How Much Do GPS Trackers Cost: GPS Tracker Pricing Guide
- To provide an overview of the costs and benefits of popular car GPS trackers in 2024.
- Top GPS Trackers:
- SpaceHawk: $100 + $20/month; advanced, waterproof, good value.
- Tile Mate: $24.99; no monthly fee; limited range.
- SpyTec GL300: $39.95 + $25/month; real-time updates, robust battery.
- Garmin GPSMAP 64st: $249.99; no monthly fee; high-end tracking.
- AngelSense Guardian: $229 + $39.99/month; medical alert.
- Amcrest 4G LTE: $34.99 + $19.99/month; real-time tracking, vehicle health updates.
- Trak-4: $48.80; flexible monthly fee starting at $6.99; customizable update frequency.
- Optimus 3.0: $49.95 + $19.95/month; low battery alerts.
- Vyncs: $79.99 + $78.93/year; real-time tracking, fuel-saving features.
- Spot Gen4: $149.99 + $99.99/year; durable, SOS signals.
- Reasons to Buy:
- Monitor teenage drivers, secure vehicles, record mileage, verify partner’s whereabouts, supervise employees, track elderly family members, and optimize routes.
- Costs: GPS trackers vary in price and fees, with options for both monthly and annual subscriptions.
- Durability: Some trackers are more durable and weather-resistant than others.
GPS Trackers - Whether For Personal or Business Reasons - Aren’t Nearly As Expensive As You Might Think.
In fact, some Global Positioning System devices cost as little as a one-time $29 fee. Others have small up-front costs and only require a $10 per month subscription. It depends on what you’re after and what you hope to get out of your location tracking device.
In this guide, we’ll cover how much GPS tracking devices cost, how to evaluate a device before you purchase it, and provide a real-life use case from people earning major ROI with a small up-front investment.
We’ll also cover our top 10 favorite trackers along with their pricing and a brief bit of analysis.
We know you’re super excited to learn about location-tracking gadgets, so let’s dive right in.
How Much Do GPS Devices Cost?
The price of your GPS tracker depends on what type of tracking device you need.
Asking “how much is a GPS tracker?” is like asking “how much is a house?”. Well, how big is the house?
Here are some ballpark costs based on the different types of GPS tracking devices.
Vehicle GPS Trackers
Vehicle GPS trackers are devices installed in cars, trucks, or other vehicles to monitor their location, speed, and route in real-time. These trackers are commonly used by individuals to protect their vehicles from theft or by businesses to manage fleets efficiently. However, they can also be used by stalkers, spouses, or partners to track your location, so always be alert.
Vehicle GPS trackers typically range in cost from $50 to $200 for the device itself, depending on features and brand. In addition to the upfront cost, most trackers require a monthly subscription fee for real-time tracking services, which usually falls between $10 and $30 per month.
Commercial GPS Trackers for Fleets
Commercial GPS trackers are designed for businesses that manage fleets of vehicles or large numbers of assets. These trackers provide real-time location data, route optimization, and driver behavior monitoring, helping companies improve efficiency and reduce costs. Typically, they are used in industries like logistics, transportation, and construction.
The costs vary widely depending on how many features you want and how much data you’ll need to track. It usually comes out to around $15-$40 per vehicle.
UPS is a great example of a company that saw huge benefits from using commercial GPS trackers. By equipping their delivery fleet with these trackers, they optimized routes, avoided traffic, and cut down on fuel costs. This not only sped up deliveries but also saved a ton of money.
Personal GPS Trackers
Personal GPS trackers are designed to keep track of children or the elderly. They’re usually worn on their body somewhere, and generally cost between $50 and $200. To access continuous tracking and safety features, expect to pay a monthly subscription fee of $10 to $30.
Pet GPS Trackers
Pet GPS trackers are usually priced between $50 and $100. They commonly have a subscription fee of $5 to $20 per month for tracking and location services to ensure your pet's safety.
Asset Trackers
Asset trackers typically cost between $20 and $100. These devices often require a monthly subscription, usually ranging from $5 to $20, to maintain tracking services and receive real-time updates.
Portable GPS Units
Portable GPS units are best for hikers and travelers who expect to be in unknown areas and need to find their way around. They typically cost between $100 and $300. These devices generally don’t require a subscription, making them a one-time investment for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers.
What Determines The Price of a GPS Tracker?
Features
Features are the #1 factor in determining the price of your tracking device.
Basic models might only provide location tracking, while more advanced devices include features like real-time tracking, geofencing, driver behavior monitoring, and engine diagnostics.
For example, a GPS tracker with live updates and comprehensive tracking options will generally be more expensive than a basic model with limited capabilities.
So ask yourself: “Do I want to just track my vehicle’s location or do I need this for business?”. That’s a great starting point.
