigRoad's DashLink delivers on that narrow mandate effectively.

The long-term consideration matters here. Many operators who start with BigRoad eventually migrate to KeepTruckin or Samsara as they add trucks and need fleet visibility, dashcams, and fuel management. Starting with KeepTruckin avoids the disruption and cost of switching platforms later.

Frequently Asked Questions

BigRoad remains a viable budget ELD that meets FMCSA compliance requirements. However, its feature development has slowed compared to competitors like Motive and Samsara. For basic compliance at the lowest cost, it still works. For anything beyond basic logging, newer platforms offer more value.
Yes, switching is straightforward. You will need to purchase new KeepTruckin hardware, install it, and have drivers download the new app. Historical HOS data from BigRoad should be exported and stored before canceling, as you are required to retain records for six months.
BigRoad offers basic GPS tracking through its parent company Fleet Complete's integration. However, the tracking features are less comprehensive than KeepTruckin's native GPS platform. For fleets that need real-time dispatch visibility, KeepTruckin provides a more complete solution.

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Published March 8, 2026