The 18 best Android apps for 2024
Best Running Apps For 2024
The right running app for you will depend on what your running experience is currently missing. Are you hoping to train for your 10K or secure a PB in the marathon? Are you looking for new routes? Or perhaps you crave online community in your running journey? Whatever it is, there is an app to enhance your time as a runner.
To save you the admin, we've done the hard part and tested a large selection of running apps on the market to establish which we think are worth downloading. We've tested out all the features they have to offer and made recommendations on what kind of runner we think each suits.
At the top of our list is the Runna app, because we found it to be highly beneficial for both beginners and advanced runners looking for detailed training plans to help them hit a PB. Meanwhile, we really enjoy the performance tracking and community aspect you get with the Strava app.
Not sure what running app is best for you? Keep reading to find our detailed guide below.
The best running apps for Android and iOS Best running app for training plans 1. Runna
If you're gearing up for a race and looking for a personalized running plan, without the cost of a 1:1 coach, Runna is for you. Created by running coaches Ben Parker and Steph Davies, Runna has training plans for 5K-ultra-marathon distances and tweaks them depending on your running level.
During testing, we were impressed with the easy-to-use interface, and how the app breaks training down into easy-to-understand sessions. You can also easily download the sessions onto your running watch, as the app easily syncs with Garmin, Coros, and Apple Watches.
This isn't an app for runners who just want to track their running progress — it's built around following a training plan. That said, if you're the kind of runner who enjoys ticking days off when training for a race, this is definitely an app you'll find motivating. Our fitness editor used Runna for 16 weeks to train for her fifth marathon and ended up taking 14 minutes off her PR, but most importantly, she got to the startline injury free.
Runna won our Best Running App award in the 2023 Tom's Guide Fitness Awards because we were so impressed by the plans, and how easy the app was to use. It's extremely motivating, with the sessions clearly marked each week along with helpful pointers from coaches
Read our full Runna app review here.
Download Runna: iOS, Android
Best running app for tracking your training 2. Strava
If you need people around you to keep you motivated, Strava is the app to download right now. The community part of the app allows you to follow your friends, running frenemies, and work colleagues and even set up group challenges, like fastest 5K or longest monthly mileage.
That said, if you're not a competitive runner, don't let this put you off. Strava has all the running tracking features you'd expect - from running speed and distance travelled, to more in-depth performance analytics and weekly miles.
Strava supports a variety of running trackers in addition to Wear OS devices and Apple Watch.
There are also handy features like Strava Beacon, which are designed to keep you safe, by allowing your friends or family members to track your live location on a run.
Strava supports a variety of running trackers in addition to Wear OS devices and Apple Watch. (Just make sure you opt out of the location tracking features if you happen to be around restricted areas.)
Alongside the free version of the app, Strava has a paid-for membership, named Summit. Strava Summit gives you access to more features, such as more in-depth race and performance analysis and the Strava maps feature, which allows you to easily find route suggestions from your current location. Strava Summit costs $5.00 per month or $59.99 per year.
Read our full Strava app review here.
Best value running app 3. Nike Run Club (Image credit: Nike Run Club)The Nike Run Club app is a completely free running app that allows you to track your runs, tune into coached runs, and connect with runners in your local area. The breadth and depth of this free content feels generous, especially when you consider that Strava now hides this kind of stuff behind a paywall. Occasionally, some of the narration veers into being cheesy, but during testing, we found the upbeat run coaches were a solid source of encouragement.
Designed for beginners and veteran runners alike, the app is an all-around run tracker, music player and social networking tool for runners. The app measures a variety of metrics such as your pace, distance run and mile splits; it also includes a variety of coaching plans that adapt to your fitness goals and progress.
Once you're done with your run, you can share your details complete with photos, stats and stickers, and compare your progress with other runners. In addition to the built-in music player, the app also allows you to listen to audio cheers sent by friends, as well as encouragement from Nike's pro athletes.
Read our full Nike Run Club review here.
