In development · Car security
You walk out with your keys. The car's gone.
A 4G GPS car tracker you could watch live on your phone, with mobile data included up front and no monthly plan.
We've worked out what we'd make. We'll make it if enough people want it.
Goal: 100 backers to start production
No payment, no commitment. One email when it's ready.
What happens next
- 01
Back it, free
One click. No payment and no commitment. Your email is optional.
- 02
We hit 100 backers
That's the signal we need to start production. If we don't get there, we don't make it.
- 03
Founding backers go first
Backers who left an email get first access to the first batch, at the lowest price we'll offer.
Why people put it off
Four reasons, all fair.
These are the reasons we think people hold off. Tell us if we're right in the questions below.
- “An AirTag does the same job, and it’s cheaper.”
- “Installing a tracker looks like a job for a mechanic.”
- “It won't happen to my car.”
- “I don't want another monthly subscription.”
It happens more than you think
- 659,880
vehicles reported stolen in the US in 2025. That's still about one every 48 seconds.
Source: NICB 2025 Vehicle Theft Report - 880,327
motor vehicle thefts estimated nationwide in 2024, or 258.8 per 100,000 people.
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, Crime in the United States 2024 - 136,988
vehicles stolen in California alone in 2025, more than 20% of the national total.
Source: NICB 2025 Vehicle Theft Report
Why the usual fixes fall short
What an AirTag can't do.
- An AirTag has no GPS. It only updates when an Apple device passes nearby, and nearby iPhones can warn a thief it's there
- Most real GPS trackers come with a plan: roughly US$9–35 a month for the ones we checked
- Hidden, hardwired trackers can need an installer
AirTag vs a GPS tracker
| AirTag | GPS tracker | |
|---|---|---|
| How it finds the car | No GPS. It relies on Apple devices passing within Bluetooth range | Its own GPS, reporting over the 4G mobile network |
| Live tracking while the car moves | Only when an Apple device happens to be nearby | Live location in a phone app |
| Will a thief be warned? | Nearby iPhones can show an “AirTag found moving with you” alert, and it can play a sound | It wouldn't be on the Find My network, so it wouldn't trigger those alerts |
| Power | Coin-cell battery you replace | Powered by the car, with a small backup battery |
| Alerts | Separation alerts for things you leave behind | Geofence alerts when the car enters or leaves an area you set |
| Ongoing cost | None | No monthly plan. Data included up front |
| Price | US$29 (apple.com) | Expected around US$149 one-off |
AirTag details from Apple Support and apple.com. The GPS tracker column describes what we plan to make.
How it would install
Plug in. No wiring.
We're also looking at a hardwired version for a hidden install. That would need a professional installer if you're not confident with car wiring.
- 01
Find the port
The OBD-II port is usually under the dashboard on the driver's side. Cars and light trucks sold in the US since the 1996 model year have one.
- 02
Plug it in
No wiring and no tools. It would draw power from the car.
- 03
Set up the app
Add the tracker in the app and see where the car is.
Three years of tracker plans
What a subscription adds up to.
Most real GPS trackers come with an ongoing plan. Here's what three years adds up to with a few well-known US options.
| Tracker service | Price | Over 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Bouncie | US$89.99 device + US$9.65/month | US$437 |
| Spytec Pulse OBD | US$107.40/year prepaid (or US$14.95/month), hardware included | US$322–538 |
| Vyncs Basic 4G+ | US$99.99/year + US$45.99 one-time activation, device included | US$346 |
| LoJack (3-year plan) | US$695 upfront, installation included | US$695 |
| Our tracker (planned) | Expected around US$149 one-off, data included | US$149 |
Prices from each provider's own pricing page (Bouncie via BetterPickAdvisor), checked November 2026. Totals include the device where the provider charges for one, but exclude taxes, shipping and optional upgrades. Prices change, so check with each provider.
What we're working on
Pay-once Car GPS Tracker
A small 4G GPS tracker that plugs into the car's OBD-II port (usually under the dashboard on the driver's side), with a SIM and mobile data included up front, plus a phone app for live tracking and alerts. No wiring and no monthly plan.
Expected around US$149 one-off. Founding backers pay less.
What you'd get
- A small 4G GPS tracker that plugs into the car's OBD-II port, with a SIM and mobile data included
- Plug it in, add it to the app, and see where the car is, live
- Set an area on the map and get an alert if the car leaves it
- No monthly plan: one price up front
Pay-once Car GPS Tracker is a working name. The details may change as we develop it, and we'll only make it if enough people back it.
Our standards for it
- No monthly plan: the data is paid for up front
- Clear details on what's included, and for how long, before launch
- We plan to work with a certified manufacturer, and we'll share details before launch
- Only for vehicles you own or are allowed to track
Help shape it
Three quick questions. All optional.
Your answers decide what goes in, and what it costs. Skip anything you like.
Thank you. That genuinely helps us decide what to make.
Questions
Before you back it.
Am I charged anything?
No. Backing an idea is free, and we never ask for card details on this page. If it goes ahead, it's up to you whether you buy.
When would it ship?
Only if we reach 100 backers. If we do, we'll email backers with timing before anything goes on sale. If we don't, we won't make it.
Where will it be made?
By a certified manufacturer. We'll share who makes it, and where, before launch.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. Every email has an unsubscribe link, and backing doesn't commit you to buying anything.
Why back it now?
Founding backers get first access at the lowest price we'll offer, and your answers help decide what goes in it and what it costs.
The fine print, upfront
No payment. No catch.
- Backing is free. We never ask for card details on this page.
- If you leave your email, we'll send one email when it's ready. Unsubscribe any time.
- We never sell or share your details. Read our privacy policy.
- Questions? Get in touch, or see every idea we're working on.