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Best GPS Tracker for Cars in Canada: Options for Anti-Theft & Monitoring 2025

Car theft and vehicle break-ins remain serious problems across Canada, with thousands of vehicles stolen every year. A GPS tracker helps you monitor your car’s location in real time and can help police recover it if it gets stolen. These devices also let you keep tabs on where your vehicle goes, which is useful for tracking teen drivers, monitoring business fleets, or checking on cars you’ve lent to others.

Summary of Top Picks

What to Look for

GPS trackers for cars come in different forms, from plug-in devices that connect to your vehicle’s diagnostic port to hardwired units that install directly into your car’s electrical system. Some trackers are battery-powered and magnetic, so you can move them between vehicles or hide them easily. The main things to consider when choosing a GPS tracker are the monthly subscription cost, tracking accuracy, battery life if it’s not hardwired, and whether it offers features like geofencing alerts or driving behavior reports.

The best tracker depends on your specific needs and how much you want to spend on monthly fees. We researched and tested multiple GPS trackers for cars to find the ones that offer reliable tracking, helpful features, and good value for Canadian drivers.

Best GPS Trackers

We tested and reviewed the top GPS trackers available for Canadian drivers to help you find the right device for your needs. Our list includes options that work well across Canada, with features like real-time tracking, geofencing, and reliable connectivity.

Salind GPS OBD2 Tracker

The Salind GPS tracker offers reliable real-time vehicle tracking through an easy OBD2 connection, making it a solid choice for Canadians who want straightforward monitoring without frequent charging hassles.

Pros

  • Plugs directly into your vehicle’s OBD2 port for constant power without needing to recharge batteries
  • Tracks location accurately within a few meters and updates movement in real time
  • Customer support responds quickly and helps with setup questions

Cons

  • The mobile app feels outdated and could use a design refresh
  • Location updates sometimes lag by 10 to 20 minutes depending on your area
  • Monthly subscription costs add up over time even though the basic plan starts at $7.50 CAD

We tested this tracker in our vehicle and found the setup took less than two minutes. You just plug it into the OBD2 port under your dashboard and download the app. The device started sending location data right away.

The tracking accuracy impressed us during daily drives around town. We could see our route mapped out clearly, though occasionally the path showed us on a parallel street a block away. The geo-fence feature sent us alerts when our vehicle left a designated area, which worked reliably.

Battery life isn’t a concern since the tracker draws power from your vehicle constantly. We noticed it includes a small backup battery that lasts about 12 hours if someone unplugs it. The compact size means it stays hidden behind the dashboard panel.

The subscription requirement is something to consider before buying. You’ll pay monthly fees to access the tracking features, but the cost seems reasonable compared to losing a vehicle. We found the basic plan sufficient for personal use, while fleet owners might want the premium option.

Salind GPS 20 4G Tracker

We think this tracker is worth buying if you need long battery life and strong magnets for easy mounting on vehicles.

Pros

  • The 20,000 mAh battery can last up to 90 days with daily tracking or 180 days in standby mode
  • Strong built-in magnets make installation quick and keep the device securely attached
  • Multiple alarm options let you customize alerts for speed, geofence breaches, and vibrations

Cons

  • The subscription cost of $150 for six months adds up quickly over time
  • The size is fairly large at about the dimensions of a computer mouse, making it harder to hide
  • The app takes some time to learn and can be confusing at first

We’ve been using the Salind GPS 20 4G for tracking our vehicle, and the battery life stands out right away. We only need to charge it about once a month with regular daily use, which beats many other trackers we’ve tried.

The magnetic mount works really well. We stuck it under our car in seconds, and it hasn’t budged even on rough roads. The magnets grip metal surfaces firmly without any additional mounting hardware.

Setting up the geofence alerts through the app took us a bit of time to figure out. Once we learned the interface, we could monitor our vehicle’s location accurately on the map. The street name display isn’t always perfect, but the GPS pin shows the exact spot.

