Updated March 2026
Affordable, Simple Fleet Tracking Built for Small Business
You don't need an enterprise telematics platform to know where your vehicles are and how they're being driven. Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business gives your small business real-time GPS tracking, driver behavior monitoring, engine diagnostics, and geofencing — averaging $12 per vehicle per month for most small fleets, with a plug-and-play OBD-II device you install yourself in minutes.
Live Tracking
All 8 vehicles online
Why Small Businesses Are Adopting GPS Fleet Tracking
GPS fleet tracking used to be reserved for large companies with dedicated fleet managers and IT departments. That's no longer true. Today, even a two-person operation with a single service van can afford — and benefit from — professional vehicle telematics.
Know Where Your Vehicles Are — Right Now
Stop guessing where your team is or whether a vehicle is on the job. Real-time GPS shows every vehicle on a live map, updated every few seconds.
Reduce Fuel Costs
Idle time, inefficient routes, and aggressive driving burn fuel. Telematics reports show exactly where your money is going so you can fix it.
Protect Your Business from Liability
If a company vehicle is in an accident or a customer disputes a service visit, trip history provides an irrefutable record of where your vehicles were and when.
Stop After-Hours and Unauthorized Use
Get an instant alert if a company vehicle moves after business hours or leaves a designated area. Know immediately if a vehicle is being used without authorization.
Simplify Mileage and Payroll
Automatic trip logs eliminate manual mileage tracking. Accurate odometer data supports IRS mileage reimbursement and simplifies expense reporting.
Catch Engine Problems Early
Vehicle telematics reads OBD-II diagnostic codes before a check engine light becomes a $2,000 repair. Stay ahead of maintenance with real engine data.
Why Enterprise Fleet Platforms Aren't the Right Fit for Small Business
When most people search for fleet tracking, they find the big names first — Samsara, Geotab, and Verizon Connect. These are excellent platforms for large enterprise operations. But they're built for fleets of 50, 100, or 500+ vehicles with dedicated fleet managers, IT staff, and procurement budgets. Here's why they're usually the wrong choice for small businesses:
Samsara
Enterprise — 50+ vehiclesSamsara is an industry-leading telematics platform used by thousands of mid-size and large fleets. Their system is powerful, but it requires long-term contracts (typically 3 years), professional installation for their hardware, complex dashboards designed for fleet managers, and pricing that's often $25–$45+ per vehicle per month. Overkill for a 5-truck HVAC company.
Geotab
Enterprise — government & corporateGeotab is used by major corporations and government fleets worldwide. Their GO device and MyGeotab platform offer incredible depth — but that depth requires technical expertise to configure and manage. Geotab primarily sells through resellers, pricing is negotiated, and the learning curve is steep. It's built for fleet analysts, not small business owners.
Verizon Connect
Enterprise — complex contractsVerizon Connect (formerly Fleetmatics) is a well-known name but has a reputation among small businesses for aggressive sales tactics, complex multi-year contracts, and pricing that escalates over time. Their platform is designed for larger operations and customer service is often structured for enterprise accounts, not small businesses.
If you have 2 plumbing vans, 6 landscaping trucks, or a small delivery fleet, you need something built for you — affordable per-vehicle pricing, no-hassle self-install, a mobile app you can actually use, and month-to-month service with no commitment.
What Is Vehicle Telematics — And Why It Matters for Small Business
Telematics is the combination of telecommunications and vehicle diagnostics. A GPS-only tracker tells you where a vehicle is. A telematics device tells you where the vehicle is, how fast it's going, how it's being driven, what the engine is doing, and how efficiently it's using fuel — all at the same time.
Modern OBD-II telematics devices plug directly into the OBD-II diagnostic port present in every vehicle made after 1996. They read live data from your vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) and transmit it over LTE to a cloud platform where you can view it from any smartphone or computer.
For small businesses, telematics turns fleet management from guesswork into data. Instead of wondering why fuel costs are high, you see exactly which drivers idle excessively or take inefficient routes. Instead of being surprised by a major repair, you see engine fault codes weeks in advance.
Self-Install in Under 5 Minutes.
No Tools Required.
The OBD-II Fleet Connector plugs directly into your vehicle's existing diagnostic port — the same port a mechanic uses to read engine codes. No wiring. No drilling. No professional installer needed.
