Do cars have GPS trackers?

Many cars, especially more modern ones, come with GPS trackers equipped. This is particularly true for cars that are owned by taxi companies or have services like OnStar. GPS trackers allow the precise location of the vehicle to be monitored at all times, which is particularly useful in the case of theft. Other vehicles that may have GPS trackers are delivery trucks.

Where do car dealerships put GPS trackers?

A GPS tracker can be installed nearly anywhere on a car. They can be placed under the dashboard, bumper, wheel wells, floor mats, seats, or glove compartments. For dealerships, though, you're likely to find the GPS tracker installed on the dashboard in the OBD port. This allows dealerships to have access to the diagnostic data of their cars and is particularly useful for fleet management purposes.

How much is a GPS tracker for a car?

The price of a GPS tracker for a car can vary, but generally, they're fairly inexpensive. Top-rated trackers can cost as little as $40 while offering a compact design, solid battery life, and lifetime warranty. A more advanced option for fleet management and company shipping vehicles can run you up to $80, allowing for more advanced mapping and monitoring of braking, acceleration, location, and device tampering.

The Best Car GPS Trackers

These gadgets can help you keep an eye on your vehicle and loved ones

Jon Fisher

Updated on March 24, 2025

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Spytec STI GL300MA GPS Tracker — Photo:
Lifewire / James Huenink

Car GPS trackers are tiny, portable, and can be vital tools for keeping loved ones, from new teen drivers to senior parents, safer and accounted for.

Here are the best car GPS trackers based on our research.

Notes: Prices are subject to change.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall (All Around Best):

Bouncie GPS Tracker at Amazon $90

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Also Great:

Americaloc GL300 at Amazon $66

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Easiest on the Budget:

Spytec STI GL300MA GPS Tracker at Amazon $12

Jump to Review

Best Overall (All Around Best)

Bouncie GPS Tracker

PHOTO: Amazon

$90 at Amazon

TL;DR: Simple to set up and feature-rich, the Bouncie is our recommendation for individuals and families.

Why We Recommend It

The Bouncie GPS Tracker offers the full package: easy setup and a long feature list that includes vehicle, accident, and driving monitoring.

It uses geofencing to alert users when a vehicle is coming or leaving a specific zone, and integrates with Google Maps for convenient navigation to and pinpointing destinations.

The Bouncie provides detailed accounts of the vehicle from a parked state to real-time movement and even speeding events.

Pros

No recharging required
Driving habits and vehicle diagnostics
Geofencing and curfew alerts

Cons

Requires subscription
A little pricey

This tracker also goes a step further to log driving habits, vehicle diagnostics, and can set curfew restrictions for the younger drivers in the family.

Even better, this unit requires no complicated setup or battery charging; plug it in and start logging and monitoring away.

Amazon buyers give this product 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Also Great

Americaloc GL300

PHOTO: Amazon

$66 at Amazon $71 at Walmart

TL;DR: This tracker is great for folks who want more than tracking, and desire international use.

Why We Recommend It

If you're interested in a quality GPS tracker with many features, the Americaloc GL300 is the best choice.

In addition to tracking vehicles and individuals, this unit detects movement, speed, and even tampering or removal attempts.

You can receive unlimited alters via email or WhatsApp, and you get the first three months of service for free for added initial savings.

Pros

Good battery performance
International coverage too
Unlimited alerts

Cons

Requires monthly investment

You can use this unit can in the US, Canada, and Mexico and sends you text or email alerts in English or Spanish.

And with the companion app, you can access up to one year of tracking history on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

Amazon purchasers give this product 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Easiest on the Budget

Spytec STI GL300MA GPS Tracker

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 at Amazon $22 at Walmart

TL;DR: A budget-friendly tracker that offers straightforward real-time GPS tracking.

Why We Recommend It

If you're interested in a budget-conscious tracking options to monitor teen drivers or older parents, the Spytec STI GL300MA offers peace of mind.

It works with a mobile app to provide real-time tracking updates and the ability to set up a geofence. If the device leaves the designated area, it will send you a text or email notification for quick action.

Pros

Excellent battery
Email and text notifications
Magnetic placement options

Cons

Monthly fee to use

The integrated battery has a life of up to two weeks on a full charge, letting you set it up and leave it alone. You can buy additional batteries to keep one ready when the unit needs power.

The compact design fits in a glovebox, center console, or seat pocket, and magnetic attachments let you place it in a wheel well or on the chassis frame.

And the monthly operation fee gives you access to all features and 24/7 customer service.

Amazon buyers give this tracker 4 out of 5 stars.

Or Maybe These?

Are there other models that don't use a battery? The MOTOsafety GPS tracker can be plugged into any OBD2 fuse box outlet.
I want a discreet option. The Optimus 2.0 GPS tracker features an incredibly compact design, measuring just 3 inches long, and the available magnetic mount makes placing it in a wheel well or under a bumper quick and easy.
I want to manage my fleet. You can use the Vyncs Link GPS Tracker on cell phone networks in over 200 countries, letting multinational companies use a single model for their entire fleet; this is perfect for international shipping via tractor-trailer or box truck.

What to Look For in a Car GPS Tracker

GPS trackers can run anywhere from $25 to over $100, but many operators charge a monthly fee to store your vehicle’s GPS data in the cloud.

If you’re looking for long-term data but don’t want to pay monthly, it might be worth paying more upfront to avoid these charges.

Another aspect that can impact cost is the feature list. If tracking is all you want, your decision is probably pretty straightforward—but many of the options on our list can do everything from driving reports and Alexa integration to diagnosing engine trouble.

Finally, battery versus plug-in is relevant for most electronics, and car GPS trackers are no exception. Consider whether you want a model that requires recharging or battery replacements, or if a devices that's activated whenever your car runs is more convenient.

FAQ

Do cars have GPS trackers?

Many cars, especially more modern ones, come with GPS trackers equipped. This is particularly true for cars that are owned by taxi companies or have services like OnStar. GPS trackers allow the precise location of the vehicle to be monitored at all times, which is particularly useful in the case of theft. Other vehicles that may have GPS trackers are delivery trucks.
Where do car dealerships put GPS trackers?

A GPS tracker can be installed nearly anywhere on a car. They can be placed under the dashboard, bumper, wheel wells, floor mats, seats, or glove compartments. For dealerships, though, you're likely to find the GPS tracker installed on the dashboard in the OBD port. This allows dealerships to have access to the diagnostic data of their cars and is particularly useful for fleet management purposes.
How much is a GPS tracker for a car?

The price of a GPS tracker for a car can vary, but generally, they're fairly inexpensive. Top-rated trackers can cost as little as $40 while offering a compact design, solid battery life, and lifetime warranty. A more advanced option for fleet management and company shipping vehicles can run you up to $80, allowing for more advanced mapping and monitoring of braking, acceleration, location, and device tampering.