Types Of GPS Tracking Devices: What They Are & How To Choose
20 Nov 2025GPS tracking devices come in different forms depending on what you need to track and where you plan to use them. Some plug directly into your vehicle. Others run on batteries and stick anywhere with magnets. You will find trackers built for cars, people, pets, and heavy equipment. Each type connects differently too. Some use cellular networks while others rely on satellites when cell service drops. The way a tracker installs and draws power shapes how you use it and what it can do.
This guide breaks down every major type of GPS tracker so you can pick the right one. You will learn how trackers differ by what they monitor, how they connect to networks, and how they install in vehicles or attach to assets. We will show you the key features that separate basic models from advanced units. By the end, you will know exactly which tracker type fits your situation whether you are managing a fleet, watching over a teen driver, or protecting valuable equipment.
Why GPS tracking device types matter
You cannot use the same tracker for every situation. A battery-powered portable unit works perfectly for tracking rental equipment across job sites but fails miserably when you need continuous fleet monitoring. The wrong tracker type costs you money in wasted hardware, monthly service fees that deliver no value, and the time you spend troubleshooting a device that was never built for your needs. Understanding types of gps tracking devices before you buy protects you from expensive mistakes and gives you tracking that actually works.
The cost of choosing wrong
Picking the wrong tracker type hits your wallet twice. First, you pay for hardware that cannot do the job. A Bluetooth tracker might seem cheap at $25, but it only works within 100 feet of your phone. That means zero help when your vehicle gets stolen and driven across town. Second, you waste money on monthly service plans that do not match your tracking frequency. A basic cellular plan with 60-second updates costs less than a premium plan with 10-second updates, but you need those faster updates if you are monitoring high-value cargo or running time-sensitive deliveries.
Coverage and reliability differences
Where you track determines which device type will succeed or fail. Cellular GPS trackers dominate in cities and suburbs where cell towers blanket the area. They send location updates instantly and cost less per month than other options. But drive into rural areas or remote job sites, and those cellular trackers go silent when they lose signal. Satellite trackers fill that gap by connecting to orbiting satellites instead of ground towers. They work anywhere on the planet but cost significantly more upfront and charge higher monthly fees.
Different tracker types deliver vastly different coverage, so your tracking location shapes which device will actually report back.
Installation and maintenance impact
How a tracker installs affects who can use it and how much upkeep it requires. OBD-II plug-in trackers take 10 seconds to install in any vehicle built after 1996. You plug them into the diagnostic port under the dashboard and start tracking immediately. Hardwired trackers demand professional installation with wire splicing and mounting but stay hidden and draw constant power from your vehicle battery. Battery-powered units need no installation but require regular charging based on how often they report location. A tracker that updates every 10 seconds drains batteries in days while a unit that reports hourly can run for weeks on a single charge.
How to choose the right GPS tracker
Selecting the right GPS tracker starts with asking yourself three direct questions: what am I tracking, where will it go, and how often do I need updates. Your answers to these questions narrow down the types of gps tracking devices that will actually work for your situation. A fleet manager tracking 20 vehicles needs something completely different from a parent monitoring a teen driver or a construction company protecting equipment on remote job sites. Skip this planning step and you end up with a device that either cannot deliver the data you need or costs far more than necessary for basic tracking.
Match the tracker to your primary use case
Your tracking purpose shapes everything else about the device you need. Vehicle fleet tracking demands hardwired or OBD-II units that draw power from the car battery and report location continuously without requiring manual charging. These trackers sit in vehicles permanently and send updates every few seconds so you can monitor driver behavior, optimize routes, and respond to emergencies immediately. Personal safety tracking calls for compact wearable or portable units with long battery life and panic buttons that let elderly relatives or lone workers call for help. Equipment tracking works best with rugged battery-powered units that survive harsh conditions, resist theft through magnetic mounting in hidden locations, and update locations less frequently to conserve power over weeks or months.
