The best dog GPS trackers in 2025

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The best dog GPS trackers can help you find your pet if they go missing by providing real-time information about their whereabouts. Using cellular data to connect with GPS satellites, these trackers can send your pet's location to your smartphone. Even more, some trackers allow you to set up a geofence, or virtual fence, around your home, and alert you if your dog exits the area. Many trackers also monitor your pet's activity level, from their daily steps to time at rest.

But, there's a wide range in reliability and accuracy among different models — some trackers sound an alert within minutes of your dog stepping outside a virtual fence and others trackers may have you searching for your missing dog on the wrong side of the road. To find the best dog GPS trackers, I tested 10 different options with my active springer spaniel. The Fi Series 3 delivered the best blend of features, but I also found options for comprehensive activity monitoring and the budget and privacy-conscious.

Even if your dog wears a GPS tracker, Dr. Jessica Pritchard, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, says microchipping is still essential. Your dog's collar could become detached, or they may wander into an area without a signal. Pritchard, who previously used a tracker with her dogs, says that microchipping and GPS trackers work together like locking your doors and installing a home security system.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best dog GPS trackers

Best overall: Fi Series 3 - See Amazon

Best activity tracking: Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker - See at Chewy

Best budget: Tractive GPS and Health Tracker for Dogs 4 - See at Chewy

Best for privacy: Cube GPS Tracker - See at Chewy

Best overall

A durable design combined with consistent, accurate location tracking pushed the Fi Series 3 to the top of our list for the best dog GPS trackers. While most trackers require you to attach them to your dog's existing collar, the Fi Series 3 is a collar with a built-in durable metal tracker, available in four colors and five different sizes. The removable tracking device feels almost like a second buckle, a design that's both simple to use and comfortable for a dog.

The collar consistently delivered quick and accurate location updates using a highly detailed map. Plus, it can do more than help find a lost dog. Its "Safe Zone" feature pings your smartphone if the tracker leaves a customizable geofence area, which helps prevent a wandering dog from getting too far from home. The Fi was consistently first among the trackers to alert me to a breached virtual fence, taking from one to five minutes. If you need to locate your dog in the dark, a built-in night light may help, but it isn't as bright as others I tested. I also wish it had a location calling feature (an audible sound alert) to help zero in on my dog's location when I couldn't see him.

With the step count and sleep-tracking features, I could see how active my dog was. However, the Fi only tracks miles for walks, omitting steps around the house or yard from the tally. Ultimately, for activity tracking, I prefer the Whistle Go Explore 2, which counts distance and calories, a format I found easier to understand. Be aware that the Fi app is also packed with social features that are opt-out rather than opt-in, so be sure to check your settings if privacy is important to you.

The battery life was excellent. A magnetic charger is included and also serves as a base that connects to your WiFi to conserve battery life when your dog is within range. You can also switch to Bluetooth to conserve the battery.

The collar is included in the subscription, which helps ease the higher subscription rate. As long as you have an active subscription, your collar is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Best activity tracker

While three of our picks for the best dog GPS trackers monitor activity, the Whistle Go Explore 2 collects the most helpful statistics in an easy-to-use app. The Whistle's distance, calorie, and active minute tracking was easier for me to understand than trackers that only counted steps. And it uses all this data to create a timeline of a dog's day. With it, I was able to see my dog's activity for each day and pinpoint trends, like how weather affected his activity levels.

Pritchard says many owners assume that their dogs are playing while they are at work, but in many cases, the pup is napping on the couch. Activity monitoring can provide both insight and added motivation to encourage activity in overweight pets, she says. However, while Whistle's list of activity-monitoring features is long, we caution against relying on its scratching and licking monitor and AI-powered Poop Scan for digestive health. These types of features are too new to have been tested for effectiveness, and observing your dog is often sufficient to spot potential skin issues associated with licking and scratching, Pritchard says.

