Written by Julia Watts Reviewed by James Macey Updated on 13 December 2022 On this page The best micro GPS trackers for vehicles 1. The Lightbug Pro 2. Spy Tec GL300 3. MOTOsafety OBD GPS Tracker Next steps How We Test Vehicle Tracking Systems FAQs Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. Micro GPS trackers are really handy bits of kit. While there are lots of different uses for them, we’ve focused on the best ones for vehicle tracking, which is one of their most important features. This is especially true in today’s climate, where fuel prices and green concessions should encourage businesses to minimise fuel consumption.We compared the specifications and customer reviews of many different micro trackers, and these are the three that will offer you the best vehicle tracking experience. Each excels in at least one area, but – spoiler alert – it was the Lightbug Pro that came out on top overall. Why? Because it’s a discreet and sturdy bit of kit with an amazing battery life, at a very reasonable price.It’s worth noting at this point that if your business relies on more than one vehicle, your best bet is to skip the micro trackers and get a quote for a complete system. These will make your business a whole lot more efficient. Need a vehicle tracking solution for your business? Get free quotes The best micro GPS trackers for vehiclesThe best micro GPS trackers on the market today are: the Lightbug Pro, the Spy Tec GL300 and the MOTOsafety OBD GPS Tracker. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward The Lightbug Pro Spy Tec GL300 MOTOsafety OBD GPS Tracker 4.5 4.0 3.5 Best For long battery life Best For fast-moving vehicles Best For monitoring driver behaviour Shop now Shop now Shop now 1. The Lightbug ProBest for: Long battery lifeLighbug only make two vehicle tracking products: the Lightbug Pro, and the Lightbug Zero. Why? Because both are so great, there’s really no reason to make more.The Pro version is designed for use in vehicles, and if you’re after an epic battery life then look no further: when updating once every twelve hours, it will last an incredible five years from just one charge. Five years! That’s a big ask for a tiny gps tracker that’s only the size of a pack of cards.The most basic version of the Pro tracker costs $242 upfront, then $9.30 monthly for the app and data (it works with a SIM card). More connectivity options and different mount types will cost a little more, but it’s generally a really good value tracker.Prices are converted from GBP to AUD according to conversion rates on April 12, 2023. Pros Battery life of up to five years Can also work inside using WPS (Wifi Positioning System) Waterproof and shockproof, and will operate in -30°C to 60°C Cons Small in size, but not tiny At $242, then $9.30 per month, it isn’t the cheapest Doesn’t monitor driver behaviour 2. Spy Tec GL300Best for: Fast-moving vehicles, such as motorcyclesIf it’s pinpoint accuracy you’re after, then the Spy Tec GL300 could be just what you’re looking for. It’s accurate to within 15 feet, and can update up to every five seconds (although this will seriously cut into its two week max. battery life).This micro GPS tracker also offers geofencing (adding places such as an office, then being notified when the person enters or leaves these zones). And all this is packed into a pretty small package: around the size of three AA batteries. Spy Tec are also pretty on it when it comes to customer service – you can reach them over phone, email or webchat.The downside? The ongoing price for using this tiny GPS tracker is quite significant at $38 a month (when paying annually) for the app.Prices are converted from USD to AUD according to conversion rates on April 12, 2023. Pros Highly accurate, even at high speeds Good battery life Low upfront cost ($60) Cons Small in size, but not tiny Ongoing cost is pricey ($38 a month) Not water resistant Need a vehicle tracking solution for your business? Get free quotes 3. MOTOsafety OBD GPS TrackerBest for: Monitoring driver behaviourThis is a really small but advanced GPS tracker that does a lot more than simply tell you the location of your vehicle. If all you’re after is a simple micro GPS tracking device, then there are better (and cheaper) options out there for you. However, if you are after something a little more informative, this could be your model. At $105 upfront, then $38 a month for data, it isn’t the cheapest – but you do get a lot for your money.MOTOsafety OBD tracker reports on driver behaviour. You can easily check back to see where your driver has been speeding or driving erratically. Dangerous driving is not just dangerous, it’s seriously bad for business, and this tracker can help you stamp it out for good. The downside of this product is that it has to be wired into the car, although this is easy enough to do.But if its small size is what’s enticing you, check out the even smaller Spy Tec GL300 above.Prices are converted from USD to AUD according to conversion rates on April 12, 2023 Pros Great for tracking and reviewing driver behaviour (speeding etc.) Easy to set up a geofencing area (to receive notifications when the person leaves a certain place) Cons Has to be wired into the car (although this is fairly easy to do) Expert verdict This article should have given you a good overview of three of the best micro trackers on the market today. There are a few factors to consider when looking at a GPS tracker, like affordability or size.However, if you’re a business owner with a fleet, large or small, you can definitely do better: vehicle trackers for business vehicles can do way more than just track your vehicles, and start at just $18 a month. Get a quote for your business today by popping a few details into this short form. How We Test Vehicle Tracking Systems for BusinessesWe tested 29 market-leading vehicle tracking systems to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, vehicle management, price, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to Australian businesses.Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in six main categories of investigation and six subcategories – in fact, we covered 51 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our algorithm in a nutshell!Our main testing categories for vehicle tracking systems are:Price: the cost associated with using the vehicle tracking software, including upfront costs, subscription fees, hardware costs (if applicable), and any additional charges for advanced features or add-ons.Tracking: the core functionality of the vehicle tracking software, which involves monitoring and tracking the location and movements of vehicles in real-time, such as GPS tracking, route optimisation, and geofencing.Driver Management: the features and tools provided by the vehicle tracking software to manage and monitor driver activities. This can include driver behavior monitoring, driver performance reports, driver identification.Vehicle Management: the functionalities that allow for the efficient management and maintenance of vehicles, such as vehicle health monitoring and maintenance scheduling.Product Features: the additional functionalities and capabilities offered by the vehicle tracking software beyond basic tracking and management, such as real-time alerts and notifications or driver routing and dispatching.Support: the resources, assistance, and guidance provided by the vehicle tracking software company to users, including phone support, email or chat support, and online forums. Frequently asked questions Is it illegal to track a car? No, so long as you are tracking the person in a work context with permission (see below), or if you are tracking your own car or child.You’ll often see reviews on these types of products from people who have used them to track their partners without their knowledge. These customers are often from the US, where the rules are slightly different. In Australia, the laws differ from state to state, and it’s best to read up on them to ensure you’re in compliance. Do all GPS trackers need a SIM card? Most trackers use a SIM, but it’s possible to find ones that do not. And don’t forget, there are great vehicle tracking apps that work with your smartphone and are a really hassle-free option if you’d rather not set up a new SIM. Can employers use vehicle trackers to track employees when driving? If you want to track your employees when they’re out and about, you need to have this written into their contract. You must specify the extent to which you will be tracking them and when, and they must agree to this by signing the document. You cannot track employees outside of working hours.It’s easy to get your business using a vehicle tracking system, and not to mention very affordable. Fill in this short form now to get quotes for yours. Can I use a Tile to track my car? You can use a Tile tracker to track your car, but it isn’t the best option out there. Tile was designed to help you keep track of possessions like your keys; there are trackers out there which are better suited to the role of vehicle tracking, three of which have been reviewed above. Written by: Julia Watts Software Expert Specialising in business software, Julia writes jargon-busting guides about VoIP, fleet management, dash cams, fuel cards, and more. Having spent almost a decade writing for entrepreneurs and reviewing business solutions, she loves helping exciting ventures – big or small – to flourish. Reviewed by: James Macey Senior Business Software Researcher James draws on his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialized advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management. He believes all businesses can grow if they use the right tools and services.