What GPS dog trackers really cost: device plus plan

The real cost, side by side

Prices as listed by each brand, October 4, 2026, before tax. Year one is the device plus the cheapest plan that covers 12 months. Two years uses each brand's two-year plan. Lowest yearly rate is the cheapest plan divided by the years it covers.

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Why every GPS tracker needs a plan

A GPS tracker works out where your dog is from satellites, but it needs a phone network to tell you. Each tracker here has a built-in SIM card, like a small phone, and the plan pays for that connection plus the app and support. That's why trackers with no monthly fee, like Apple's AirTag, can't do live tracking. We explain the difference in can you track a dog with an AirTag?

SpotOn is the one partial exception. Its virtual fence runs on satellites alone, so it keeps your dog contained with no plan. Without a plan, though, you can't see where your dog is or get escape alerts.

Fi

The Series 3+ collar is $129. A membership is required: $99 for 6 months, $189 for a year or $339 for two years. There's no monthly option, and every plan has a 6-month minimum. Plans renew on their own; Fi refunds you in full if you cancel within 30 days of a renewal charge. Fi's billing page lists no activation fee, though some reviewers have reported a $20 fee at checkout. New customers can start with a 30-day free trial for $12 shipping; it rolls into the $189 yearly plan unless you cancel and return it. Read our Fi review.

Tractive

The DOG 6 is $79 ($89 for the XL). Tractive's US plans page lists $144 for one year, $204 for two years and $360 for five years, paid up front. The five-year plan is the cheapest yearly rate of any tracker we cover, at $72 a year. Tractive notes that prices can vary by location. Tractive Care, which replaces a lost, stolen or damaged tracker, is offered at checkout. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee on the device and plan. Read our Tractive review.

Halo

The Halo Collar 5 is $524 on sale ($599 regular), and each collar needs a plan. Bronze is $9.99 a month, Silver $14.99 and Gold $19.99. Paying yearly gets you one month free, which makes Bronze $109.89 a year; paying for two years gets you three months free, which makes Bronze $209.79. The tiers differ in how many fences you can save (5, 20 or unlimited), activity reports and discounts. Most yards only need Bronze. Within 90 days you can return the collar under Halo's satisfaction guarantee for a refund, less $25 shipping. After that, prepaid plans aren't refundable once your collar is activated. Read our Halo review.

SpotOn

The SpotOn Nova is $999 ($899 for the older Omni). The tracking plan is optional: $9.95 a month, $101.88 a year or $179.76 for two years, and each collar needs its own plan. SpotOn says you can cancel anytime. Without a plan you keep the fence, training and containment, but lose location tracking, escape alerts and remote features. Read our SpotOn review.

Six ways to pay less

1. Try before you commit. Fi offers a 30-day trial to new customers, Tractive a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Halo and SpotOn 90-day returns. Read the return terms; most deduct shipping.
2. Buy longer plans once you're sure. Tractive's five-year plan costs half as much per year as its one-year plan.
3. Bill yearly on Halo. One free month a year adds up.
4. Ask about multi-dog pricing. Halo sells two collars for about $998, $50 less than two at its sale price; SpotOn takes $100 off each extra collar.
5. Don't pay for features you won't use. Halo's Bronze tier is enough for most single-yard homes.
6. Put the renewal date in your calendar. Every plan here renews on its own.

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