Which GPS Tracker Is Right for My Car?
Choosing a GPS tracker doesn't need to be complicated.
The right tracker for your car depends mainly on how you want it installed, how discreet you want it to be and what you want to track.
For most people, the first decision is straightforward:
Do you want a tracker that's hardwired into the vehicle, or one that simply plugs into the OBD port?
From there, things such as the vehicle itself, installation location, weather protection and how you use the car can help narrow down the best option.
Here's what to consider.
What do you actually want your tracker to do?
Before comparing devices, start with the reason you're buying one.
You might want to:
- Check where your car is from your phone
- Receive an alert if the vehicle moves unexpectedly
- View previous journeys
- Create geofences around places such as home or work
- Have additional information available if the vehicle is stolen
- Track several vehicles from the same account
- Keep tracking your vehicle while travelling in the UK and Europe
You don't necessarily need the most expensive tracker to do those things.
The best option is the one that suits your vehicle and how you want to use it.
Do I want a plug-in or hardwired GPS tracker?
This is usually the best place to start.
Plug-in OBD tracker
An OBD tracker plugs into a compatible OBD port in the vehicle.
The main advantage is simplicity. There's no hardwiring into the vehicle's electrical system, and the tracker can be straightforward to install and remove.
That can make an OBD tracker a good choice if you want:
- Simple installation
- No hardwiring
- The ability to move or remove the tracker easily
- Straightforward everyday vehicle tracking
The trade-off is that the OBD port is normally accessible from inside the vehicle, so the tracker isn't necessarily as discreet as a properly installed hardwired device.
Hardwired GPS tracker
A hardwired tracker connects to the vehicle's electrical system.
It can usually be installed much more discreetly than a plug-in device, making it a popular choice for people who don't want the tracker sitting visibly in an accessible port.
A hardwired tracker may suit you if you want:
- A discreet installation
- A more permanent tracking setup
- No tracker occupying the OBD port
- A device that's intended to stay with the vehicle
Installation is more involved than plugging in an OBD tracker.
We've compared the two options properly in Hardwired vs OBD GPS Trackers: Which Is Right for You?
Does my car have an OBD port?
Many modern vehicles have an OBD-II diagnostic port, but its location and suitability for a plug-in tracker can vary.
Before buying an OBD tracker, it's worth checking:
- Whether your vehicle has a compatible port
- Where the port is located
- Whether there's enough physical space for the tracker
- Whether its position makes the installation practical for you
If you're unsure, tell us your vehicle make, model and year and we'll help you check.
Do I need a battery-powered tracker for my car?
Usually not if you're using a tracker designed to take power from the vehicle.
Hardwired trackers receive power from the vehicle's electrical system, while an OBD tracker receives power through the OBD connection.
Battery-powered trackers have their own place, particularly for assets without a suitable permanent power supply, but battery life then becomes an important consideration.
For an ordinary car with a suitable power source, a powered vehicle tracker can avoid the need to keep removing and recharging a tracking device.
What if I want the tracker hidden?
If discretion is important, a hardwired tracker is generally the more suitable starting point.
It can be installed away from obvious view while still being positioned appropriately for satellite and mobile-network reception.
However, hidden doesn't mean buried anywhere you can find a space.
The installation position matters because the tracker still needs to receive satellite signals and communicate over mobile networks.
If theft is your main concern, see How Can I Track My Car If It Gets Stolen?
Do I need a waterproof GPS tracker?
Not for every car installation.
If a tracker is installed inside a protected vehicle interior, a waterproof enclosure may provide little practical benefit.
But for trackers installed in exposed locations or used with vehicles, machinery or equipment where water and weather are a concern, additional environmental protection can be important.
This is why the installation environment matters just as much as the list of features.
Will every GPS tracker work with my phone?
The tracker itself and the tracking service work together.
A cellular GPS tracker establishes its position and sends information to a tracking platform. You then access that information using the platform's app or website.
Global Trackers customers can use GPS Monitor Plus or access their tracking account through a web browser.
We've explained the process in Can I Track My Car From My Phone?
Do I need to buy a SIM card?
Not with Global Trackers' standard vehicle tracking service.
Our tracking service includes the multi-network M2M SIM used by the tracker.
That means you don't need to buy a separate SIM, choose a mobile tariff or manage mobile data yourself.
See Why Do GPS Trackers Need a SIM Card and Subscription? for a full explanation.
Should I choose the cheapest GPS tracker?
Not necessarily — but you don't automatically need the most expensive one either.
Price differences can reflect things such as:
- Device design
- Installation method
- Environmental protection
- Connectivity and hardware capabilities
- The intended application
The important question is whether you're paying for something you actually need.
For current device, subscription and first-year costs, see How Much Does a Car Tracker Cost in the UK?
What if my insurer says I need a tracker?
Ask your insurer exactly what they require before buying anything.
If your policy requires a particular insurance-approved or Thatcham-certified tracking system, Global Trackers' standard service shouldn't be purchased as a substitute for that requirement.
If your insurer hasn't specified an approved system, you have more freedom to choose the tracking setup that suits your own needs.
See Do I Need an Insurance-Approved Car Tracker?
Will my tracker work when I take my car to Europe?
That depends on the tracking service and connectivity supplied with the device.
Global Trackers uses multi-network M2M connectivity across the UK and supported European networks.
If travelling abroad, particularly beyond Europe, check your destination with us before relying on coverage.
See Will My GPS Tracker Work in Europe?
Which Global Trackers GPS tracker should I choose?
Our current vehicle tracking range includes different options for different installations and uses.
Rather than choosing purely from a specification sheet, start with four questions:
1. What vehicle do you have?
2. Do you want plug-in or hardwired installation?
3. How discreet does the installation need to be?
4. Is the tracker going to be protected inside the vehicle or exposed to the environment?
Those answers usually narrow the choice considerably.
You can then compare our current GPS vehicle trackers, or ask us before ordering.
What if I still don't know which tracker I need?
That's completely fine.
You don't need to learn about GNSS, M2M SIMs, IP ratings and vehicle wiring just to buy a tracker.
Tell us:
Your vehicle make, model and year
What you want the tracker to do
Whether you'd prefer plug-in or hardwired installation
and we'll help you choose a suitable option.
We'd rather recommend the simplest tracker that does what you need than sell you additional features that won't benefit you.
So, which GPS tracker is right for my car?
For many customers, the decision starts with OBD versus hardwired.
Choose OBD when straightforward plug-in installation is the priority.
Consider hardwired when you want a more permanent and discreet installation.
Then consider the vehicle, installation environment and any particular requirements you have.
There's no single “best GPS tracker” for every car.
There's simply the tracker that's best suited to what you need it to do.