Find the OBD-II Port
Every gas-powered vehicle made after 1996 has an OBD-II port — typically located under the dashboard on the driver's side, near the steering column. No special tools needed to access it.
Plug In the Fleet Connector
Push the Fleet Connector into the port until it clicks. It draws power directly from the vehicle — no batteries, no wiring. The device powers on automatically and connects to the Alarm.com cellular network within about 60 seconds.
Start Tracking From Your Phone
Open the Alarm.com app, add your vehicle, and your fleet is live. Real-time location, trip history, and telematics data are available immediately. Most small businesses have their entire fleet online in under 30 minutes.
Compatible Vehicles
Works with any gas-powered vehicle manufactured after 1996, including cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and most hybrid and electric vehicles with an OBD-II port. No special adapters needed for standard passenger and commercial vehicles.
The Fleet Features Small Businesses Actually Use
Alarm.com Connected Fleet isn't just a dot on a map. It's a complete telematics platform — accessible from the same app you use to manage your business security system.
Real-Time GPS Tracking
See every vehicle on a live map, updated in near real-time. Know exactly where each driver is at any moment — no more "where are you?" phone calls.
Driver Behavior Monitoring
Track speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and sharp cornering. Driver scoring helps you identify unsafe habits before they become accidents or insurance claims.
Geofence Alerts
Draw a virtual boundary around your business, a job site, or any location. Get an instant notification whenever a vehicle enters or exits — perfect for confirming on-site arrivals.
After-Hours Alerts
Receive an alert the moment a company vehicle starts moving after business hours or on weekends. Catch unauthorized personal use immediately rather than discovering it on a fuel bill.
Engine Diagnostics & DTC Codes
The Fleet Connector reads your vehicle's diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) — the same codes a mechanic reads. Get notified of issues before a minor problem becomes an expensive breakdown.
Fuel Efficiency Reports
See miles per gallon, total fuel consumption, and idle time by vehicle and driver. Identify your most and least efficient vehicles and drivers. Small improvements add up to real savings.
Trip History & Replay
Review every trip your vehicles have made, with full route detail. Replay any trip on the map to verify service visits, validate billing, or investigate an incident.
Mileage & Odometer Tracking
Automatic mileage logs for every vehicle and every trip. Supports IRS mileage reimbursement, simplifies expense reporting, and gives you accurate odometer data for maintenance scheduling.
Scheduled Fleet Reports
Automatically receive daily, weekly, or monthly fleet reports by email. Share reports with managers, accountants, or insurance providers without manual effort.
Tampering & Disconnect Alerts
The Fleet Connector has a backup battery and alerts you if it's unplugged from the OBD-II port. Know immediately if someone tries to disable the tracker.
Multi-Vehicle Dashboard
The Summary Dashboard shows the real-time status of every enrolled vehicle at a glance. For businesses with multiple locations, the Enterprise view displays all vehicles across every site in one screen.
Unified Security + Fleet App
When your fleet runs on Alarm.com through Surety Business, fleet tracking lives in the same app as your business security, cameras, and access control. One login, one notification stream, one bill.
Comparing Small Business GPS Fleet Tracking Options
There are several fleet tracking products designed for small businesses. Here's an honest comparison of the most popular options — including how they stack up against Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business.
Linxup
$25/mo per vehicle* · Annual or month-to-month
A capable small business fleet tracker, but the most expensive option in this group at $25/vehicle/month and no integration with a business security system.
OneStep GPS
$14/mo per vehicle + $20 activation* · Month-to-month
A solid small business option at $14/vehicle/month, but costs more than Surety Business Fleet and has no integration with a business security system.
Force Fleet
$18/mo per vehicle (Premium)* · Month-to-month
Solid small business option at a mid-range price point, but no engine diagnostics or security integration.
Bouncie
Consumer-grade$8–$10/mo per vehicle* · Month-to-month
The most affordable option, but consumer-grade — limited telematics, no driver behavior scoring, no engine diagnostics.
Fleet Aware (Alarm.com)
$15/mo per vehicle* · Month-to-month
Same Alarm.com platform as Surety Business but fleet tracking only — no security or camera integration, and costs more per vehicle.
