Traccar
What it is
Traccar is GPS tracking software that can be hosted on your own systems or used through managed hosting. It shows device locations in real time on road maps or satellite imagery, with sensor readings and other tracker data. Alerts can flag geofence crossings, harsh driving, fuel drops, and maintenance events. Users can review trips, charts, summaries, and location history, then export reports to Excel. The software works with trackers from manufacturers including Teltonika, Jimi IoT, Ruptela, Queclink, Suntech, and TopFlyTech across more than 200 protocols. Its server runs on Windows or Linux, on owned hardware or in the cloud. Traccar Manager for Android and iOS requires a Traccar server; Traccar Client can make a smartphone a GPS tracker. An API and WebSocket endpoint support service functionality and live updates. The server is free and open source for private or commercial use. Managed plans start at $9.95 a month, and a dedicated server plan is $49.95 a month.
For and against
For
- Live device locations on maps or satellite imagery
- Alerts cover geofences, driving, fuel, and maintenance
- Supports more than 200 tracker protocols
- Exports reports to Excel
- Free, open-source server for commercial or private use
Against
- Traccar Manager requires a Traccar server
- HTTP is unencrypted by default
- Shared accounts use default server configuration
- Dedicated server provisioning may take up to 24 hours
The verdict
Traccar combines live tracking, alerts, reporting, and broad tracker compatibility with self-hosted and managed options. The unencrypted HTTP default means HTTPS setup is important for deployments that need secure web access.
Who it suits
Traccar suits people or organizations that need to track compatible GPS devices, review trip history, or monitor sensor and driving events. It also fits users who want to host the server themselves or use managed hosting.
Plans and prices
Self-hosted Traccar
No commercial or private-use limits · Server and web app packages
Read 15 Oct 2026 · traccar.org
Tracking Account
Shared server · Selected device limit · All platform features · Technical support
Read 15 Oct 2026 · traccar.org
Tracking Server
Dedicated server · Branding · Custom domain and configuration · Technical support
Read 15 Oct 2026 · traccar.org
On the record
- Alerts
- It sends push or email notifications for geofence crossings, harsh driving, fuel changes and maintenance events.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- API
- Traccar provides an API for service functionality, with session-cookie, HTTP authorization-header, and bearer-token options, plus a WebSocket endpoint for live updates.traccar.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Company footprint
- Traccar reports more than 130 open-source developers, 400 localization contributors and usage in over 170 countries.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- LinkedIn lists the company headquarters at 1360 Redwood Ave, Redwood City, California, with 2–10 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company reach
- The About page reports more than 130 open-source developers, 400 localization contributors, and use in over 170 countries.traccar.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Database support
- Documentation covers H2, PostgreSQL or TimescaleDB, MySQL or MariaDB and Microsoft SQL Server.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The server can run on Windows or Linux, on owned hardware or in the cloud; the download page lists Docker, Linux x64, Linux ARM, and Windows x64 packages.traccar.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Device compatibility
- The project documents support for more than 200 GPS protocols and over 2,000 tracker models.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The documentation covers user operations, configuration, troubleshooting, databases, installation, scaling, architecture, API use and protocol development.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Developers can implement new GPS protocols and use REST, WebSocket or MCP interfaces.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Free software terms
- The server is completely free and open source with no limitations on commercial or private use.traccar.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Identity integration
- Traccar supports OpenID Connect authentication with third-party providers, including Okta, Authelia, and Google.traccar.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Documented integrations include Odoo, WhatsApp, Telegram, Pushover, Firebase, email and SMS notifications.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- Traccar 6.16 was published September 26, 2026 with stability fixes, a geofence-crossed event, expanded MCP API exposure and audit-report usernames.traccar.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The Traccar server and related projects are released under the Apache License 2.0.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Android data safety
- Google Play discloses that Traccar Client may collect location data, does not encrypt data and cannot delete collected data.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Capterra maps
- A Capterra reviewer says maps lack street-number labels and terrain, making it harder to locate a vehicle without an exact address.capterra.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 compatibility
- G2 reviewers report compatibility problems with some GPS devices, difficulty configuring advanced features and occasional glitches.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