We appreciate the customizable alarm settings. The tracker sends us notifications when someone moves our car or when it exceeds our set speed limit. The vibration sensor is sensitive enough to catch even small disturbances.

The subscription requirement is our main complaint. At around $7.50 CAD monthly when paid for longer periods, the ongoing cost becomes significant. The device itself is solid and waterproof, but the size means we had to find a good hiding spot rather than just placing it anywhere.

Tracki Pro GPS Tracker

The Tracki Pro is a solid choice if you need long battery life and worldwide tracking for vehicles or equipment, though the monthly subscription adds to the overall cost.

Pros

  • Battery lasts between 2 to 12 months depending on settings, which means less frequent charging
  • Strong magnet and multiple mounting options make it easy to attach to different surfaces
  • Works in over 180 countries and switches between 4G, 3G, and 2G networks automatically

Cons

  • Requires a monthly subscription starting at $9.95 USD, adding ongoing costs
  • App and customer service aren’t available in French for Canadian users
  • Takes up to 4 hours between location updates on battery-saving modes

We’ve been testing the Tracki Pro on a vehicle for several weeks now, and the battery life really stands out. The 10,000mAh battery keeps going for months without needing a charge. We set it to update every few hours to save power, and it’s still running strong.

The magnetic mount is surprisingly strong. We attached it under a car’s metal frame, and it hasn’t budged even on rough roads. The waterproof design holds up well in rain and snow, which matters during Canadian winters.

Setting up the device took about 10 minutes through the smartphone app. The geofencing alerts work well, sending us notifications when the vehicle leaves a set area. Speed alerts also come through quickly, which helps for fleet management.

The tracking accuracy is good in most situations. It picks up GPS signals quickly outdoors and switches to Wi-Fi positioning when inside buildings or parking garages. We noticed it takes a bit longer to find the exact location in dense urban areas with tall buildings.

The subscription requirement caught us off guard since it’s an ongoing expense on top of the purchase price. At $9.95 USD monthly for a long-term plan, it adds up over time. The customer support team is helpful when you call them, but all communication is in English only.

Moto Watchdog GPS Tracker

This tracker works well if you want basic vehicle monitoring without monthly fees, though its visible placement and some reliability issues might be concerns for long-term use.

Pros

  • Setup takes just a few minutes by plugging into your car’s OBD port
  • Works across North America and over 140 countries without extra charges
  • Never requires a monthly subscription or hidden fees

Cons

  • The device sits in plain view where anyone can see and remove it
  • Some users report the route mapping stops working correctly after the first month
  • App updates don’t always happen automatically as they should

We installed this tracker in about three minutes by plugging it into the OBD port under the dashboard. The mobile app connected right away and started showing our vehicle’s location immediately.

The real-time tracking worked well during our testing period. We received alerts when the vehicle started and could see speed, routes, and set up geofence boundaries. The app provides details about each trip including mileage and any speeding incidents.

One major drawback became clear during our use. The tracker plugs into the OBD port that’s usually visible from the driver’s seat. Anyone who looks down can spot it and pull it out in seconds, which limits its usefulness as a theft prevention tool.

We noticed the mapping feature had some quirks. While the location tracking stayed accurate, the route display sometimes showed diagonal lines instead of the actual path driven. The notification system also failed to trigger a few times when we tested it in different locations.

The lack of monthly fees is the biggest selling point. Most competing trackers require ongoing subscriptions that add up over time. This device offers a one-time purchase that works across multiple countries, and you can move it between vehicles without paying transfer fees.

LandAirSea 54

This tracker delivers accurate real-time location data and works well for vehicle tracking, though the ongoing subscription costs add up over time.

Pros

  • Updates location as often as every three seconds for precise tracking
  • Strong magnet keeps it firmly attached to vehicles even on rough roads
  • Waterproof design handles Canadian weather without issues

Cons

  • Monthly subscription required on top of purchase price
  • Battery drains faster when using frequent update settings
  • Initial setup process feels more complicated than it should be

We tested this tracker on our vehicle for several weeks and found the location accuracy impressive. It consistently pinpointed our car’s position within a few feet. The magnetic mount proved strong enough that we never worried about it falling off during highway driving or winter conditions.

