BigRoad ELD vs Payload Mobile
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BigRoad ELD
This app helps drivers and fleets easily track hours of service and create compliant electronic logs. It offers real-time drive time calculations, proactive violation notifications, and simplifies inspections by providing an easy-to-read display. The app also eliminates paperwork by allowing digital submission of logs, inspection reports, and fuel receipts.
- FMCSA certified ELD
- Hours of Service tracking
- ELD compliant logs
- Real-time drive time calculation
- Proactive violation notifications
- Digital DVIRs
- In-app chat
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BigRoad ELD is an easy-to-use electronic logging device certified with FMCSA and 3rd Party Certified in Canada. Use it as part of the Unity Suite of software products to run your entire business smoothly and efficiently. BigRoad ELD is great for all sizes of fleets from owner operators to large multi-carrier organizations! Easily track your hours-of-service and create ELD compliant logs by connecting to one of our ELD devices. EASY, EFFORTLESS ELECTRONIC LOGS Track your Hours of Service with a few taps. US and Canadian rule sets supported. Easily edit logs according to the regulations. STOP GUESSING. START DRIVING. See how much drive time you have left with a quick glance. No more estimating and guessing – BigRoad ELD calculates your remaining time for you. Receive notifications as you approach the end of your drive, shift, and cycle to make sure you don’t go over. AVOID ERRORS. PREVENT FINES Proactive notification of errors and violations help you run in compliance to avoid costly fines and out-of-service time. Correct errors before they’re caught during an inspection. SAY GOODBYE TO PAPERWORK AND FAXES Easily send your fleet manager your logs and vehicle inspection reports. Capture and send supporting documents within the app. Record fuel purchase receipts in the app and they’ll be sent directly to the office. Stop worrying about keeping track of all those slips of paper. BREEZE THROUGH INSPECTIONS Displays a clean, easy-to-read, compliant ELD log, on-screen, for inspectors to review. Stores logs and supporting documents in one location. Display, print, email, or fax driver logs. Easily send to safety officials using supported methods when requested. STAY CONNECTED Use the simple in-app chat to keep your manager updated and connect with other drivers in your fleet. Capture and store documents and photos with your device’s camera and send them to the office from right in the app. SUPPORTS REGULATIONS THROUGHOUT THE US AND CANADA •Supports US FMCSA, DOT, and Canadian HOS rules. Specify property or passenger carrying rules, short-haul, oil field, and state rules for Alaska, California, and Texas. QUICK AND EASY DVIRS Create compliant DVIRs with just a few taps. The BigRoad ELD Mobile App is compatible with current FMCSA, DOT, and Transport Canada rules and regulations. Pair it with one of our certified ELD hardware devices to comply with the ELD mandate. Learn more at www.bigroad.com and www.fleetcomplete.com IMPORTANT NOTES We recommend keeping your phone or tablet plugged into a charger for the best GPS coverage. If the battery is low, the app will check GPS location less often. The BigRoad app asks for access to your contacts and phone so you can easily send check-in messages, documents, and copies of your log using your contact manager. We do not copy or store any of your contact information.
Payload Mobile
This business app streamlines upstream service operations by connecting field teams with dispatch and head office. It facilitates real-time communication, order tracking, and data capture, reducing disputes and improving payment times.
- Real-time communication for dispatchers and drivers
- Order tracking and status updates
- Capture field events with images and audio
- GPS tracking for geographical information
- Digital ticketing and client transmission
- Reduces disputes and payment delays
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Payload helps producers and operators address the inefficiencies in their upstream services, from first bid to final invoice. It saves time in the field and gives head office better visibility and control. Simply and easily. For service providers Payload helps dispatchers and drivers communicate in real time on orders in progress. No texts or emails required. Our mobile app tracks changes and performance in real time — and helps reduce disputes and delays in getting paid. With the Payload app, drivers can receive up-to-date load information, documents and detailed site information. Drivers can capture events along the way including pickups, deliveries and issues. Capturing images and audio to complete the picture of what is happening in the field. With this data, Payload can produce rich and detailed ticketing information that can be transmitted to clients. The Payload app uses the device’s GPS data to transmit geographical information to dispatchers. To operate the app a valid username and password issued by Payload is required. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Payload Mobile at 4.5 against BigRoad ELD's 3.9. Payload Mobile also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). BigRoad ELD's advantage is review sentiment (47% vs 7%) and ratings volume (3.1K vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Payload Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BigRoad ELD has 3.1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of BigRoad ELD's written reviews are positive against 7% of Payload Mobile's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BigRoad ELD | Payload Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (3.1K ratings) | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.0% of reviews — better | 7.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3.1K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Complete Innovations Inc | Detechtion Technologies |
Customer experience
BigRoad ELD
Payload Mobile
Bugs and requests
BigRoad ELD
Reported bugs
6 issues- Disconnects from truck frequently
- Inaccurate mileage and location tracking
- Automatically switches to driving mode
- Logs incorrect duty status changes
- Crashes and freezes app
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- Unable to edit logs properly
Requested features
5 requests- Allow more log editing options
- Improve automatic duty status changes
- Add daylight/sunset indicator for oversized loads
- Improve sync with truck and location tracking
- Provide better customer support
Payload Mobile
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BigRoad ELD
No in-app purchases
Payload Mobile
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BigRoad ELD free?
Is Payload Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, BigRoad ELD or Payload Mobile?
Do BigRoad ELD or Payload Mobile have ads?
Which is updated more often, BigRoad ELD or Payload Mobile?
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