GPS trackers vs Bluetooth trackers: what's the difference?

Two completely different technologies

Although both GPS trackers and Bluetooth trackers are used to locate pets, the technology behind them is fundamentally different.

Briefly summarized:

• GPS trackers use satellites to determine position
• Bluetooth trackers rely on nearby phones to report location

This distinction affects range, reliability and application.

How Bluetooth trackers work

Bluetooth trackers do not have a direct connection to satellites or mobile networks. They communicate only via Bluetooth, which is a short-range technology.

In practice, this means:

• The tracker sends a Bluetooth signal
• A nearby phone must pick up the signal
• The phone's position is used as "location"

If no phones are nearby, there is no new location data.

Limitations of Bluetooth trackers

• Only works within a short range
• Dependent on people with compatible phones being nearby
• Does not update position in deserted areas, forests or terrain
• Not suitable for real lost-person situations

Bluetooth trackers can be useful for keys, bags, or indoor use, but have clear limitations for animals that move freely.

How GPS trackers work

GPS trackers use satellite-based positioning (GNSS) to determine the location of the device. This position can be calculated independently of other devices nearby.

In order for the location to reach the owner's phone, it must be forwarded via:

• Mobile network (NB-IoT, LTE-M or similar)
• Bluetooth, when the tracker is close to the owner's phone

This makes GPS trackers far more independent.

Benefits of GPS trackers

• Works independently of other phones
• Provides true long-distance tracking
• Suitable for animals that can disappear over larger areas
• More reliable in emergency and escape situations

GPS trackers are designed for outdoor use and real-world situations where the animal may actually get lost.

Hybrid solutions: when technologies are combined

Modern GPS trackers often use a hybrid approach:

• Bluetooth when the animal is close to the owner (low power consumption)
• Mobile IoT when the animal is far away

This provides both good battery life and high reliability, depending on the situation.

Range in practice

The difference in range is often crucial:

• Bluetooth: typically a few tens of meters
• GPS + mobile network: as far as mobile coverage reaches

For pets that roam freely, this is often the difference between finding the animal quickly or not at all.

Battery: misconceptions and reality

Bluetooth trackers often have long battery life because they do very little. GPS trackers use more power because they:

• Calculates position via satellites
• Communicating over mobile networks

Battery life must therefore be assessed against functionality, not in isolation.

Which type is suitable for what?

Choice of technology should be based on use:

• Bluetooth tracker : short distances, low risk, indoor or urban environments
• GPS tracker : outdoor use, higher risk, free movement

In summary

Bluetooth trackers and GPS trackers solve completely different problems. Bluetooth is suitable for proximity and easy retrieval, while GPS is designed for real tracking over distance.

For pets that can disappear, escape, or move far, GPS-based solutions are fundamentally more reliable than pure Bluetooth trackers.