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Updated Jan 02, 2024

Azuga GPS Fleet Management Review

Neil Cumins, Business Ownership Insider and Senior Analyst

Table of Contents

Open row
Editors Score:9/10

Azuga provides fleet management services with easy-to-install hardware, robust software features, advanced alerts and reporting, scalable service plans and unlimited customer support.

Plus Sign Pros
  • Drivers are incentivized to improve their behavior behind the wheel.
  • You can self-install Azuga’s plug-and-play devices within minutes.
  • Azuga offers a plethora of online resources and training.
  • The customer support team is helpful and easily accessible.
Minus Sign Cons
  • Azuga contracts run for a minimum of two years.
  • The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Azuga company logo
  • Azuga users can create custom service plans that are tailored to their fleet management needs.
  • Azuga’s plug-and-play fleet tracking hardware can be self-installed within minutes.
  • The Azuga mobile app is robust, with useful features for both drivers and administrators.
  • This review is for small business owners and fleet managers who are considering Azuga for their fleet management solution.

Azuga is our choice for the best GPS fleet tracking system for improving the standards of your fleet. We particularly liked how it uses a blend of information, competition and remuneration to encourage better driving across the board, giving it a distinct value proposition in this congested market. We also like Azuga’s simplicity and its focus on reducing maintenance costs across larger fleets, thanks to discounts from partner organization Firestone.

Azuga GPS Fleet Management Editor's Rating:

9 / 10

Cost
8
Features
9.2
Refresh time
9.2
Usability
9.5
Customer service
9.2

Why Azuga Is Best for Improving Driving Standards

In the age of live video streaming and ubiquitous social media activity, examples of poor driver behavior can tarnish the reputation of any business. Even a brief live video of a vehicle bearing your firm’s branding being driven aggressively, erratically or inappropriately could create a public relations problem. Effective recruitment and regular refresher training go a long way toward optimizing driving standards, but we found that Azuga’s features and services help to reduce this burden using a series of rewards and incentives. 

Chief among these features is a competitive table that scores drivers based on how safely they perform their duties. A scoreboard ranks drivers in a standards-based table and lets them see how their results compare with their colleagues’. The best performers are offered quarterly rewards from 15 retailers and brands — such as Domino’s, TGI Fridays and Amazon — adding a fiscal incentive to going easy on the brake pedal or meeting fuel efficiency goals, which can be set individually for each driver. When we tested Azuga, we found that these rewards-as-a-service gift cards can be sent directly to a high-performing driver’s smartphone. Meanwhile, the company offers courses and training, including knowledge checks and guidance on avoiding aggressive driving, for repeat offenders.

Key TakeawayKey takeaway

Azuga incentivizes drivers to optimize their behavior, using techniques that other GPS platforms don’t currently offer.

Azuga dashboard

The Azuga dashboard can be accessed on computers and mobile devices. Source: Azuga

Usability

There are several factors to consider when you’re looking for an easy-to-use GPS fleet tracking system. The hardware should be easy to install and learn, and it should be supported by flexible and scalable plans alongside a customer service team that is easily accessible and ready to help. In our review of Azuga, we found the platform checks all of those boxes, in addition to offering a robust set of fleet management features. We determined small business fleets can easily grow with Azuga, as it’s an extremely scalable fleet management solution that meets all sorts of fleet goals.

Location details refresh every two minutes by default, though this can be brought down to 30 seconds. In our review, we noticed Azuga can even reduce the refresh rate to 15 seconds for a small additional fee. The constantly updated fleet data visibility contrasts with some rival platforms that project where a vehicle will be at a given moment based on past movements, giving an unrealistic real-time picture of their precise locations.

Did You Know?Did you know

Drivers and fleet managers can message one another directly within the platform, thereby streamlining communications.

We especially liked that Azuga’s plug-and-play hardware can be installed within minutes. The dashboard is easy to navigate, doesn’t require lengthy training sessions, and can be accessed via a computer or mobile device. Following an update at the end of 2022, the latest v2.0 dashboard is cleaner and more responsive than its 10-year-old predecessor. It offers welcome new features, like the ability to overlay geofence boundaries, and Azuga also introduced the location-sharing feature that’s already offered by competitors such as Force by Mojio. A time-limited link can be sent to clients, allowing them to track a delivery or vehicle in real time, which is ideal for sensitive appointments or perishable goods.

