Last Updated on February, 2025
The reason for me to piece together this content was because of the cheapskate charlie, that is my friend. He went through a nightmarish ordeal when his dog was hit by a car right in front of him due to an unreliable GPS dog fence he had bought from Amazon.
Fortunately, the dog survived the incident unscathed, but it’s a stark reminder of how such incidents can happen to anyone….
So getting a GPS Fence that is cheap or seems fishy from the get-go is like you putting your dog’s life on the line, and it’s simply not a risk worth taking.
If you want the best GPS dog fence, hopefully, you can get that here. However, if you’re still unsure whether or not to trust me, keep on reading.
Table of Contents
Why Trust Me?
I bought about ten GPS dog fences, tested them on my own dogs, and trimmed the list down to the top six.
Because of that, you can be assured that what you read here is what you actually find in real life, unlike most GPS dog fence reviews online.
That’s the kind of reassurance that would have saved my friend’s dog from getting a knock. Lucky for you, I have found what must be known, what they hold back, and all the info needed to make a decision.
6 of the Best GPS Dog Fences – Reviewed
1. SpotOn Gen 2 (Editor’s Choice)
Get 50$ off using coupon code: IPET (Exclusive for IPetGuides readers)
The Halo collar was my go-to GPS Fence for a good few years, but the SpotOn Gen 2 might’ve changed that.
After seeing the results of the testings done by me and others, especially Spirent, a renowned GNSS testing firm trusted by industry giants NASA, Toyota, and Meta. There were no second thoughts. Don’t trust me?
Here’s what Spirent had to say after their tests:
‘’SpotOn performed seven times better than Halo, in terms of correction accuracy.’’
That sealed the deal for me, considering ‘’correction accuracy’’ is the most important feature of a GPS fence.
Even though not a huge upgrade from the original SpotOn, this improves on some of the key features that I felt were lacking in the previous model and that makes a huge difference.
Starting off with the most important aspect, GPS accuracy, this is what determines the capabilities of the fences you create. In that regard, SpotOn can connect to 128 satellites, with 30 of those being connected at once, which, along with its patented true location technology, is capable of accurately pinpointing your dog’s location inside the fence and issuing the feedback consistently on time.
The time it takes to issue the correction plays a role, as delays can confuse the dog. Halo had the upper hand here, but the new SpotOn now outclasses it almost all the time by issuing the feedback then and there, NO DELAYS!
Here’s precisely how the GPS fences work on the SpotOn. First, choose the location and create a fence, then select the feedback and warning from the available two types of tone, vibration, and static stimulation, that’s it, the setup process is done.
Now this is how all of these will work; if your dog is 10 feet away from the boundary, the first alert tone will come into play, if that does not work, the warning tone will take over if your dog is 5 feet away and finally, if your dog is on the boundary line, it’ll be either vibration or static stimulation (based on what you’ve chosen).
And no, your dog won’t be corrected in any form when returning to the fence if he has escaped. This is one of the questions I get a lot of times.
When it comes to GPS fences, functionality is king. When you find a device that nails its primary purpose, you’ve found a keeper. And SpotOn is exactly that, no extra bells and whistles, just focusing on the feature that truly matters.
Halo only manages to come close, and the rest, forget it.
Moving on, GPS drift is another thing to keep in mind when dealing with these types of devices.
The fences you create can move from where you created them throughout the day, SpotOn was notorious for this, leading to inaccuracies. Not anymore, even though it’s there, it’s not as bad as it was with the previous version.
The size and shape of the fence you’re able to create should be considered, with the majority of these devices only allowing you to create small circular fences, SpotOn takes it up a notch and allows you to create fences of any shape and size.
However, note that you need at least ½ acre to create a fence.
As for creating the fences, SpotOn gives you two options, the easiest way is to use the app and draw your fences through it, however, this led to inaccuracies when testing.
The next option is much more stable, carry your phone and collar and walk along, and the app will automatically drop fence posts. Speaking of fence posts, you can drop a maximum of 1500, which is more than that of the competitors.
