Are you worried about your loved one’s safety when they drive around? Or are you a business owner wanting to track and monitor your delivery vehicles?
If yes, a car GPS tracker can help ease your concerns. The marketplace has several brands, types, and models of car GPS trackers. Most of these trackers, though, come with high monthly or annual subscription fees, but they provide premium features for the price you pay.
But such trackers may not be suitable for everyone. No monthly fee trackers could be your best bet if you are on a budget. They offer basic features like real-time tracking and insights into driving habits.
I bring you the best car GPS tracker, no monthly fee edition. We will look at the trackers’ design, features, and performance.
Family1st Portable GPS Tracker
Our Top Recommendation for Car GPS Tracker For No Monthly Fee!
- The Family1st portable GPS tracker includes a year of service with its purchase.
- It provides coverage in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
- You can receive geofence, SOS, and low battery alerts.
6 Best Car GPS Tracker For No Monthly Fee
Some trackers on this list include a year of service along with their purchase, while others charge an annual or renewal fee.
As the article focuses on no monthly fee trackers, the cost has obviously been my prime consideration factor. But I have also looked at the product’s features, performance, and customer reviews before adding them to the list.
Thus, here are my top 6 car GPS tracker recommendations.
- Family1st Portable GPS Tracker – Best Warranty for Car GPS Trackers
- Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker – Best Connectivity for Car GPS Trackers
- Vyncs 4G GPS Car Tracker – Best Feature-Rich Car GPS Tracker
- Reiwour Magnetic 4G GPS Tracker – Best Heavy-Duty Portable Car GPS Tracker
- SinoTrack 4G GPS Tracker – ST-902L – Best Budget-Friendly Car GPS Tracker
- TKSTAR 4G TK816 OBD Tracker – Best Entry-Level Car GPS Tracker
1. Family1st Portable GPS Tracker – Best Warranty For Car GPS Trackers
The portable tracker by Family1st can track your loved ones, cars, and other assets.
You do not have to worry about monthly fees, as one year of service is included in the device price. You will be charged a monthly subscription from the 2nd year.
The brand offers a lifetime warranty on the tracker and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here is how the Family1st portable tracker performs.
Design
It is a small-sized portable device that can sit out of sight in your car. You can place it inside the car or use the weatherproof magnetic case to place the device under the car.
It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2400 mAh.
It takes about 4 to 6 hours for the battery to charge. It can last for about a week or two in an active state and 4 to 6 months in sleep mode.
Usability
You must download the Family1st Pro app and create your account. You will need the IMEI number of the tracker for this step.
Once the account is created, reset the device by pressing the power button for a few seconds. Then, the lights on the device will come on, and it will search for the GPS signal. Once it acquires the signal, the tracker will be ready to use.
The app could do with some UI improvements. Overall, I would rate the usability a 4 out of 5.
Features
You can set up geofences and receive alerts when the tracker leaves or enters a pre-defined area. You can set up ten such geofences.
The device wearer can press the SOS button in case of an emergency. You can also receive low battery alerts.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 2.8 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 3.6 ounces |
| Type | LTE - CAT M1 |
| Battery | Li-Polymer 2400 mAh |
| Price | $185.99 (1-year free subscription included) |
| Subscription Plan | Plans available after the first free year: • Basic - $21.95 • Plus - $28.95 • Elite - $38.95 |
Pros
- You can get updates every 5, 30, or 60 seconds.
- The tracker has a good battery life.
- Family1st offers a lifetime warranty on the tracker.
- You get 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Device documentation is limited.
- The app needs improvement.
2. Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker – Best Connectivity For Car GPS Trackers
The Invoxia tracker supports connectivity technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS.
You can get location updates every 2, 5, 10, or 30 minutes. The device’s accuracy depends on the connectivity technology used. For example, with Bluetooth, the accuracy is as good as your smartphone, and with GPS, it is about 150 to 300 feet.
A year of subscription is included when you purchase the tracker. From the 2nd year onwards, you have to pay a renewal fee.
Here is how the Invoxia cellular GPS tracker performs.
Design
Lengthwise, the device is longer than other portable trackers, but it is lightweight, weighing about 1.05 ounces.
It has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a 300 mAh capacity. It takes about 2 hours to get a full charge. The battery can last from 15 days to 4 months, depending on its update frequency.
Usability
You can activate the tracker using the Invoxia GPS app. Create an account and pair the device with your smartphone. Provide access to permissions like location data, Bluetooth, Face ID, and camera, among others.
Place the tracker away from metal pieces. For better reception, the tracker logo should be facing upwards.
The app has good features, but it lacks documentation. So, you will have to figure out how things work.
Features
You can set up geofences and anti-theft alerts. You can receive location updates every 30 seconds using the real-time boost feature. This feature turns off after 30 minutes to save battery unless extended.
