Last Updated on June 5, 2026 by Kieran Beckles
Trying to decide between Fi and Tractive? I’ve used both GPS dog collars with my Alaskan Klee Kai and tested them for over three years. In this comparison, I’ll break down the differences in tracking accuracy, battery life, subscription costs, app features, and overall value to help you decide which collar is right for your dog.
Fi Series 3+ Vs Tractive Quick Verdict |
 After using both the Fi Series 3 and Tractive GPS dog collars with my two Alaskan Klee Kai for years, I personally prefer Fi. The battery lasts significantly longer, the app feels more polished, and it's the collar I continue to use today. However, Tractive is often the better choice for international travel and owners who prioritize live tracking over activity features. |
We became convinced that we needed a smart dog collar with reliable tracking after a scary experience with one of my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs in our neighborhood.
Copper managed to escape his traditional collar and chase a coyote up a hill, leaving my line of sight and resulting in the worst five minutes of my life. Yasmin and I decided to invest in reliable smart dog collars for our Alaskan Klee Kai dogs after that incident.
The Tractive device can be attached to your dog’s existing collar, but it requires a subscription to access all its features. The Fi Series 3+ (an updated version of the Fi Series 3) is integrated into their collar.
You have to pay for the Tractive device and a subscription, but Fi only charges a membership cost and a one-time activation fee.
In this review, I’ll compare all the features, the true cost of these smart collars, and share my verdict.
2026 Update: My dogs have now worn both Fi and Tractive collars for multiple years. This review has been updated to reflect my long-term experience with battery life, tracking reliability, and subscription costs. As always, this article follows our smart collar testing process to ensure accurate, honest, and experience-based recommendations.
Fi Series 3+ vs Tractive Comparison Table
| Feature | Fi Series 3+ | Tractive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Dog Size | Medium to large | 8.8lbs + |
| Collar dimensions | 42mm x 30mm x 12.5mm | 71.1 × 27.9 × 17.8 mm |
| Weight | 47 grams | 39g |
| Battery life | 2-3 months | 2 weeks |
| Charging | Fi charging base | USB-C |
| Connectivity | AT&T | LTE/4G |
| GPS tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $20 activation fee | $79 for device |
| Subscription required | Yes (starts at $89) | Yes (starts at $120) |
Fi Series 3+ vs Tractive: Our Recommendation
We’ll get right down to business and share our pick based on our experience with Fi and Tractive. We’d recommend the Fi dog collar because our dogs preferred it, and we liked using their app.
Fi has an integrated collar design, with the device seamlessly located within the collar itself. This made it easy to attach, and our Alaskan Klee Kai dogs didn’t realize they had trackers on.
This wasn’t the case with Tractive. We had to attach the Tractive device to their existing collars, which seemed a little cumbersome when compared to the Fi collar series.
Do you want to learn more about Fi?
You can read my updated Fi Series 3+ review.
The Fi collar has impressive battery life – up to three months. This was a big perk for us because we’re busy parents and business owners, and sometimes things fall through the cracks.
The Tractive can’t compete with the Fi collar’s battery life, and there were times we’d forget to charge the device, and I wouldn’t realize until we got an alert or logged into the app.
We used the smart dog collars in our suburban yard and on our neighborhood walks. The Fi collar was perfect for this scenario, whereas the Tractive might be a better choice for dog owners who hike a lot.
When you break down the upfront Tractive cost, there’s not much difference between the Tractive and the Fi. Tractive is $79 up front, plus $120 (one year) or $168 (two years), and Fi requires a $20 activation fee, plus $189 (one year) or $339 (two years). There’s no cost for the device if you’re a new Fi customer.
When you consider the total cost, there’s not much difference between the plans: Fi is $10 more expensive. If you go for the two-year plan, Tractive’s total cost is $247 and Fi’s total cost is $359.
Fi Series 3+ Smart Dog Collar
We noticed some dog influencers promoting the Fi smart dog collar, so we decided to invest in two to try out on Copper and Skye.
Fi Series 3+ or SpotOn?
Here's my recommendation.
Copper and Skye are sensitive dogs, and Fi’s integrated design appealed to us. The tracker is incorporated into the collar, so it’s less intrusive. It was easy to use, and my Klee Kai dogs didn’t notice they were sporting smart collars.
As you can guess from my story above, I wanted a smart dog collar that functioned in my neighborhood to keep my dogs safe. It has live tracking, so I can keep tabs on my Klee Kai if they’re outside.
They monitor your dog’s activity and health, which was a feature we used a lot. Copper needs to lose a little weight, so we liked how Fi motivated us to get more active with him.
Having seen Copper slip his leash before, I was impressed by the Fi Series 3+’s durability. It has kept Copper safe inside our yard and outside on our walks.
While the Fi dog collar doesn’t have a containment feature like SpotOn, it does have safe zones. You can set up a virtual fence, and if your dog leaves this area, the collar will send an alert to your phone.
The Fi smart device has an impressive battery life. It can last up to three months. This is great longevity when compared to other brands on the market, including Tractive. However, it’s worth noting that the battery will drain more quickly the more you use the tracking features.
We used the Fi Series 3 for two years before upgrading to the Series 3+ in 2026. I will say that the battery didn’t degrade over that period. It still lasted a pretty consistent 2-3 months on a single charge.