Consider your coverage requirements
Where you track determines which network type keeps you connected. Cellular trackers work brilliantly in urban and suburban areas where cell towers provide constant coverage. They deliver fast updates, cost less per month than satellite options, and give you real-time visibility when you need it most. Problems arise when you track assets in rural zones, wilderness areas, or locations far from population centers. Cellular signals fade or disappear completely in these environments, leaving you with gaps in tracking data at exactly the wrong moments.
Satellite trackers solve coverage problems by connecting to orbiting satellites instead of ground-based towers, giving you global tracking at the cost of higher monthly fees and slower update speeds.
Construction sites, mining operations, and logistics companies moving goods through remote areas need satellite-capable devices that maintain connectivity where cellular networks fail. Check coverage maps from your tracker provider before you commit to any service plan. Most providers show you exactly where their network reaches so you can verify coverage along your specific routes or work locations.
Evaluate power source and battery life
How a tracker gets power affects how you use it and how much maintenance it requires. Hardwired and OBD-II trackers pull power directly from vehicle batteries, which means you never worry about charging them but you sacrifice portability. You cannot easily move these devices between vehicles or use them on equipment without electrical systems. Battery-powered trackers give you complete flexibility to attach them anywhere, but you must recharge them based on your update frequency settings. A unit updating every 10 seconds might last three days while the same unit set to hourly updates runs for six weeks on one charge.
Balance your need for frequent updates against the hassle of constant recharging. Choose rechargeable battery units when you track assets that return to a central location regularly, like rental equipment or delivery vehicles that come back to the depot each night. Select long-life battery models for assets that stay in the field for extended periods, like shipping containers or construction equipment at remote sites.
Factor in budget and ongoing costs
GPS trackers hit your budget in two places. Hardware costs range from $20 for basic Bluetooth units to $500 for advanced satellite trackers with rugged weatherproof cases. Monthly service fees add another $5 to $50 per device depending on network type, update frequency, and features like geofencing or historical playback. Cellular plans cost less than satellite plans but limit you to areas with cell coverage. Satellite plans cost more but work anywhere on earth.
Calculate your total cost over 12 months by adding hardware price plus monthly fees times 12. A $100 cellular tracker with a $15 monthly plan costs $280 in year one. A $400 satellite tracker with a $30 monthly plan costs $760 in year one. That price difference matters when you multiply it across a fleet of 10 or 50 vehicles. Most providers offer volume discounts when you activate multiple trackers, so ask about fleet pricing before you buy.
Types based on what you are tracking
The types of gps tracking devices you need depend entirely on what you want to monitor. Vehicle trackers come packed with features like ignition detection and mileage logging that make zero sense for a backpack or pet collar. Personal trackers prioritize compact size and panic buttons that would waste space in a commercial truck. Equipment trackers focus on rugged construction and theft recovery while pet trackers emphasize lightweight design and escape alerts. Buying the wrong category leaves you paying for features you cannot use while missing the capabilities you actually need.
Vehicle and fleet trackers
Vehicle GPS trackers monitor cars, trucks, vans, and commercial fleets by plugging into OBD-II ports or connecting directly to vehicle electrical systems. These devices track more than just location. They report speed, idle time, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and fuel consumption to help you manage driver behavior and cut operational costs. Fleet managers use vehicle trackers to optimize routes, verify employee timesheets, and respond when vehicles deviate from assigned territories. The best vehicle trackers include geofencing capabilities that alert you when a vehicle enters or leaves specific zones like customer sites, warehouses, or restricted areas.
Modern vehicle trackers pull diagnostic data straight from your engine computer through the OBD-II connection. You see maintenance alerts based on actual engine codes instead of guessing when to schedule service. This prevents breakdowns that strand drivers and cost you emergency repair bills. Insurance companies sometimes offer premium discounts when you install approved vehicle trackers because the data proves safe driving habits and helps recover stolen vehicles faster.
Personal trackers for people
Personal GPS trackers keep tabs on family members who need extra safety monitoring. Parents use them to track teen drivers, check school arrival times, and receive speeding alerts when their kids exceed posted limits. Elderly relatives with dementia benefit from wearable trackers that let caregivers locate them quickly if they wander from home or care facilities. Lone workers in security, real estate, and field service carry personal trackers with panic buttons that send emergency alerts with exact coordinates to designated contacts.
