Best Hidden GPS Trackers for Cars

Considering how often a location is updated is a huge factor in the buying decision. Ideally, your GPS tracker will update location constantly, so you can literally track the vehicle in real-time as it moves. Unfortunately, there is a downside to constant location updates. Most of these devices require a monthly subscription, and regular location updates typically require a higher monthly fee.

If you invest in a device that offers live speed alerts, you’ll be alerted when the driver is excessively speeding. Some monthly providers allow you to set this alert for 5 or 10 MPH over the speed limit because let's face it; even the best drivers have a habit of driving a few miles per hour over the limit.

Versatility has a lot to do with a GPS tracker’s specific software. Some manufacturers have created their own software and even designed their own mobile applications. Other companies only offer the ability to view tracking data from the official company website. Having the ability to view and supervise your vehicle from a smartphone app is extremely convenient, so it’s something you should consider.

Some GPS trackers offer only the basics, while others go all out in terms of extra features. Geofencing capabilities is a cool bonus, but there's a lot more that a tracking device can offer. If you want as many features as possible, look for functions like detailed driving history reports, vehicle maintenance alerts, and towing alerts.

Our top pick for a hidden car GPS tracker is the MasTrack device, and it’s not just because MasTrack is offering 1 year of premium service to customers. Sure, one year without fees is a huge perk, but it’s not the only benefit. In addition to 12 months of prepaid real-time tracking services with 1-minute updates, MasTrack has created a product that requires no installation whatsoever.

This means that as soon as you receive your new car GPS tracker, you can start using it instantly. As soon as you plug in the device to your vehicle’s OBD-II port, you’re ready to begin tracking, no tools required. Once plugged in, the device will automatically start tracking. It will alert you every time the vehicle is turned and make reports based on your preset preferences.

Like all GPS trackers, the MasTrack is capable of tracking speed and location, but it does so much more than that. A user can also set speed thresholds, monitor harsh braking and rapid acceleration, receive maintenance alerts, and be alerted in the event of towing. The premium membership that comes with purchase includes live map updates, 24/7 access, and unlimited reporting/alerts.

Many MasTrack accessories can be used with the car tracker, but it's not necessary to purchase any additionally. You'll be able to access all the information mentioned above with whatever device works for you. If the high price tag isn't for you, you have the option to purchase the tracker without the Premium subscription. However, doing this will cost you more in the long run because you'll have to pay a fee each month.

The Americaloc GL300W car GPS tracker deserves our recognition as the runner up for the best GPS tracker for cars. This device doesn’t just help to enhance the safety of a vehicle, but also the safety of the people and assets within the car. You can engage in real-time tracking from a computer, tablet, or phone in almost any country around the world, including the US, Canada, and Europe.

Unlike the MasTrack, this tracker is portable and does not need to be connected to a power source. It does, however, need to be charged before using. This shouldn’t be a problem since it has an impressive battery life with extended multicarrier coverage. Battery life is measured in days and even weeks rather than hours.

Depending on the settings you choose with your Americaloc subscription, you’ll receive alerts for speeding, vehicle on/off, geofencing, and low device battery. Of course, you’ll also have access to real-time tracking with 1 year of tracking history. While a vehicle is moving, tracking updates happen every minute, but it can be configured to update every 30 or 10 seconds instead.

When you read about Americaloc, it becomes obvious that the company's primary goal is to make your life easier. This is why they have created an easy-to-use product that requires no installation. Just charge the device, and it's ready to provide you with real-time alerts and updates. The only negativity is that the device needs to removed from the vehicle to be recharged.

Pretty much every car tracker on the market these days provides users with real-time tracking. But some GPS trackers are better than others when it comes to real-time location and speed updates. For the best of the best when it comes to tracking in real-time, you’ll want to use the Automatic AUT-450C tracking device.

The highly-accurate tracker offers real-time insight for car tracking, roadside assistance, and vehicle diagnostics. Many AUT-450 reviewers claim that this device saved them in the embarrassing event of losing the car in a huge parking lot or garage. The parked car locator is one of the all-time favorite features of this tracker.

If you’re wondering how it works, it's relatively simple. The device features an OBD plug-in installation, so it takes less than a minute to set everything up. Just download the free Automatic app and start using your 6 months of Premium service. Not only will you receive 6 months of Premium access, but you’ll receive the Automatic Select Service for 3 years - all for free with purchase. You can visit the Automatic website to see what’s included with each of these membership packages.