It has a proximity radar feature that uses Bluetooth to find your car. So you do not have to worry about losing your car in parking lots.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 4.1x 1.06 x 0.37 inches |
| Weight | 1.05 ounces |
| Type | 4G LTE-M |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion, 300 mAh |
| Price | $129.00 |
| Subscription Plan | 1-year subscription includedRenewal starts at $29.95 |
Pros
- The tracker provides location updates every 2, 5, 10, or 30 minutes.
- You can get 30-second updates with a real-time boost.
- You can find your vehicle using the proximity radar.
Cons
- Live tracking can cause battery drain.
- The street view can get cluttered on shorter routes.
3. Vyncs 4G GPS Car Tracker – Best Feature-Rich Car GPS Tracker
This 4G tracker by Vyncs is a compact-sized OBD tracker. It provides location updates every 1 to 3 minutes.
It can provide driver behavior and vehicle maintenance alerts besides location details. It supports integration with Alexa. Vyncs provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on the tracker.
Here is how the Vyncs 4G GPS tracker performs.
Design
The tracker is a small-sized device that can sit out of sight under your dashboard. If your vehicle is not OBD compliant, Vyncs provides power adapter cables for the same.
The device draws power from the vehicle’s battery. When the ignition is turned off, the tracker will go into power-saving mode and wake hourly to provide updates.
Usability
Assembling the device requires downloading the app, creating an account, purchasing a plan, and plugging the tracker in.
The tracker may take 5 to 10 minutes to acquire a GPS signal. The Vyncs app is one of the user-friendly apps on this list.
Features
You can get zone arrival and departure alerts. You can view unlimited trip history.
It offers driver safety details like speeding, rapid acceleration, and harsh braking alerts.
You get mileage, fuel level, and cost details with fuel reports. You can receive personalized fuel-saving tips.
Premium features include roadside assistance and an improved GPS sampling rate.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 0.9 X 1.9 x 2.4 inches |
| Weight | 2.2 ounces |
| Type | 4G |
| Battery | Plugs into the OBD-II port of the vehicle |
| Price | Vyncs Basic 4G+ - $99.99Vyncs Pro 4G+ - $119.99Vyncs Premium 4G+ - $109.99Vyncs Fleet 4G+ - $119.99(includes one device, one year of data plan and service) One-time activation fee - $39.99 |
| Subscription Plan | Annual renewal fees as per the plan |
Pros
- You get alerts for driver behaviors like speeding or harsh braking.
- It provides vehicle maintenance alerts.
- It provides fuel level and economy details.
Cons
- It includes an activation fee.
- Roadside assistance is only available in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It includes an activation fee.
4. Reiwour Magnetic 4G GPS Tracker – Best Heavy-Duty Portable Car GPS Tracker
The Reiwour 4G GPS tracker is battery-operated with a 10000 mAh capacity. It weighs about 12 ounces making it one of the heavy-duty trackers on the market.
The product purchase comes with a year of service included. You have to pay the renewal fee from the 2nd year onwards.
Here is how the Reiwour 4G GPS tracker performs.
Design
The device has an IP65 dust and water-resistant housing, and the body is built using other heavy-duty materials.
The battery takes a minimum of 5 hours to charge. It can last from 7 to over 20 days, depending on usage. The more frequent updates, the quicker the battery will drain. In standby mode, the battery may last for up to 50 days.
Usability
To activate the device, complete the registration process and email the support team. The tracker has a strong built-in magnet, so it can be placed inside or outside the car. Keep away from other communication devices to avoid interference.
Download the Reiwour GPS app to manage the device and alerts. You can also use the web platform for online tracking.
Features
You can use the tracker in normal, intelligent, and power-saving modes. You can receive geofence and tamper detection alerts.
It offers a historical playback of routes for up to 90 days. You can restart the device remotely with SMS commands.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 2.9 × 2.7 × 1.39 inches |
| Weight | 12 ounces |
| Type | 4G LTE |
| Battery | 10000 mAh |
| Price | $129.00 1-year service included |
| Subscription Plan | The renewal fee for 2nd year is $69 |
Pros
- You can get GPS reports with 30-second updates.
- It supports geofence alerts.
- It offers tamper detection alerts.
- It has an IP65 dust and water-resistant housing.
Cons
- It offers a year of limited warranty.
- The device is comparatively big and heavy.
5. SinoTrack 4G GPS Tracker – ST-902L – Best Budget-Friendly Car GPS Tracker
This is one of the cheapest car GPS trackers with no monthly fee. You need to pay for a SIM card data plan, but it is still cost-effective.
It is an OBD tracker that fits into the OBD port of your vehicle. The port is typically under the driver-side dashboard.
