Best GPS Tracker for Kids on the Market: Reviews, Comparisons, Pros & Cons

One of the most trusted names when it comes to GPS tracking, Trackimo has developed a kid tracker that helps parents keep tabs on their child’s whereabouts when they can’t be there with them. Trackimo uses a combination of four tracking technologies—GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS—to make sure that you are receiving accurate real-time data about your child’s location. The device is durable, waterproof, conveniently sized, and extremely lightweight. It only weighs 1.4 oz, so your kid won’t even notice that they have it with them.

It comes with a free application where you can see all the information you need on your kid’s whereabouts. You can see when and where they’re moving or if they’re standing still. You can manage and monitor more than one device using the same app. Through the application, you will also receive other notifications including motion and speed alerts, which comes in handy if you have a teen driver. Trackimo also comes with a distress or SOS button that your kid can press should they need immediate assistance. The second you notice them calling for help, you can run to their rescue, preventing any more unwanted events.

Trackimo uses full 3G coverage, and not the outdated 2G that most trackers rely on. The device works worldwide, both indoors and outdoors. It is also worth noting that this tracker has no distance limits, so you can trust that you will receive real-time location information at all times. Trackimo is also equipped with geofencing feature. With this, you can set a safe zone for your kid, which, when crossed, will trigger an alert.

This tracker is also reasonably priced. You can use it for free for the first 12 months and only $5 a month after that. With Trackimo’s impressive tracking capabilities, you won’t have to worry about your child wandering off, as you have the device to constantly keep an eye on them even when they’re away.

For a tracker that is the same size as an Oreo, Jiobit Location Monitor is packed with quite a lot of big features. Measuring 37 mm x 50 mm x 12 mm, this tracker can be easily fastened to your kid’s belongings or clothing. It also has multiple wearing options: you can feed your kid’s laces through the tracker’s built-in loop, attach it to their waistbands through the hem-lock clip, or attach it to their belt loops through the secure loop.

When it comes to tracking, Jiobit does not lag too far behind. It uses cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS tracking technology. It can be used both indoors and outdoors with no range or distance limits. Just like most trackers, Jiobit comes with a free downloadable application, through which you can view the exact location of your kid. You receive alerts every time they leave or arrive at a certain place. The app also lets you form a Care Team that the kid’s other guardians can join so you not only know where they are but also whom they’re with. Jiobit uses 3G coverage and and multiple cellular networks for continuous live tracking.

Another thing that makes Jiobit stand out is its kid-proof design. Even if your kid is the active type who tends to move around too much, the tracker won’t fall off and you won’t have to worry about losing your only way to track them.

Developed by Samsung, Jiobit Location Monitor costs $129.99, with a year’s service costing $131.88. However, if you are the type to travel overseas quite often, this might not be the best tracker for you. International tracking will have you paying extra charges.

Designed for children with special needs, Angel Sense prides itself on having a two-way communication option and impressive real-time tracking capabilities. AngelSense uses cellular and Wi-Fi tracking and sends out alerts as often as you need it to, notifying you when your kid elopes and is someplace you know they are not familiar with. AngelSense can be worn easily, but its tamper-proof design makes it hard for the wearer to remove or destroy the device.

The perfect tracker for parents of wanderers, AngelSense sends you updates every ten seconds on your child’s real-time location, routes, and transit speed—pieces of information you can share with the rest of the family, teachers, or your neighbors so they can help bring your kid home safe.

AngelSense has both the one-way and two-way voice systems. The former lets you hear the voice of whoever is with your kid and make sure it’s someone that can be trusted. Its Listen In feature allows you to call your child’s device and hear their surroundings, see if it’s safe for them. The two-way voice option makes it possible for you to speak to your child anytime you need to. It has an auto-pickup feature, so when you call the device, after a few rings, you will automatically be put on speakerphone and start talking to your child without them having to do anything—good for parents with kids who won’t or can’t pick up the phone.

While AngelSense is capable of sending updates with 30-second intervals, it may not work all the time since it relies on 2G network, which is about to get phased out. It also utilizes Wi-Fi tracking, so if you’re in a place where access to Wi-Fi is very limited, if not completely inaccessible, the device won’t work. AngelSense is also quite bulky, about the size of a small touchscreen phone, and weighs more than 5 oz.