Surety Business Fleet (Alarm.com)
Best for Small Business$8–$15/mo per vehicle ($12/mo avg) · Month-to-month
Most capable small business option. Full Alarm.com telematics, stand-alone fleet management (like Fleet Aware) or business security integration in one app, and lower per-vehicle cost than Fleet Aware.
* Competitor pricing sourced from each provider's public website as of March 2026. Prices may vary based on plan, fleet size, and promotions. Verify current pricing directly with each provider.
Fleet Aware vs. Surety Business Fleet
Fleet Aware
Fleet Aware / All Aware is a limited Alarm.com provider that offers Connected Fleet. Because both Fleet Aware and Surety Business use the same underlying Alarm.com platform, the core telematics features — real-time GPS, driver behavior monitoring, engine diagnostics, trip history — are identical on both platforms.
However, Fleet Aware is a fleet-only provider. They don't offer Alarm.com business security, cameras, or access control. If you use Fleet Aware and also want a business security system, you'd have separate apps, separate bills, and separate support contacts — one for fleet and one for security.
- Alarm.com telematics platform
- Business security system available
- Camera & video surveillance
- Access control integration
- All services in one app
Surety Business Fleet
RecommendedSurety Business offers the same Alarm.com Connected Fleet platform — so you get all the same telematics capabilities. But Surety Business also provides the complete Alarm.com business security ecosystem: intrusion alarms, video surveillance, smart access control, and energy management.
When you bundle fleet tracking with your Surety Business security system, everything runs in one Alarm.com app with one login and one monthly bill. Fleet pricing through Surety Business also costs less than Fleet Aware for the same Alarm.com Connected Fleet.
- Alarm.com telematics platform
- Business security system available
- Camera & video surveillance
- Access control integration
- All services in one app
- Lower cost than Fleet Aware
Fleet Tracking That Integrates With Your Business Security System
Most small business fleet trackers are islands. They track vehicles, and that's it. Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business is different — because it runs on the same platform as your business security system, cameras, and access control.
That means your whole business runs from one app. When a company vehicle arrives at your shop, you can automatically disarm the alarm. When a driver leaves a job site after hours, you can see that alongside your security camera feeds. One notification stream. One login. One monthly bill.
Who Uses Small Business GPS Fleet Tracking?
Any small business with vehicles on the road can benefit from fleet tracking. Here are some example industries where it delivers the most immediate value:
HVAC & Plumbing
Track technicians, confirm on-site arrival times, monitor after-hours vehicle use, and catch engine issues before a van breaks down on the way to a customer.
Landscaping & Lawn Care
Know which crew is at which property, optimize routes to reduce mileage, and get alerts if vehicles leave the job site unexpectedly.
Electrical & General Contractors
Verify crew arrival at job sites, protect high-value tool vans with geofencing, and generate mileage reports for billing reimbursement.
Delivery & Courier
Real-time route tracking, customer arrival notifications, and fuel efficiency monitoring are essential for any last-mile delivery operation.
Pest Control
Dispatch the closest technician to new service calls, confirm visit completion with trip history, and manage a mobile workforce spread across a service area.
Field Services & Inspections
Property managers, inspectors, and mobile service providers rely on fleet tracking to dispatch efficiently and provide clients with accurate arrival windows.
Avg. Price
~$12/vehicle/mo
Hardware
$99 one-time
Contract
None
Install
Self-install
$15/vehicle/month for the first vehicle; $12/vehicle/month for the second to as low as $8/vehicle/month for larger fleets. Add fleet to an existing Alarm.com security system and it starts at $12/vehicle/month. Most small business fleets average around $12/vehicle/month. No annual commitment required — service is month-to-month. See full plans and pricing.
View Full Pricing & PlansFrequently Asked Questions
What is GPS fleet tracking for small business?
GPS fleet tracking for small business is a system that lets you see the real-time location of all your vehicles on a map, review trip history, monitor driver behavior, and receive alerts — all from a smartphone app or web dashboard. Unlike enterprise telematics platforms built for hundreds of vehicles, small business fleet tracking is designed to be simple, affordable, and self-installable.
How much does small business fleet tracking cost?
Affordable GPS fleet tracking typically runs $8–$25 per vehicle per month depending on the provider and features, plus a one-time hardware cost of around $99 per vehicle for the OBD-II plug-in device. Surety Business Fleet is $15/vehicle/month for a single vehicle, $12/vehicle/month for the second vehicle to as low as $8/vehicle/month for larger fleets, and starts at $12/vehicle/month when added to an existing Alarm.com security system — with most small business fleets averaging $12/vehicle/month. No long-term contracts required.
