A car GPS tracker is a small device that reports where a vehicle is, usually through a 4G connection and a phone app. The six picks below split into three types: magnetic trackers you place under the vehicle, a hardwired tracker connected to the vehicle battery, and an OBD tracker that plugs into the OBD2 port.
One thing to know first. Five of the six listings mention a subscription or plan for the SIM, and the Tracki Pro listing does not say either way. None of these listings promises tracking with no ongoing plan, so check the plan terms before you buy.
Best car GPS tracker overall: Tracki Universal GPS Tracker
Best car GPS tracker overall: the Tracki Universal GPS Tracker, because it is a 40 by 45 by 18 mm magnetic unit that attaches under a vehicle with no wiring or tools, tracks over GPS, Bluetooth and 4G LTE, and has far more ratings than any other tracker here.
The Tracki Universal is the tracker to choose if you want something under the car today without touching the wiring. The listing describes GPS, Bluetooth and 4G LTE for live location, with coverage in car parks, shopping centres and buildings beyond the range of Bluetooth only tags. Geofence, movement and speed notifications come through the app and web platform. Battery life is up to 5 days in real time mode or up to 60 days in battery saving mode. It has 4.1 stars from more than 42,000 ratings, by far the most of any tracker here.
It suits cars, utes, caravans, trailers, boats and motorbikes, all of which the listing names, as well as small fleets. The honest catch: the listing says a subscription is required, and its battery runs for days or weeks rather than months. Its 4.1 stars is also the lowest score on this page.
Best for long battery life: Tracki Pro GPS Tracker
Best for long battery life: the Tracki Pro GPS Tracker, because a 10,000 mAh battery runs up to 210 days in battery saving mode, with an industrial strength magnet for caravans, utes and trailers.
The Tracki Pro is the bigger sibling of the Universal. The listing describes 4G LTE, GPS and Wi Fi location, a magnet for tool free installation on the chassis of utes, trucks or boat trailers, and alerts for movement, speeding and custom geofence boundaries, including SOS alerts to an iOS, Android or web app. It describes the unit as 100% waterproof and dust resistant, about the size of a PC mouse at 89.9 by 63.0 by 37.1 mm. It has 4.4 stars from more than 4,000 ratings.
It suits caravans and trailers that sit for long stretches without anyone to recharge them. The honest catch: the listing text does not say whether a subscription plan is needed, so check the plan terms on the listing before you buy.
Best hardwired: PAJ GPS Vehicle Finder 4G 1.0
Best hardwired: the PAJ GPS Vehicle Finder 4G 1.0, because it connects straight to the vehicle battery (9 to 75V) for permanent power and logs route history for 365 days.
The Vehicle Finder takes its power from the vehicle, so there is no battery to charge. The listing describes real time tracking, route history for the last 365 days, and instant alerts for motion or collision, leaving a security zone, speed, device removal, ignition and low voltage. A SIM card is included and already inserted, and the listing adds a lifelong device replacement, 24/7 support and a free app for Android and iOS. It has 4.4 stars from 440 ratings.
It suits owners of cars, motorbikes, trucks, quads or machinery who want a tracker that stays on permanently. The honest catch: the listing says a subscription plan is needed, with Premium and Basic options from monthly to every two years.
Best OBD plug in: SALIND OBD GPS Tracker
Best OBD plug in: the SALIND OBD GPS Tracker, because it plugs into the OBD2 port for permanent power with no charging and comes with an integrated SIM card.
The SALIND OBD is the plug in option for people who do not want to wire anything. The listing describes a connection to the OBD2 port as a permanent power source, with data on location, speed and other vehicle information, and an online portal to manage the tracker. It names cars, caravans and utes, as well as rideshare work and business fleets. It has 4.3 stars from 944 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants permanent power without a battery connection. The honest catch: the listing says activation needs you to register online and choose a subscription plan, so the tracker is not ready to use until that is done.
Best magnetic with SIM included: PAJ GPS Power Finder
Best magnetic with SIM included: the PAJ GPS Power Finder, because a strong built in magnet fixes it under cars, boats or trucks, it is splash waterproof and the listing gives up to 90 days of battery life with a pre installed SIM.
The Power Finder is a magnetic tracker whose listing says the SIM card is included and inserted, ready for use. The listing describes 4G, a battery that lasts approximately 90 days in standby and 40 days with 1 hour of active tracking per day, and a battery level you can check online. It also gives a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and 24/7 multilingual support. It has 4.4 stars from 752 ratings.
It suits cars, trucks, quads, boats and machinery, for indoor and outdoor use per the listing. The honest catch: the listing says it comes with a pre installed SIM and flexible subscription plans that depend on plan length, so the plan is still an ongoing cost.
Best for standby battery: SALIND GPS 20 4G Tracker
Best for standby battery: the SALIND GPS 20 4G Tracker, because its 20,000 mAh battery lasts up to 180 days in standby per the listing and the magnets fix it to the vehicle.