Personal trackers prioritize small size, long battery life, and discreet design so people can carry them comfortably without drawing attention.
These devices often include two-way voice communication that lets you speak with the wearer through the tracker itself. This proves critical during emergencies when the person might not have their phone or cannot dial for help. Look for personal trackers with fall detection algorithms that automatically alert emergency contacts when sensors detect a hard impact followed by no movement.
Pet trackers
Pet GPS trackers attach to collars and help you find dogs and cats that slip through fences or bolt during walks. These specialized devices weigh less than two ounces to avoid burdening small animals while maintaining waterproof ratings that survive swimming, rain, and rolling in mud. Pet trackers focus on escape alerts that notify you the instant your pet leaves a designated safe zone around your home or yard. You receive updates fast enough to start searching while your pet stays nearby instead of discovering hours later that they disappeared.
Battery life matters enormously for pet trackers because animals cannot recharge devices themselves. Quality pet trackers run five to seven days between charges with normal activity tracking. Some models extend battery life by switching from continuous GPS to cellular tower triangulation when your pet stays inside the safe zone, then activating full GPS tracking only after detecting an escape.
Asset and equipment trackers
Asset trackers monitor construction equipment, shipping containers, trailers, generators, and valuable tools that stay in one location for extended periods then move to new job sites. These rugged devices survive extreme temperatures, vibration, and moisture that would destroy standard vehicle trackers. Equipment trackers use magnetic mounts that let you attach them to metal surfaces in hidden locations where thieves cannot easily find and disable them. The best models include motion-activated alerts that wake from sleep mode and start reporting location immediately when someone moves your equipment without authorization.
Construction companies track high-value equipment like excavators, bulldozers, and scissor lifts that cost tens of thousands of dollars and attract organized theft rings. Asset trackers help recover stolen equipment before criminals strip parts or ship it overseas. Rental businesses use these same devices to verify customers return equipment on time and locate units when renters provide incorrect return addresses or abandon equipment at job sites.
Types based on how they connect
The network a GPS tracker uses to send location data determines where it works, how fast it updates, and what you pay each month. Cellular trackers dominate in populated areas where cell towers provide consistent coverage. Satellite trackers take over in remote regions where cellular networks fail completely. Bluetooth trackers work only within short ranges but cost nothing per month. Each connection type among the various types of gps tracking devices delivers specific advantages that match particular tracking scenarios, so you need to match the network type to your coverage requirements before you spend money on hardware that cannot reach you when it matters most.
Cellular GPS trackers
Cellular GPS trackers send location updates through the same cell towers your smartphone uses to make calls and browse the internet. These devices contain SIM cards that connect to major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. You get real-time tracking with updates as fast as every 5 to 10 seconds when you need to monitor vehicles during active deliveries or respond to theft alerts. Cellular trackers work brilliantly in cities, suburbs, and along major highways where cell coverage blankets the landscape.
Monthly service plans for cellular trackers start around $10 to $25 per device depending on how often you want location updates and which features you activate. Plans that update every 60 seconds cost less than plans that ping every 10 seconds because they consume less data. Most providers bundle unlimited data into flat monthly rates instead of charging by the megabyte, which protects you from surprise bills when a tracker sends thousands of updates during a busy month.
Cellular trackers deliver the fastest updates and lowest monthly costs but stop working the moment your vehicle or asset moves beyond cell tower range.
Coverage maps from your carrier show exactly where cellular tracking will succeed or fail. Check these maps against your regular routes or work sites before you commit to a cellular plan. You waste money on monthly fees when trackers cannot connect to towers in the areas you need coverage most.
Satellite GPS trackers
Satellite GPS trackers bypass cellular networks entirely by sending location data directly to orbiting satellites managed by companies like Iridium or Globalstar. These devices work anywhere on earth including oceans, deserts, mountains, and polar regions where no cell towers exist. Construction companies moving equipment to remote job sites, shipping companies tracking containers across oceans, and adventure travelers exploring wilderness areas need satellite connectivity to maintain tracking when cellular signals disappear.