Anyone on a tight budget will love this next reviewed product. The Optimus 2.0 may be the best cheap GPS tracker for car, but there’s nothing cheap about the performance of this device. This battery-operated tracker utilizes 4G LTE connectivity and offers customizable report frequency every 30 seconds while a vehicle is in motion. If you’d like upgrades every 10 seconds, you’ll have to pay an additional fee.

Users can download the Optimus iPhone or Android app for easy and fast-tracking. There's even a unique routing feature meant for private investigators. Choose between email or text message alerts for vehicle movement, speeding, leaving or entering an area, driving reports, and low device battery. The tracker comes with a SIM card and data plan included, and you’ll just have to pay $19.95 per month, which is fairly average compared to other GPS tracking providers.

Since a rechargeable battery powers this, it can be placed anywhere in a vehicle. This is an essential feature for anyone wanting to keep this device as inconspicuous as possible. Securely place the device in the trunk or under the driver’s seat while never worrying about it being found. Recharging the battery only has to be done twice a month thanks to the impressive 2-week battery life.

All in all, the low cost but high performance of this GPS tracker makes it a top pick. Just remember that you will have to pay for the tracking services with a monthly $19.95 fee. This adds up to nearly $240 each year, but it is worth every penny. If you’re not happy with the service, you can cancel at any time with no contract and no cancellation fees.

Want to track your property as discretely as possible? You’ll want to invest in the best portable option, which is without a doubt the SpyTec STI GL300 tracking device. Even though this device is small, it is powerful. It’s the perfect solution for tracking vehicles, teens, spouses, elderly drivers, and assets. The compact size means that it will go undetected.

Users are required to pay $25 per month for accessing the tracking features, but this is a fair price for all that you get in return. You’ll be able to track and map in real-time over the internet and receive geofencing alerts when a person leaves a "virtual boundary." The battery is rechargeable and can last up to 2 weeks, depending on the amount of use. There is also the option to upgrade to a 6-month battery pack.

To start tracking, follow these 3 easy steps: (1) secure the device discretely within the vehicle, (2) activate the device by visiting the SpyTec website, and (3) start tracking from a phone, tablet, or computer. Tracking works with almost any device, so you’ll never have to worry about being disconnected. If you’re unable to engage in real-time tracking, simply refer to the stored data reports.

The magnetic waterproof case surrounding the tracker allows this device to be placed under a vehicle by attaching it to the metal frame. Any negativity from reviewers has to do with SpyTec customer service and support center, not so much about the device itself. The tracking device works flawlessly, but the company’s customer service could be improved.

A rechargeable GPS tracking device isn’t for everyone, mainly because the battery only lasts for a maximum of 2 weeks before needing to be recharged. If you’re looking for something more convenient, it’s best to start shopping around for the best car OBD GPS tracker. The bouncie Connected Car tracking device uses an OBDII adapter for easy installation and convenient tracking.

Installing this tracker is as easy as plugging it into your vehicle’s OBD II port. Once you’ve spent the 30 seconds it takes to install the bouncie, you’ll need to sign up for your monthly subscription. Most GPS tracking providers offer services for $20 or $25 per month. At bouncie, it’s just $8 per month, and you can cancel any time with no penalties. If you buy 3 or more devices, you’ll save even more on your monthly fees.

The bouncie is used by parents all over the world to track the driving habits of their children. The device is so small and compact that the chances of it being noticed are slim to none. The vehicle’s owner can receive alerts on location, driving habits, speed, and even when a teenage driver breaks curfew. It also sends vehicle diagnostic notifications and maintenance reminders.

The “smart” nature of this device is what most bouncie users love most. The bouncie can connect to a variety of smart devices, including Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Google Home. In other words, you’ll be able to ask Alexa about the goings-on reported by bouncie. Whether you plan on using this to track teen drivers, senior drivers, or to improve your own driving habits, the bouncie GPS tracker for car is a fantastic investment. 

We’ve already reviewed one MasTrack product on our list of reviewed and rated GPS trackers for cars. But there’s another product offered by the MasTrack company that is worth talking about. The MasTrack Hardwired MT-131 device is the best hardwired GPS tracker for car. Not every driver wants to use a vehicle's OBD II power source, and having to recharge a battery every 2 weeks isn't ideal. The best alternative is to choose a hardwired device. 