Best running app for map building 4. Map My Run by Under Armour
Map My Run, now developed by Under Armour, uses the GPS and other sensors in your phone to track and map your running course, time, speed, and total distance traveled.
The app displays both your real-time stats and your end-of-run totals. Useful extras include support for a variety of fitness trackers and heart rate sensors, Wear OS support and nutrition tracking. A premium subscription provides voice coaching and location sharing and removes ads.
Another cool feature now that the app is developed by Under Armour is that newer Under Armour running shoes will connect to Map my Run via Bluetooth, allowing your shoes to sync your running data to the app the second you step back through the front door.
Enjoy other activities besides running? You'll find separate apps for cycling, walking and general fitness from Under Armour in both Google Play and Apple's App Store.
Read our full Map My Run app review.
Best running app for finding routes 5. Runkeeper
A perennial favorite among runners, Runkeeper uses your phone's GPS to track your running, cycling, hiking and other distance activities. The app records your pace, distance, total exercise time, calories burned and other useful metrics, while delivering a variety of training plans, complete with reminders and gamified challenges.
Users can go freeform or download and follow popular running routes. You can measure your progress and workout history, as well as sync with numerous other apps and services and receive detailed reports of your tracked activity.
Runkeeper also works with a variety of smartwatches and fitness devices such as the Apple Watch and Wear OS devices.
Read our full Runkeeper app review.
Best running app for treadmill runners 6. Peloton
If you're a runner who prefers to clock your miles indoors, finding an app that makes treadmill running more fun can be a challenge. The good news? The Peloton app can be used on all treadmills, not just Peloton's own Tread, and it's got loads of great on-demand and live classes for runners to choose from.
The main plus with the Peloton app is its trainers - from Becs Gentry to Susie Chan. There are themed runs for runners who want to have fun, we particularly loved the Disney run, and you can tailor the runs by time or your goal. The sessions were extremely motivating and were easy to follow even using an iPhone propped up against the screen of the treadmill.
Peloton has also added outdoor running classes to the app, so if you're a runner who loves to take your training outside, you can follow an audio session from one of your favorite trainers. It's all of the same motivational chat and music, but without the Tread.
Peloton offers a month's free trial for their app, which is a fantastic amount of time to really test its different features (there are cycling and strength training workouts on there too). After that, it'll cost $12.99 per month.
Read our full Peloton app review, and our Peloton Tread review here.
Best new running app 7. Stride
Relatively new to the running app market, Stride allows you to track your runs and walks via your phone's GPS and play against other users nearby to control the biggest territory. You can play with neighbours or friends for champion status, and you'll get rewarded for determination over speed.
This isn't the best app for serious runners - there are no training plans or competitive running metrics, but if you want to make running with your local running club more fun, it's a cool way to do that.
There's a 7-day free trial when you download the app, after that it's $3.99 per month. There's also a yearly subscription that starts from $22.99 per month.
Read our full Stride app review.
Best running app for Apple watch wearers 8. Apple Fitness Plus
Another one for treadmill runners, the Apple Fitness Plus subscription has a number of treadmill workouts to keep you busy. It's tough to choose between this and Peloton, we found the Peloton app slightly more user-friendly but loved the lively Hip Hop sessions on Apple Fitness Plus and the fact you get a three-month subscription free when you buy an Apple Watch.
The sessions are divided up by time and music, so if you've only got 10 minutes to spare, that's enough to get a sweat on. There are not the same live workouts as there are on the Peloton app, but Apple has announced that group classes will be rolled out onto the platform later this fall.
Unsurprisingly, Apple Fitness Plus is only available on Apple devices. Apple Fitness Plus costs $9.99 for a month or $79.99 for a year.
Read our full Apple Fitness Plus review here.
Best virtual running app 9. Zwift
If you find yourself doing a lot of exercising at home these days, Zwift can help you change up your surroundings while you shelter in place. And the mobile app even adds a little gamification to your runs as part of the bargain.