Keep Out Zones is a noteworthy feature of SpotOn, with this turned on, you can create areas where you don’t want your dog to enter such as the garden, pool, or any other potentially dangerous areas in the house. You can create these safe zones even inside the fence you’ve already created.
Apart from the fencing capabilities, other extra features SpotOn hosts are Location Tracking and Alert Notifications. Location tracking, as the name suggests, will allow you to track and keep an eye on your dog’s location no matter where you are, also, especially helpful if you have a large yard.
Alert notifications on the other hand come in handy when your dog is about to escape the fence, allowing you to act quickly.
You will also get notifications when your collar’s battery is about to die. Yes, completely forgot about forest mode and off-grid mode.
Forest mode in the new SpotOn is top-notch, when enabled, it improves the GPS performance while you’re in areas with a lot of buildings, walls and trees. The performance boost is noticeable, mainly if you compare with it turned off.
If you go hiking and camping with your dog, SpotOn is the only GPS fence you can carry at the moment. It’s off-grid mode connects to your phone via Bluetooth and allows you to create fences even in areas with zero cell service. Tested it in my backyard and yeah, it really works.
So yeah, SpotOn will be my go-to fence from now on, not just my tests, every one who’ve tested it up against its competitors has gotten the same results. It’s the king of the pack at the moment.
Key Specs:
- Fits dogs with neck sizes of 10 to 26 inches
- Battery runtime of 25 hours
- App available on App store and Play Store
- Two tones, Vibration or Static Stimulation with 30 levels
- Keep out Zones, Off-grid mode and Forest Mode
- Supports LTE, and Bluetooth
- IP67 Water and Dust Resistant Rating
- One-Year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee
You can do so much more with this device, so check out our full review of SpotOn dog GPS fence.
Pros
Cons
SpotOn, being the best at what it does, comes at a small cost, the price. This is the most expensive collar on the market, coming in at $300 more than its closest competitor, Halo, at $999. Even though the device will work without a subscription, you will also need one if you’re to take advantage of location tracking and notification alerts, which I think is very important.
Yeah, It is expensive, but at the end of the day, what’s most important is that, it gets the fundamentals right. Works like a charm, literally!
Get 50$ off using coupon code: IPET (Exclusive for IPetGuides readers)
2. Halo 3 (#2nd Best Choice)
This was my favorite fence option before SpotOn came out with an update.
Even though SpotOn get the job done better than Halo in most aspects, its price may not be for everyone.
That’s where Halo 3 shines, for a lower price (even though not the cheapest), it’s something you can totally rely on.
Both Halo and SpotOn are almost the same devices with different names. The set-up process, feedbacks and how each work are all basically the same. No difference. That said, the tech both pack are completely different.
Halo’s GPS correction accuracy is based on 151 satellites and their PrecisionGPS™ tech. Now, I cannot verify if it connects to all those satellites, but the performance is still lacking compared to SpotOn. However, the difference isn’t too drastic, Halo is still reliable in issuing the feedbacks on time.
The thing is, it can get inconsistent based on the environment you’re in, in areas with dense vegetation, over the course of my usage, Halo has struggled.
That said, there are no major issues (except for the minor delays in correction) in areas with minimal vegetation.
If Halo can fix that inconsistency just like SpotOn did, they will come close, when it comes to GPS correction accuracy.
One area Halo excels is, Location Tracking. The location updates I got were marginally better than SpotOn, basically instant. Moreover, Halo can connect to all cell carriers globally, making it the only device in its class that can work worldwide.
Moving on, GPS drift on Halo is almost non-existent, you can come across slight movements, but nothing close to SpotOn, which tends to drift a few feet more.
As mentioned already, Halo’s feedback system is almost similar to SpotOn, the difference is that, in place of the second warning tone on SpotOn, here it’ll be vibration, and reaching the boundary and going past it would result in static stimulation.
Also, another neat addition on the Halo is its encouragement feedback, if your dog goes out of the boundary and returns back in, it’ll receive a return whistle, to encourage the behavior.
Alert notifications are also present, and here, you’ll receive a notification for each feedback your dog receives.