The app gives you multiple ways to monitor movement. We set up alerts for when the vehicle left specific areas, which worked reliably every time. Checking the location history showed us exactly where the car had been throughout the day.

Battery life depends heavily on how often you want updates. We noticed it lasted about a week when checking location every minute, but that dropped significantly with more frequent tracking. The motion sensor helps by putting the device to sleep when stationary, which extends usage between charges.

Setting up the subscription and configuring all the features took us longer than expected. The interface isn’t always intuitive, especially when adjusting time zones or creating custom alerts. Once we got everything configured properly, though, the LandAirSea 54 tracked reliably.

The compact size makes it easy to hide on a vehicle. We appreciated being able to turn off the indicator lights for more discrete monitoring. The device connects through cellular networks, so tracking works anywhere with coverage across Canada.

Bouncie GPS Tracker

The Bouncie GPS Tracker is a solid choice for families and small fleet owners who want real-time location tracking plus vehicle health monitoring at a reasonable monthly cost.

Pros

  • Installation takes seconds by plugging into your car’s OBD2 port without any tools or wiring
  • Vehicle health alerts catch engine problems early and help you avoid expensive repairs
  • Real-time tracking updates quickly with barely any delay in location accuracy

Cons

  • Monthly subscription fee of $13.20 adds up over time compared to trackers with no ongoing costs
  • Easy plug-in design means someone could remove it just as quickly if they find it
  • Needs cell service to work so it won’t track in remote areas with poor coverage

We tested the Bouncie GPS Tracker in Ontario and found it incredibly simple to set up. We just plugged it into the OBD2 port under the dashboard and downloaded the app. The whole process took less than five minutes.

The location tracking impressed us with its accuracy. We checked the reported location against where we actually parked and found it was usually within a few meters. The app updates almost instantly, which is helpful when you need to know where your vehicle is right now.

We really liked the driving behavior alerts. The tracker noticed hard braking, quick acceleration, and speeding. These notifications helped us understand driving habits and have better conversations about road safety. The geo-fence feature also worked well for getting alerts when the car left certain areas.

The vehicle health monitoring turned out to be more useful than we expected. We got alerts about a check engine light before it appeared on the dashboard. This early warning gave us time to book a service appointment instead of dealing with a breakdown. The app also tracks fuel level and shows diagnostic codes.

The monthly subscription is something to consider in your budget. At $13.20 per month, you’ll pay about $158 per year. There’s no contract though, so you can cancel whenever you want. We found the price fair for what you get, especially compared to similar services.

The Bouncie GPS Tracker works across Canada, the US, and Mexico. We had good results in urban and suburban areas. In rural spots with weak cell coverage, the tracking did cut out occasionally. The device reconnects automatically once you’re back in a service area.

Buying Guide

When we shop for a GPS tracker for our car in Canada, we need to think about several key features. The right choice depends on what matters most to us.

Power Source

GPS trackers use different power sources. Some plug into the OBD-II port under the dashboard and draw power from the car battery. Others use their own rechargeable batteries that last from days to weeks. We should pick based on how often we want to recharge or if we prefer a plug-and-forget option.

Tracking Method

Most trackers use cellular networks to send location data to our phones. We need to check if the device works with Canadian carriers. Some require a monthly subscription fee while others offer prepaid plans.

Real-Time vs Passive Tracking

Real-time trackers show us where our car is right now. Passive trackers store location data that we download later. Real-time tracking costs more but gives us instant updates.

Important Features to Consider

FeatureWhy It Matters
GeofencingAlerts us when the car leaves a set area
Speed alertsNotifies us if someone drives too fast
Battery lifeLonger life means less charging
Weather resistanceImportant for Canadian winters
Mobile app qualityMakes tracking easier to use

Size and Installation

Smaller trackers are harder to find if someone wants to remove them. We should think about whether we want an obvious deterrent or a hidden device. Installation should be simple enough for us to do ourselves.