With Zwift, you can take your runs to virtual courses, while staying on your treadmill. Along with the different courses, you'll run alongside other people, using their times for encouragement or competition.
You'll need a compatible treadmill and foot pod to make Zwift work — the company lists compatible devices on its website. But the run aspect of Zwift is free to use. (Zwift also works with cycling, but after a 7-day trial, rides require a $15 monthly membership.) If you've got the right equipment, Zwift offers a unique way to get more out of your at-home runs.
Read our full Zwift app review here.
Best running app for Garmin users 10. Garmin Connect
If you own one of the best Garmin watches, Garmin Connect is an excellent training tool. Once you've successfully synced your watch to the Garmin Connect app, the first thing you'll see is the My Day screen, which shows you all of your data from the past 24 hours. You can expand this to see more data, but it'll include your: resting heart rate, intensity minutes, calories burned, respiratory rate, activities, steps, sleep, stress level, and calories.
As well as joining challenges, and downloading a training plan onto your watch, you can use Garmin Connect to drill down into the data of your workouts. If you click on a run, you'll be able to see your time, distance, and calories, as well as more in-depth data on your pace, speed, timing, heart rate, stamina, and more. Compared to Fitbit and Apple, Garmin Connect gives you a huge amount of data, without asking you to pay an additional monthly fee.
Depending on which watch you buy, you'll also be able to use the app to access Garmin's advanced training metrics. Under the Performance Stats tab of the Garmin Connect app you can see your Training Status, VO2 Max, Race Predictor, and Training Readiness Score, amongst others. Clicking into each tab gives you more data, as well as more information about what each metric means — you can find out more by clicking on the Help section in the top right corner when you're in a data screen.
Here's how to use Garmin Connect
Download Garmin Connect: iOS, Android
How to choose the best running appsMost of the apps featured here are free, though a few offer subscriptions that deliver more advanced features, such as guided workouts, location sharing and training plans. You can decide if these extra features are worth the recurring cost or whether you can make do with the free tier. (Some free apps are ad-supported, so you'll have to decide if that's too much of a nuisance.)
As we've noted, different running apps focus on different things. So choosing the best running app for your needs depends heavily on what you want to use the app for — Tracking your stats? Mapping your runnings? Playing music that complements your workout? — and picking the one that ticks all those boxes.
If you do opt for an app that maps where you run, check out that app's privacy policy to see where that data is stored and who has access to it.
How we test the best running appsBy running with them! We've downloaded and used all of the apps on this list for at least one month to find out more about how they work, and who they are best for.
We looked at how easy the apps were to download and use, whether they were compatible with most of the best running watches on the market, and how motivating they were on days when we just didn't want to run.
We tracked runs on the treadmill, as well as outside, as well as walks and bike rides on recovery days. We quickly learned that the more time you spend setting up the app, often the more accurate the data will be. While sitting and inputting your height and weight and working out how to pair the app with your running watch and heart rate monitor might feel like an extra step, it does make the information the app records more accurate.
20 Hidden Apple Watch Tips & Tricks
The Apple Watch, especially the advanced Apple Watch Ultra 2, offers a wide array of features that can significantly enhance your daily life. By leveraging these hidden tips and tricks, you can optimize your Apple Watch experience, from managing apps to utilizing health features effectively. The video below from Brandon Meves guides us through 20 essential insights to help you make the most of your device and improve your overall efficiency.
Your Apple Watch is equipped with an ambient light sensor, GPS, and motion sensors, enabling it to accurately measure your daylight exposure. By tracking the time you spend in daylight through the Health app on your iPhone, you can monitor your outdoor activities and ensure you're getting enough sunlight. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and optimizing your daily routine.
Streamline App ManagementTo keep your Apple Watch organized and clutter-free, consider the following tips:
By streamlining your app management, you can focus on the essentials and avoid distractions.
