Nowadays, there are quite a few cat trackers available on the market, each with its own features and approach. Consider differences in size, battery life, extra features, and the type of subscription they come with. To keep things clear, we place the Spotter CatX alongside other brands like Tractive, Weenect, and Kippy below. This way, you can see at a glance how they compare and which tracker suits you and your cat best.
Cat Tracker Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?
Sources: official websites of Spotter, Tractive, Weenect, and Kippy and independent comparisons. This comparison is compiled by Spotter. The data on other brands come from their own websites and was verified in September 2026. Prices and specifications may have changed since then and may vary per country or promotion. See something that’s no longer correct? Let us know via our customer service
Curious? View the CatX here
What should you look for in a cat tracker?
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Subscription Form
Most trackers operate with a monthly subscription that automatically renews, even if you use it infrequently. A prepaid model offers more freedom: you pay for the period you need, without surprises at the next billing. -
Weight
A cat collar should be light enough not to be noticeable for your cat. Most trackers weigh between 20 and 40 grams. -
Battery Life
Expect between 4 and 10 days for daily use, and see if the tracker can be quickly recharged if the battery runs out sooner. -
Network Coverage 4G currently offers the best balance between coverage, speed, and future-proofing, especially if your cat tends to wander further from home.
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Water Resistance Cats love to crawl into places that are wet, muddy, or damp. Check the IP rating: IPX7 or higher means the tracker can withstand immersion, whereas lower ratings often only handle splashes.
What accounts for the difference in purchase price?
The CatX stands out in this overview with a number of unique features.
- For example, the CatX cat tracker has a color display on the collar, allowing a finder to immediately see that your cat is missing, and a built-in camera (0.3 MP) that lets you take a photo remotely. And a call function.
- Additionally, Spotter works with a more flexible usage model than other brands. While other cat trackers often require a continuous subscription, the CatX is fully prepaid: you choose the period that suits you. From the equivalent of €7 per month for 3 months to €4.50 per month for 24 months, with nothing running automatically. This way, you never pay for something you don’t need, and you keep control over your costs.
This combination of extra functionality and more freedom in costs makes the CatX a smart choice.
What if your cat goes missing?
This is the moment when a cat tracker must prove itself. The process differs per brand.
CatX (Spotter)
This is where the CatX stands out. With a single tap, you activate Lost Mode in the app, and the color display on the collar immediately shows that your cat is missing, along with a phone number. The finder doesn’t need to download or scan anything. If you want to search yourself, you can request a location in the app: every twenty seconds for three minutes, you receive an update. You can also call the tracker; it will pick up automatically. Or play a sound on the CatX so you can hear it from a distance if it’s nearby.
Tractive (CAT 6 Mini)
By default, the tracker works on an interval of a few minutes to almost an hour. As soon as your cat is lost, you switch to LIVE mode in the app: the location is then updated every two to three seconds. The tracker itself has no screen, everything is managed through the app.
Weenect (XS)
You can set how often the location is updated, from once every five minutes to every ten seconds. You can shorten the interval when your cat is lost. If your cat is nearby but not visible, you can make the tracker play a sound signal via the app; at night, the built-in flashlight helps. Everything also happens through the app here, the tracker doesn’t have a screen.
Kippy (EVO)
Kippy works with direct location determination via GPS, Glonass, wifi, and Bluetooth, visible as soon as you open the app. Kippy doesn’t have a Lost Mode with a visible message on the tracker itself: the tracker doesn’t have a screen, so the finder of your cat depends on the app. However, you can set zones for a notification as soon as your cat leaves a familiar area.
So the main difference is: with Tractive, Weenect, and Kippy, the finder of your cat needs to know the app or be able to reach you, while the CatX immediately shows the answer on the collar itself.
Privacy and data processing
A cat tracker collects location data, so it’s good to know where that data ends up. All four brands sell to customers in the European Union and are thereby subject to the GDPR (known in the Netherlands as the AVG). The difference lies in who manages the data, where it is stored, and how easily you can find out about it in your own language.
Spotter CatX
Spotter is a Dutch brand that delivers throughout Europe. Location data is encrypted and sent via a secure connection to ISO-certified data centers within the EU. The privacy policy, processing agreement, and Data Act transparency statement are publicly available on the compliance page, along with a forget-me form that allows you to delete all your data at once. Customer service operates from the company’s own office in the Netherlands: if you ask a question about your data, it goes to an employee in the Netherlands and not to an external call center elsewhere. The website and chat support are available in eight European languages.