Here is how the SinoTrack tracker performs.
Design
The tracker draws energy from the vehicle battery when the engine is on. It has a built-in battery that lets it function after the engine is turned off.
The backup battery can last for a couple of hours.
Usability
You must buy a compatible SIM card, activate it and insert it into the tracker. You can then set the APN and configure the tracker using SMS commands.
The SinoTrack Pro app is not the best in the market. The design is a bit chunky, and you will have to spend time exploring its features initially.
Features
You can set geofence, speeding, shock, and low battery alerts. You can send SMS commands to receive location updates via text.
Its historical playback includes the date, time, speed, network mode, location, and address details.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 1.77 x 0.87 x 2.36 inches |
| Weight | 3 ounces |
| Type | LTE/GSM/GPRS |
| Battery | OBD - connects to the vehicleBuilt-in - 120 mAh/ 3.7 V |
| Price | $47.99 |
| Subscription Plan | No monthly feePay for local data and/or SMS plan |
Pros
- The tracker has a built-in backup battery.
- Receive location updates with a Google Maps link.
- You can view multiple trackers from one account.
Cons
- The app does not offer push notifications.
- You must buy the SIM card separately.
6. TKSTAR 4G TK816 OBD Tracker – Best Entry-Level Car GPS Tracker
If you want a no-fuss, budget-friendly car GPS tracker that provides location updates, consider the one by TKSTAR.
It is an entry-level tracker that can be used for cars, off-roaders, buses, and trucks. It supports GPS and LBS positioning modes.
Here is how the TKSTAR-TK816 tracker performs.
Design
It is a lightweight device that connects to your vehicle’s OBD port. When the engine is off, it engages the backup battery, which lasts about an hour.
You will only receive the device and instruction manual in the package. You have to buy a SIM card, charger, and cable separately.
Usability
The tracker can be configured using SMS commands. You can find the list of commands on the TKSTAR website.
When buying a SIM, ensure it supports call, text, and internet functionality. The tracker may use about 30 MB of data monthly. A basic data plan should be enough.
Features
You can set geofences with an adjustable radius of 0 to 5000 m. You can set an overspeeding and vibration alarm.
You can get location updates via SMS, including a Google Maps tracking link.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 2.08 x 1.81 x 0.90 inches |
| Weight | 1.5 ounces |
| Type | GSM/GPRS/LTE |
| Battery | Fits into OBD portBuilt-in - Rechargeable lithium-ion, 3.7 V, 80 mAh |
| Price | $59.98 |
| Subscription Plan | No monthly feesPay for SIM card data plans |
Pros
- Lifetime free access to the app and online tracking.
- 6-month historical data available.
- 6-month historical data available.
Cons
- SIM not included.
- The app’s performance needs improvement.
How We Picked And Tested The Car GPS Trackers For No Monthly Fee?
I shortlisted trackers using thorough online research, looking at brands, trackers, features, and reviews.
I tested the portable trackers together, while the OBD trackers were tested separately on the same routes.
Key-Decision Making Factors
The cost was a primary factor, as I wanted to present trackers with no monthly fees.
All six trackers can either be placed or plugged into the OBD port. So assembly is more about downloading the apps and activating the device.
Documentation is an issue with some trackers, but the usability is decent once you explore the app and online platform.
In terms of features, most trackers are basic. But that can be an acceptable trade-off considering the price point.
FAQ’s
No. It depends on the brand and model of the GPS tracker. For example, the portable tracker by Family1st has a built-in SIM from AT&T. However, for OBD trackers from SinoTrack and TKSTAR, you must buy the SIM card separately.
Hardwired and OBD trackers do not need charging. They draw power from the vehicle’s battery. The OBD tracker will need charging if it has a built-in backup battery.
Yes. If you are looking for a tracker that provides location updates and features like geofences and history playback, then a budget-friendly, no-monthly fee car GPS tracker is worth buying.
Summary
The trackers on this list are portable or OBD. So they have a plug-and-play assembly type. In terms of usability, the performance is pretty decent. You will have to sit and explore the app and platform capabilities.
Feature-wise, these trackers offer basic alerts like geofences, vibration, speeding, and low battery.
If budget is a priority for you, our list of the best car GPS tracker with no monthly fee will be handy. Let us know in the comments if you have encountered other user-friendly no monthly-fee trackers.
Carson Harris is a highly qualified author and expert in GPS tracking technology. With a background in electrical engineering and machine learning, he has established himself as a trusted source of information. Carson’s work experience at Garmin and Panasonic has further enhanced his expertise. He possesses creative skills in website design and AI applications. Known for his clear and concise communication, Carson’s articles on Trax Family’s website provide valuable insights on GPS trackers.