Utilize Voice Commands EfficientlyThe "Raise to Speak" feature allows you to activate Siri without saying "Hey Siri". Simply raise your wrist and speak your command, making interactions with Siri faster and more intuitive. This hands-free approach is particularly convenient when you're on the go or engaged in other activities.
Locate Your iPhone with EaseIf you often misplace your iPhone, your Apple Watch can help you find it quickly. Use the control center on your watch to ping your iPhone. The Precision Finding feature and flashlight can assist you in locating your phone, even in dark or cluttered environments. This feature saves you time and reduces frustration when searching for your device.
Calculate Tips and Split BillsThe calculator app on your Apple Watch is a handy tool for calculating tips and splitting bills when dining out. With just a few taps, you can quickly and accurately determine the right amount to tip, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience at restaurants.\
Control Your iPhone Camera RemotelyYour Apple Watch can act as a remote shutter for your iPhone camera. This feature is perfect for taking group photos or selfies without needing to hold your phone. Simply set up your iPhone, frame the shot, and use your watch to capture the perfect moment.
Access Critical Emergency FeaturesIn urgent situations, your Apple Watch provides a range of emergency functions that can be lifesaving:
Familiarize yourself with these features and know how to access them when needed.
Optimize Battery Life and Reduce DistractionsTo conserve battery life and minimize distractions, consider disabling unnecessary features such as:
By turning off these functions, you can extend your watch's battery life and focus on what matters most.
Unlock Your Mac and Approve RequestsYour Apple Watch can serve as a convenient and secure way to unlock your Mac and approve requests. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience to your daily workflow, allowing you to seamlessly access your computer without typing passwords.
Utilize Theater ModeWhen you need to reduce distractions in dark environments, such as movie theaters or meetings, enable theater mode on your Apple Watch. This mode silences notifications and dims the screen, ensuring you can stay focused without disturbing others.
Enhance Night Vision with Red ModeFor Apple Watch Ultra models, the red night vision mode improves visibility in the dark. This feature is particularly useful for outdoor activities at night, preserving your night vision and allowing you to navigate more effectively.
Transform Your Watch into a Bedside ClockActivate nightstand mode to easily access time and alarm information when your watch is charging. In this mode, your Apple Watch displays the time and any set alarms, turning it into a convenient bedside clock.
Protect Your Watch with Loss ModeEnable loss mode to secure your watch and display contact information if it gets lost. This feature helps safeguard your data and increases the chances of recovering your device, giving you peace of mind.
Customize Complications for Quick AccessAdd frequently used apps as complications on your watch face for quick and easy access to essential functions. By tailoring your complications, you can enhance your watch's usability and streamline your daily interactions.
Tailor the Action Button on Ultra ModelsFor Apple Watch Ultra models, customize the action button to quickly access features like the flashlight and siren. This customization allows you to adapt your watch to your specific needs and preferences, making it a more personalized and efficient tool.
Enjoy Music and Podcasts OfflineStore your favorite music and podcasts on your Apple Watch for offline use. This feature is perfect for workouts or travel, ensuring you have entertainment readily available even without an internet connection.
Navigate with Offline MapsDownload maps for offline navigation to ensure you can find your way even in areas with poor connectivity. This feature is invaluable when traveling, hiking, or exploring new places, providing you with reliable navigation tools.
Stay on Top of Your Medication ScheduleThe medications app on your Apple Watch allows you to track and remind you of your medication schedule. By logging your medications, you can stay on top of your health regimen and ensure you never miss a dose.
Protect Your Hearing with Environmental Sound MeasurementYour Apple Watch can monitor noise levels in your environment to help prevent hearing damage. When the surrounding sound exceeds safe levels, your watch will alert you, enabling you to take appropriate measures to protect your hearing over time.
By implementing these 20 essential tips and tricks, you can unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch and optimize your user experience. From enhancing your daily routines to ensuring your safety and well-being, these insights will help you make the most of your device's diverse features. Embrace these practical suggestions and enjoy a more efficient, personalized, and empowering Apple Watch experience.