Setting up the fence is also the same process, you can draw it on your phone or walk along while the app drops the fence posts.
Halo lets you drop 20 fence posts, so the size can be limited, by limited, I mean, it won’t let you create fences as big as SpotOn, but still Halo claims that it is capable of cheating fences as big as 6.2 miles. Which is more than enough.
The fences can be of any shape, though.
Similar to keep out zones, Halo has its beacons, this is a tiny device that is always connected to your collar via Bluetooth. These beacons allow you to create circular boundaries anywhere you need. However, the thing to note is that, you can only create one boundary per beacon. To create more, you need to purchase beacons separately.
As far as the GPS features go, there’s nothing much to talk about in the Halo, that’s pretty much it.
That said, there is no end to other extra features on Halo. A very useful one is the Activity Tracker. This will track your dog’s Distance Walked, Overall Activity like moving, resting and eating. All of these infos can come in handy when the doing checkups with the VET.
Training materials in the Halo is top-notch, conducted by Cesar Millan (you know who he is), this is far better than any training programs that come with these devices.
All in all, if you cannot bash out $899 for SpotOn, Halo, at $699 is the next reliable option you can go for without hesitation.
Key Specs:
- Fits dogs with a neck sizes of 11 in. to A Maximum of 30.5 in.
- Battery runtime of 24 hours
- Activity tracking to keep your dog’s health and activity levels in check
- Tone, Vibration and Static Stimulation with 15 levels
- Beacons included to create safe zones
- Supports Wi-Fi, LTE, and Bluetooth
- IP67 Water and Dust Resistant Rating
- 12-Month Warranty
Learn more about this GPS fence, checkout this review of Halo smart collar here.
Pros
Cons
Halo 3, as I’ve said, was the device I was using prior to SpotOn Gen 2, and I loved it, and I still love it. For $699 plus a subscription, it gets many of the things right and you cannot go wrong.
3. PetSafe Guardian® (#3rd Best Choice)
Petsafe has finally shown that it can also make a GPS dog fence that can compete with the big dogs Halo and SpotON.
At this point, every dog owner knows about PetSafe and their reliability when it comes to pet-related products, and their first shot at a GPS fence does not disappoint either.
First of all, this is probably one of the few cheapest dog fences that actually work, yes, far cheaper than both Halo and Spoton, and the cherry on top is that you don’t need a subscription to use the collar.
So, with that said, here’s what you need to know about the PetSafe Guardian®.
This is a full-on GPS fence with no location tracking, activity tracking, or any other extras; for its price, I would not say it’s a deal breaker.
When it comes to the collar’s fencing capabilities, I was surprised at how well it works; warnings and corrections all happen on time, no delays, and that’s how it should be.
Another thing I noticed was the accidental corrections. Most cheap fences struggle with this, but with the Guardian®, there are basically zero false corrections, which is great.
No worries in that department. Moreover, the collar comes with all three corrections: tone, vibration, and static stimulation, just like most devices in this category.
Static has a maximum of 10 levels and is turned off out of the box. It should be turned on prior to using the collar. From my experience, level 1 itself does the job neatly, and you probably wouldn’t have to go over that.
To be able to use the Guardian® reliably, you’ll need a property that is over 3/4-acre; otherwise, you’ll have difficulties setting it up. That’s great news if you have a big land.
PetSafe has its own app that you can use to connect with the collar, so setting up the fence is just like Halo and SpotOn; you can draw it on the app.
However, this is where PetSafe’s cost-cutting starts to show up. Unlike the expensive collar, the Guardian® can only create one fence at a time, which you can edit.
If you’ve to create another fence in a different location, you’ll need to delete the existing one, which is a bummer.
However, that is the only downside I encountered during my time; apart from that, everything is pretty solid. One thing the Guardian® excels in over all the GPS fences is the battery department; this thing can last.
During testing, I used it for 2 full days without charging it once; not even Halo or SpotOn can achieve that.
Coming to the collar design and fit, you’re looking at a pretty basic design here, not too fancy or eye-catching; moreover, it is only available in black.
