What is the Cost of GPS Tracking?
For most fleets, owners and managers must compare the cost of modern technology before committing to a long-term contract. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking allows users to oversee the routes, jobs, and real-time location of field service employees and their vehicles. If you’re researching location tracking technology or upgrading from an existing solution, you’ll want to have assurance that it monitors real-time location data reliably while remaining affordable.
Depending on the number of vehicles and assets that need to be tracked, fleet managers searching for the best GPS should consider both monthly subscriptions and yearly contracts. Smaller fleets may benefit from shorter-term, plug-and-play options to monitor driver behavior while larger fleets can reap the benefits of enhanced tracking systems under a longer-term contract.
Here’s a breakdown of what impacts the price of modern tracking solutions along with the pricing and key features of some of our products.
1. Length of the Agreement
Customers can choose either one-year or three-year agreements, and most of them will have the hardware, installation, and monthly service included in the per vehicle/per month cost of real-time GPS trackers. This will work for many of our customers.
In some cases, customers have very precise hardware requirements. These rare cases may incur an additional cost in terms of hardware fees.
2. Type of GPS Tracking Devices Needed
There are a few ways that tracking software providers help businesses with mobile assets monitor their equipment and employees:
Plug-and-Play (PNP) GPS Device
- Plug in your device to quickly track vehicles via the OBD-II port. PNP devices work for most of our customers, which saves them money. The units themselves are less expensive, and installing them is as simple as plugging them into a vehicle’s diagnostic port. That also means you won’t lose revenue by having the vehicle out of service.
Hardwired GPS Device
- Connect your tracker directly to each vehicle and draw power from its electrical system. The hardwired option is best for older vehicles without a diagnostic port, vehicles with modifications with interfere with diagnostic or ignition data, or assets that use add-ons like power take-off, lifts, or booms
Smartphone App Tracking
- Monitor your fleet vehicle’s location using 4G LTE through employee cell phones. Drivers can download the mobile app (on iOS or Android) to save on the cost of PNP or hardwired trackers.
For GPS Insight customers, telematics pricing works on a per-vehicle/per-month basis. The per-unit monthly fee correlates to the solutions and features you need to provide visibility into your fleet and results that drive your business forward.
3. Installation Method of the Vehicle Tracker
Since most customers can use Plug-and-Play devices, the installation will seldom affect the cost of GPS tracking. Customers that wish to buy their hardware up-front will either have to pay for professional installation or have their mechanics or drivers install them. In most cases, GPS installation is a relatively straightforward procedure.
Keep this in mind: Some providers cut costs on installation. Though they pass the savings on, the quality of installation matters. It can make the difference between units that work properly and generate results that matter – and electronic devices simply taking up space in your vehicles. Ensure the installer is certified and well-versed in tracking services to prevent any downtime or complications after the initial implementation.
So, What’s the Overall Cost of GPS Tracking?
For individual or consumer vehicle tracking, users can find a quick solution on Amazon for $20 to $200 which will serve as a decent car GPS tracker but, often, still have a monthly subscription fee. Customers who sign 1- to 3-year agreements for smartphone-based tracking won’t have to pay for hardware since they’ll use mobile devices as trackers. Those on month-to-month agreements using PNP or hardwired devices will have one-time hardware/activation costs at startup.
Hardware - $39.95 and up per vehicle
Service - $14.95 - $32.95 per month, per vehicle
Get a custom price quote.
Find out how much a GPS Insight solution will be for your fleet.
Monitoring Assets with GPS Fleet Tracking
Fleet-centric businesses often want to track more than just powered vehicles. Some need to keep tabs on their assets like generators, trailers, and other standalone equipment. With GPS Insight, asset tracking starts at $12.95 and is structured by the number of times your units communicate back to the server per day. The default for asset location updates is four times a day, but this is customizable depending on the type of device and equipment it’s tracking.
With GPS Insight, you can also use geofences to obtain notifications for entry/exit activity within specified zones that you create within the software. Track time spent in the chosen area and ensure employee time on site matches up with their clock-in/clock-out timestamps. This also helps to improve billing processes, customer invoicing, and time spent reviewing paper forms.
Summing Up the Cost of GPS Tracking
In short, you can save on the cost of devices if you opt for longer service agreements. Vehicles with diagnostic ports will offer the best balance of low-cost devices and little to no cost for installation.
It’s also possible to bundle GPS tracking with other services such as Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports and the Driveri smart camera to get a lower price for each device. If you’re looking to expand visibility of your mobile business assets, book a demo today to see how GPS Insight can help your business save money while improving your current processes simultaneously.
