GITNUXSOFTWARE REVIEW
Technology & Digital MediaTop 10 Best Device Tracking Software of 2026
Compare device tracking software options for IT and security teams, with tradeoffs for managing endpoints like Hexnode UEM and Absolute.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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Hexnode UEM is the best pick for asset and security teams that need location context inside endpoint management because lost-device recovery actions run against the same managed device record that updates location over the device lifecycle, whereas Prey is a strong alternative for SMB teams that want an end-to-end lost-device workflow with evidence capture.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Hexnode UEM
Lost-device recovery actions execute against the same managed device record that holds location updates.
Best for: Fits when asset and security teams need location context inside endpoint management workflows.
Absolute
Editor pickAbsolute’s device recovery workflow coordinates remote protection actions tied to endpoint identity during theft or loss events.
Best for: Fits when asset management teams need agent-based inventory plus incident recovery workflows across distributed endpoints.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Editor pickUnified endpoint inventory with scheduled configuration policies in the same workflow as device actions like lock and wipe.
Best for: Fits when asset teams want device inventory and tracking tied to endpoint enrollment, policy enforcement, and audit exports.
Comparison Table
Hexnode UEM
enterpriseProvides unified endpoint management, inventory, compliance, and location controls.
Lost-device recovery actions execute against the same managed device record that holds location updates.
Hexnode UEM’s tracking capability is integrated with its endpoint enrollment and management model, so device identity and location events map to the same inventory objects used for compliance and operations. Location capture relies on the enrolled endpoint’s available signals and produces a view of last-known positions and time-stamped location updates in the admin console. Recovery operations like remote lock and remote wipe are handled against device records, which reduces the need to pivot between a device management workflow and a separate tracking tool.
A key tradeoff is that the location depth depends on what enrolled endpoints can report, so indoor accuracy and update frequency can vary across device hardware and signal availability. Hexnode UEM fits best when asset management teams already run endpoint enrollment, group-based policies, and operational recovery workflows and want location context without building a second control plane.
- +Location visibility is tied to enrolled device records and lifecycle actions
- +Group-based policy management supports consistent monitoring across device fleets
- +Role-based admin roles separate enrollment, monitoring, and recovery tasks
- +Automation hooks can connect inventory processes to external systems
- –Location accuracy and update cadence depend on endpoint hardware and signal conditions
- –Lost-device workflows require clean enrollment to ensure reliable targeting
IT asset management teams
Track assigned endpoints during audits
Fewer orphan devices
Field operations IT
Recover misplaced corporate devices quickly
Faster containment
Show 2 more scenarios
Security operations teams
Coordinate incident response for endpoints
Lower response time
Location context helps prioritize device triage while policies remain enforceable through management controls.
BYOD program managers
Enforce device controls with location context
Stronger device governance
Device enrollment links policy enforcement with tracking visibility for higher-risk endpoints.
Best for: Fits when asset and security teams need location context inside endpoint management workflows.
Absolute
enterpriseProvides persistent endpoint visibility, device tracking, and theft recovery for organizations.
Absolute’s device recovery workflow coordinates remote protection actions tied to endpoint identity during theft or loss events.
Absolute pairs endpoint device visibility with recovery-centric controls, including location reporting and device protection actions. Admins can manage devices through an agent enrollment workflow tied to asset identity fields like serial numbers and asset tags.
The product’s differentiation is its remote response playbook for incidents, plus an operational console designed for continuous inventory and lifecycle actions across many endpoints. Integration support centers on device telemetry and event workflows that can be routed into external systems through documented interfaces.
- +Agent-backed inventory tracks device identity and ownership metadata across endpoints
- +Remote device recovery workflows support lost or stolen incident handling
- +Admin controls and reporting support multi-device operational governance
- +Event and telemetry outputs support integration into external monitoring workflows
- –Location reporting depth depends on endpoint capabilities and environment conditions
- –Operational governance requires disciplined enrollment and asset tagging hygiene
IT security teams
Investigate missing corporate laptops
Traceable recovery process
School IT departments
Track school device custody changes
Improved fleet visibility
Show 2 more scenarios
Campus technology departments
Maintain endpoint lifecycle audit trails
Auditable device history
Admins manage assigned devices through asset identity fields and continuous lifecycle actions in the console.
