Why do GPS pet trackers need a subscription?

Because the live position has to travel over a mobile network, and that network is not free.

Tractive says each tracker has a SIM, that the subscription covers the cellular cost, and that without a subscription the tracker cannot communicate its location. It says there is no real-time tracker in its range with no fee. GPS on its own, in the maker's how-it-works article, calculates a position from satellites. A second step, the mobile link, sends that position to the app.

The FAQ says the price varies by plan, by billing interval and by country. It does not print a sterling price. Do not trust a converted figure on a blog. Type the checkout's own number into the subscription calculator.

Each pet needs its own tracker and its own subscription. One plan does not cover two animals, on that FAQ.

Sources

• Why do I need a subscription plan? — Tractive Help Centre, accessed 14 November 2026.
• Tractive subscription plans, frequently asked questions — Tractive Help Centre, accessed 14 November 2026.

On this site

Read what a pet tracker subscription costs and how a cellular GPS pet tracker works.