Is your dog always curious about the world around them and try to run away and get lost from time to time? Even if they don’t, you would probably love to know their whereabouts to ensure they are safe at all times.
You know pet tracking devices can help you keep track of your furry friend, and you already have the two well-known brands in mind, PetFON and Whistle, but you are not sure which one to get.
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! We’ve compared the two pet trackers’ tracking technology used, features, performance, design and durability, pricing, their pros and cons, and which gadget we think is better!
** Comparison Table: PetFON vs. Whistle
| Brand | PetFON | Whistle |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Technology | Combines long-distance wireless, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth | AT&T’s nationwide 4G LTE network and Google Maps |
| Tracking Range | Up to 0.65 miles in city areas and 3.5 miles in an open environment | Unlimited range as long as there’s network coverage |
| Escape Alerts | ||
| Activity Monitoring | ||
| Fitness Monitoring | ||
| Health Monitoring | ||
| Weekly Wellness Reports | ||
| Built-in Light | ||
| Voice Command | ||
| Access to On-Demand Veterinary Help | ||
| Nutrition Calculator | ||
| Water-Resistant |
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| Water-Proof |
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| Dust-Proof | ||
| Weight | 27.6g | 27.2g |
| Battery | 8-16 hours | Up to 20 days |
| Monthly Subscription | ||
| Price | Chere here | Chere here |
Tracking Technology
The PetFON GPS tracker combines the latest technology like long-distance wireless, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to give you accurate real-time positioning of where your dog is at any given moment. You will also have the ability to track your dog’s activity, such as walking distance, duration, and paws (steps), and it works without a SIM card and cellular networks.
The Whistle Go Explore Pet Tracker, on the other hand, uses AT&T’s nationwide 4G LTE network and Google Maps to track your dog’s movement every 15 seconds and pinpoint their location anywhere in the country, giving you peace of mind. There’s also a 24-hour timeline that will provide you with a breakdown of how your dog spends their time.
Tracking Range
The PetFON dog tracker has a high-performance wireless chip and laser antenna embedded in it, allowing you to track up to 0.65 miles in a city area and 3.5 miles in an open environment.
Unlike the PetFON tracker, Whistle Go Explore can quickly locate your canine, whether if they’ve just wandered into your backyard or are miles away. As long as you have cell phone service and the device your dog wears has a GPS signal, it will show up within seconds on Google Maps no matter where they are!
Safety and Health Monitoring
The PetFON has a geofencing feature that lets you define a safe place and alarm you once your pup leaves the designated area. It also comes with an 11-color LED light that you can activate to locate your canine in a dim light situation. Plus, there’s a voice command option, which you can use to record a message such as “come” on the tracker and activate it remotely to communicate with your dog.
Like the PetFON dog tracker, Whistle Go Explore allows you to set a designated safe area that will alert you when your furball makes a sneaky escape. There’s also a built-in night light, which you can switch between slow flash, fast flash, or always-on mode to make your dog more visible at night. While it doesn’t have the voice command function, it comes with four additional features that make it stand out from the PetFON tracking gadget.
First, it allows you to monitor the four common dog behaviors (elevated scratching, increased drinking, excessive chewing and licking, and sleep disruptions) that will alert you to early signs of illness like skin allergies, diabetes, dietary issues, and sleep disorders.
Second, you will get access to on-demand veterinary help through call, chat, video, or email right from the Whistle app. They are a team of licensed veterinary professionals who will give you advice and guidance to help answer the questions you might have so that you can avoid unnecessary vet visits.
Third, there’s a nutrition calculator you can use to get an idea of how much food your dog should eat based on their breed, age, weight, and exercise levels to keep your dog’s health in tip-top shape.
And lastly, you will have the ability to create fitness goals for your dog based on their age, weight, and breed to make sure they get the exercise they need. The latest stats will be broken down for you in a weekly report so that you know how much your pup is moving around each week!
Design and Durability
The PetFON dog tracker comes with two modules, one for you to carry and another for your dog to wear. The module is small yet durable, dust-proof, and water-resistant (IP65 rated), making it great for outdoor activities and rainy weather. Additionally, the tracker only weighs 27.6g, which means your dog won’t even feel anything when wearing it.
In comparison, the Whistle Go Explore has a rounded cuboid body design and is more durable. Plus, it is waterproof, with a rating of IPX8, which can submerge up to 6 feet. Meaning it is perfect for any water activities, like swimming and boating. It is roughly the same size as the PetFON dog tracker, measuring 1.8” x 1.4” x 0.7” and weighs slightly lighter, only 27.2g.
Battery
The Whistle Go Explore has a long-lasting battery of up to 20 days, whereas the PetFON can only last 8-16 hours, depending on the distance between you and your dog. The closer the two of you are, the longer it lasts! Though the PetFON’s battery doesn’t hold the charge as long as the Whistle Go Explore, it comes with a charging box that gives you the ability to recharge the tracking device three times.
Pricing
The PetFON costs a bit more than the Whistle Go Explore, but the good thing is that there’s no monthly subscription required. And while the Whistle Go Explore’s upfront cost is cheaper, there’s an ongoing cost you have to pay as it relies on cellular networks to track your dog, which also means the PetFON tracker is more economical in the long run.
In Our Opinion
We think both GPS dog collars can provide an extra layer of protection and help keep your dog safe, especially when you are letting your dog off-leash. Both are great options if you’re looking for peace of mind with accurate location tracking.
However, the Whistle Go Explore is better suited for city dwellers and pet owners who not only want to be able to pinpoint their dog’s location but also track their furry friend’s activity, health, and fitness level. But if you live outside urban areas or love to go hiking or running with your dog in areas where the network coverage is terrible, then PetFON will be a better choice.
Which one do we like? The Whistle Go Explore is our pick! Though keep in mind that if you do go for the Whistle GPS tracker, you have to pay for the AT&T monthly subscription, which is its only cons.
