Lost your pet before? It's terrifying. A GPS tracker gives you peace of mind — real-time location tracking so you always know where your furry friend is. But with so many options, which one should you actually buy?
We tested the most popular GPS pet trackers to help you find the perfect one for your pet, lifestyle, and budget.
📋 In This Guide:
🏆 Quick Picks: Best GPS Trackers by Category
- Best Overall: Fi Smart Collar — Most reliable GPS + longest battery life
- Best for Health Tracking: Whistle GO Explore — GPS + activity + health monitoring
- Best Budget: Apple AirTag — No subscription, uses Apple's Find My network
- Best for Cats: Tractive GPS — Small, lightweight, made for cats
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tracker | Battery | Subscription | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fi Smart Collar | 3 months | $99/year | Dogs, active pets |
| Whistle GO | 20 days | $99/year | Health monitoring |
| Apple AirTag | 1 year | Free! | Budget, indoor cats |
| Tractive | 5 days | $50/year | Cats, small dogs |
🥇 Fi Smart Collar — Best Overall
⭐ Editor's Choice Fi Smart Collar
The Fi is our top pick for most dog owners. Here's why:
- Insane battery life: Up to 3 months on a single charge
- True GPS tracking: Uses LTE cellular, works anywhere
- Escape alerts: Instant notification if they leave a safe zone
- Activity tracking: Step count, sleep quality, daily goals
- Durable: Waterproof, built into a sturdy collar
Price: $149 collar + $99/year subscription
Check Price on Chewy →Who it's for: Dog owners who want reliable, set-it-and-forget-it tracking. The 3-month battery means you're not constantly charging it.
Who it's NOT for: Cat owners (too bulky for most cats) or people who don't want a subscription.
🏥 Whistle GO Explore — Best for Health Tracking
Best for Health Whistle GO Explore
If you want GPS + health insights, Whistle is unbeatable:
- GPS + Health: Location, activity, sleep, eating, drinking, scratching, licking
- Health alerts: Notices changes that might indicate illness
- Good battery: ~20 days per charge
- Nationwide coverage: Uses AT&T cellular network
Price: $129 device + $99/year subscription
Check Price on Chewy →Who it's for: Pet parents who want to monitor their pet's overall wellness, especially older pets or those with health conditions.
💰 Apple AirTag — Best Budget Option
Best Budget Apple AirTag + Collar Holder
No subscription, leverages Apple's massive Find My network:
- No monthly fee: One-time purchase, no subscription ever
- Huge network: Uses nearby iPhones to locate (billions of devices)
- 1 year battery: Simple CR2032 battery replacement
- Tiny and light: Great for cats and small dogs
Price: $29 AirTag + ~$15 collar holder = $44 total, no subscription!
Check Price on Amazon →The catch: AirTag is NOT real GPS. It relies on nearby iPhones to ping its location. Works great in cities and suburbs, less reliable in rural areas.
Who it's for: Indoor cats, neighborhood dogs, or anyone who doesn't want a subscription. Also great as a backup tracker.
🤔 How to Choose the Right Tracker
Consider your pet:
- Dog that roams far? → True GPS (Fi or Whistle)
- Indoor cat? → AirTag is perfect
- Outdoor cat? → Tractive (made for cats) or small GPS
- Small dog? → Make sure it's not too heavy
Consider your budget:
- No subscription? → AirTag ($44 once)
- Cheapest subscription? → Tractive ($50/year)
- Best value? → Fi ($99/year but incredible battery)
Consider your location:
- Urban/suburban? → Any tracker works well
- Rural? → Need true GPS (Fi or Whistle), not AirTag
- International travel? → Check coverage maps
🚨 Lost Your Pet Right Now?
Don't wait for a tracker — create a free lost pet flyer in 2 minutes and start searching immediately.
Create Free Flyer →The Bottom Line
Any GPS tracker is better than no tracker. If we had to pick just one:
For dogs: Get the Fi Smart Collar. The 3-month battery life is a game-changer.
For cats or budget-conscious: Start with an Apple AirTag. $44 and you're protected.
Don't wait until your pet is lost to wish you had a tracker. The peace of mind is worth every penny.