It’s easy to grasp that vehicles shown in red on the Google Maps interface are committing harsh driving, orange vehicles are idling and green ones are proceeding normally. The ability to overlay live weather and traffic data is another new feature for 2023, and one that may explain delays or a lack of movement by specific vehicles. If there’s anything you’re not clear about, you can reach Azuga’s knowledgeable customer support representatives by phone, email, web chat or a ticketing system.

We also liked that Azuga’s plans are customizable, allowing you to select the fleet management features you need. Alongside this welcome flexibility, we found the dashboard simple to navigate. You can access the dashboard via a computer or mobile app, allowing you to manage your fleet from anywhere.

Did You Know?Did you know

Azuga allows you to conduct vehicle inspection reports by using smartphone photos to report defects.

Azuga hardware

Azuga offers simple hardware, like plug-and-play vehicle trackers and dual-facing dashcams. Source: Azuga

Azuga Features

Tracking hardware

Azuga plug-and-play tracking devices can be installed and activated within minutes.

Driver safety

Users can add personalized safety coaching and a feature that blocks mobile usage while someone is driving.

Maintenance and optimization

Users can access fuel card integration and Azuga FuelSaver, plus discounts on tires and maintenance.

Alerts and reporting

Users can view live, scheduled and customized reports.

Mobile app

Azuga has a feature-rich mobile app for drivers and admins.

Tracking Hardware

We found that Azuga offers plug-and-play fleet tracking devices that are easy to install via the vehicle’s OBD II ports, though you can also hardwire devices into place if you prefer. You can choose from a long-life asset tracker or a rechargeable tracker. We were impressed with the asset tracker’s five-year battery life; standard devices last six months on one charge.

Azuga’s trackers are easy to install, keeping you updated on where your vehicles and other assets are at all times. Even the OBD II devices are accurate to within 5 feet, which is useful in built-up areas where multiple deliveries might be scheduled for the same street. We liked that the front- and rear-facing dashcams record in high definition, with integrated microphones (which administrators can disable) and the ability to record 15-second clips. The AI technology recognizes eating and smoking, while a dedicated parking mode records break-ins. Footage is available for up to 12 months, but older clips may be accessible upon request. Dashcams are now chosen by 75 percent of Azuga customers.

If you want drivers to be able to drink water on the move or ring clients with ETA updates, you can deactivate these actions from triggering alerts. That’s especially beneficial for long-distance drivers, and it’s another example of how adjustable Azuga’s settings are, even if it might take a while to get the software configured to your optimal preferences.

Azuga mobile app

Azuga lets you track drivers’ performance with driver scorecards. Source: Azuga

Driver Safety

We found that Azuga provides excellent driver safety features, including driver scorecards, which are common in the fleet tracking industry. We also determined that Azuga is one of the few GPS fleet tracking services to share scorecard information, so both the administrator and the driver can see the driver’s performance. Additionally, users can view real-time alerts on hard-driving behaviors, like acceleration, harsh braking (which is usually a direct result of inattention), speeding and excessive idle time. It’s even possible to have reversing noted, which is ideal for businesses whose trucks aren’t allowed to reverse for safety reasons. Azuga also offers a unique add-on that lets you block drivers’ smartphone use when they are driving.

TipTip

If driver safety is your top concern, you can add on Azuga Coach, a personalized video-based safety coaching feature. This can be sent to specific individuals, such as speeding drivers, through the platform’s admin portal.

Maintenance and Optimization

Azuga helps businesses maintain safe vehicles and equipment, as well as optimize fuel usage, by providing real-time data. For example, users can view past service records and items that need to be fixed immediately. We also like that the software can notify you if the equipment is overdue for an inspection or maintenance. This proactive maintenance helps to optimize fleet safety and reduce maintenance costs.

We especially liked that Azuga offers unique features to help reduce fuel costs, such as fuel card integration and Azuga FuelSaver, which tells your drivers where the closest gas station with the cheapest fuel is. Not all of the systems we examined offered this feature. It’s also possible to set alerts if fuel levels in a particular vehicle drop below a certain level. This ensures drivers aren’t running any risk of draining their tanks, which draws the grit that accumulates at the bottom of a gas tank into the engine and risks the need for expensive remedial work.