Source & Image Credit: Brandon Meves
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Now that we live in a connected world, tracking your car's location has never been easier. Using GPS technology, affordable trackers are available in today's market, allowing you to know where your car is at all times. In addition, many of these GPS trackers have additional features that can monitor driving habits, which is great for keeping an eye on a teenage driver.
GPS trackers aren't very complex devices. Most of these can just be placed inside your vehicle once you've setup the app on your phone. Some of our recommendations are specifically designed to be used on vehicles by plugging into your car's OBD2 port. Those devices have additional features, such as monitoring your car's health and getting vehicle data such as speed, acceleration, braking, and more. They're similar to devices used by insurance companies that offer discounted monthly premiums if you allow them to track your driving habits.
In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 best GPS trackers for cars, as well as explain what they are and how you should go about picking the right one for you. For more information on GPS trackers, refer to our table of contents.
1. Editor's Pick: Spytec GL300 GPS TrackerSpyTecGPS is one of the leading manufacturers within the GPS industry and the GL300 is our top pick for the category. This GPS tracker offers near-perfect 4G LTE coverage with an impressive 2.5-week battery life. It's fairly compact as well, measuring 3" tall by 0.38" thick, allowing you to easily conceal the device within your car.
The GL300 is compatible with any smartphone, tablet, computer, and network provider. Using satellite technology, this GPS tracker boasts unlimited tracking range, so you don't have to be anywhere near it to get a precise location. With your smart device, you can setup notification preferences and receive alerts if the tracker leaves or arrives a specific location—great for tracking cars, especially if your child is driving. You're able to store up to a year's worth of activity and can setup reports that summarize the tracker's historical data.
This GPS tracker is also a bit future-proof since new features are added monthly as the company's development team uses machine learning and other advanced tools to increase tracking accuracy and boost platform intelligence.
A data plan is required to use this device (and all other GPS trackers), which starts at $24.95 a month, but you can cancel at anytime and there are no cancellation fees.
Product features:
If you want a waterproof device, LandAirSea's 54 GPS tracker is 100% waterproof and uses a built-in magnet for easy installation. Since the device itself is waterproof, you don't have to purchase a separate case for it. Featuring an ultra-compact design (about the size of a small roll of Scotch tape), this GPS tracker is
Monitoring this device can be done through the LandAirSea mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices, or you can use the web-based SilverCloud software. Features include historical playback, geofence and address proximity alerts, arrival and departure notifications, alerts via SMS or email, ShareSpot (shareable link to the live GPS location), InstaFence (creates an instant geofence around the target), and unlimited printable reports.
This GPS tracker uses 4G LTE connectivity and includes an AT&T SIM with unlimited data and unlimited access to LandAirSea's tracking servers. It costs $24.95 a month for 60-second tracking updates, and the company does offer faster rates. Please note that the tracker in the link below is for U.S. Use only. Do a quick search if you need it for another country.
Product features:
Unlike the other GPS trackers we've mentioned so far, Vyncs' product plugs into your OBD2 port, which means it doesn't require charging or a battery to use. And since this device plugs into your OBD2 port, it offers several other features including vehicle diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), fuel economy, fuel level (if available), true idling, engine RPM, vehicle speed, manufacturer recall information, and even vehicle maintenance updates.
Vyncs' GPS tracker collects data every second, analyzes it, and then sends an update to the server every 3 minutes. Upgrades are available for 60/30/15-second updates. The device does go to sleep when your car's ignition is turned off, but it will automatically wake up once every hour to update its location—something to keep in mind if you need real time location data while your car is turned off.
Other features include geofence zones, driver speeding/braking/rapid acceleration alerts by push notification via email or SMS, unlimited trip history, and optional 24/7 roadside assistance.