The GPS 20 is the large battery option for vehicles that stay parked. The listing describes built in magnets, a splash proof body and alarms for strong vibrations, speeding, a geofence being crossed and a low battery. It names cars, classic caravans, boats, excavators and containers, and says the battery status can be viewed online. It has 4.3 stars from more than 1,400 ratings.
It suits caravans, boats and equipment left in one place for weeks. The honest catch: the listing says it lasts about 25 days with daily tracking, and it needs a subscription plan with a monthly to two year choice.
How to choose a car GPS tracker
Battery, hardwired or OBD power
This is the main choice. A magnetic tracker such as the Tracki Universal or PAJ Power Finder runs on its own battery, so the listing figures matter: up to 5 days in real time mode on the Tracki Universal, up to 180 days in standby on the SALIND GPS 20. A hardwired unit such as the PAJ Vehicle Finder or an OBD unit such as the SALIND OBD takes power from the vehicle and needs no charging.
Subscription and SIM
A 4G tracker needs a mobile connection, so expect a plan. The PAJ and SALIND listings include a SIM card and describe Premium or Basic plans from monthly to every two years. The Tracki Universal listing says subscription required. Add the plan to the cost of the tracker when you compare, and read the plan terms on the listing.
Installation: magnet, battery or port
A magnet is the quickest: the Tracki Universal listing says it attaches under a vehicle with no wiring or tools. The OBD2 port on the SALIND OBD is the plug in route. The PAJ Vehicle Finder connects to the vehicle battery, which suits someone who wants a permanent hidden unit.
Alerts and app
Look for the alerts you will use. The listings describe geofence alerts, movement and speed alerts, and on the PAJ Vehicle Finder alerts for device removal, ignition and low voltage plus route history for 365 days. Check that the app or web platform suits how you will watch the vehicle.
GPS tracker or Bluetooth tag
A 4G tracker reports its own position over a mobile network, while a Bluetooth tag relies on nearby phones. For a vehicle that moves, a 4G tracker is the closer fit. Our Bluetooth tracker guide covers the tags that suit keys and bags.
What you are tracking
Cars, utes, caravans, trailers, boats and machinery all appear in these listings. For a caravan or trailer that sits for weeks, the big battery units, the Tracki Pro and SALIND GPS 20, cut down on recharging. If you also want video of what happens around the car, see our dash cam guide, and for a car parked outside, our car cover guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car GPS tracker in Australia?
For most people the Tracki Universal is the best car GPS tracker on this page: the listing describes a magnetic unit that attaches under a vehicle with no wiring or tools, and it has far more ratings than any other pick here. Choose the PAJ Vehicle Finder 4G 1.0 if you want it wired to the battery.
Is there a car GPS tracker with no monthly fee?
Not among these six on the listings' own words. The Tracki Universal, PAJ Vehicle Finder, SALIND OBD, PAJ Power Finder and SALIND GPS 20 listings all mention a subscription or plan. The Tracki Pro listing does not say either way, so read its plan terms before you buy.
Do GPS trackers need a subscription?
A 4G tracker uses a mobile connection, and most listings here say a plan is needed. The PAJ Vehicle Finder and SALIND OBD listings include a SIM card and offer Premium or Basic plans from monthly to every two years. The Tracki Universal listing says subscription required.
What is better, an AirTag or a GPS tracker?
They work differently. The Tracki Universal listing says it uses GPS, Bluetooth and 4G LTE and reaches beyond the range of Bluetooth only tags, with geofence, movement and speed alerts. A Bluetooth tag has no cellular connection, so a 4G unit such as the Tracki Universal suits tracking a moving vehicle.
What is the best hidden GPS tracker for a car?
The Tracki Universal listing describes a hidden car GPS tracker measuring 40 by 45 by 18 mm that attaches under a vehicle. The PAJ Vehicle Finder 4G 1.0 listing says it installs on the vehicle's battery and stays hidden, which suits anyone who prefers a permanent connection.
What is the best GPS tracker for a motorcycle?
The PAJ Vehicle Finder 4G 1.0 listing names motorbikes, cars, trucks and quads, and connects directly to the vehicle battery at 9 to 75V. The Tracki Universal listing also names motorbikes, and its 40 by 45 by 18 mm body is the smaller of the two Tracki units, with no wiring to hide.
How long does a car GPS tracker battery last?
It depends on the model and how often it reports. The Tracki Universal listing gives up to 5 days in real time mode or up to 60 days in battery saving mode. The SALIND GPS 20 listing gives up to 180 days in standby, and the Tracki Pro listing gives up to 210 days in battery saving mode.
Does a car GPS tracker work with Android and iPhone?
The listings say yes. The PAJ Vehicle Finder, SALIND OBD and SALIND GPS 20 listings each describe a free app for Android and iOS that you can share with the family. The Tracki Pro listing describes alerts to an iOS, Android or web app.
