Our picks
Halo Collar 5
GPS fence collar that also tracks
SpotOn GPS Fence (Nova)
GPS fence collar that contains on satellites alone
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At a glance
| Halo Collar 5 | SpotOn Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | $633.89 | $999 fence only; $1,100.88 with tracking |
| After year one | $109.89/yr (Bronze) | $0, or $101.88/yr with tracking |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 48 hours | 33+ hours with tracking |
| Smallest dog | Over 10 lb | 15 lb |
| Smallest fence | About 30 × 30 ft recommended | ⅓ acre, at least 80 ft wide |
| Fence works with no cell signal | Yes, fences are stored on the collar | Yes, it runs on satellites alone |
| Plan needed? | Yes, for everything | Only for tracking and alerts |
| Returns | 90 days (less $25 shipping) | 90 days (less return shipping) |
Prices as listed by Halo and SpotOn, October 4, 2026. Halo's figures use its current $524 sale price ($599 regular). Battery figures are the brands' claims.
Do you need a GPS fence?
A GPS fence is for keeping a dog in. If your yard already has a fence and your worry is the gate left open, a GPS tracker with escape alerts costs less and goes much longer between charges. See escape alerts vs a virtual fence and the best GPS dog trackers.
A GPS fence makes sense when a physical fence isn't an option: rules from an HOA, a big rural property, or a yard where a fence would cost thousands. Both collars here also track your dog on a map, so you get both jobs in one.
How they work, briefly
You draw a boundary on a map in the app, or walk it with the collar. As your dog nears the line, the collar warns with a tone and vibration. Both brands offer static correction as an option you can turn off. Both put training first: Halo with a four-phase program built with Cesar Millan, SpotOn with a three-step method and a free session with a trainer.
Five things to know before you buy
- Training takes time. Plan on daily sessions for a couple of weeks before you trust it.
- Keep the line away from the house. GPS drifts near buildings, metal roofs and heavy tree cover. Halo recommends at least 20 feet between your house or the road and the boundary.
- Charge it every day. Both collars watch the boundary nonstop, so plan on a nightly charge.
- Size matters. Halo fits dogs over 10 pounds and SpotOn 15 pounds and up. Owners and reviewers say both feel bulky on small dogs.
- No fence is escape-proof. A scared or determined dog can run through a warning. Both collars track your dog if that happens, and SpotOn's tracking needs its optional plan.
Which one we'd pick
For most yards, Halo Collar 5. It handles smaller properties, costs less up front, and tracking and alerts are included in its plan. Its fences keep working when the signal drops.
For acreage or spotty cell service, SpotOn Nova. Its fence runs on satellites alone with no plan at all, and it scales from a third of an acre to huge properties. It costs more up front and needs at least a third of an acre.
The full matchup is in Halo vs SpotOn.
Questions people ask
Do GPS dog fences work without Wi-Fi or cell service?
The containment does. Halo stores your fences on the collar, and SpotOn's fence uses satellites only. Alerts, the live map and tracking need a connection.
How accurate are GPS dog fences?
Halo says its Precision+ feature gets within 2 feet with an internet connection; SpotOn claims under 5 feet. Both drift more near buildings and under trees, which is why both recommend keeping boundaries away from your house.
Do I have to use static correction?
No. Both collars let you rely on tones and vibration. Static is optional and adjustable on both.
Can one collar cover two dogs?
No. Each dog needs its own collar, and with Halo, its own plan. Halo sells two collars for about $998, and SpotOn takes $100 off each extra collar.