How much does the Fi Series 3+ cost in 2026?
You can read my full price breakdown here.
With regards to price, we signed up for a biannual plan. The prices slightly differ from when we subscribed back in 2024. Fi have actually lowered their membership fees slightly.
We pay $339 every two years (equivalent to $3.20 a week), and there’s a one-time $20 activation fee. Other options include $99 every six months (equivalent to $3.80 a week), $189 annually for the yearly plan (equivalent to $3.60 a week).
It’s available through their official website or Amazon.
Tractive Smart Dog Collar
Tractive is a reputable brand, and if you’re a pet owner, you’ll likely have heard of their smart tracking collars because they’re everywhere!
When we lived in the UK, we invested in several Tractive devices, and, to be transparent, we’ve previously collaborated with the brand. However, we don’t currently use Tractive devices.
The Tractive differs from the Fi because you need to physically attach it to your dog’s collar. It’s small but can be cumbersome, especially if you’ve got sensitive dogs like our Alaskan Klee Kai.
Copper and Skye didn’t particularly enjoy wearing the Tractive device when at home. We ended up removing the trackers often, which was a hassle. We hard to charge them regularly, too.
Tractive’s GPS location tracking rivals or perhaps even betters Fi. If you’re someone who likes to explore a lot with your dog, you can have peace of mind knowing they’ve got great coverage.
It might be a pro for some dog owners that you can attach the Tractive to all manner of collars. It’s versatile. It just didn’t fit our needs, and Fi’s integrated design worked much better.
You have to pay for the Tractive device up front. When I first wrote this article in late 2025, it cost $69. Tractive has since increased the cost of the tracker to $79.
However, you’ll also need a subscription. The one-year plan costs $120 annually, the bi-annual plan is $168, and the five-year plan costs $300.
You can get a one-year plan billed at $120 (equivalent to $2.50 per week), a two-year plan billed at $168 (equivalent to $1.75 per week), and a five-year plan billed at $300 (equivalent to $1.25 per week). You can buy the Tractive on their official website or Amazon.
When you consider the full cost, keep in mind the $79 fee and the subscription plan. For instance, when you combine the cost of the device and the one-year plan, you’re paying a total of $199.
Fi Series 3+ vs Tractive Cost Comparison
| Cost | Fi Series 3+ | Tractive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 activation fee | $79 for device |
| Activation fee | $20 | $0 |
| 6 month subscription | $99 (plus $20) | N/A |
| 12 month subscription | $189 (plus $20) | $120 (plus $79) |
| 24 month subscription | $339 (plus $20) | $168 (plus $79) |
| 5 year subscription | N/A | $300 (plus $79) |
Who Should Buy Fi Series 3+ And Who Should Buy Tractive
Fi Series 3+
- Battery life
- Durability
- Integrated design
- Lower upfront cost for new customers
Tractive
- Lower monthly cost over time
- Can attach to any collar
- You travel internationally
- Doesn’t require specific charging base
Fi Series 3+ vs Tractive FAQs
The Fi Series 3+ and Tractive are excellent options but my preference is the Fi Series 3+ for better durability, longer charge and more social features.
The Fi Series 3+ can last up to three months (in my experience, between 2 and 3 months), while the Tractive lasts up to two weeks.
Neither works without a subscription. You will need to sign up to an active subscription to use these smart collars.
Tractive generally has the advantage for international travel because it supports tracking in many countries. Fi is primarily designed for use in the United States.
In my experience, the Fi Series 3+ is worth the extra cost when compared to the Tractive. I’ve been using it for the past three years and I’m very happy with the performance.
Fi Series 3+ vs Tractive: Which Do I Still Use?
Having used these two devices for an extended period in the UK and the US, I’m currently using the Fi Series 3+ for Copper.
Do you want to know our favorite smart dog collar?
We rank the top seven in our ultimate guide.
It has proven more durable and reliable, and I have peace of mind with accurate tracking in my area and lost dog mode should he ever stray from home.
In 2026, I swapped Skye’s Fi Series 3 (the older model) for the Fi Mini. Skye is more sensitive to weight and I believe this Fi device was a better fit.
Should you buy the Fi Series 3+ or the Fi Mini?
I revealed my answer in this comparison article.
Wrapping Up
We’ve reached the end of our Fi and Tractive comparison article. They’re two great choices for pet parents.
Our recommendation is the Fi series dog collar, based on our experience with the device on Copper and Skye.
I’ve been using the Fi Series 3 and Fi Series 3+ for over two years on my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs, and I’m extremely satisfied with the performance.
I appreciate the durability of the device and the collar, as well as the extra-long battery life, so I don’t have to worry about constantly charging.
There isn’t much of a price difference if you sign up for an annual plan, though Tractive is cheaper if you choose a two- or five-year subscription.
While Tractive is still a good option, Fi’s integrated approach was a standout feature, allowing our Klee Kai dogs to feel comfortable wearing it.
Kieran Beckles is an NCTJ-qualified journalist, a former pet nutrition student, and co-founder of Life With Klee Kai. He has been reviewing pet food and products since 2018, testing over 50+ brands, and has raised his dogs, Skye and Copper, since 2017. His work blends hands-on testing and nutrition knowledge to help pet owners make informed decisions.