Can I install the GPS tracker myself?
Yes. The OBD-II Fleet Connector is a true self-install device — no tools, no wiring, no technician required. You simply plug it into the OBD-II port under your vehicle's dashboard (every gas-powered car and truck made after 1996 has one), and it comes online automatically within about 60 seconds. Most small business owners get their entire fleet online in under 30 minutes.
What is telematics and do I need it for my small business?
Telematics combines GPS location data with vehicle diagnostic data from your vehicle's onboard computer. In addition to knowing where your vehicles are, telematics tells you how they're being driven — hard braking, rapid acceleration, speeding — plus engine health codes, fuel efficiency, odometer readings, and idle time. For small businesses with service vehicles, telematics helps reduce fuel costs, extend vehicle life, and improve driver accountability.
What's the difference between small business fleet trackers and enterprise platforms like Samsara or Geotab?
Enterprise fleet platforms like Samsara, Geotab, and Verizon Connect are built for fleets of 50, 100, or 500+ vehicles. They offer powerful features but come with complex onboarding, high per-vehicle costs, long-term contracts (often 3 years), and account managers rather than self-service. Small business fleet tracking — like Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business — is designed for 1–50 vehicles, self-service setup, month-to-month pricing, and straightforward mobile apps that anyone can use without training.
How many vehicles do I need to justify fleet tracking?
Even a single vehicle can benefit from GPS fleet tracking. If you have employees driving a company vehicle, tracking protects you from liability, reduces fuel waste from unauthorized personal use, and gives you proof of service for billing disputes. Most small businesses find the ROI becomes obvious at 2–3 vehicles through fuel savings and improved scheduling alone.
Does fleet tracking require a long-term contract?
The best small business fleet trackers are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business has no annual contract — you pay month-to-month and can cancel anytime. Enterprise platforms like Samsara and Verizon Connect often require 1–3 year contracts with early termination fees.
What features should I look for in a small business GPS fleet tracker?
For small businesses, the most important features are: real-time GPS location, trip history playback, geofence alerts, driver behavior monitoring (speeding, hard braking), engine diagnostics, mileage reports, after-hours alerts, and easy self-install. An affordable monthly price, no long-term contract, and a simple mobile app are equally important for a small business that doesn't have a dedicated fleet manager.
How does Alarm.com Connected Fleet compare to Bouncie, Linxup, or OneStep GPS?
Bouncie is a consumer-grade tracker designed for basic vehicle location. Linxup and OneStep GPS are small business fleet trackers with more features, but both cost more per vehicle than Surety Business Fleet and neither can integrate with a business security system. Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business is a true telematics platform — driver behavior scoring, fuel efficiency data, engine diagnostics, multi-location enterprise dashboards, and scheduled fleet reports — and it integrates with your Alarm.com business security system for one app, one login, and one bill.
What is Fleet Aware and how does it compare to Surety Business Fleet?
Fleet Aware, like Surety Business, is an Alarm.com company that offers Connected Fleet. Since both use the same Alarm.com platform, the core fleet tracking features are identical. The differences are pricing and integration: Surety Business typically costs less for Connected Fleet, and Surety Business also offers the full Alarm.com business security, camera, and access control suite — so your fleet tracking can integrate with your security system in a single app. Fleet Aware is fleet tracking only.
Can fleet tracking integrate with my business security system?
Yes — if your security system runs on the Alarm.com platform. Surety Business provides Alarm.com Connected Fleet alongside Alarm.com security alarms, cameras, and access control. Everything is in one app with one login. You can set rules like automatically disarming your security system when a company vehicle arrives at your location, or receive a single unified alert stream for both security and fleet events.
What vehicles are compatible with OBD-II fleet trackers?
The OBD-II Fleet Connector works with any gas-powered vehicle manufactured after 1996, including cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. It also supports hybrid and electric vehicles that have an OBD-II port. Fuel level monitoring requires a 2010 or newer vehicle.
Ready to Track Your Fleet?
Start with Alarm.com Connected Fleet from Surety Business. Affordable, simple, no contracts — and it integrates with your business security system.