Satellite trackers cost significantly more than cellular units both upfront and monthly. Hardware prices start around $300 to $500 for quality units while monthly service runs $30 to $50 per device. Updates arrive slower too, typically every 10 to 30 minutes instead of every few seconds. The satellite network cannot handle the data volume that cellular networks process, so you sacrifice update speed for universal coverage.
Bluetooth GPS trackers
Bluetooth trackers do not send location data over networks at all. They connect directly to your smartphone using short-range Bluetooth signals that work within 30 to 100 feet. You use these tiny devices to find keys, wallets, bags, and other items you misplace around your home or office. Popular Bluetooth trackers like Apple AirTag cost $25 to $30 with zero monthly fees because they never connect to cellular or satellite networks.
These trackers cannot help you recover stolen vehicles or monitor assets across town. Bluetooth range limits them to finding items within your immediate vicinity. Some Bluetooth trackers tap into crowd-sourced networks where other users’ smartphones anonymously report the location of your lost item when they pass nearby, but this works only in densely populated areas where many people use the same tracking platform.
Types based on how they install and get power
How a GPS tracker installs and draws power shapes everything about when you can use it and how much maintenance it demands. Installation complexity ranges from plug-and-play simplicity that takes 10 seconds to professional hardwiring that requires cutting into vehicle electrical systems. Power source determines whether you track continuously without thinking about batteries or whether you need to remember charging schedules that interrupt your tracking coverage. The right installation and power combination among types of gps tracking devices depends on whether you need permanent vehicle monitoring, temporary asset tracking, or portable flexibility across multiple uses.
OBD-II plug-in trackers
OBD-II trackers plug directly into the diagnostic port that every vehicle manufactured after 1996 includes as standard equipment. You find this port under the dashboard on the driver’s side, usually near the steering column or by your left knee. These devices take seconds to install because you simply push the tracker into the port until it clicks into place. No tools required, no wires to splice, and no professional installation fees to pay.
Power flows continuously from your vehicle battery through the OBD-II connection, which means you never worry about charging the tracker or replacing batteries. The device stays active as long as it remains plugged in. Real-time vehicle diagnostics come as a bonus because OBD-II trackers read engine codes, fuel consumption, battery voltage, and maintenance alerts directly from your vehicle’s computer system. Fleet managers use this diagnostic data to schedule preventive maintenance before breakdowns occur and to verify that drivers report accurate mileage.
OBD-II trackers deliver the easiest installation among all GPS device types but sacrifice stealth because anyone who looks under your dashboard can spot and remove them instantly.
Thieves who know where to look can disable an OBD-II tracker in seconds, which limits their usefulness for theft recovery compared to hidden hardwired units. These trackers work best for monitoring employee vehicles, tracking teen drivers, or managing small fleets where you need fast deployment across multiple vehicles without professional installation costs.
Hardwired trackers
Hardwired GPS trackers connect permanently to your vehicle’s electrical system by splicing into power and ground wires behind the dashboard or under seats. Installation requires wire strippers, crimpers, and electrical tape along with knowledge of which wires carry constant 12-volt power versus ignition-switched power. Most buyers pay $75 to $150 for professional installation instead of attempting the work themselves because incorrect wiring can drain batteries or trigger electrical problems.
The installation effort pays off through superior concealment and theft resistance. You hide hardwired trackers deep inside door panels, under floor mats, behind trim pieces, or inside center consoles where thieves cannot find them without spending significant time searching. Continuous power from the vehicle battery means these trackers never need charging and can monitor your vehicle 24 hours per day for months or years without maintenance. Advanced hardwired models include backup batteries that keep reporting location for 24 to 48 hours even after someone disconnects your main vehicle battery.
Fleet companies and high-value vehicle owners choose hardwired trackers when they need permanent monitoring that drivers or thieves cannot easily defeat. The upfront installation cost gets absorbed over years of reliable tracking without the ongoing hassle of removing devices for charging or worrying about dead batteries during critical moments.
