Tractive vs Fi: Which GPS Dog Tracker Actually Keeps Your Pup Safe?

Based on 45,000+ user reviews, expert testing from GearJunkie and Dogster, and real-world durability reports

The short answer: Fi wins this fight. While Tractive offers cheaper pricing and faster real-time updates, Fi's 3-month battery life and military-grade durability make it the better choice for most dog owners. You won't be scrambling to charge it when your dog actually escapes. Get Fi Series 3 on Amazon →

The Fighters

	Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
Price	$69.99 + $8/mo on Amazon	$192/year on Amazon
Best For	Budget-conscious, international travel	Active outdoor dogs, long battery life
Battery Life	Up to 2 weeks	Up to 3 months
Waterproof	Yes (some issues reported)	IP68/IP66K (50m submersible)
Coverage	175+ countries	US only (AT&T LTE-M)
Trustpilot	4.7/5 (44,751 reviews)	4.0/5 (405 reviews)

Tractive DOG 6 GPS tracker attached to dog collar - compact black design with LED light bar

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: GPS Tracking Accuracy

Both trackers promise to help you find your lost dog, but the real-world performance differs significantly. Tractive uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites combined with 500+ cellular partners worldwide. In LIVE mode, it updates your dog's location every 2-3 seconds, creating a detailed breadcrumb trail on the map.

Fi uses LTE-M technology with GPS, claiming 3-5 meter accuracy (about 7 feet in open skies). However, users on Trustpilot frequently report the tracking is "WILDLY INACCURATE" during walks, and Lost Dog Mode "takes several minutes to activate when dogs escape." One user noted they were "10 miles down the road before it ever registers he's left home."

Tractive has its own issues - TechGearLab reports a 200-foot margin of error in real-world tests. But the faster update frequency gives you a better chance of tracking a moving dog.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
8/10	6/10

Round 1 Winner: Tractive — 2-3 second updates beat Fi's power-saving approach when your dog is actually running

Score after Round 1: Tractive 8 | Fi 6

Round 2: Battery Life

This isn't even close. Fi dominates battery life so thoroughly it changes how you think about GPS trackers. GearJunkie testing found the Series 3 lasting "almost a month with regular use" - one tester described it as "chronically charged" because they rarely needed to think about it. In sleep mode, Fi claims up to 3 months.

Tractive's DOG 6 advertises "up to 2 weeks," but real-world reports tell a different story. Multiple Trustpilot reviewers report "battery lasts about a third of what they claim" - some users need to charge every 24-48 hours. The high-frequency tracking that makes Tractive accurate also drains battery faster.

When your dog escapes, you want a tracker that's charged. Fi's battery advantage isn't just convenience - it's safety.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
5/10	10/10

Round 2 Winner: Fi — 3 months vs 2 weeks isn't a competition

Score after Round 2: Tractive 13 | Fi 16

Round 3: Build Quality & Durability

Fi was built for dogs who live rough. The Series 3 features a full stainless steel body frame tested to withstand 400-500 pounds of pull force. It carries IP68 and IP66K waterproof ratings - Trail and Kale confirmed it survives being "drowned in a lake" while paddleboarding.

Life with Kleekai tested the Fi through "water, mud, snow, and extreme cold" over a month - it still worked fine. For their cattle dog who's "outside pretty much all day," they found Tractive's "build quality is not good at all" by comparison.

Tractive uses a plastic housing with attachment clips. While adequate for casual use, multiple users report the tracker "goes offline whenever it gets wet" and takes "about 30 mins to turn back on." The Trustpilot reviews include complaints about trackers detaching from collars during activity.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
6/10	9/10

Round 3 Winner: Fi — Military-grade durability designed for active dogs

Score after Round 3: Tractive 19 | Fi 25

Fi Series 3 smart dog collar with stainless steel construction and LED light

Round 4: Price & Value

Budget-conscious dog owners will appreciate Tractive's significantly lower cost. The DOG 6 device costs $69.99 upfront, with the Basic plan running $96/year ($8/month). Your total first-year cost: around $166.

Fi's subscription model includes the collar with your membership. Annual plans cost $192/year plus a $20 activation fee. Total first-year cost: $212. The gap narrows in year two since you don't buy another Tractive device, but Tractive remains about $96/year cheaper ongoing.

However, Fi's model includes free hardware upgrades when new versions release. If you kept Tractive for 3+ years and wanted to upgrade, you'd buy another $70 device. Life with Kleekai's pricing breakdown shows the 2-year Fi plan drops to $3.20/week.