This tracker can be quite expensive too. The device alone is priced at $99, and with a one-year contract, you will have to pay $40 for a month’s service. But if you choose to pay for a full year in advance, you get a little discount and only pay $33.33 a month.

Although the fees are high, it can’t be denied that AngelSense is still a good device, especially for parents of special needs children.

Verizon GizmoWatch is designed for adults, but it works perfectly for kids as well. In fact, it has all the important features that a kid tracker should have. It utilizes GPS tracking technology so you can get real-time updates on where your child is. GizmoWatch uses Verizon’s 3G network, so you can trust that your kid will receive your calls and text right away no matter where they are. The tracker also allows you to set GPS boundaries and get notifications when your kid exceeds them.

GizmoWatch comes with 2-way voice calling and messaging option so you and your kid can stay connected. You can program as many as ten trusted contacts for the two-way voice calls and messages. Only the parent can set these contacts, so if someone tries to reach your child’s device, the call won’t go through unless the parent registers the number as a safe contact.

It comes with a downloadable application, the GizmoHub app, which you can use to check their location from your smartphone. It has a step/fitness tracker as well that you can use to count steps and set fun and encouraging goals for your kid. The tracker automatically sends on-screen event notifications so they don’t forget their schedule and goals for the day. The device is also easily customizable; you can change alert tones, themes, etc. as soon as you download the app. From the parent app, you can remotely turn off the device or set a PIN to protect your privacy.

Verizon GizmoWatch costs $179.99, and a year’s service will cost you only $60. It is a good tracker and affordable one at that, but if you love travelling abroad, this device doesn’t make a good choice since it only works in the US. For now, worldwide coverage isn’t an option.

Amber Alert GPS uses four tracking technologies so you don’t have to worry about whether you’re receiving the correct location information. It utilizes cellular voice technology, Wi-Fi, GPS, and At&T’s 3G network to keep you updated on your child’s whereabouts at all times. On the app that comes with the activation of the device, you will your little one’s real-time location, which updates every five minutes. You can also call them anytime you feel the need to, and they can do the same with the touch of a button. A few toggles will also allow you to register numbers of up to nine trusted family members and friends so they too can receive safety alerts via SMS or email.

Amber Alert GPS also boasts a function that detects the location of predators and sends you alerts the second your child is found to be in an area where they live or frequent. The same alert will be sent to other family members so they can help keep your kid safe. This tracking device is equipped with the geofence function as well, which lets you set safe zones and notifies you the second they go beyond the area. You will also receive other informational alerts including the time they arrived at or left school. The tracker also makes sure you are notified when they feel threatened or are feeling under the weather. These alerts come in the form of voice calls, texts, and/or emails.

An SOS button is also embedded in an Amber Alert GPS tracker, which your child can press to call for help. All these features are packed in a device that you can buy for $135. Service fees are a bit high, however, at almost $20 per month. Its battery also drains fast, and the tracker does not work in every country.

In summary, it is a decent device, but you have to be ready for the service costs that come with it.

A GPS tracker developed by two big names, Omate x Nanoblock GPS tracker is a Lego-like watchband that kids can wear so parents always have a way of knowing where their child is. With its removable bricks that kids can add or replace, it is easily the most adorable-looking tracker on the list. When it comes to features, the Omate x Nanoblock is one that will make any list of best GPS trackers for kids.

Omate x Nanoblock provides accurate real-time location information using Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and GPS. It comes equipped with the two-way voice chat and video call feature, with chats and calls lasting as long as an hour. This device works straight out of the box and has a low-resolution front camera kids can use to take selfies and during video calls. The photos are also stored in a mini gallery, which you can easily browse through. It utilizes 3G network for faster and more accurate tracking and even comes with an alarm, a pedometer, and works as a stopwatch too!

This tracking devices has a low battery life, though, and does not work in every country. But if you’re based in the US and select countries in Europe and a lover of watches with colorful straps, then the Omate x Nanoblock tracker is worth a try.

