In brief
- A GPS that sends its position over 4G always uses connectivity.
- “No subscription” means it is included in the price, for a set period or with no annual renewal.
- A tracker with truly no connectivity (Bluetooth) doesn’t locate an animal that is far away.
- Compare the total cost over several years, not just the price of the device.
“Dog GPS without a subscription” is one of the most frequent searches before a purchase. Yet it mixes up two things: the need for connectivity, which is technical, and the way it is paid for, which is commercial.
Why a 4G GPS always needs the network
The collar works out its position from satellites, but then has to send it to you. It does so over the mobile network, with a SIM card, exactly like a phone. This connectivity has a cost for the manufacturer: someone has to pay for it. Our guide Dog GPS: how does it work? details this journey.
The three models on the market
| Criterion | Monthly or annual subscription | Connectivity included for a period | Connectivity included with no renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Often lower | In between | Higher |
| Recurring payment | Yes | After the included period | No |
| Predictable total cost | Partial | Partial | Yes |
| Real-time 4G tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes YesPartial PartialNo NoPartial: the total cost depends on how long you use it and on renewal prices.
- Subscription: you pay for connectivity every month or every year. The device is often cheaper, but the total cost grows over time.
- Connectivity included for a period: the first period is included in the price. Find out what happens afterwards.
- Connectivity included with no annual renewal: you pay once. The purchase price is higher, but there is no more recurring payment.
What Bixar offers
The Bixar Phoenix 4G GPS comes in two editions. The tracker, the collar and the app are identical; only the included connectivity changes.
| Criterion | Graphite & Rouge | Noir & Champagne |
|---|---|---|
| Price incl. VAT | €120 | €220 |
| 4G connectivity | 1 year included, then €29.90 a year, renewed automatically, cancellable at any time | Included, with no annual renewal, for as long as the device works, in France and the European Union |
| Warranty | 2-year legal guarantee of conformity | 2-year legal guarantee of conformity |
“€2.49 a month” is only the monthly equivalent of the annual price: there is no monthly billing. “No subscription to renew” only applies to the Noir & Champagne edition. For Graphite & Rouge, you will need to choose whether to continue connectivity after the first year.
Graphite & Rouge — 1 year of 4G included
Noir & Champagne — 4G with no annual renewal
How much does it cost over several years? Phoenix Graphite & Rouge: €120 over 1 year, €179.80 over 3 years, €239.60 over 5 years. Noir & Champagne: €220. For the competing 4G GPS trackers checked on 1 November 2026 (list prices, excluding promotions), the cost including hardware and plan ranges from €134.99 to €171 over 1 year, and from €294.99 (fixed-term commitment) to €579 (annual renewals) over 5 years, depending on the brand and plan: see the dog and cat GPS comparison.
Before buying
Questions to ask before buying
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Comparing the total cost over two or three years — purchase and connectivity — remains the simplest way to compare offers built differently. Our full checklist: how to choose a dog GPS. Totals over 1 to 5 years for five models, with a simulator: pet GPS comparison.
To compare the prices, subscriptions and features of five models side by side, see the GPS comparison of Phoenix, Weenect, Tractive, Invoxia and PAJ. For an overview based on your situation (town, countryside, a dog that escapes), also read best GPS for dogs: how to choose one.
