Thinking about getting a dog tracker without subscription fees? You’re not alone. It’s tempting to avoid monthly costs — but it’s important to understand what you’re actually getting (or missing). In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons, compare popular options, and help you make the best choice to keep your four-legged friend safe.

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Is there a dog tracker without subscription?

Yes, there are dog trackers on the market that don’t require a subscription. These typically use Bluetooth or radio frequency (RF) technology to help locate your dog over short distances — often within a few hundred feet. While they can be helpful in specific scenarios (like indoor tracking or small yards), they don’t offer real-time GPS tracking or long-range coverage.

So if you’re looking for a way to truly track your dog wherever they go — whether they escape the yard or go on off-leash adventures — you’ll need a GPS tracker with a subscription. Why? Because GPS trackers like the Tractive GPS & Health Tracker for dogs rely on built-in SIM cards and mobile networks to provide live location updates, unlimited range, and features like activity tracking and virtual fences.

gps tracker app close up

Can I track my dog in real time with a GPS tracker without subscription?

Unfortunately, most subscription-free GPS trackers don’t offer live tracking or unlimited range, two essential features for pet parents.

For example, the Fi Collar for dogs offers a subscription free version, but it only works in WiFi zones. Other no subscription pet tracking systems like those from Garmin or Marco Polo only work within a range of a few miles. PETFON is one GPS tracker without subscription that can track in real time, yet it’s range is again limited to a maximum of 3.5 miles in an open field.2

As many dog lovers know, our canine friends can get farther than that in a matter of minutes. And being able to track them live – with position updates every few seconds – is essential for keeping them safe.

That’s why experts say:

“If you need real time information about your kids… (and let’s face it, our pets are our children) it’s better to buy a real time GPS tracking device with monthly service.“

Source: Live View GPS

Learn how real time GPS tracking for dogs works with Tractive GPS in the video below:

Advantages & disadvantages of a GPS tracker without subscription

So now let’s dig into the advantages and disadvantages of these so-called no monthly fee GPS tracking devices. The most obvious advantage of a subscriptionless GPS tracker? Definitely the money you save on paying for service to the tracker!

However, the price you pay for a GPS tracker reflects the quality of the hardware, software, and features you receive (or lack thereof). So while skipping the subscription might seem like a good idea, it likely means that you will miss out on invaluable features, such as real-time, live tracking.

Moreover, subscriptionless GPS trackers can’t be used in every situation you may want to use them in. Like with a Bluetooth tracker – if your pet roams too far away (outside the Bluetooth range), your tracking device will be useless.

Advantages

A dog tracker without a subscription is a really attractive idea for many. Who wouldn’t want to be able to use a GPS dog tracking service that’s basically 100% free (other than the cost of the GPS tracker itself)?

The proposed advantages of a no monthly fee GPS tracker are:

  • Low cost
  • No contract or cancellation required
  • You don’t have to worry about paying it, or forgetting to pay for it
  • Works all the time, regardless of how much you pay (?)
  • GPS means global, so it works everywhere… (Right?! 🤔)

If the idea of a subscription-free GPS tracker is starting to sound too good to be true – that’s because it probably is. How could a tracker that doesn’t require a subscription fee provide real-time, unlimited range GPS tracking? Chances are, it can’t. So let’s look at the (not so obvious) disadvantages of a tracking device without a service fee.

Disadvantages

Subscriptionless GPS trackers lure in users looking to pay zero per month. But the cost-saving nature of these trackers can mean that their function and features are limited. Sometimes, they’re not actually GPS trackers at all, but Bluetooth trackers which can only find items within a close, limited range such as 100 meters.

Common disadvantages of no monthly fee GPS trackers include:

  • No real-time, live tracking
  • Poor location accuracy
  • May be built for a different purpose than tracking pets
  • Less features overall
  • Limited range
  • Don’t work with the cellular network
  • May rely more on Bluetooth (or a network of other devices) than it’s own GPS
  • Less frequent hardware and software updates
  • Higher purchase price

For example, item finders like Apple AirTag don’t require a subscription plan, but they also can’t track your dog with the accuracy of a true GPS tracker. And they rely on other Apple devices nearby to locate your pet.

Also, the purchase price of a tracker without subscription plan may be significantly higher than that of trackers with a low monthly fee. GPS tracker prices range from $20 to upwards of $1000, depending on features.

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Types of GPS trackers without a subscription plan

So what are these subscriptionless GPS trackers all about? Here is a short overview of the different kinds of tracking devices you may see advertised as a GPS tracker without subscription.

Bluetooth trackers

Bluetooth trackers are also known as item finders, because they help you locate missing items, like your keys behind the couch. They do this by communicating with your phone using Bluetooth technology, within a limited range, and without too many other features.

generic black item finders gps trackers for keychain

Popular Bluetooth tracker brands include:

The benefits of Bluetooth trackers include their small size and no subscription fee. They also often come with a long-lasting, replaceable battery.

But since they usually don’t contain GPS or a SIM card, these trackers have two big downsides: 1) a limited range and 2) no real-time tracking. That means that if your pet goes outside the Bluetooth range – which is at best 100 meters – the tracker will stop working, right when you need it most.