PocketFinder is an outdoor personal tracking device more widely known as a vehicle tracker but works perfectly as a tracker for kids. PocketFinder uses a combination of 3G GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to send you accurate location updates for when you can’t be with your child. Ideal for families and caregivers, this tracker is small enough to fit in your pocket and can be easily clipped onto your kid’s clothing. It is small and lightweight, measuring 1.6 in x 3 in x 0.6 in and weighing only 1.7 oz.

This tracking device boasts quick updates. Your kid’s location gets updated every 10 seconds, and this information is sent to your smartphone, tablet, or computer every 60 seconds. With PocketFinder’s geofence feature, you can set safe zones that trigger an alert when crossed. It has an SOS button too and sends out speed alerts the moment your teen driver exceeds the maximum speed limit you set.

PocketFinder uses military-grade privacy technology and allows multiple-device tracking using the same app, which you can download for free. With this device, you can track where someone has been for up to sixty days. It is a good-enough device for parents who are constantly worried about their kids wandering off to someplace else after school. But with a monthly service fee of $17.30, it can be very expensive for some. And if you travel often, you will have to deal with even more extra charges for international tracking.

For a tracker that measures only 5.5 cm and weighs 26 grams, Trax 3G boasts a lot of features. Aside from providing real-time location data that gets updated every 10 seconds with the help of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems, it has a unique augmented reality video tracking feature that lets you locate the tracker using the camera on your phone. This comes in handy when you know you are near where the device is but still can’t find it. You can also track an unlimited number of Trax devices from the same account and customize each device by setting a different photo, name, and description.

Trax 3G lets you set digital geofences around school, your home, or the nearest playground and be notified the second your kid enters or leaves that particular area. Apart from geofences, you can create a digital circle that moves with you and receive alerts when your kid leaves this circle. Another thing that makes this tracker stand out is its wireless charging. When you purchase a Trax 3G tracker, you will be given a charging pad without having to pay extra bucks. The device’s battery life, however, is very poor. It only lasts 21 hours on a single charge. Another thing, the tracker doesn’t have the two-way call option, which means it is not possible for the parent to notify the wearer of any safety hazard. While it is relatively cheap with a service fee of $10.13 a month, a data plan is required, which will cost you $108 for a year’s service.

Although it is relatively new, Qbit is already known for being packed with features that cannot be found in most trackers. It may be a tiny device, but it can give you accurate location information in real time. It only uses GPS and Wi-Fi tracking technology, though, which means being stuck in a remote area with no decent connection will render the device unusable. But Qbit comes with a geofence feature so you can create safe zones for your kid. There’s also the SOS button that they can press to make a call to the guardian’s phone in case of emergency.

But what makes Qbit worth the purchase is its voice monitoring option, which allows you to listen to the child’s surroundings and make sure it is free of any hazards. Two-way communication is also possible with Qbit, and it sends out alerts for when the device’s battery is running low. Just download the app that comes with the device and you can start receiving push notifications.

For a small device, Qbit is a good-enough tracker for parents who want to constantly keep an eye on their kids. It is quite costly, however, with service fees going as high as $16 a month. But if you live outside North America, Qbit is not an option for you. It only works within the region, so for continuous live tracking with accurate real-time location updates, you should try a tracker that works worldwide like Trackimo.

Americaloc GL300W is mostly used to track vehicles and assets, but it can be used to track family members too, especially kids. It is very easy to use, perfect for non–tech savvy parents. Using GPS satellite technology, GL300W sends you not only location updates but also speed, parking, and motion alerts. It also stores up to a full year of historical data, although it lags behind Trackimo that keeps up to five years of device path history. With Americaloc, you can set geofences as well, and receive notifications for when your kid enters or leaves them.

Like all the trackers on the list, Americaloc comes with an application that is available for download for free, which you can readily use to see when and where your child is moving. You can track the device from a smartphone, tablet, or your personal computer. When it comes to battery life, the GL300W stands out with a fourteen-day standby time, the longest of all the versions of the tracker. You can also change the reporting frequency to save power.

For $110, you get the GL300W device, a wall charger, one SIM card, and a manual—a package worth grabbing, if you think about it. But at $22 a month, service fees for this tracker will sure cost you a fortune.