Durability-wise, the collar is sturdy and waterproof, so no need to worry about water. The collar fits dogs with neck sizes ranging from 8 to 26 inches without any issues.
The Guardian®, being PetSafe’s first shot at GPS fences, gets pretty much all the essentials right, and for $299, you can’t ask for anything more.
Key Specs:
- For dogs over 10 pounds with neck sizes from 8 to 26 inches
- Collar lasts up to 3 days on a single charge
- Tone, Vibration, and Static Stimulation feedback options
- Uses GPS with AccuGuard™ real-time motion detection for accurate boundary setting
- Includes a 2-week step-by-step training guide
- Waterproof collar
- One-Year Warranty
Pros
Cons
4. Tractive GPS Tracker
Tractive dog tracker, the GPS dog containment system, has been made by an Austrian company since 2012, and pet owners love it.
The tracker is 2.81 inches long, 1.1 inches tall, and 0.68 inches wide, weighing only 1.2 ounces.
The Practice collar fits dogs 44lbs(20kgs) and above.
It’s available in five colors; dark blue, light blue, light pink, coffee, and snow.
This is a waterproof smart collar, with an IPX7 waterproof rating, and the durability is further certified with the build quality.
This smart collar is shockproof too. The Tractive GPS dog collar brings seven days of battery life; mine lasted for 5 and a half days with moderate use.
With one of the famous GPS systems, this pet containment system delivers 2-3 seconds of location updating rate, with worldwide unlimited GPS tracking.
You can store and export the GPS data too. Not only that, but you can also share the pet’s location with family and friends.
All you need is the free Tractive app installed on your mobile.
You can’t customize the shape of Tractive’s wireless fence. The minimum radius of a circular, wireless fence is 160 feet. If it’s rectangular, it is 330 feet by 330 feet. You can define wireless fences as safe or no-go zones.
While the collar has no corrective feedback, you will receive real-time alerts if your dog crosses the boundary.
This tracker lets you track your dog’s activity in terms of calories burned, time spent at a location, and even sleeping time.
Since it uses GPS data, you need a subscription plan to use the Tractive dog’s collar.
Key Specs:
- Lightweight
- Seven days of battery
- IPX7 waterproof collar
- 2-3 seconds location updating rate
- Circular or rectangular fences
Read more about tractive GPS tracker and fence here.
Pros
Cons
5. Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle
Based in the US and killing it since 1989, Garmin is one of the pioneers in location-tracking devices for multiple industries.
Their Alpha 100 bundle is next in this GPS dog fences list.
Almost all Garmin devices would work with no mobile app if you didn’t know. Instead, you should buy a handheld locator.
In the Alpha 100 bundle, Alpha 100 is the handheld locator, and the TT 15 is the collar.
The Alpha 100 comes with 2.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches and a weight of 8.8 oz, including the standard antenna and battery. Its waterproof rating is IPX7. Maximum battery life is 20 hours, and mine ran for 17 hours and 30 mins with intense use.
The TT 15 collar is 3.5″ in width, 1.75″ in height, and 1.85″ in thickness. It weighs 10 oz with the collar. The waterproof rating is 1 ATM. The expected maximum battery life is 40 hours.
The screen resolution of the handheld is 240 x 400 pixels with a TFT touchscreen.
The location update speed is 2.5 seconds, and that’s because of the GPS and GLONASS receiver. You can track multiple dogs(up to 20 at once) in a range of 9 miles.
The virtual fence is equally impressive; you can set custom wireless fences using multiple points. If the dog crosses the boundary, you will receive alerts on the handheld, and the collar will emit either sound or vibration. With 18 levels of intensity, you can choose what suits your dog.
You also use rescue mode to find a lost dog easier.
It requires no monthly subscription.
With advanced features such as a compass, auto-routing, and custom maps, the Garmin Alpha 100 bundle is a pet GPS tracker for hunting dogs with invisible fence features.
Key Specs:
- Comes with a handheld and a collar
- IPX7 and 1 ATM waterproof rating
- 2.5 seconds location updating frequency
- 9 miles of radius
- Comprehensive geofencing
Pros
Cons
6. Pawious GPS Wireless Dog Fence
Pawious is a company based in Canada, and its pet containment system is another excellent product.