Hardwiring is by no means the simplest installation process, but certain perks come along with it. Hardwiring provides the most discretion and it works in any make, model, or year vehicle. It allows the device to connect directly to your vehicle, and once connected, it will automatically start reporting. You’ll receive alerts every time the vehicle is turned on and will send notifications and reports based on your specific MasTrack subscription plan.

Device users receive unlimited 24/7 reports and live map updates. Real-time location updates take place every minute, but this can be upgraded for a higher monthly cost. The basic subscription costs $10.99 per month, but for all the bells and whistles, you’ll want to upgrade to the next level.

You have the option to purchase the device only and pay the fee each month or pay for everything at once (device + 1-year Premium membership). Of course, paying the all-in-one price costs more initially, but it will actually save you money in the long run. The only less-than-glowing feedback has to do with the somewhat confusing installation instructions.

The perk of choosing the best magnetic GPS tracker for a car is that the device can easily attach to the underside of the vehicle. This is the most covert way to go about tracking a car - and the person behind the wheel.  The LandAirSea 54 is a compact device that is completely waterproof. The best part of all is the built-in super strength magnet for easy placement on the underside of a car’s frame.

The LAS 54 tracking device tracks in real-time using Google Maps. Users can view tracking information on the web-based software or by downloading the SilverCloud app. Choose to receive SMS or email alerts (or both) on geofencing, driver behavior, location reporting, and historical playback. Tracking is only available in the United States, so you won’t be able to use it internationally.

The device itself is budget-friendly, but unfortunately, the monthly subscription cost isn’t cheap. The basic membership will set you back about $25 per month. This includes 60-second tracking updates, but faster updates will cost you more. If you want the fastest update rate of 3 seconds, you’ll have to pay $50 per month. But this is the price you pay for reliable AT&T 4G LTE service that is unlimited. The reliable connectivity makes the higher-than-average monthly fee worth it.

The Vyncs has rightfully earned the title of the best-rated model for cars thanks to the raving reviews and opinions of Vyncs customers. So what do people love most about this tracking device? The first positive feature is the no monthly fee - once purchased, you’ll receive one year of free service included.

If you’re unhappy with the service, Vyncs allows customers to make a return within the first 30 days. This shows how confident the company is about its products. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be dissatisfied with the service, though. This device uses the AT&T network and supports 2G and 3G. It works well with Android and iOS phones, tablets, and computers.

With Vyncs, you’ll get real-time location tracking and detailed trip history. The device does this by collecting data every second, analyzing it, and sending an update to the server once every 3 minutes. If you’d like faster updates, there are 60/30/15 second update upgrades available. The Vyncs comes with all the driver alerts you could ever need.

This includes geofence zones, start/stop notifications, speeding/harsh braking/rapid acceleration alerts, and car maintenance reminders. Users have a few options for receiving alerts, but most opt for the push notifications. Setting up the device is easy and can be done in less than 30 seconds. With over 1300 reviews, most of them close to 5 stars, it’s clear that Vyncs is a top choice among vehicle owners.

Similar to a phone’s Google Maps app or your vehicle’s built-in navigation system, a GPS tracker works by using a series of government-operated satellites. A GPS tracking device uses these satellites to determine its location in real-time.

The difference between a navigation app or built-in car maps is that a GPS tracker does not provide guidance or direction. It simply monitors and records driving habits and vehicle location.

The process of attaching or wiring a GPS tracker depends on the power source. If you have purchased a rechargeable tracker, there is no wiring involved. You can place the device anywhere in the car with no installation necessary. The other option is to purchase a tracking device that connects to your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD).

This is a popular choice since it keeps the tracker hidden, and there is no need to remove the device from the vehicle for recharging. OBD installation is as simple as locating the OBD source and plugging the device into the slot. A vehicle’s OBD is almost always found beneath the dash to the left of the driver's legs.

There is not much you need to do to care for and maintain your new GPS tracker. Like all electronics, you should do your best to keep your GPS tracker out of direct sunlight.

If you expect the temperature to be overly hot or overly cold, it’s a good idea to bring your tracker indoors for the day. This is a good habit to get into if you’d like to increase the lifespan of your tracker. 

The most common GPS tracking problems, according to Trackimo, have to do with connectivity.