Endpoint administrators
Lock and wipe lost devices
Reduced exposure
Admins place identified endpoints into lost-device workflows and apply remote lock, freeze, or wipe actions.
Best for: Fits when asset management teams need agent-based inventory plus incident recovery workflows across distributed endpoints.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
enterpriseTracks, inventories, secures, and administers desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile endpoints.
Unified endpoint inventory with scheduled configuration policies in the same workflow as device actions like lock and wipe.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central centers on endpoint enrollment, inventory, and patching workflows alongside device tracking signals from managed systems. It supports agent-based visibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints, then ties that inventory to remote actions like lock and wipe for covered endpoints.
Admins can automate configuration and remediation through scheduled policies tied to device groups, which keeps tracking data aligned with endpoint management tasks. Reporting and export options help asset and audit processes consume inventory snapshots rather than relying on manual spreadsheets.
- +Endpoint enrollment and inventory live in the same console as remote endpoint actions
- +Device grouping supports automated policies that keep tracking data aligned with enforcement
- +Reporting outputs can be exported for asset workflows and offline reconciliation
- +Cross-platform endpoint coverage includes Windows, macOS, and Linux agents
- –Location tracking is limited to what managed endpoints can provide through the agent
- –True real-time breadcrumb trails depend on endpoint telemetry quality and configuration discipline
- –Webhook-style integration requires additional configuration rather than a built-in event stream
- –Maintaining accurate inventory for unmanaged or intermittently connected devices needs process governance
Service desk teams
Standardize device onboarding jobs
Repeatable setup process
Infrastructure operations teams
Coordinate firmware update campaigns
Organized firmware maintenance
Show 2 more scenarios
IT governance teams
Verify software compliance from inventory
Audit-ready compliance evidence
Teams compare assigned applications and policies with inventory and deployment results to spot incomplete or failed changes.
IT support technicians
Troubleshoot with remote inventory logs
Faster diagnosis and fixes
Technicians use remote administration and deployment logs alongside inventory to diagnose endpoint issues without site visits.
Best for: Fits when asset teams want device inventory and tracking tied to endpoint enrollment, policy enforcement, and audit exports.
Prey
SMBTracks laptops, phones, and tablets with location, recovery, and remote protection controls.
Evidence collection and remote response are orchestrated within a single lost-device recovery workflow.
Prey uses an endpoint agent to collect device identity signals like hostname and platform details, then routes activity events into a central console for review. The console supports device management tasks such as remote lock, remote wipe, and device recovery steps, which fit asset management processes that must act after a location signal is reported. Integrations are available through an automation surface that can export events to external systems, which helps teams connect tracking output to ticketing or incident workflows. Admin control is focused on role-based access to the console plus audit-friendly activity history inside the product.
- +Endpoint recovery workflow ties evidence capture to action steps
- +Console groups devices for incident triage and operational reporting
- +Remote lock and remote wipe are built into lost-device handling
- +Automation integrations support sending tracking events to external systems
- –Forensic modules require careful agent configuration on each endpoint
- –Indoor positioning depth depends on endpoint capability and enabled collection
- –High-volume event streams can require console tuning for usability
IT asset management
Lost laptop recovery with remote actions
Faster containment and recovery
Security operations teams
Incident triage with endpoint event history
Reduced investigation time
Show 1 more scenario
Field operations managers
Device tracking across branch endpoints
Lower recovery delays
Device grouping and reporting help coordinate lost-device response across dispersed sites.
Best for: Fits when asset management teams need lost-device recovery with evidence capture and controlled remote actions.
Fleet
API-firstUses osquery to provide cross-platform endpoint inventory, querying, and device visibility.
Device inventory reports are directly addressable via Fleet’s API for automated remediation and reporting tied to each host record.