The Whistle Go Explore 2 also accurately pinpoints the location of a lost pet with a detailed map view. It provides geofence alerts, though they aren't as fast as the Fi Series 3. The Whistle alerts arrived in around eight minutes whereas the Fi sent alerts within five minutes or less. A bright light on the tracker can help you find your dog in the dark, but it lacks a location-calling sound that could be helpful when your dog is out of view.

The waterproof tracker survived submersion and only showed minor damage from scratching. Despite being one of the smaller trackers I tested, it's rated for dogs over 25 pounds. You can place it on a smaller collar with the included snap attachment or on a larger collar with the provided hook-and-loop velcro attachment. Check out our guide to the best dog collars for options in a range of sizes.

Best budget

GPS tracker subscription costs can add up quickly, but the Tractive GPS and Health Tracker for Dogs is the most affordable tracker with its device and subscription costs combined. Tractive offers accurate location tracking on an exceptionally detailed map that includes elevation and even how fast your pet is traveling. During my testing, I didn't encounter connectivity issues with any of the trackers, but it's worth noting that Tractive is our only pick supported by three providers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. It will connect with whichever service has the strongest signal.

The Tractive app was organized and intuitive and led me right to the tracker's location. It not only showed the location on a detailed map but also showed how far away I was from it. A ringtone emitted from the tracker also helped me find my dog when he was out of view. Within the app, I could see my dog's active minutes and calories burned, with a heat map displaying his favorite hangout spots. The app includes a leaderboard feature that shows local logs and their activity level. You also send friend requests to other users. You'll need to exit each leaderboard to opt out.

Tractive packs a long list of features in a small, affordable tracker. However, the geofence notifications were slow. While no tracker offers instant alerts, the Tractive's typical 15-minute alert time was longer than our top picks from Fi and Whisle — both are better options if you're looking for the best geofence capabilities.

The Tractive device is relatively small and recommended for dogs weighing at least 8.8 pounds. Its stretchy silicone bands make it easy to attach to most standard collars or even a harness. Although it's made of plastic, it survived submersion in water and drops, only experiencing minor scratches.

Best for privacy

Any GPS tracking device carries some level of privacy risk, but the absence of social-sharing app features creates fewer areas for potential vulnerabilities. With its simple app, the Cube GPS Tracker locates your dog — and nothing more. In fact, it's advertised not only for tracking pets but also for belongings like luggage and keys. To use it for your dog, will need to purchase a set of collar clips, which are sold separately.

The Cube GPS Tracker app accurately represented the tracker's location, providing driving directions, an optional satellite view, and location history. A location calling feature helped me pinpoint its location with a loud tone but there's no light for nighttime use. While there is an option to set up a virtual fence, I found the alerts arrived in between 3 and 15 minutes, making it far less reliable than the Fi and Whistle trackers. The geofence is also less customizable and is limited to a circular area.

The Cube GPS Tracker is one of the bulkier, heavier trackers and is best taken off at night for your pet's comfort. Attaching it to my dog's collar came with a bit of a learning curve — the clips did not come with instructions and the online video didn't make it obvious that you have to insert the bottom piece first for everything to lock into place. Subscription costs also sit on the higher end.

What to look for in a dog GPS tracker

Even the best dog GPS trackers have their limitations. These devices use cellular data to connect to GPS satellites, and then send the location data to the owner's tracking app. Like cellphones, GPS trackers won't work if there isn't a signal, like in some rural areas. Similarly, they work best with an unobstructed view of the sky, and accuracy can be decreased when tall buildings and other objects block the signal. Because of the potential of losing a pet in an area without a GPS signal and the possibility of the collar falling off, Pritchard says trackers should be used in addition to microchipping, rather than instead of.

Some trackers have a longer list of features than others, but that doesn't always mean they're the best choice. For example, Pritchard says features like monitoring for scratching and licking are too new to have been tested for their effectiveness. Below are the features we found most useful in our tests. With each, it's important to understand the technology's limitations.

Connectivity: Connectivity is key to finding a lost pet. GPS trackers connect to a cellular network, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. This allows you to find a missing pet as long as the dog hasn't wandered into an area that lacks cell coverage from the carrier.

