Fleet GPS Comparisons
The questions we get asked most often, answered with side-by-side comparisons. Real test data, no sponsored picks. If a cheaper option wins, we'll tell you.
How to Read These Comparisons
Every comparison below answers a specific decision. We don't list specs — we tell you which one to buy for your situation. If a comparison ends with "it depends," we'll give you the two questions that resolve the "it depends." Every recommendation is testable: buy the winner, install it, and see for yourself.
Plug in, 30 seconds, no tools. Visible to anyone who knows cars. Best for fleets without a theft problem.
15–30 min install with tools. Hidden behind panels. Best for high-value or high-theft-risk fleets.
Runs off vehicle power. Survives battery disconnect. Best for trailers and long-term assets.
Battery-powered, stick-anywhere. Moves between assets. Best for shared equipment and short-term use.
No Monthly Fee vs Subscription
Over five years, a $60 no-fee tracker costs $250 total, while a $25 tracker with $15/month subscription costs $925. The subscription option only wins if you're keeping the device for less than 4 months. For any fleet planning to own trackers for 1+ years, no-fee wins.
See No-Fee PicksAmazon vs DHgate
Amazon: faster shipping (2 days), easy returns, higher per-unit cost ($35–50). DHgate: 50–70% cheaper ($12–20), 2–3 week shipping, harder returns. Amazon for 1–3 units. DHgate for 5+ units in bulk. The break-even is right around 4 units.
See Budget PicksEditor's Comparison Picks
Installation difficulty, theft vulnerability, power source, and which fleets should choose which.
5-year total cost comparison for 3 fleet sizes. Spoiler: subscription rarely wins.
Per-unit cost, shipping time, return policy, and risk — side by side.
Quick Decision Guide
If you're tracking 1–3 vehicles: OBD-II no-fee tracker from Amazon. $30–60 per unit.
If you're tracking 5–20 vehicles: OBD-II no-fee tracker in bulk from DHgate. $12–20 per unit.
If you have high-value or high-theft-risk vehicles: Hardwired with battery backup. $80–140 per unit.
If you're tracking trailers or shared equipment: Magnetic battery-powered. $20–80 per unit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
OBD-II for simplicity and speed, hardwired for security and permanence. Most small fleets start with OBD-II and only move to hardwired if they have a theft problem or high-value vehicles. See our Hardware section for the full comparison.
DHgate is typically 50–70% cheaper per unit, but shipping takes 2–3 weeks and returns are harder. For 1–3 units, Amazon. For 5+ units, DHgate bulk pricing wins. See our DHgate guide →
For basic location tracking, yes. You lose live dispatch and advanced reporting, but for theft recovery and location history, no-fee units are competitive. The main trade-off is update frequency (5–10 min vs 10–30 sec) — which rarely matters for small fleets.
One first. Install it in a single vehicle, live with it for 30–90 days, then buy the rest if it works. The "buy 20 units, then find out the app crashes on Android" mistake is the most common we see.
Yes, but the complexity usually isn't worth it. Different apps, different billing, different support. Pick the type that matches 80% of your use case and buy multiples of it. For the other 20%, you can add a second type later.