GPS Trackers vs Apple AirTag: What's the Difference and Why Should I Care?

Tracking your important items is an essential part of modern life. You might want to know where your keys are at all times — particularly if you’re one of those people who puts them down and then immediately forgets where. But you may want to track larger items, such as your car or a boat. Accurate tracking can help prevent theft or help locate a vehicle after an accident.

Knowing which device to use for tracking helps you make smart buying choices. Today, we’re looking at the difference between GPS trackers and Apple AirTags to help you decide which you might want to buy.

What Is a GPS Tracker and How Does it Work?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a network, or constellation, of satellites used for navigation. They connect to receivers on Earth via radio signals and use these signals to calculate the location of devices with GPS receivers on. When you use satellite navigation in your car, this is using GPS technology.

A GPS tracker leverages the satellites to provide location information, but it has a transmitter as well as a receiver. GPS is considered highly accurate, reporting distance to within 3.28 feet and time to within 10 nanoseconds.

LandAirSea GPS trackers use a combination of GPS to track location and cellular connections to provide real-time location information to users with an app or software that can track the device. 

What Are AirTags and How Do They Work?

Apple AirTags are just one example of a wider range of item finders, sometimes simply called key finders. Tile Trackers like the Tile Pro and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 are alternatives. They’re usually small round, square, or rectangular pieces of tech that attach to a keyring or directly to something you want to track.

Unlike GPS trackers, these devices use a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies to track items that are within a few feet of a smartphone. Apple AirTags, for example, need to be within 33 feet of the device for initial setup and real-time tracking. However, once the AirTag syncs to the iOS device (e.g., an iPhone), the AirTag is detectable using Apple’s proprietary “Find My” network. The network uses other Apple devices to pick up the location data of the AirTag and transmit it to the owner. They can then see the approximate location of the AirTag (and its attached valuables) on their iOS device.

Of course, there are drawbacks: if the AirTag is out of range of an Apple device, its location won’t be updated until one is in range.

Applications for GPS Trackers

GPS trackers can be used on many items, but they’re most commonly attached to large, higher-value items, particularly those that can’t be tracked by a standard smartphone app. They’re ideal for wider-range tracking where real-time location updates are important, no matter how far the item travels.

You might use GPS trackers for:

• Cars and trucks
• ATVs
• Boats and other watercraft
• Luggage
• Discrete tracking, i.e., hidden trackers
• Personally safety, e.g., sending a child on a school trip with a tracker

Many GPS trackers are magnetic and can be attached to a vehicle or other metal structure. For traveling and sports, they can be carried in a bag or pocket.

Application for AirTags

Because AirTags are more compact and have a shorter range, they’re better suited for smaller items, particularly valuables or daily essentials.

Items you can attach an AirTag to include:

• Backpacks
• Keys
• Wallet — some item finders are credit card-shaped
• Sports bags
• Water bottles

AirTags focus on daily convenience and protecting valuables. So, if you have an item you lose regularly, like a drink bottle or set of keys, an AirTag could be the ideal way to save time every day.

What Do Apple AirTags and GPS Trackers Have in Common?

AirTags and GPS trackers have several similarities. They both provide accurate location information via a mobile app or web-based interface. Both types of trackers are easy to set up and equally simple to use.

The interfaces are normally highly intuitive and don’t require any specialist tech knowledge to get the most out of them.

What Are the Key Differences Between AirTags and GPS Trackers?

However, other than these surface similarities, the two types of trackers are very different.

The primary difference lies in the technology used to locate items. AirTags and other item finders rely on relatively short-range location technology. Bluetooth range varies depending on the strength of transmitters, but AirTag to iOS device connection usually requires a distance of less than 33 feet.

GPS trackers use satellites and the science of trilateration to pinpoint location via radio waves, so distance isn’t a concern. A GPS tracker could potentially be on the other side of the world and still provide location information.

This reliance on satellite location rather than device-to-device connection also means that location information is highly accurate. If there’s no nearby smart device to pick up an AirTag’s location, the data you’re seeing could be from hours ago.

GPS tracking devices also usually offer additional tracking services. For example, with LandAirSea trackers, you can set geofence alerts. Creating a geofence means simply marking an area on a virtual map where you expect your device, vehicle, or other item to stay. A geofence alert immediately tells you if the item with the tracker goes outside that area, allowing you to investigate. Features like this can be used to aid in theft prevention.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a GPS Tracker

High-quality GPS tracking devices offer a range of benefits but might not be suitable for everyone. Take a look.

Advantages

Real-Time Tracking: GPS allows you to track items in real time. Instead of wondering if the location you’re seeing is hours old, you can be confident that the information you’re seeing is current.

Expanded Tracking Capabilities: With GPS devices, you can locate trackers in over 155 countries. By using both GPS and cellular networks, the tracking capabilities surpass those of item finders that rely on short-range device-to-device communication.

Different Models: There are many different models of GPS trackers for all different purposes. AirTags are all the same, apart from color and symbol options. If you need variety, you have to go to a different item finder manufacturer. 