Weighing 11.68 ounces, the tracker that enables the invisible fence has these dimensions; 6.81 x 4.69 x 2.09 inches.
The company doesn’t recommend the collar for smaller dogs like Chihuahuas, but it works fine with medium to large dogs.
Durability is assured by the resilient design and IPX7 waterproof rating.
With 2 hours of charging time, the maximum expected runtime is 36 hours; mine worked for 32 hours with continuous use.
The GPS system is impressive since the accuracy is up to 5-10 yards. Pawious recommends using the tracker in medium or large yards.
The Pawious shock collar does a magnificent job regarding the dog fence features. All you need to do is set the origin and position the invisible boundary.
However, the virtual fence has no custom shapes; it’s circular and has a maximum radius of up to 1000 yards. The collar will give out beeps when your dog comes near the boundary.
If it crosses the boundary, you can have vibrational corrective feedback in 6 levels or static shock in 6 levels in this GPS e collar.
Either way, your furry friend is certified to be safe.
But what’s interesting is that this dog fence tracker requires no mobile phone or handheld device; the collar controls everything. So, there is no monthly subscription because of that.
Overall, the Pawious dog fence is very reliable.
Key Specs:
- 36 hours of maximum runtime with one charging
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Circular GPS fence with 1000 yards maximum radius
- Multiple types and levels of corrective feedback
Pros
Cons
#1 Tip to Make Maximum Use of a GPS Dog Fence
It is none other than training your dogs to know what they need to do for each corrective feedback; sound, vibration, or shock. The better the dog training, the better the results will be.
Related article: Are GPS dog fences effective?
Factors to Consider When Buying a GPS Dog Fence
Location Accuracy and Updating Rate
The location accuracy must be within at least 50 feet; the lower the number, the better. You’re unlikely to find a GPS tracker with real-time updating GPS technology. So, even if it comes to 2 seconds, you should remember that you’re buying a GPS dog fence, not just a GPS tracker.
The Durability of the Collar
Most high-end dog collars, which enable virtual dog fences, are designed to be resilient. So, it’s better if the dog collar also has an IP waterproof rating.
There also should be at least 1m of impact resistance. Other than that, the better the design and the quality, the longer it will last.
Battery Life
What’s the point of a dog fence that lasts longer as a product but drains the battery in an hour? So, ensure you’re okay with the runtime and charging time.
In addition, it’d be better to check whether you can operate the tracker in different modes. Typically, this allows you to elongate the battery runtime with one charge.
Type and Range of the Fence
Some invisible dog fences are circular; this means the range is radial. If so, you should know the maximum radius. Similarly, some trackers let you draw the fence, and the range matters in this case too. It’s up to you to decide which type you need.
Respond When the Dog Crosses the Boundary
Dog fences are supposed to stop dogs from running away further. But how can they stop the dogs if the fence can’t be seen?
Ideally, there should be three features; alerting you via the phone, warning the dog, and emitting shock, vibration, or sound when the dog leaves the boundary. The response always matters.
Performance Dependence on the Location
GPS tracking technology theoretically shouldn’t be able to work without GPS signals. But some trackers work without cell service, too, just not in the same operational conditions.
So, you need to check whether the chosen GPS fence device would work at the intended location.
Whether it Requires a Buried Fence
A handful of GPS dog fences require you to bury a physical fence along the boundary.
That way, GPS works separately, and the fence acts like an invisible dog fence. This might be a little difficult. So, make sure whether you need to bury a fence for the GPS dog fence to work.
Benefits of GPS Dog Fences
- Track your dog’s location accurately and remotely
- Protect your dog from leaving and entering specific areas
- Enjoy your camping adventures with your dog on board
- Save a little fortune you spend on dog daycare centers
- Free your dog from the feeling of being caged
- Replace a space-consuming traditional fence in your yard and inside your house
- Focus better on your work life
- And much more!