Azuga reporting

Azuga offers live, scheduled and customized reporting. Source: Azuga

Alerts and Reporting

Small businesses can access a variety of live, scheduled and customized reports through the Azuga platform. These reports include essential details regarding driver safety and behavior, geofencing, vehicle maintenance, fleet safety and fuel efficiency. We noticed that some plans even have diagnostic reports for things such as battery and fuel levels, check-engine lights, and panic and sensor alerts, bringing the total number of searchable alerts to 25. Our analysis found that the best GPS fleet management systems include this ability to customize reports. Data can be summoned from the past 12 months, or longer if you approach Azuga directly for assistance. Data can be exported as a PDF or Excel file.

FYIDid you know

Azuga will immediately flag any unplugged OBD II devices, in case drivers are trying to manipulate or cover up their telemetry data.

Azuga promotes the software’s ability to help clients and companies find their nearest available driver, with Uber-esque real-time tracking. This data can be shared with relevant audiences through emailed links, and it’s even possible to chat with the driver via a Google link.

Mobile Apps

Every Azuga plan comes with access to Azuga Fleet Mobile, a feature-rich mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The dashboard includes a dozen buttons, placing everything within a single smartphone screen for administrators to look over. The app includes views and features for both drivers and admins, offering a wealth of fleet management functions. For example, you can view fleet health and maintenance, trip logs and tags, driver timecards and performance, rewards programs and vehicle diagnostics. One feature that stood out was the ability for drivers to locate their vehicles, thus helping them get on the road faster.

Azuga mobile app

The mobile app is easy for drivers and fleet managers to use. Source: Azuga

Azuga Cost

Azuga charges a one-time device fee, plus a recurring monthly service charge. Because the monthly fee is influenced by the specific services you need, Azuga doesn’t list its pricing online. Although this is standard in the industry, some companies we reviewed were more transparent about their pricing. For example, ClearPathGPS lists pricing for two preset plans. When we spoke to Azuga representatives about this, they gave us prices of $25 per vehicle per month for a GPS-only solution and around $50 per vehicle per month with the dashcam included, which is the most popular option. However, these are only ballpark figures, and you must speak with a sales rep to obtain a quote that’s specific to your business.

Besides the standard GPS tracking features, you can add enhanced tracking tools, like scheduled maintenance, electric vehicle data, enhanced vehicle data, and trip logs and tags. Azuga also includes FuelSaver, SpeedSafe (which identifies risky driver behavior), SafetyCam (dual-facing HD cameras that can provide real-time reporting on dozens of behaviors, such as camera obstruction and failure to wear a seat belt, while issuing audiovisual alerts to the driver) and Azuga Coach (video-based safety coaching). We like that Azuga is highly customizable and flexible, allowing users to create a solution that best suits their business.

One significant advantage of signing up with Azuga is that you can receive discounts on tires and vehicle maintenance, thanks to the company’s 2021 acquisition by Bridgestone. There are 15 percent discounts on retail rates available at the 2,500 Firestone garages across the United States. We welcome anything that reduces vehicle maintenance costs. Maintenance can be customized or scheduled, with reminders and service records provided, and services can be proactively booked and confirmed.

One downside we noticed is that Azuga requires users to sign a 36-month contract for its full dashcam service. Although this is standard in the GPS fleet tracking industry, some other companies we reviewed didn’t lock their customers in this long. If you’d rather have a shorter-term solution, Jobber might be preferable.

Key TakeawayKey takeaway

Azuga’s pricing is customizable. There is a one-time device fee, plus a recurring monthly service fee that depends on the features you want.

Azuga Setup

We like that Azuga offers plug-and-play devices that you can easily install yourself. You simply insert the device into the OBD II port of your vehicle, wait two minutes, turn on your vehicle and leave it to idle for a couple of minutes. When the LED starts flashing and changes color, the device is ready to track your vehicle and driver data.

Once the hardware is installed, it connects with the vehicle’s computer and GPS satellites to gather data on the vehicle and its location. That information can be accessed instantly via Azuga’s easy-to-use software. A software update late last year introduced unlimited usernames and passwords, thereby improving the platform’s flexibility.

