Maps & Navigation · head to head
Samsara vs Waze
Waze
Maps & Navigation
Community-driven GPS navigation app that uses real-time traffic data from its users
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Samsara and Waze actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).
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
No use cases recorded yet. See the Waze review.
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 requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.
Waze
On requestNo 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.
Choose Waze if
- You need core functionality.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want user interface.
Questions people ask
- Is Samsara or Waze better?
- Neither clearly leads. Samsara starts at On request and Waze at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Samsara or Waze?
- Samsara starts at On request and Waze at On request.
- Does Samsara or Waze run on more platforms?
- Samsara runs on Web, Mobile. Waze runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- 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
Waze: Does Waze work offline?
No, Waze relies on real-time data and does not support offline maps, limiting usability when without internet connectivity.
SourceWaze: 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.
SourceWaze: 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.
SourceRelated pages
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