While you don't need to purchase a collar that uses the same cellular network as your smartphone, if you live in an area where one network has limited connectivity, you will likely want to avoid trackers using that network. Trackers will also lose signal in the same places that your cellphone drops a call, like in the basement of a parking garage or a rural area too far from a cell tower. In this instance, many GPS trackers will show the last known location.

Most trackers also have WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows them to monitor your pet while conserving battery life. Bluetooth can also be helpful when used along with cell coverage for pinpointing an exact location.

Other trackers, like Tile and Airtag, use Bluetooth exclusively. Bluetooth-only trackers need to be within 100 feet of a smartphone to work. For this reason, we don't recommend trackers like Tile or AirTag for pets. While they can be great for finding your misplaced keys or backpack, the limited range isn't ideal for tracking a lost animal.

Geofencing: After setting up a virtual boundary, trackers with geofencing will alert you if your pet leaves the area. That means you can get a ping to your phone when your dog leaves the yard, and then use the app to see where your dog is. The biggest thing to understand is that geofence alerts are not instantaneous. The tracker only sends a signal out every few minutes, otherwise the battery would only last a few hours. The geofence alerts typically took between 2 and 10 minutes with our top picks. Just like you shouldn't skip microchipping because you have a GPS collar, dog owners should not skip training, leashes, or fences to rely exclusively on geofencing technology.

Moreover, not all geofences are equal. Some only allow you to create a circular-shaped geofence, while others allow you to create a custom shape that matches your yard. Other trackers require the geofence to be at least an acre, so those with small yards may not be able to match the geofence to their property lines.

Activity tracking: Many GPS trackers monitor a pet's activity levels throughout the day, from how many steps they take to how often they are at rest. Pritchard says this feature can be helpful for pets that need to lose weight, particularly for portions of the day when the owner is not home. She says many people expect their dogs are playing while they are at work when in reality they are often sleeping. Activity monitoring can be an added motivation to help get a pet moving. Sleep tracking, however, is a fairly new feature for collars, which means there haven't been many clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness or accuracy of the feature, Pritchard says.

Privacy and social features: Much in the same way humans can start a friendly Fitbit competition, some activity trackers for pets also integrate social features. For example, you can see which of your friends' pets had the most active day or connect with other pet owners nearby. While some people enjoy the social aspect, those concerned about privacy should buy a tracker that doesn't have a social component. "Any kind of social app is creating much higher inherent privacy risks," says Jake Wiener, legal counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center and owner of a hound mix.

Durability and waterproofing: Water damage may be a concern if you live near a body of water or have a dog who likes to roll in the mud or expect your dog to spend time outside in the rain. If this sounds like your situation, look for a tracker with a waterproof rating of IPX7 or higher, which indicates it can handle being submerged for 30 minutes.

Size and comfort: Adding a large, heavy object to the collar around a dog's neck can create discomfort. Ideally, a tracker should weigh no more than a couple of ounces. Owners with small breeds or those who want to track their cat should look for the manufacturer's weight recommendations to ensure the tracker is designed for smaller pets.

Battery life: Most trackers have integrated rechargeable batteries. Some recharge with their own unique cords that come in the box, while others use a standardized cord, such as USB-C. Trackers with longer battery life are more convenient. If your dog isn't found right away because they wandered into an area without a cellular signal, a longer battery life will help ensure you receive an updated location when connectivity is reestablished.

How we tested the best dog GPS trackers

We tested 10 dog GPS trackers over several weeks, rating them across seven evaluation points. When my active sport breed dog wasn't wearing the trackers, I drove around with them to see just how fast and accurately they could track a runaway dog.

Ease of setup: Some trackers can be a pain to attach to collars and their respective apps can come with a learning curve. I tracked how long it took to set up each collar, including attaching the tracking device and setting up the app. I noted how many times I needed to Google a question that wasn't answered in the instruction manual.