Azuga Customer Service

We found Azuga’s online resources quite helpful. The company’s website is filled with blogs, webinars, videos, documentation, success stories, open API documentation and an ROI calculator. If you still have questions about Azuga’s services, you can access product training resources.

If you’re looking for more personalized support, you can reach out to an Azuga customer support representative via phone, email, web chat or a ticketing system. When we posed as a small business owner and contacted Azuga to test its customer support, we were pleased with the promptness of the representatives and the assistance they provided. The visual pricing form on the website is highly intuitive, guiding people with limited industry knowledge through three screens to assemble a customized fleet pricing quote, though you must provide your contact details to receive the findings.

Azuga Drawbacks

One potential downside of Azuga is that it requires a 36-month contract if you’re signing a dashcam contract, as most clients do nowadays. This length is relatively standard in the fleet tracking industry, but it does involve a substantial commitment. If you are looking for a fleet tracking solution with month-to-month terms, consider our review of Force by Mojio. Alternatively, you could shorten the commitment by signing up for a GPS-only contract, which has a minimum term of 24 months.

Another drawback of Azuga is that it isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau. While this isn’t a dealbreaker for us, we do like to see our best picks accredited. However, Azuga does have a positive reputation on other review sites.

Depending on your industry, you might be disappointed that Azuga only offers vehicle tracking devices. You can’t add them to containers as you can with FleetUp’s array of solar- and battery-powered tracking devices, which even include temperature sensors.

Methodology

Finding the right GPS fleet tracking system can be tough, which is why we did some of the hard work for you. We spent hours researching and analyzing GPS fleet tracking systems to identify the top solutions on the market. We looked at hardware, features, pricing and contracts, usability, refresh times and customer support. We even got hands-on experience with demos and product videos when possible. When searching for the best GPS fleet tracking system for ease of use, we focused on features such as hardware installation, flexibility, scalability, software usability and customer support. For Azuga, we also paid attention to its driver incentivization schemes, which are unique in the industry.

Azuga FAQs

Azuga is simple to install and use. First, you plug the Azuga GPS tracking device into the OBD II port of your vehicle. The tracker instantly begins tracking and recording vehicle and driver data and integrates it with the Azuga platform. You can then use a computer or mobile device to view the recorded data.

Azuga is an intuitive telematics solution designed for businesses that want a customizable and easy-to-use platform. It can serve businesses of all sizes and sectors, though marketing literature profiles it as being optimal for industries such as plumbing, telecom and trucking. Azuga reps describe the platform as being equally suitable for single-vehicle businesses and fleets of 10,000 vehicles.

Azuga offers plug-and-play tracking devices, so setting up your platform is simple. However, if you do need help with Azuga’s hardware or software, you can access the company’s comprehensive online resources and customer support.

Following its 2021 takeover by Bridgestone, Azuga has expanded to become the fifth-largest GPS company worldwide, with 10,000 customers and 340,000 registered vehicles covering around 3 billion miles per year. Azuga is still smaller than competitors such as Samsara and Verizon, but its scale is reassuring in terms of its long-term commitment to the market.

Overall Value

We recommend Azuga for …

  • Firms that want to use every possible mechanism to improve driving standards.
  • Companies that are looking for a fleet tracking solution that is easy to learn and use.
  • Businesses that want access to 24/7 customer support.

We don’t recommend Azuga for …

  • Businesses that need hardwired vehicle trackers.
  • Startups that are looking for short-term or month-to-month contracts.
  • Companies that require up-to-the-second tracking.
Neil Cumins, Business Ownership Insider and Senior Analyst
Neil Cumins is an award-winning small business owner who has run a limited company for nearly two decades. Through his personal and professional experiences, he is well-versed in a range of B2B and B2C topics, from invoicing to advertising to the use of artificial intelligence. Prior to starting his own business, Cumins worked as a marketing executive. With deep insights into the ever-changing technology landscape, Cumins is particularly skilled at evaluating business software and guiding fellow entrepreneurs to the tools and strategies that will equip them for entrepreneurial success. Over the years, he has worked with some of the world’s biggest hardware and software manufacturers, as well as countless SaaS brands. Today, he also spends his time consulting on compensation and other business matters.
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