Tractive CAT 6 Mini
Tractive is an Austrian company. The data is stored on servers within the EU. The privacy statement is on tractive.com, via the Privacy link at the bottom of the site. Requests to have your data deleted are submitted through the help center.
Weenect XS
Weenect is a French brand (Hareau SAS, Paris). The privacy statement is available in Dutch and the location data is processed within the EU. According to the same statement, customer service is partially provided by an external service provider outside the EU. The Dutch privacy statement is on weenect.com, via the Privacy Policy link at the bottom of the site. Deletion requests are handled via email through customer service or the data protection officer.
Kippy EVO
Kippy is an Italian brand, part of the Swiss Datamars group since 2023. In the privacy statement, Datamars Digital Solutions SA in Switzerland is the data controller for European users. Switzerland falls under an adequacy decision by the European Commission, so data transfer is allowed; a specific storage location within the EU is not mentioned. The privacy statement is on kippy.eu, at the bottom of the site. Requests to have your data deleted are handled via privacy@datamars.com.
What suits you better, prepaid or a subscription?
Each cat tracker requires a data connection, and you pay for that. The difference lies not in what you pay, but in what happens if you don’t pay attention for a while.
- An ongoing subscription suits you if you use the tracker year-round, don’t want to think about renewing, and prefer it to just keep running.
- Prepaid credit suits you if you want to know upfront what you’re spending, primarily use the tracker during specific periods, such as the first months when a kitten is allowed outside, after moving house, or during the outdoor season, and you don’t want something deducted monthly without your attention.
With the Spotter CatX, you choose a period for your prepaid credit in advance: 3, 6, 12, or 24 months, ranging from €7 to €4.50 per month. When it ends, it stops automatically. You don’t need to cancel anything, and nothing is automatically deducted. If you don’t use the tracker for a while, you simply let it be and recharge later. You only pay for the months you actually use it.
Take a look at the Spotter CatX
See exactly where your cat is with the latest cat tracker. With display, improved battery, and more!
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The first cat tracker with a display
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Unique lost-mode feature
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Powerful battery, track your cat for 4-10 days
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And much more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, because a chip and a tracker do different things. A chip only contains a registration number and works only when someone finds your cat and has it scanned at a vet or shelter. You can’t use it to search yourself. A GPS tracker shows you at any moment where your cat is, even if no one has found it. The chip shows who the cat belongs to, the tracker helps you find it.
Not if the collar has a safety clasp. Cats can get caught with a collar; a safety clasp will release under tension, allowing the cat to free itself. All four trackers in this overview come with such a clasp. Additionally, check that the collar is not too tight (there should be room for two fingers) and that the tracker has no sharp edges.
Yes, especially for the long term. Trackers on 4G currently offer the best combination of coverage, speed, and future-proofing. Models that fall back on 2G are more economical to use, but 2G and 3G networks are being phased out in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe in the coming years. So, when comparing, don’t just check if a tracker works now, but also which networks it operates on.
Yes, a cat that goes outside is guaranteed to end up in the rain, wet bushes, or mud. Check the IP rating: IPX7 or higher means the device can withstand half an hour of immersion in shallow water. The term ‘water-resistant’ without an IP code says little, as it is not a standardized indication. For cats that frequently encounter water, IP67 and IP68 are more generously rated.
Only you, through your own account in the manufacturer’s app. Other users cannot see your cat’s location, and with most brands, you can share the location yourself with housemates or a sitter. However, each manufacturer processes the location data on its own servers, so it’s worth checking where those servers are located and how you can have your data deleted later.
At the core, the four brands are similar: a GPS tracker on the collar, an app, and a data connection. The differences lie in the payment model and in what the tracker itself can do. Spotter operates with prepaid credit without automatic renewal, while Tractive, Weenect, and Kippy offer a subscription model. The Spotter CatX also features a color display on the collar and a camera, which the other three do not have. In terms of weight, water resistance, and battery life, they are quite similar. The table at the top of this page lists the differences side by side; in our article on choosing a GPS tracker for cats, you can read about what else to consider.