Battery-powered portable trackers
Battery-powered trackers run on internal rechargeable batteries that let you attach them anywhere without connecting to vehicle electrical systems. You stick these devices to equipment, slip them into bags, mount them with magnets under vehicle frames, or place them inside shipping containers. Complete portability means you move one tracker between multiple assets as needed instead of buying separate devices for each item you monitor.
Battery life varies dramatically based on how often the tracker reports location. A unit that updates every 10 seconds burns through its battery in two to five days while the same device set to hourly updates runs for four to eight weeks on one charge. You balance your need for frequent location updates against the inconvenience of constant recharging. Smart trackers include motion-activated modes that wake from sleep and start reporting rapidly only when sensors detect movement, which extends battery life while maintaining responsive theft alerts.
Magnetic mounts built into many portable trackers let you attach them to metal surfaces on vehicles, trailers, or equipment in seconds without tools. Weatherproof cases protect the electronics from rain, snow, mud, and extreme temperatures that portable trackers encounter when mounted outside vehicles or left exposed on job sites. You use portable battery trackers when flexibility matters more than permanent installation, like tracking rental equipment that returns to your shop regularly for recharging between deployments.
Key features to compare across devices
Features separate basic trackers that only show location from advanced units that help you actually manage assets, improve safety, and cut costs. When you compare different types of gps tracking devices, you need to look beyond marketing claims and examine the specific capabilities that impact your daily tracking operations. Update frequency determines how quickly you see location changes while alert options control which events trigger notifications to your phone or email. Understanding these features before you buy prevents frustration when you discover your new tracker cannot do what you assumed it would.
Update frequency and speed
Update frequency controls how often your GPS tracker reports its current location to your tracking platform. Basic trackers update every 60 to 120 seconds while premium models send location data every 5 to 10 seconds. You need faster updates when monitoring high-speed vehicles, time-sensitive deliveries, or theft situations where every second counts. Fleet managers tracking delivery trucks through busy city routes benefit from 10-second updates that show exactly which streets drivers take and how long they spend at each stop.
Slower update intervals work perfectly fine for equipment that sits stationary most of the time or moves predictably between known locations. A construction trailer that gets checked twice per day needs only hourly updates because you care about whether it remains on site, not its exact position every few seconds. Faster updates drain batteries quicker and consume more cellular data, which drives up your monthly service costs without adding value when you track slow-moving or stationary assets.
Geofencing and boundary alerts
Geofencing lets you draw virtual boundaries around specific locations on a map and receive instant alerts when your tracked asset enters or exits those zones. You create geofences around customer sites, warehouses, school zones, or restricted areas depending on what you need to monitor. Parents set geofences around home and school to verify their teen driver arrives safely at expected destinations. Fleet managers draw boundaries around service territories to catch employees who run personal errands during work hours.
Advanced trackers support multiple geofences per device while basic models limit you to one or two zones. The best systems let you schedule geofences for specific times, like alerting you only when a vehicle leaves the parking lot after business hours close. This catches unauthorized vehicle use without flooding you with alerts during normal operations when drivers legitimately come and go.
Alert customization and delivery
Alert types vary significantly across GPS tracking platforms. Speed alerts notify you when drivers exceed set limits while idle alerts catch vehicles that sit running and waste fuel. Maintenance alerts remind you about scheduled service based on mileage or engine hours while battery alerts warn you before a portable tracker dies and stops reporting. You want a tracker that delivers alerts through multiple channels including push notifications, SMS text messages, and email so critical warnings reach you even when you miss one delivery method.
Quality tracking platforms let you customize which alerts trigger for each device and set different thresholds based on vehicle type, driver, or location.
Delivery trucks might need speed alerts at 70 mph while company cars trigger warnings at 80 mph. You set stricter limits for teen drivers than experienced employees without buying separate tracking systems.
Historical playback and data retention
Historical playback shows you where your assets traveled in the past by replaying their routes on a map with timestamps. This proves critical when you need to verify employee timesheets, investigate customer complaints, or provide evidence after accidents. Basic trackers store 30 days of history while premium platforms keep 90 days, one year, or unlimited records. Longer retention periods help you identify patterns like recurring unauthorized stops or routes that consistently run late.
