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Fleet Management · head to head

Samsara vs Waze

Samsara logo

Samsara

Fleet Management

The connected operations cloud

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
Waze logo

Waze

Maps

Community-driven GPS navigation app that uses real-time traffic data from its users

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Waze has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Waze no offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • They diverge on capability: Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, Waze covers Core Functionality.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Samsara and Waze actually diverge.

Attributes where Samsara and Waze differ
AttributeSamsaraWaze
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, MobileiOS, Android, Web
CategoryFleet ManagementMaps
Founded20152008

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

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 Samsara

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

Only in Waze

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Samsara

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

Waze

  • Real-time navigation and route planning with live traffic updatesnot Samsara
  • Reporting hazards and roadway conditions to community driversnot Samsara
  • Finding alternative routes to avoid congestion and accidentsnot Samsara
  • Connecting with first responders and emergency servicesnot Samsara
  • Community-driven mapping and road condition improvementsnot Samsara

Where each one falls short

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

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

Waze

  • No offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • Routing reliability declined with reports of longer routes and restricted road directions
  • Privacy concerns with location data collection and location-based ads after Google acquisition
  • Stability issues including crashes on CarPlay and slow loading times

Pricing, plan by plan

Samsara

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.

Waze

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Waze review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Samsara if

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

Choose Waze if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want user interface.
Waze review

Questions people ask

Is Samsara or Waze better?
Neither clearly leads. Samsara starts at On request and Waze at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Samsara or Waze?
Waze has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Samsara and Free for Waze.
Does Samsara or Waze run on more platforms?
Samsara runs on Web, Mobile. Waze runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Waze for free?
Yes. Waze has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Samsara starts at On request.
What is Samsara best used for?
Samsara is most often used for real time gps tracking of vehicle location and engine health, ai dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alerts, trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recovery, fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysis. Of those, real time gps tracking of vehicle location and engine health and ai dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alerts are not what Waze is typically brought in for.
What can Samsara do that Waze cannot?
Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance, IFTA reporting. Waze covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Samsara: How much does Samsara cost?

Samsara does not publish pricing online. Pricing is customized based on fleet size and specific operational needs. Contact sales to discuss your requirements and receive a quote.

Source
Waze: Does Waze work offline?

No, Waze relies on real-time data and does not support offline maps, limiting usability when without internet connectivity.

Source
Samsara: Does Samsara pricing scale by fleet size?

Yes, Samsara pricing scales based on fleet size with tiers for 1-5 vehicles, 6-29, 30-499, 500-4999, and 5000+ assets. Specific rates for each tier are not disclosed online.

Source
Waze: How does Waze handle my location data?

Since Google's 2013 acquisition, Waze shares location history with Google's ad network and serves location-based ads. This differs from privacy-focused alternatives like Apple Maps.

Source
Samsara: How can I get Samsara pricing information?

To obtain pricing, use the 'Talk to sales' button on Samsara's website or visit their pricing page. The sales team will discuss your operational needs and provide a customized quote.

Source
Waze: What platforms can I use Waze on?

Waze is available on iOS and Android mobile apps, and via web through the Live Map feature accessible from any computer or tablet.

Source
Samsara: Does Samsara offer a free trial?

No free trial is mentioned on Samsara's available pages. Contact the sales team to discuss evaluation options and pricing for your fleet.

Source
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