The company's pricing plan is also a bit different than the typical monthly subscriptions. This GPS tracker doesn't have a monthly fee, but it does have a one-time activation fee of $29.99, which is refunded if the product is returned within 30 days. A full year of service is included with that activation fee, but renewal costs $78.93 for the second year. It does however, work in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and over 220 other countries since an international SIM is included.
Product features:
Another tracker that plugs into your car's OBD2 port comes from MOTOsafety. This product currently works in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and operates off a cellular network to report data every 60 seconds. Mainly designed to be a driving coach for a teenage child, this tracker delivers a daily report card that scores and summarizes the driving done for the day. MOTOsafety says that some customers have even received up to a 30% discount on their insurance premiums by sharing these report cards with their insurance companies.
In addition to the end-of-day report card, you also can review the route driven during that day, with highlights on where unsafe driving occurred. Geofence capability, which is fairly standard on these GPS trackers, will alert you when the vehicle enters or exits specified locations. Naturally, the device can also be used to locate your vehicle at anytime. This device can send real time alerts for speeding, idling, off-hour use, and more.
MOTOsafety's GPS tracker costs $22.99 per month with no activation or cancellation fees.
Product features:
If you need something extremely compact, this GPS tracker is one of the smallest units available. From PRIMETRACKING, this product measures just 3" by 1.5", so you can easily conceal it inside your vehicle or use it to track anything else. The device can be used in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, working on multiple networks wherever there is cellular service. Using 4G LTE connectivity, updates occur every 10 seconds for near real time data using Google Maps.
Although it's small in size, the tracker still boasts a 2-week battery life. Features include location change alerts, detailed activity location, route history, and geofence. And like other GPS trackers, it has unlimited range so you don't have to even have to be in the same country to monitor your car's location.
Subscription fees for this device is $25 per month, or save a bit by doing 6 months at $20 per month. You can cancel at anytime and there are no activation fees.
Product features:
Another extremely compact GPS tracker is offered by Tracki. This device comes with an international SIM, which means it works in over 185 countries, including the U.S. And Canada. Measuring 1.8" by 1.6" by 0.7" and weighing just 1.7 ounces, this compact tracker also comes in handy for other uses besides tracking your car.
The company offers a lifetime warranty with its product and even provides a free tracker replacement if you lose your original unit. It also uses a replaceable battery, although its standard battery life isn't as great as other products. If you need updates every 1 to 5 minutes, the battery will last 2 to 3 days. If you only need updates 4 times per day, the battery will last up to 30 days on a single charge. A larger battery is offered separately that puts it in line with other devices, offering 2-weeks battery life with real time updates or up to 6 months if you're getting updates 4 times per day.
You can setup geofence zones with this device and receive alerts for various things including speed alerts, and movement notifications via SMS or email. It saves up to 5 years of history with route, speed, and time stamps.
The Tracki GPS tracker ships with a magnet, Velcro, and belt clip, allowing easy installation for however you want to use it.
Pricing for Tracki's Mini GPS Tracker is $19.95 per month, or as low as $9.95 per month if you do a long term plan.
Product features:
Another OBD2 device, CarLock's GPS tracker monitors your car in real time, alerting you when your vehicle is moved, when the engine starts, if unusual vibration is detected, or if the device itself is removed from your car. Since this device connects to your car's OBD2 port, it can also monitor other factors such as fast acceleration, hard and sudden braking, and even sharp and sudden turns. Each month, it'll report a driver safety score, which is a great feature for monitoring young drivers. In addition, the device can let you know if your car's battery is running dangerously low or if it's experiencing high battery drain.
As a tracker, it'll also record route history for you to review or export to a spreadsheet in .Xls or .Csv format.
This device works in the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, France Caraibe, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam.
CarLock has one of the more affordable plans, costing $9.60 per month. You also get the first month free.
Product features:
Another affordable option is Trak-4's GPS tracker. Featuring a rechargeable internal battery that lasts 12 to 18 months on a single charge with daily reporting, this device is designed more for commercial use with its rugged housing. This tracker only works within the U.S. And will check-in daily even if it's not moving. You can choose in-motion ping rates from 1 minute to 1 hour, but battery life suffers if you're requesting more frequent updates.