In Conclusion
GPS dog fences are not cheap; if you find one for less than $50 or even $100, STAY AWAY FROM IT!
You can’t afford a collar that has GPS along with a fully-fledged wireless fence for that much; if you do, remember that you’re putting your pet’s life at risk.
That said, SpotOn Gen 2 becomes the top recommended device thanks to all the outstanding features it brings to the table. That’s what my friend and I use right now. It does everything it needs to in the best possible way.
What matters is keeping our dogs safe in a financially sustainable way. That’s why I use and recommend efficient solutions.
At the end of the day, investing in these systems is an investment that makes pet parents feel relieved and proud.
FAQs
Was this article helpful?
THOMAS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.I AM JUST GETTING INTO THIS DOG GPS THING.I LIKE HOW YOU GIVE AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON TO EACH SYSTEM. I LEAN TOWARD YOUR #6 SYSTEM.
MY QUESTION ABOUT ALL SYSTEMS IS THERE A SIGNAL TO MY DOG COMING HOME SHOULD HE CROSS THE BOUNDARY ? CAN HE COME FOR FREE OR WILL HE GET STUCK OUTSIDE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP.
DUTCH
Hey William! Yes, the collar will detect when your dog is heading back to the boundary and will stop any ongoing corrections right away.
I have two Pugs, one of them is about 15# the other about 13#, their full weight will probably be about 20#, maybe 25# if they get really big, it seems like the SpotOn system would be the best for them ? we have two acres and one of them is a runner, the other one not so much, but will follow. what do you think ?
Hey Colette,
SpotOn is a good choice, just make sure you measure both of your Pugs neck sizes before purchasing, if the fit isn’t great, the effectiveness won’t be good.
thank you this was very informative i have a little pitty that has a hard time staying in the yard
Hi Thomas –
Quick question. I am leaning towards Halo or SpotOn. With either of these GPS collars, once my dog is trained on the system, can I use the collar as an e-collar for hikes, walks, etc.? I do not want to get two different collars so was hoping I could just buy a GPS collar and use the same commands and tones for recall, leave it, etc.
Thoughts or suggestions?
thanks!
Hi Erika, Yes, you can no doubt use both Halo and SpotOn for those activities as an e-collar. It’s up to you to decide which one fits you.
Hi Thomas,
This was very helpful and helped narrowed my decision to Halo or Spoton!! Can you expand on 1) the fence/fence posts features and if it can be used on multiple properties, 2) can you ‘turn off’ the collar when you leave the property (for a walk or drive) but allows you to keep the tracker features on , 3) do you have an article about your perspective/value on the different subscriptions offerings for each of the collars.
thanks!
Hey there Larry,
Here are your answers:
1. Yes, you can create fences on multiple properties, not just on your property. SpotON even provides the luxury of creating quick circular fences.
2. No, both Halo and SpotON cannot track your dog if you turn them off. However, you can turn off the fences when heading out and turn them back on once you’re back. This will not disable the tracking features.
3. You can check out our article Halo Vs. SpotOn for that (LINK BELOW).
http://dogsacademy.org/halo-collar-vs-spoton-collar/
Hope your doubts are cleared.
We have a German Shepherd. My question is whether the collars work on dogs with lots of fur…German Sherpherd versus Boxer for instance.
Certainly! The collar is designed to be effective on dogs with varying hair lengths. For instance, the halo collar comes equipped with both short and long contact tips. This ensures a proper fit and effective contact with the dog’s skin, regardless of the thickness or length of their fur.
Hi, most helpful article and it came up first on google. I am shopping for a GPS fencing system for one Maremma guardian dog. He’s already learned to duck under the electric fencing I have around my paddocks and is smart enough to scout along the perimeter pagewire fence to find an opening. I’d like to teach him to respect all fences on my 10 acres of pasture. Could I manually train him with the collar signal to not cross/duck under e-fence, even tho hte GPS is only set up for the perimeter? Is the age of the dog a factor in when to start teaching to the collar/fence?
thanks
Howdy Thomas. Thank you for this article! Where did you find the PetSafe for $299?
I’m only finding it for roughly $425
Thanks