For pure price, Tractive wins. For long-term value with premium hardware, Fi's model makes sense.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
9/10	6/10

Round 4 Winner: Tractive — $46 cheaper first year, $96 cheaper ongoing

Score after Round 4: Tractive 28 | Fi 31

Round 5: Coverage & Connectivity

Tractive operates in 175+ countries with 500+ cellular network partners. If you travel internationally with your dog or live outside the US, this is your only real option. Dogster's 2026 review highlights global coverage as a key strength.

Fi uses AT&T's LTE-M network, which means it only works in the United States. Rebarkable notes it "won't work out in the wild/deep woods where there is no cell service." For US-based owners in populated areas, this isn't an issue. For rural properties or international travelers, it's a dealbreaker.

That said, Fi's LTE-M technology reaches 30% farther than traditional cellular for the same power consumption. In areas with coverage, it's more efficient. But geography limits its usefulness.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
9/10	5/10

Round 5 Winner: Tractive — 175+ countries vs US-only isn't close

Score after Round 5: Tractive 37 | Fi 36

Round 6: App & Features

Both apps track location and set up geofences, but they take different approaches. Tractive's app is consistently praised as "very user friendly" with features Fi lacks: a beep/buzz sound to help locate your dog, family sharing on base plans, and bark monitoring on the DOG 6.

Fi's app has a social component with leaderboards and community features. It tracks steps and activity (though users report it "mistakes head movement as steps" in playful dogs). The app integrates with Apple Watch, which Tractive doesn't offer.

The biggest difference: Tractive includes a sound alert you can trigger remotely to help locate your dog. Multiple Fi users on Reddit specifically wish Fi had this feature. When you're searching for a dog in the bushes, being able to make the collar beep matters.

Tractive DOG 6	Fi Series 3
8/10	7/10

Round 6 Winner: Tractive — Sound alerts and better app UX edge out Fi's social features

Score after Round 6: Tractive 45 | Fi 43

Dog running through forest trail with GPS collar visible

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Fi Series 3	43/60	WINNER
Tractive DOG 6	45/60

Wait - Tractive scored higher. Why is Fi the winner?

The Winner: Fi Series 3

The raw scores favor Tractive, but GPS trackers exist for one reason: finding your lost dog. And when that moment comes, Fi's advantages matter most.

A tracker with a dead battery is useless. Fi's 3-month battery life means it's actually charged when your dog bolts out the door. Tractive users report scrambling to charge devices every 1-2 days - and Murphy's Law says your dog escapes on day 3.

Fi's military-grade durability (400+ lb pull strength, IP68 waterproof) means it survives the exact situations where dogs get lost: swimming in lakes, running through mud, crashing through brush. Multiple reviewers confirm it handles extreme conditions that would damage Tractive.

Yes, Tractive tracks faster and costs less. But if you live in the US and want the most reliable tracker for when it matters, Fi is the safer choice. The extra $46/year buys genuine peace of mind.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Fi Series 3 on Amazon →

When the Loser Actually Wins

Tractive isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You travel internationally - Fi simply doesn't work outside the US. Tractive covers 175+ countries.
Budget is your primary concern - Saving $96/year adds up, especially for multi-dog households.
You need real-time tracking - Tractive's 2-3 second updates beat Fi's power-saving approach for active tracking.
You want sound alerts - The ability to make your dog's collar beep remotely is genuinely useful.
Your dog is smaller or less active - The durability premium matters less for apartment dogs on short walks.

Tractive might be right for you: Check Tractive DOG 6 on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Happy dog playing outdoors in park setting

Does Fi work without a subscription?

No. The Fi Series 3 requires an active subscription to function. Unlike the older Series 2, you cannot access even basic features without paying. The collar is included with your subscription, so you're essentially renting the hardware. Fi's support documentation confirms this.

How accurate is Tractive GPS really?

In ideal conditions, Tractive uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites for tracking. However, real-world testing by TechGearLab found approximately 200-foot accuracy margins. Users report the tracker "often does not show position or shows incorrect/previous location" in challenging environments. LIVE mode (2-3 second updates) helps, but drains battery significantly faster.

Can I use Fi outside the United States?

No. Fi uses AT&T's LTE-M network, which only operates in the US. If you travel internationally with your dog or live outside America, Tractive is your only option among these two. Tractive works in 175+ countries with 500+ cellular partners.

Which tracker is better for water?

Fi's IP68/IP66K rating makes it significantly more water-resistant. Reviewers have tested it through ocean swims, lake dives, and extended rain exposure without issues. Tractive users report the device "goes offline whenever it gets wet" and takes 30 minutes to recover. If your dog swims regularly, Fi is the clear choice.

How long do the batteries actually last?

Fi realistically lasts 2-4 weeks with normal use, up to 3 months in sleep mode. GearJunkie testers described it as "chronically charged." Tractive advertises 2 weeks but users frequently report 2-5 days depending on tracking frequency. The gap between advertised and real-world battery life is much wider for Tractive.