Greater Range of Features: GPS trackers do more than just provide location data. Depending on the device, the plan you choose, and the manufacturer, your tracker could offer a range of features, such as the ability to share location with authorized individuals. The best GPS manufacturers also offer dedicated technical support when required.

More Accurate: There are two main reasons why GPS trackers are more accurate than alternatives. One, the GPS technology itself is accurate to within a meter. Two, GPS is always active — as long as the tracking device has some charge in its battery. So rather than getting a location notification from an unspecified time, you can see where a tracked device is in real time.

Ability to Set Up Notifications Based on Movement: Because GPS is so accurate and trackers can transmit constantly (depending on cellular connectivity), this empowers users to monitor the tracker's speed. This is a useful feature for anyone needing to monitor how fast someone is driving a vehicle. Business fleet managers, in particular, can utilize a combination of speed monitoring and geofencing to understand their drivers’ behaviors better.

When you purchase a high-quality GPS tracker like the LandAirSea 54, you get the peace of mind that comes from a waterproof device with built-in magnets. You can place it under a vehicle or in a boat, and it will stay secure and protected from the elements.

Disadvantages

Ongoing Costs: Because GPS trackers rely on cellular connections as well as GPS satellite signals, they require a subscription that usually comes with a monthly cost.

Some Are More Expensive Than Item Finders: This is model-dependent. Some GPS trackers are highly affordable while some item finders are very expensive. AirTags can work out to $20 a piece but only when bought in bulk. GPS trackers are usually more expensive than this for individual units. However, it’s important to consider overall value versus initial outlay — the additional features of a GPS tracker often make them worth the additional cost.

Larger Than Most Item Finders: GPS trackers aren’t as compact as AirTags, but using magnets makes them easy to hide.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of an Apple AirTag

AirTags also have their pros and cons. Understanding these helps you make the best investment.

Advantages

Small Size: AirTags are always small — just 1.26 inches in diameter. Because of this, they’re easy to use on a keychain, in a bag or purse, or in a pocket.

Longer Battery Life: Apple AirTags use a shorter-range communication technology, which is less power-hungry than combined GPS and cellular connectivity. Most users will find that the AirTag charge lasts much longer than a GPS tracker’s battery life.

Disadvantages

AirTags Only Work With iOS: AirTags don’t have any cross-device compatibility. If you don’t own at least one iOS device, you can’t use an AirTag.

Limited to Bluetooth/UWB signals and Nearby Apple Devices: The ability to use other iOS devices to create the Find My network using Bluetooth and UWB tech is impressive. However, if there’s no Apple device nearby, there’s no way to track your AirTag accurately. The location you see is from the last time it was close to a connected iPhone, iPad, or similar device. The only time you’re almost guaranteed to get accurate location updates is when you’re in a highly-populated, urban area.

No Continuous Real-Time Tracking: The above limitation also means there’s no option for real-time tracking. For example, you won’t ever know if your AirTag is on the move until you notice it’s at a different location.

No Motion Alerts: Similarly, there are no alerts to tell you your AirTag has moved. You can’t set up geofencing or an alternative to keep yourself notified about the location of your valuables.

Less Accurate: A lack of GPS connectivity means location information isn’t wholly accurate. In fact, the location you get is of the nearest iOS device, which could be up to 33 feet away.

How Do You Decide What Type of Tracker Is Right For Your Needs?

Choosing Apple AirTags or a GPS tracker means assessing your needs and understanding what you want from a tracking device. Ask yourself the following questions before you buy.

What will the tracker be used for? Do you need to track vehicles or monitor a family member while they’re traveling away from home? If so, a GPS tracker is the most useful option. However, if you want something small to help you find your keys or wallet every day, Apple AirTags are more practical.

What features are most important? Geofencing, speed monitoring, and real-time location tracking are only available with GPS trackers.

What price do you want to pay? Check GPS tracker manufacturers to understand the prices of their tech — it may be less expensive than you think.

Does the size of the device matter? If a compact design that you can slip onto a keychain is vital, then the Apple AirTag is the device for you. However, if features are more important than size, consider a GPS tracker.

How important is an extended battery life? An Apple AirTag’s battery can last for up to a year. GPS trackers may last for several months in low-power mode, but will consume power faster when employed for real-time tracking.

Is it compatible with my device? Apple AirTags can only be tracked by an iOS device. GPS trackers can be tracked by any internet-capable device, whether that’s a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

GPS Tracker Vs. Apple AirTag: Making the Right Choice

Ultimately, purchasing the right tracker means considering your needs carefully and weighing the pros and cons. If you only ever use iOS devices, an Apple AirTag may be right for you — but it’s not necessarily practical for tracking larger devices or vehicles. GPS trackers can be used for most applications. However, buyers should compare costs and ensure they choose a trusted manufacturer before committing.

Bookmark our list of advantages and disadvantages and refer back to it whenever you’re in the market for a tracking device. If you want more information on GPS trackers, contact LandAirSea, and a member of our friendly team will answer any questions you may have.