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HERE Technologies vs Samsara

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Samsara logo

Samsara

Software

The connected operations cloud

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HERE Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; Samsara no price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • They diverge on capability: HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and Samsara actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and Samsara differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesSamsara
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb, Mobile
Founded19852015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HERE Technologies

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Samsara

  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • AI dash cameras
  • ELD compliance
  • IFTA reporting
  • Driver safety coaching
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Route optimization

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot Samsara
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot Samsara
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot Samsara
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot Samsara
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot Samsara

Samsara

  • Real time GPS tracking of vehicle location and engine healthnot HERE Technologies
  • AI dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alertsnot HERE Technologies
  • Trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recoverynot HERE Technologies
  • Fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysisnot HERE Technologies

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

Samsara

  • No price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • Safety, Telematics and Equipment tracking are sold as separate plan families, so a fleet needing all three buys three plans
  • Weather risk visibility and the 30 plus risk detections with context and patterns require Safety Enterprise rather than Safety Premier
  • AI fuel lifecycle insights, TMS integrations and route performance tools require Telematics Enterprise rather than Telematics Premier
  • Proactive maintenance tools and real time diagnostics for trailers and equipment require Advanced Tracking rather than Standard Visibility

Pricing, plan by plan

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

Samsara

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.
HERE Technologies review

Choose Samsara if

  • You need real-time gps tracking.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want ai dash cameras.
Samsara review

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or Samsara better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and Samsara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or Samsara?
HERE Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HERE Technologies and On request for Samsara.
Does HERE Technologies or Samsara run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. Samsara runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Yes. HERE Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Samsara starts at On request.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what Samsara is typically brought in for.
What can HERE Technologies do that Samsara cannot?
HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance, IFTA reporting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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