Hardware Quality
Devices made with durable, high-quality materials are designed to withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme weather or rough handling, which makes them more reliable but also more expensive. Investing in a higher-quality device often means better performance and a longer lifespan, justifying the higher price.
Type of GPS Device
Personal GPS trackers, which are small and portable, tend to be less expensive than vehicle or asset trackers, since they do so much less. Commercial GPS trackers, used for fleet management, are typically the most expensive due to their advanced capabilities and the need to track multiple vehicles simultaneously.
Subscription Fees
Many GPS devices require a subscription service to access real-time tracking, updates, and other advanced features. These fees can range from $5 to $30 per month, depending on the service provider and the features included. While the initial cost of the device might be affordable, the ongoing subscription fees add to the total cost of ownership.
If you’re using the tracker for a one-off project or just to track personal items, it’s probably best to get a cheaper tracker with a one-time fee like AirTags.
Brand and Reputation
The brand and reputation of the GPS device manufacturer play a significant role in determining its cost. Well-known brands with a history of producing reliable, high-quality devices often charge a premium for their products - and they’re worth it.
These brands typically offer better customer support, more reliable technology, and more durable products, which can justify the higher price. However, lesser-known brands might offer similar features at a lower cost, though the trade-off might be in reliability or support.
GPS Tracker Cost: A Pricing List Of The Top 10 Devices
We’ve been in the GPS tracking game for 10 years now, so we’ve seen our fair share of tracking devices come and go.
We’ve compiled a detailed list of the top 10 GPS trackers, their costs, and any monthly fees to help you make your decision. We’ve also included a tiny bit of analysis on each product.
SpaceHawk – Best Overall GPS Tracker By Value
GPS Tracker |
Product Details & GPS Tracker Cost |
SpaceHawk |
SpaceHawk is our top choice for an affordable, reliable vehicle tracker. It’s the most advanced tracker on the market. Trust us, this realtime GPS is an absolute beast! For less than $100 and $20 a month, SpaceHawk will help you discover the truth! |
Tile Mate |
Perfect for tracking small household items like keys within a 200-foot range. It’s only $24.99 - not bad. However, this should not be used for fleet tracking. |
SpyTec GL300 GPS Tracker |
It costs $39.95 and includes a $25 monthly subscription, providing real-time location updates and a long-lasting battery life. |
Garmin GPSMAP 64st |
The best GPS tracker for adventure seekers. It retails at $249.99 with no monthly fees. |
AngelSense Guardian |
At $229 with a $39.99 monthly fee, this medical alert device ensures the safety of your loved ones. |
Amcrest 4G LTE GPS Tracker |
This vehicle locator is $34.99 with a $19.99 monthly fee, providing real-time tracking and useful vehicle health updates. |
Trak-4 GPS Tracker |
Sold for $48.80 with a flexible monthly fee starting at $6.99, it gives you control over update frequency, saving money on data plans. |
Optimus 3.0 GPS Tracker |
It costs $49.95 with a $19.95 monthly fee, providing low battery alerts and efficiently reducing idle time through its tracking capabilities. |
Vyncs GPS Tracker |
Available for $79.99 with an annual fee of $78.93, it provides real-time tracking and an awesome fuel-saving feature. |
Spot Gen4 |
At $149.99 with a $99.99 annual fee, it's durable and sends SOS signals. |
Why Buy A GPS Device – 9 Key Reasons
Why buy a GPS device? Well, just for starters, it can help you catch a cheating spouse, keep track of your loved ones, and take your business to the next level. What’s better than that?
Let’s uncover the top 9 reasons why you would buy a GPS device.
- Guiding Teenage Drivers. You can ensure your teen’s safety by monitoring their driving habits, and providing guidance to help them become responsible drivers.
- Auto-Theft Security. A GPS vehicle tracker can significantly upgrade your vehicle, adding an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
- Recording Mileage. Documenting the miles driven has never been easier. In fact, GPS vehicle tracking is a handy tool for managing travel expenses or complying with business regulations.
- Verifying a Partner’s Truthfulness. Uncertainty in a relationship can be stressful, but with a GPS tracker for cheating spouse, you can get the answers you need!
- Supervising Company Vehicles. Keep tabs on your employees’ use of company vehicles. Ensure they are being utilized for business purposes only, improving accountability.
- Overseeing Elderly Family Members. With a battery powered GPS, you can keep your senior loved ones safe by tracking their driving activity.
- Updating Service Vehicle Locations. Enhance customer service by sharing real-time location updates of your service vehicles, enabling accurate delivery or service time predictions.
- Optimizing Driver Routes. Boost efficiency by improving driver routes. GPS tracking can identify the quickest, most fuel-efficient paths.
- Minimizing Unsafe Driving Practices. Curb speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors. With a GPS tracker, you can promote safety on the roads, one vehicle at a time.