Tractive vs Petfon vs Aorkuler: Which Dog GPS Tracker is Best for You?
Meta Description: Looking for a reliable dog GPS tracker but tired of weak signal areas, short battery life, and monthly fees? Many dog parents are searching for Tractive alternatives or Petfon replacements that work without cellular signals and offer real-time tracking in rural or remote areas.
In this comparison guide, we dive into the pros and cons of Tractive, Petfon, and Aorkuler so you can find the perfect GPS tracker for your outdoor dog adventures.
Daily outdoor walks with our dogs are wonderful bonding moments. But when they run off chasing wildlife, the worry begins. Therefore, outdoor dog walking with a GPS dog tracking device for your dog can help us to protect their safety better.
When choosing a dog GPS tracker, are you also hesitating between different brands of GPS dog trackers? Are you worried about the burden of monthly fees, too short battery, or too complicated an operation? Don't worry; this article will bring you a comprehensive understanding of the core differences between Tractive, Petfon and Aorkuler to help you make a wise choice.
Category: Product Comparison
📶 Cellular Signal Required?
Tractive GPS Dog Tracker relies on a cellular network to transmit the tracker's location data to the mobile app, and its tracking is better in urban environments with stable cellular signals. However, suppose the area where you walk your dog has no cellular signal or weak cellular signal, such as remote mountainous areas, woodlands, farms, etc. In that case, Tractive's tracking function will be limited.
Can Tractive GPS Tracker Track Dogs In Rural Areas In Real Time?
Petfon uses radio communication technology and does not rely on cellular signals to work, so it can be used in places that lack stable cellular signals. Users need to connect their cell phone to the receiving device when using it and then track the dog through the mobile app.
Aorkuler GPS dog tracker uses radio communication technology, does not rely on cellular signal work, and can be used in any outdoor environment worldwide; it is especially suitable for use in parks, woodlands, rural areas and other environments.
⚙️ Easy of Use
Tractive: need to keep the cell phone online, rely on APP
When using Tractive GPS Dog Tracker, the cell phone APP must be online to view the real-time location. If the cell phone is out of battery or unable to connect to the cellular network, the dog cannot be tracked.
Petfon: many devices, cumbersome operation
Petfon dog tracking devices must carry a tracker, signal receiver and cell phone, sometimes with a charging compartment. The signal receiver and cell phone must be close to each other. Otherwise, the cell phone app can't read the receiver's data, making Petfon's operation more complicated. Many users have feedback, "It's like bringing a gear bag when you go out to walk your dog with Petfon."
Aorkuler: easy to use
Aorkuler GPS dog tracker receives tracker data through a handheld receiver with a screen; without a cell phone APP, the dog owner can see the direction and distance of the dog tracker relative to the receiver directly through the receiver screen, which is highly convenient.
✅ Real-time tracking
Dogs sometimes move very fast when chasing outdoors, so dog owners need to know the real-time location of their dogs. Still, not every dog GPS tracker supports real-time tracking because the GPS tracker consumes a lot of power when updating the GPS, which has a significant impact on the standby time.
Tractive GPS dog tracker supports different GPS update frequencies; when users choose LIVE mode, it can update the position every few seconds to track the dog in real-time.
Petfon's shortest GPS update frequency is 10 seconds, so when the dog is moving fast, there is an inevitable lag between its actual position and the position displayed by the app, which cannot be considered real-time tracking.
Aorkuler GPS dog tracking device is designed for outdoor activities with dogs; GPS update frequency is faster, and real-time display of the latest real-time location of the dog; the experience is similar to the use of GPS navigation software on our smartphones, with its power-saving algorithms, it can provide real-time tracking for 24 hours in a row.
💰 Monthly Subscription Fee
The monthly subscription fee is also a considerable burden for dog owners who must use GPS dog trackers for a long time.
Tractive transmits location data via the cellular network, which requires payment of a cellular network usage fee to cellular service providers, so after purchasing the Tractive GPS dog tracker, users need to subscribe to its service to use it.
Petfon and Aorkuler GPS dog tracking devices without subscription fee transmit data via radio and do not rely on cellular signals for their use, so there is no additional monthly subscription fee after purchasing the device.
🎯 Compare at a Glance
Feature | Tractive | Petfon | Aorkuler |
Signal Type |
Cellular Signal | Radio (No Cell Signal Required) | Radio (No Cell Signal Required) |
Monthly Fee | Yes | No | No |
Easy to Use | Simply (APP only) | Complex (APP+Receiver) | Easy (Receiver Only) |
GPS Update Speed | Fast in Live mode | 10 Seconds | Real-time |
Best For | Urban Areas | Tech-Savvy Users | Remote/Rual/Outdoor Users |
Summary:
If you're looking for a GPS tracker that can truly "find your dog without cellular signal," Aorkuler is the ideal solution for dog owners who venture into signal-dead zones.
For those already using the Tractive dog GPS tracker, the Aorkuler GPS dog tracker is also a great addition to keeping your dog safe even when you take it to places with poor cellular signals!
It is suitable for: |
Dog parents who live in remote rural areas or are keen on hiking with their dogs, camping, and other places with poor cellular reception, etc. |
Users who don't want to pay a monthly fee |
Dog parents who are afraid of their dog suddenly running away and want to keep track of their dog's real-time location at all times. |
Aorkuler in Real Life:
-- Sarah lives on a farm in Montana. Her Aussie often chases deer into the woods. Since using Aorkuler, she no longer worries about losing sight of her dog – the tracker shows direction and distance in real-time, even without a phone signal.
📍 See how Aorkuler can help you never lose your dog again!
3 comments
I’ve used Tractive for a while, and while it worked fine in town, it completely failed me during hiking trips in the mountains—no signal, no tracking. Then I discovered Aorkuler, and it honestly changed everything.
I live near the edge of a forest, and my dog Luna loves chasing squirrels. With Aorkuler, I can instantly see which direction she’s gone and how far, even when there’s zero cell coverage. I love that I don’t need to rely on my phone or worry about the app crashing. The handheld receiver is super straightforward, and the battery lasts us the whole weekend outdoors.
Also, no monthly fee is a big bonus! It’s a one-time purchase, and that’s it.
Highly recommend Aorkuler if you go off-grid or live somewhere rural. It’s reliable, easy to use, and gives real-time updates when your dog takes off. Total peace of mind.
I have used the Petfon tracker, and it has the advantage of being usable in areas with no cellular signal, which allows me to overcome the limitations of relying on cellular coverage. However, one aspect I don’t like about it is its dependency on a phone app for usage. It makes me uncomfortable having to carry three devices simultaneously – the phone for tracking, the tracker’s receiver in hand, and the tracker itself. Additionally, I have noticed that its actual transmission range is lower than what is advertised.
After reading about the Aorkuler tracker’s features, I am particularly impressed with its electronic compass design, which would be a valuable advantage for outdoor use. Before making a decision to purchase, I would like to inquire if there are any ongoing promotions or discounts available. Thank you.
I have used the Petfon tracker, and it has the advantage of being usable in areas with no cellular signal, which allows me to overcome the limitations of relying on cellular coverage. However, one aspect I don’t like about it is its dependency on a phone app for usage. It makes me uncomfortable having to carry three devices simultaneously – the phone for tracking, the tracker’s receiver in hand, and the tracker itself. Additionally, I have noticed that its actual transmission range is lower than what is advertised.
After reading about the Aorkuler tracker’s features, I am particularly impressed with its electronic compass design, which would be a valuable advantage for outdoor use. Before making a decision to purchase, I would like to inquire if there are any ongoing promotions or discounts available. Thank you.