Quality platforms let you export historical data as spreadsheets or reports that you share with customers, insurance companies, or auditors. You filter playback by date ranges, specific vehicles, or geographic areas to find exactly what you need instead of scrolling through weeks of movement data manually.
Common questions about GPS trackers
Questions about GPS tracking devices surface repeatedly because buyers need to understand exactly what they get before they commit money to hardware and monthly service plans. The types of gps tracking devices available create confusion when specifications conflict across manufacturers and marketing claims promise more than devices deliver. These answers cut through the noise and give you the facts you need to make confident tracking decisions.
Do GPS trackers work without cell service?
Cellular GPS trackers stop reporting location the moment they lose connection to cell towers, which means they fail completely in areas without cellular coverage. The device still calculates its position using GPS satellites, but it cannot send that location data to your phone or computer without a cellular connection. Your tracker appears frozen at its last known location until it moves back into cell range and reconnects to upload stored location points.
Satellite GPS trackers solve this problem by bypassing cellular networks entirely and sending data directly to orbiting satellites that provide global coverage. You pay significantly more per month for satellite service, but you maintain tracking in wilderness areas, on oceans, and across remote regions where cellular signals never reach. Choose cellular for cost-effective tracking in populated areas or satellite when your assets venture beyond cell tower coverage.
Can you track a GPS device without the owner knowing?
Laws in most states prohibit tracking vehicles or people without their knowledge and consent unless you own the vehicle or property being tracked. You can legally track company vehicles driven by employees, cars you own that your teen driver uses, or equipment and assets that belong to your business. Installing a tracker on someone else’s vehicle without permission violates privacy laws and anti-stalking statutes that carry criminal penalties.
Disclose tracking to anyone who drives your monitored vehicles to stay on the right side of the law. Companies post notices about GPS monitoring in employee handbooks and vehicle documentation. Parents tell their teen drivers about tracking before handing over keys. The tracking itself remains legal when you own the asset and inform users that monitoring occurs.
How accurate are GPS trackers?
Modern GPS trackers pinpoint locations within 8 to 15 feet under ideal conditions with clear views of the sky and strong satellite signals. Accuracy degrades in dense urban areas where tall buildings block satellite signals, inside parking garages where concrete blocks transmissions, or under heavy tree cover that interferes with GPS reception. You see position drift or delayed updates when physical barriers prevent your tracker from maintaining clean satellite connections.
Quality trackers improve accuracy by connecting to multiple satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo simultaneously instead of relying on one network alone.
Multi-system receivers lock onto more satellites at once, which delivers faster position fixes and better accuracy in challenging environments. This matters most when you track vehicles navigating city canyons formed by skyscrapers or equipment working in forested areas.
Do GPS trackers drain vehicle batteries?
Hardwired and OBD-II trackers draw minimal power from vehicle batteries, typically less than 50 milliamps during active tracking and often just 5 to 10 milliamps in sleep mode. Your vehicle battery loses more charge from sitting unused for weeks than from powering a GPS tracker continuously. Problems arise only when batteries already run weak or when you park vehicles for months without starting them.
Battery-powered portable trackers avoid this concern completely because they run on internal rechargeable batteries that never touch your vehicle’s electrical system.
Final thoughts
Understanding the different types of gps tracking devices gives you the power to choose confidently instead of guessing which tracker might work. You now know how cellular trackers dominate in cities while satellite units take over in remote areas. Battery-powered portables deliver flexibility across multiple assets while hardwired units provide permanent vehicle monitoring that thieves cannot easily defeat. OBD-II trackers install in seconds for quick fleet deployment while personal trackers keep family members safe with panic buttons and fall detection.
Your specific tracking needs point you toward the right device type. Match what you track to how devices connect and install. Check coverage maps before you commit to monthly plans. Compare features that actually matter for your situation instead of paying for capabilities you never use.
LiveViewGPS offers trackers across all major categories with month-to-month billing that protects you from long contracts. Their ultra-fast position updates and real-time alerts deliver the visibility you need whether you manage fleets, monitor teen drivers, or protect valuable equipment.
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