Free GPS vs. free tracking – what is the difference
SaveTrack has two different offers with the word "free" in them and they are easy to mix up. Let's put them side by side so it is clear what is free in each and what is not.
Two offers, two different things for free
Free GPS unit means that with annual payment you pay nothing for the hardware. You pay for the service, you get the device.
Free tracking means the opposite: you pay no monthly fee for the service, but you arrange the device and the SIM card with data yourself.
Put differently – in one offer the hardware is free, in the other the software and server are. Never both at once, because each of those costs has to be paid by someone.
Side by side
Free plan – monthly fee €0, device and SIM on you, current position only every 5 minutes (no mileage log, history, zones or notifications), connectivity is your business.
Paid plan with annual payment – from €6 per vehicle per month, device free, SIM and data included along with Europe, position every 60 seconds.
Paid plan with monthly payment – from €6 a month, device as a one-off €51 to €78 depending on the model, everything else as with annual payment.
Both paid variants include the loyalty discount that lowers the price from €6 to €5 and down to €4 per vehicle, and neither has any lock-in.
The most important difference is the interval
Price is usually the first thing people compare, but the decisive factor is the position refresh interval – it determines what the data can be used for.
At 60 seconds the route is continuous and the distances match reality. From such data you can keep a mileage log usable for tax purposes, monitor driving style and run dispatching.
At 5 minutes the route between two points gets straightened out – bends and city loops disappear and the reported distance comes out shorter than it really was. For the question "where is the car now" that is fine; for reporting distances it is not.
Who the free plan suits
If you already own a GPS unit – for instance from a previous solution – and only want to know where the vehicle currently is, the free plan is the logical choice. You pay only for the data in the SIM card.
It equally makes sense for trying things out. You find out whether tracking suits you at all, without any commitment, and you can move to the paid plan whenever you like.
It also fits where precision is not needed: tracking a trailer, machinery or a vehicle not used for business.
Who the free unit with annual payment suits
If you do not have a unit and would have to buy one, annual payment tends to be better value – the hardware costs you nothing and the worry about a SIM card and data disappears too.
It is essential when you report distances: you claim vehicle costs, distinguish business from private trips or need records that stand up to an inspection. That requires the 60-second interval.
And it is more convenient across several vehicles – you need not source a unit and a separate SIM card for each one.
You can move between them
Yes, and at any time – there is no lock-in in either variant. The usual path is to start on the free plan with your own unit and move to the paid one when you begin to need an accurate mileage log.
The opposite direction works just as well. If you stop needing the paid plan, the unit stays yours and you can keep using it on the free plan with your own SIM card.
If you are unsure which is better for you, write to us with the number of vehicles and what you need tracking for – the answer is usually clear within minutes.
FAQ
What is the difference between free GPS and free tracking?
With free GPS you get the unit at no surcharge with annual payment, but you pay for the service. With free tracking you pay no monthly fee, but the device and the SIM with data are on you.
What exactly is included in the free plan?
Only the current vehicle position, refreshed every 5 minutes. No mileage log, route history, zones or notifications. Those belong to the paid plan.
Can I have both the device and the service for free?
No. Each of those costs has to be paid by someone – either you get the hardware free and pay for the service, or the other way round.
Which plan is suitable for a mileage log?
The paid one. It needs the 60-second interval so the distances match reality. At a 5-minute interval they come out shorter and the records are not usable for tax.
Can I move from the free plan to the paid one?
Yes, at any time. There is no lock-in in either variant and the move works in the opposite direction too.
How much does the device cost with monthly payment?
Roughly €51 to €78 depending on the model. With annual payment it is free.
Not sure which variant suits you? Write to info@savetrack.eu or call +421 908 918 880 – we will advise based on your number of vehicles and what you need tracking for.
GPS tracking from €6/month, with a free GPS device on annual payment.
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