Tractive GPS Dog Tracker vs Bluetooth tracker range illustrated infographic
Follow your dog’s every step with the unlimited range of Tractive GPS
pink triangle graphic with exclamation

Buyer beware: Some companies selling “Bluetooth GPS pet trackers” on Amazon do not contain any GPS technology, and are therefore not true GPS trackers.

For this reason, Bluetooth trackers are best for non-living beings that can’t get too far away – it’s very unlikely that your backpack, wallet, or laptop will jump the fence. So a limited-range Bluetooth item finder should work just fine for locating those items.

You could add a Bluetooth tracker to your pet’s collar as a backup option. But with Bluetooth trackers, you’re missing out on a lot of pet-friendly features, such as virtual fences, activity monitoring and location history.

The bottom line: Bluetooth trackers won’t help you find your lost dog in real-time, and only work within a limited radius of your phone.

two dogs outside, one wearing a gps dog tracker, one wearing a radio frequency pet tracker

Radio frequency trackers

Radio frequency trackers are another type of tracker commonly considered by pet parents. So do they work better than Bluetooth trackers when it comes to tracking dogs?

An RF tracker consists of a receiver and transmitter, which communicate using radio frequencies. Radio trackers are considered safe for pets. Like Bluetooth trackers, these devices attract users with their small size and long battery. They are also usually subscription less GPS trackers.

But unfortunately, many radio GPS trackers with no monthly fee also have a limited range (130 meters or 426 ft). Additionally, natural or man made obstacles can reduce that range. So again, if your pet wanders too far away, you’ll be out of luck with a radio tracker. And probably wishing you paid the $5-12 / month for a real-time, unlimited range GPS tracker.

GPS trackers without a SIM card

Another option is a GPS tracker without a SIM card. While they don’t come with a connected subscription plan, you can purchase your own SIM card for the tracker and therefore choose which plan & network you want to go with. This gives you control over the costs.

But the downside is that your tracker will only work with a single network and you may lose coverage in areas you want to track your pet. For example, if you go on vacation to a place without your home network.

Additionally, many simless GPS tracker are sold by Chinese manufacturers on Amazon – so quality and getting good customer support could be an issue.

How much does a GPS tracker for dogs cost?

Considering the shortcomings of the trackers mentioned above, it’s wise to consider investing in a GPS tracker with a subscription plan for your furry friend. But how much does a GPS tracker for dogs cost?

The Tractive GPS & Health Tracker for dogs costs only $69. To active it, a subscription plan is necessary, which costs about $5 – $10 per month depending on your billing interval. View the current Tractive GPS subscription plan prices.

So is it worth it to pay for a GPS tracker subscription? To answer that question, let’s take a look at what you get when you buy the world’s best GPS pet tracker.

dog in forest wearing tractive gps dog tracker adventure edition with app live tracking screen in foreground

What is the best GPS dog tracker?

Okay, as the makers of Tractive GPS, we know we’re biased. But we also know what pet parents want:

  • to know that your dog is safe
  • peace of mind and
  • an affordable solution to get both.

That’s why we’ve been working for over a decade on making your life easier – by perfecting the best GPS tracker for dogs. We promise to keep the cost of the GPS tracker affordable, so as many pet parents as possible can make use of the life-saving technology.

Tractive’s pawsome features have helped over half a million pet parents keep their furry friends safe. But you don’t have to don’t take our word for it: Read real Tractive reviews.

Features of the Tractive GPS include:

  • LIVE Mode: Find your furry pal in no time with position updates every 2-3 seconds.
  • Unlimited Range: Track your dog from anywhere in the world, no matter how far.
  • Virtual Fence: Set up a ‘safe area’ – like your garden – and get an ‘Escape Alert’ if your pet leaves it.
  • Location History: See where your dog has been in the last 365 days.
  • Radar Mode: Find your dog if they’re hiding nearby or indoors.
  • Family Sharing: Let friends, family, walkers and pet-sitters track your pet with you.
  • Health Alerts & Activity Monitoring: Kind of like an advanced Fitbit for dogs, you can set daily fitness goals, track activity and sleep and spot unusual patterns.
  • Power Saving Zones: Save on battery life in places where your buddy spends lots of time.
  • Bark Monitoring: Find out if your dog is barking more or less than usual, and what that could mean.

Conclusion on GPS trackers without subscriptions

While it may be possible to find your dog with a GPS tracker with no monthly fee, experts recommend purchasing a real time GPS tracker with monthly service if you need live location monitoring for your pet.

A GPS tracker with an integrated SIM card and subscription plan can send information about your dog’s whereabouts instantly, in real time and over an unlimited range. These are key features for pet parents, whose wandering dog may roam far away and fast out of fear or curiosity.

On the other side, subscription-free GPS trackers have downsides that often outweigh their advantages for pet parents. They fall short when it comes to tracking range, live tracking, pet friendly features and more. Sometimes, they can actually be more expensive than GPS trackers with a subscription.

With that said, it can’t hurt to add a subscriptionless tracker, like a Bluetooth smart tag, to your dog’s collar as a backup. But a true GPS dog tracker like Tractive is recommended if you want peace of mind – to always know where your furry family member is and to be able to find them within minutes.

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To learn more about the pet-friendly features of modern day GPS pet trackers, check out these reads: