We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We tested GPS dog collars from Tractive, PitPat, Fi, and more to help you find the best way to keep track of your pup
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated August 4, 2025
Finding the right GPS dog collar for you and your pet can offer peace of mind and invaluable health insights. The ideal model should be able to quickly locate your pup, whether they're lost in the city or roaming the countryside, and can track their daily activities.
Our crew of dogs have walked and ran over 100 miles while testing these trackers, from neighborhood strolls to adventurous off-trail hikes in the backcountry. We even put these options on mountain bikes and rode a standardized course to examine GPS accuracy.
The top scoring GPS collar is the Tractive GPS, which was quick to locate our pups in testing and provides an extensive features list, including vitals tracking and health alerts. The monthly subscription costs of a GPS collar can be pricey, but the Pit Pat Dog is a subscription-free option that can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a dog's life, as long as one doesn't need the fastest GPS.
Most of these models don't include their own collar, so you might want to consider a new dog collar or dog harness for your furry friend. After a long day outdoors, a well-made dog bed can help your pup get the rest they need.
Monitors vital signs, sleep and bark tracking, health notifications, remotely can light up, remote beeps for recall, easy to add other owners or dog walkers, connected with three cell providers
The Tractive GPS quickly became a favorite across our testing team due to its GPS locating speed and accuracy. Even when we were miles from the device, we could locate the Tractive in as little as a few seconds, as long as it was in cell service. The app was easy to navigate and allowed us to take full advantage of the many features offered by this model, from vitals tracking to geofencing to a remotely activated light. Our lead reviewer concluded, “While no GPS collar is perfect, the Tractive was among the most reliable options in our testing, and we were big fans of the health data.” This option doesn't have the smallest profile in the lineup, and if you want something smaller, the Fi Series 3 has impressively small dimensions.
In a model that's as feature-rich as the Tractive Dog 6, it's no surprise that its battery life is on the shorter side, lasting around one week before needing a recharge. One reviewer commented, “With a device that tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, and alerts you when the dog has left home, there has to be some kind of trade-off.” We got used to the charging frequency and found it to be a small price to pay. If battery life is a priority, consider the Pit Pat Dog, which has a battery that lasts as long as three weeks, though its GPS is not as reliable. Otherwise, the Tractive is a top-tier GPS collar with bells and whistles that exceeded expectations and is worthy of your consideration.
No subscription required, health tracking parses activity types, easy to log walks, live signal strength updates
The Pit Pat Dog GPS tracker is one of the few options on the market today that does not require you to sign up for a subscription in order to access location services. The initial price is higher, but across the years of your dog's life, this is a gargantuan cost savings that can add up to hundreds of dollars. However, this model isn't quite as quick to locate your pup compared to other subscription-required options. Sometimes the PitPat only took 5 minutes to hone in on a location, but there were some instances where it took 30+ minutes, even when it was showing a strong signal. Our team offered some valuable insight: “When considering its low price to operate, the PitPat still might be a great choice for some dog owners who deem it unlikely for their pup to run off.” If you need a GPS collar that can be located more dependably, consider the Tractive GPS.
The PitPat has some nice health tracking features, so you can easily keep an eye on how much rest and activity your dog is getting on a daily basis through the app. It doesn't have the ability to set a geofence, which can be a handy way to see if your dog has wandered from home, but it has a much better battery life compared to the high-end competition. If you don't need the activity tracking and want something even less expensive, consider the Apple AirTag. It works well if you only need a “just in case” device for your well-behaved city dog. But we think the PitPat is a good compromise. Our head gear tester concluded, “The bargain-priced PitPat definitely belongs on your finals list if your dog likes to stick near you but you want some peace of mind if an unlikely event happens.”
Can only be located via bluetooth from Apple products
Collar attachment not included
SPECIFICATIONS
Subscription Required
No subscription needed
Monthly Subscription Cost with 1 year plan
N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost with 2 year plan
N/A
Geofence
No
Unique Features
Uses bluetooth for location, can be used to locate other personal items, no subscription required, incredibly light and small
The Apple AirTag is a device well-known for locating personal items, but some dog owners have started using it as an alternative to a GPS collar to keep an eye on their pet. It doesn't have the full capabilities of a true GPS collar, but it has some perks. We greatly appreciated the battery life of the AirTag, which can last up to one year before replacement, and if going on a trip, you might even borrow the device from your dog to keep an eye on luggage or car keys. It's also the least expensive option we've tested, and it doesn't require a monthly subscription, making this device several times less expensive than any other. It comes with a sharp decrease in capabilities, but our head tester suggested, “This option might be the right choice for a well-behaved dog who lives in the city, where an AirTag is more likely to be located, and the owner just wants a little extra peace of mind.” If you like the idea of a subscription-free model but want connectivity in remote areas, the PitPat is worth checking out.
It's crucial to keep in mind that this is not a full-blown GPS collar. You won't be able to find your pet if they wander into a remote area, as it can only be located if the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of an iPhone or iPad, which is generally under 100 feet. If you are an Android user, the AirTag isn't going to work with your phone. All other devices we tested work well regardless of smartphone choice, and an option like the PetLink or the Tractive GPS will offer substantially more bells and whistles, though at a much higher price point. Ultimately, some dog owners will find the AirTag to fit their exact needs and budget, but make sure you're managing expectations.
We found more consistent performance if the AirTag was in town rather than in the woods.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Compare Product Specifications
Specifications
Tractive
Fi Series 3
PetLink
Pit Pat
Apple AirTag
Awards
Best Overall GPS Collar
A Subscription-Free Option
A Just-In-Case Model
Subscription Required
Yes
Yes
Yes
No subscription needed
No subscription needed
Monthly Subscription Cost with 1 year plan
$9.00/month
$15.75/month
$8.25/month
N/A
N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost with 2 year plan
$6/month
$14.12/month
$6.25/month
N/A
N/A
Geofence
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Unique Features
Monitors vital signs, sleep and bark tracking, health notifications, remotely can light up, remote beeps for recall, easy to add other owners or dog walkers, connected with three cell providers
GPS and LTE testing on-demand, sleeping tracking, sallelite imagery recording for walks, step counter, can add dog walkers or sitters to the app, in-app dog park locators, can run self-diagnostics, can create and name multiple geo fences.
Live updates on GPS accuracy range, can triangulate with cell phones and wifi networks, decent health tracking
No subscription required, health tracking parses activity types, easy to log walks, live signal strength updates
Uses bluetooth for location, can be used to locate other personal items, no subscription required, incredibly light and small
We tested these GPS collars across concrete sprawls and alpine playgrounds to make our examination as thorough as possible.
Credit: Zach Lovell
How We Tested
We prioritize real-world and hands-on testing here at GearLab to ensure our examination of GPS dog collars is as thorough as possible. We run through our daily pet routines to make sure our findings are accurate and true-to-life. Each model was scrutinized for its GPS location accuracy and speed, using ground-truthing and distance measurements via satellite imagery. We took a deep dive into the features and ease of use of each collar, going on lengthy outdoor walks, and simply leaving the devices on dogs for an extended time to examine the health tracking components. We researched the construction materials of each device and, to test durability, we deliberately took our pups for lake swims and allowed them to play in the mud (they loved it). Lastly, we weighed and measured each option to score sizing. For a full detailed breakdown, check out our article on how we tested GPS dog collars.
We rate GPS Dog Collars on five performance metrics:
GPS Reliability (35% of overall score weighting)
Features (20% weighting)
Ease of Use (20% weighting)
Construction Quality(15% weighting)
Size (10% weighting)
We made sure each test was carried out side-by-side so our findings were comparative, with our final scores in each metric offering clear winners.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Why Trust GearLab
This review is headed by Zach Lovell, who first started working in product testing and design over 10 years ago. He's been a dog owner and dog lover most of his life, growing up with two golden retrievers. Fast forward to the present day, and he's the proud dog dad of a Bernese mountain dog named Maya. Zach has tested and written about dozens of products, from outdoor equipment to massage guns. For this review, he brought in a couple more 4-legged friends to help with testing: Bodie and Vinny, and sought the opinion of their owners to get a well-rounded view of each GPS collar for this review.
The real stars of this review were our pups, who thoroughly enjoyed all of the roaming time required for testing.
Analysis and Test Results
After miles and miles of doggie walks and off-leash adventures (where allowed), a few standout models won distinctions in various categories.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Context is everything when determining the value of a purchase. If you need all the bells and whistles, a GPS dog collar is going to cost you a pretty penny. While they might be less costly up front for the device itself, many have the added cost of a monthly subscription. If you're planning on using your doggie collar for a long time, we recommend locking in a multi-year rate, which can make the monthly cost more affordable. If you're willing to sacrifice performance and certain features, there are also affordable options out there that don't require a subscription at all.
There are several different GPS collars on the market at various price points and monthly subscription costs, so you're bound to find the right fit for you and your pup.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Models like the Tractive GPS boast excellent scores across the board, and the monthly subscription cost is fairly reasonable. If purchasing a subscription for a couple of years, the PetLink is a great option with a low monthly payment. If you're looking to save money, the PitPat is more pricey up front, but has absolutely no subscription, making it one of the least expensive models in the long run. Lastly, if you're really only considering one of these trackers for a little peace of mind and aren't willing to spend big bucks, the highly affordable Apple AirTag might be worth looking into if you use an iPhone.
The PetLink offers a very reasonable monthly price if you're willing to commit to a two year period.
Credit: Zach Lovell
GPS Reliability
The whole point of a GPS dog collar is to locate your dog, so we weighted this metric the heaviest, and used a few different testing methods to make sure the GPS reliability of each device is actually helpful and accurate. We use satellite imagery to measure the distance between the real location and each device's measured location from its app. Then, we outlined a standardized circuit and tracked a person biking with the collar along the set route. Lastly, we used each device for several adventure hikes with our pups, taking them off leash and letting them roam where allowed. For each of these tests, we examined the time needed to find the device as well as accuracy.
The Tractive GPS leads the pack in this metric, consistently locating the paired device in under two minutes as long as the Tractive had decent cell service. As with any of these top-performing models, if the device doesn't have cell connectivity, you'll have a tough time finding your pup.
We found the Tractive to be quick to locate whether we were close or far away from our pups, as long as the device had cell coverage.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Tractive also has a Bluetooth radar function, which is helpful if you're close to your pup but still aren't sure exactly where they are; for example, in dense brush or at night.
The bluetooth radar is a nice addition when you're close, but can't quite pinpoint your dog.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Fi Series 3 comes in close behind, with a strong showing in most of our tests. It lagged a few times as we got more remote, but otherwise it was a top performer. The PetLink performed almost as well, with just a slight GPS drift in its accuracy. The PetLink offers cellphone and WiFi triangulation if there isn't a GPS signal, offering a nice backup location method.
We were able to closely follow along with the Fi collar from home while our pup was going for a hike with another person.
Credit: Zach Lovell
If you don't want to pay for a subscription, consider the PitPat. It still has a SIM card and utilizes cell coverage, giving it a wide range of use. However, the PitPat was a bit more challenging to work with; we experienced significant lag times that were sometimes over half an hour, despite a reportedly strong signal. We did experience some faster location times, but it's important for you to consider how important the GPS location speed is for you in an instance where you've lost your pup.
We found the coverage to be a bit variable in our testing areas with the PitPat, but with some patience, we were able to eventually locate the device.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Apple AirTag is another subscription-free model, but it's the lowest scorer in the GPS reliability metric. It actually doesn't use GPS at all, and can only be located via Bluetooth from neighboring iPhones or iPads. This might be all you're looking for as a “just-in-case” model, especially if you're in the city. But if your pup likes to roam free in the wilderness, we'd recommend you look elsewhere.
Around town, the AirTag worked surprisingly well, since it was often within 100 feet of an iPhone or iPad. In the wilderness, we had a very tough time picking it up at all unless a hiker happened to wander by.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Features
A GPS tracker isn't only good for locating your pup; many models offer an impressive list of other cool features. We logged over 100 miles walking and running with our dogs, unearthing every feature in a real-world setting. We also made sure to leave the collars on the testing pups for an extended period of time to examine health tracking features.
Once again, the Tractive Dog 6 leads the charge, with extensive and functional features that range from location tracking to health analysis. You can set multiple geofences, which simply allows you to set a boundary around a home or any area, and will notify you if your dog wanders outside that boundary. The health tracking includes vitals like heart and respiratory rate, and even keeps an eye on barking, sleep minutes, and activity minutes. The Tracker also has a remotely activated light and beep, which are uncommon yet invaluable features if you're walking in the dark or if your dog has a trained recall.
From vitals tracking to activity logs, the Tractive has several features we grew to love.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Fi Series 3 also boasts excellent scores in this metric. It offers geofencing capabilities, decent health tracking, and a great app display of walks, which can be shared to social media or texted like a doggie version of Strava. We also loved the self-diagnostics that examine the signal strength and functionality of the device.
Some dog owners will love the Strava-esc quality walk recording, which can be shared via text or social media.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Less pricey models like the PitPat have barebones functionality, and don't offer geofencing or as many neat features. It does still provide health analysis and even parses activities into running, playing, walking, and resting. The AirTag does technically allow you to create geofencing, but that's about it for features there.
While it isn't the most feature-rich, the PitPat offers a decent map on its app and some nice health tracking.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Ease of Use
Over the course of our testing process, from unboxing to field time, we kept detailed notes about how easy it was to get each model up and running, as well as using features on a daily basis. Options that scored best offered fast setup times and intuitive use of features.
The Fi Series 3 and Tractive GPS are quite easy to use. We were able to start tracking our pups in a matter of minutes after charging and setting up our accounts. They both offer intuitive apps, and we could access the data we wanted easily. The PetLink was another user-friendly option, with a simple interface and quick access to the live button.
We were big fans of the PetLink's simplicity, with a highly intuitive app and minimal setup time.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The PitPat had a simple design that did well in this metric, partially because there weren't as many features to work through. The AirTag had mixed results due to the necessity of an iPhone. If you don't have an iPhone, this simply won't work. If you do have an iPhone, the setup process will be familiar. In the Find My app, you'll also be able to track your iPhone, other AirTags, and other Apple devices with ease.
Construction Quality
Any dog accessory is bound to get dragged through mud, water, and brush, so it's important that your GPS device can withstand the abuse. We logged big days outdoors and allowed our pups to roll and swim wherever they pleased with these devices on. We also looked at each model's dust and water ratings from the manufacturers.
The Fi Series 3 offers a robust stainless steel construction and a secure attachment to the collar. With an IP68 rating, this option is dust-tight and can handle water submersion for prolonged periods, making this a great choice if your dog likes to play rough. The Tractive has an IP67 rating and has a fairly durable plastic casing with a rubber collar attachment that held up well throughout testing.
If your dog likes the water and is notoriously hard on their toys or collars, the stainless steel Fi option is a worthy choice.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The PetLink and PitPat also have IP67 ratings, though they both use velcro to attach the device to the main collar. We found this attachment system to work well throughout our testing period, but it collected hair on long-haired dogs. Surprisingly, the AirTag also has an IP67 rating, but you'll need to purchase a collar attachment from a third-party manufacturer.
The PetLink performed equally well on the first and last day of testing, even when our dogs drug it through lakes and rivers.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Size
While differences in size may not be as crucial for large dogs, smaller pups will feel the extra ounces around their necks and might appreciate a more modestly sized GPS collar. We weighed and measured each device and compared our findings.
The Fi Series 3 has a slim design that's hardly visible on some dogs. Close behind is the AirTag, which is about the size of a fat quarter on its own but gets a bit bulkier when you add an after-market collar attachment. The otherwise star-studded Tractive is one of the largest we tested, with an elongated rectangular shape and a greater width.
Depending on your dog's size, the dimensions of a GPS collar might be a substantial part of your decision making.
How to Pick the Best Dog GPS Collar for Your Pup
Learning a bit about how GPS collars work, what features they offer, and where they will be most reliable can help you find a decent option that'll work great for you, your pup, and your budget.
How Does a GPS Collar Work?
Most GPS collars in this review use LTE cell service for location, which is why numerous models require a subscription, just like a cell phone. While shopping, it's worth looking into the product details to see how it connects to a network and to your device. Some options may rely on Bluetooth, some can only connect to one cell service provider, and some can do a combination of both. If GPS reliability is the most important metric for you, consider an option that can connect via multiple cell service providers.
If you could see your dog roaming free in backcountry environments like this, consider an option that can utilize multiple cell providers' coverage.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Can I Truly Rely on GPS to Find My Dog?
GPS is a crucial aspect of modern life, from car navigation to location services we use in various apps. But how reliable is it when looking for your dog? As mentioned previously, many models connect via cell service, so if your device does not have cell coverage, it won't work very well at all. Additionally, if a collar uses Bluetooth for location, it will need to be within 100 feet of a Bluetooth-enabled device to be located. Check what kind of coverage is available in the area where you spend the most time with your dog, and make sure it matches the devices you are considering. While GPS is rarely perfect, we've found it to be dependable enough to locate a dog when they're in cell range, with the GPS reading often getting within 50 feet or less of the tracker. Keeping your dog near you is still the best way to keep an eye on them, but tools like GPS collars make it easier to give them a longer electronic leash, so to speak.
The tech has gotten very good with devices like these, making it much easier to find your dog if they run off. However, if the device doesn't have a strong signal it can be challenging to find your pup.
Credit: Zach Lovell
What Features Do I Need?
Outside of basic location functions, there are a few other features that can be nice to have. We like having a geofence, or an area drawn in the device's app that creates a sort of boundary around your home or any zone you don't mind your pup roaming around in. It is not an electric fence, but it notifies you when your dog has left that area, which can be a quick way to know exactly when your dog goes rogue. Many devices let you draw several geofences so that you can create different ones for friends' homes, dog sitters' yards, or a piece of land you let your dog roam free on. Health analytics can also provide interesting information. You can set activity goals to keep your pup healthy and keep an eye on their sleep. Some models even offer vital monitoring and notify you when their vitals stray from normal, spurring a potential vet visit.
From daily minutes of activity to heart rate, several options offer far more than GPS location.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Conclusion
There's no feeling worse than losing a pet, but with a GPS collar, you can speed up the search time and get them back in your arms faster. We've identified and personally tested several options that will work for both your dog and your needs, giving you peace of mind that your four-legged family member won't stray too far from home.
