BigRoad vs KeepTruckin (Motive): Budget ELD Showdown
BigRoad
Average Score
KeepTruckin (Motive)
Average Score
Category Breakdown
Pricing
BigRoad winsBigRoad'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) winsKeepTruckin'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) winsBoth 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) winsKeepTruckin 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) winsKeepTruckin 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
| Category | BigRoad | KeepTruckin (Motive) | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 90 | 80 | BigRoad |
| App Quality | 76 | 87 | KeepTruckin (Motive) |
| ELD Compliance | 82 | 87 | KeepTruckin (Motive) |
| Fleet Features | 72 | 86 | KeepTruckin (Motive) |
| Customer Support | 75 | 80 | KeepTruckin (Motive) |
| Overall Average | 79 | 84 | KeepTruckin (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.
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Published March 8, 2026