Map history is provided with this tracker, along with geofence zones that support email or SMS alerts. This is a great option for companies, since it uses REST API for GPS reports. It's very developer-friendly with full source code examples and documentation available. More importantly, if there is no GPS signal available, the Trak-4 uses cell-trilateration to give an approximate location.
Trak-4's monthly subscription costs start at $6.99 per month when prepaid annually, or $12.99 per month if you're paying monthly. That's for hourly updates—if you want 10 minutes or 1-minute updates, you'll have to pay more. No contract, activation, or cancellation fees and a SIM is included with the device.
Product features:
This bundle from Optimus Tracker includes the Optimus 2.0 GPS tracker with 4G LTE connectivity and a twin magnet case. The case features watertight and water-resistant construction, and the Neodymium magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets available commercially. Create alerts, geofences, and driving reports from within the app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. Configurable notifications include when the tracker starts moving, when a vehicle is speeding, if the device has low battery, if the SOS button is triggered, or when the vehicle enters or exits the geofence zones. Those alerts can be sent via email or SMS.
One full charge of the battery should last 1 to 2 weeks, with it ranging on how often you're reporting data.
The Optimus 2.0 costs $19.95 per month with no contract or hidden fees and you can cancel anytime. Customize the report frequency from 30 seconds while moving or 10 seconds. Coverage is only available in the U.S.
Product features:
Our final recommendation comes from Bouncie, with its OBD2 GPS tracker. This unit will report data every 15 seconds while driving, providing near real time data. You can use geo-circles, which is basically geofence zones, to send notifications when a vehicle enters or exits a particular area. Since it plugs into your OBD2 port, it can monitor your vehicle's health, including diagnostic trouble codes. The company also offers roadside assistance with its device.
Trip events are summarized for easy reporting, while colored speed bands make it easy to see driving habits on a particular route. Notifications can be sent for speed, acceleration, hard braking, and more—great for monitoring teenage drivers.
There are no activation fees, hidden fees, or return fees with this device—you can cancel anytime. Bouncie charges $8 per month in the U.S. And $11 per month in Canada. The included roadside assistance is only available in the U.S.
Product features:
What is a GPS Tracker?
A GPS tracker is a fairly simple device that uses GPS technology to send location data to a cloud-based server, which you can then retrieve on your smart device or computer. All of these devices use cellular network technology (3G/4G LTE) to send information to the cloud, which you can access from anywhere around the world. Do keep in mind however, that some trackers will only send tracking data in specific countries since they use cellular data. If you need a device that works internationally, make sure you get a tracker with an international SIM.
Many of these devices now use apps that you can install on your Android or iOS smart phones. Some also offer a web-based option for tracking data, so you can check it out from any computer.
How to Choose the Right GPS Tracker
If you want a versatile GPS tracker that can also be used to track items other than your vehicle, you'll want one that doesn't plug into a car's OBD2 port. The options on our list that specify they plug into an OBD2 port can only be used on a vehicle. When choosing the right GPS tracker, you'll want to look at the monthly subscription fees, since they all use a data connection to send information. Many of these fees range, depending on how frequently you need data reporting. If accuracy and near real time information is important, chances are you'll end up having to pay more. But if you don't need up-to-the-minute updates on your vehicle, you can save some money on cheaper monthly subscriptions that don't report as often.
Along the same lines, battery life may be important to you. If you're only tracking your vehicle, we recommend purchasing an OBD2 option since you never have to worry about taking out the device and charging it. You'll also get the added benefit of vehicle monitoring, such as your car's battery health.
If your concern is theft, you may want a more discreet and compact option that can be hidden inside your vehicle. Savvy thieves may know to check the OBD2 port for a GPS tracker prior to running off with your car. If that's your main priority, get one of our smaller recommendations that can be hidden underneath a floor mat or in the trunk.
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