Ease of use: I considered how much maintenance each tracker required, including cleaning and recharging, and how simple the app was to use long-term. I also noted whether the tracker got in the way of a resting dog or needed to be removed overnight.

Accuracy: To test accuracy, I played a literal game of hide-and-seek with another person. One person took the trackers and hid them around a park while the other used the app to attempt to locate the collar. As we searched, we considered things like how detailed the map was and how close it was to the actual location.

Alert speed: I drove around with the trackers for several days, noting which ones were first to alert that the geofence had been breached along with any inconsistencies and missed alerts. Some of the trackers took 30 minutes to send a notification, while others wouldn't send a notification if my smartphone was with the tracker, assuming that I was still with my dog on a walk. Testing the geofence alerts by driving around with them allowed me to test them multiple times.

Reliability: I conducted most of the tests in a rural area and noted any outages, glitches, or dead zones.

Durability and waterproofing: After testing, I examined the trackers for damage. Then I simulated scratching by scraping each one with a fork 50 times. I also put each tracker attached to a collar on a plush toy and scratched at it with sticks multiple times to see if the tracker detached from the collar itself. I dropped the trackers on a hard surface from waist height five times. Finally, if waterproofing was advertised, I placed the tracker under the shower for five minutes. If submersion was advertised, I placed it in a bowl of water for 10 minutes.

Additional features: In addition to the main test points, I considered each tracker's additional features, such as ringtones and lights for finding a lost dog in the dark. I also factored in the tracker's size, price, and warranty.

Dog GPS tracker FAQs

Are dog GPS trackers worth it?

The best dog GPS trackers can help pet owners locate a lost pet and monitor their activity levels. But whether a tracker is worth the subscription costs depends on the dog's tendencies and the owner's lifestyle. GPS trackers can be highly valuable for dogs who are a flight risk, such as those who have a tendency to escape a backyard fence or dogs who cannot resist the temptation to chase a wild animal. A tracker can be a valuable aid if you have an overweight pet and want to increase your activity levels. Lifestyle can also come into play. For example, trackers can be helpful for hiking with your dog off-leash.

What is the best GPS tracker for a pet?

The best pet GPS tracker is one that delivers fast, accurate location tracking, along with other features that match the pet and owner's lifestyle. For most dogs, we recommend the Fi Series 3 for its speed, accuracy, and comfortable design. The Whistle Go Explore 2 tracks more activity and the distance tracking is preferable to Fi's step count. Tractive sits at a lower price point yet still has accurate tracking with an exceptionally detailed map. The Cube GPS is a reliable tracker and provides the most privacy since it lacks social features.

What dog GPS tracker doesn't require a subscription?

GPS trackers rely on cellphone signals, which means a subscription is required. Bluetooth trackers do not require a subscription. However, they only work when less than 100 feet away from a Bluetooth device, which means they are far less reliable than cellular-based options.

How far do dog GPS trackers work?

GPS trackers that use a cell signal will work anywhere a signal is available. Note that some trackers are only designed to work in the US and may not internationally. If a pet wanders into an area that lacks cell coverage, most trackers will display the pet's last known location. Accuracy for these trackers varies based on brand — the best dog GPS trackers we recommend were accurate down to just a few feet, while others I tested showed my dog across the road from where he actually was.

Are dog GPS trackers safe?

Most dogs can safely wear a GPS tracker. A study conducted in Austria in 2021 found that the radio frequency transmitted by GPS collars was unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Some types of dogs, however, should avoid using GPS trackers. Pritchard says owners should seek veterinary advice before adding weight to a collar on any dog with diagnosed neck issues, such as degenerative disk disease. Multi-dog households where the dogs are regularly nipping at each other's necks may also want to avoid the trackers for chewing risks.

Trackers also come with inherent privacy risks. These risks may be higher for certain individuals who are experiencing domestic violence situations or are concerned about policing. Weiner says the problem is the tracker itself, but that there is a lack of rules surrounding what happens to your information.