Fleet manages endpoint inventory through an agent that enrolls hosts into a central system and reports hardware and status fields into a searchable device inventory. Operational teams can filter and segment devices, then run governance actions like remote shell access and lifecycle events, with audit-friendly activity records tied to device context. The tool’s integration approach is based on an API surface that supports automation workflows without exporting everything into spreadsheets.
- +Inventory and actions share the same device identity model
- +API supports automation workflows tied to device records
- +RBAC-style governance supports role separation for device actions
- +Device lifecycle workflows reduce manual tracking effort
- –Best results require agent rollout discipline across endpoints
- –Location coverage depends on endpoint reporting capabilities
- –Some advanced enterprise controls need careful admin design
IT operations
Automate remediation after device posture checks
Faster issue response cycles
Asset management teams
Maintain clean device identity records
Lower duplicate and stale assets
Show 2 more scenarios
Security engineering
Track endpoint changes with governance controls
Controlled operational access
Role-based access limits who can run actions tied to device records and activity history.
Help desk
Perform remote actions during incidents
Reduced time to recover
Device context enables targeted remote commands and recovery workflows without manual device lookup.
Best for: Fits when asset teams need consistent endpoint inventory plus action workflows driven by an API.
AirDroid Business
SMBProvides Android device management, remote control, monitoring, and location tracking.
Route replay from saved location history helps admins investigate movement patterns after device loss.
AirDroid Business centralizes mobile device tracking for asset teams using GPS and Wi‑Fi based location updates, then ties those signals to inventory and remote actions. The admin console supports endpoint enrollment into managed groups and location-based alerts so teams can react when devices move or go offline.
- +GPS plus Wi‑Fi location updates improve location reliability in urban areas.
- +Location history supports route replay for investigation after an incident.
- +Remote lock and wipe can be initiated directly from the management console.
- +Group-based device inventory reduces operational overhead for multi-team estates.
- –Webhook and automation extensibility is limited compared with API-first UEM suites.
- –Advanced governance controls and role separation require deliberate admin setup.
IT administrators and mobility teams
Deploy apps and restrictions in bulk
Less per-device work
Kiosk and self-service operators
Run unattended kiosk fleets
Consistent single-purpose behavior
Show 2 more scenarios
IT and security administrators
Maintain employee access boundaries
More consistent access rules
Administrators control available applications and device behaviors for supervised mobile endpoints and track status over time.
Asset and fleet operations teams
Track tablet locations across sites
Better whereabouts visibility
Teams monitor GPS and Wi-Fi based location updates and operating state for managed tablets used in the field.
Best for: Fits when mobile asset teams need console-based tracking, inventory, and recovery workflows.
SimpleMDM
SMBManages Apple devices with enrollment, configuration, inventory, and remote administration tools.
Remote lock and remote wipe actions tied to device records and ownership context.
SimpleMDM is a mobile device management and device tracking product designed for teams that need enrollment, monitoring, and recovery workflows from one admin console. The system focuses on endpoint visibility through inventory fields, location capture controls, and operational actions like remote lock and wipe.
- +Enrollment workflows support consistent device onboarding at scale
- +Admin roles separate day-to-day management from sensitive actions
- +Device inventory and tracking fields help maintain asset records
- +Recovery actions cover lock and wipe for lost-device response
- –Location tracking depth is limited compared with specialized fleet GPS tools
- –Automation and API access for telemetry-style integrations is narrow
IT support and device administrators
Lock or wipe lost devices
Remote security action
Organizations administering Apple devices
Manage Apple TV device records
Apple TV in management
Show 2 more scenarios
IT operations teams
Check fleet enrollment status
Rollout progress visibility
Teams review inventory and policy status to verify enrollment and troubleshoot deployment issues for managed endpoints.
Organizations issuing work devices
Supervise configured iPhones and iPads
Centrally managed mobile fleet
Admins supervise work mobile devices and deliver repeatable settings, restrictions, and apps to users or groups.
Best for: Fits when asset management teams need endpoint enrollment, inventory, and lost-device workflows.
Samsara
vertical specialistTracks connected vehicles, equipment, and mobile assets through GPS and fleet operations software.
Samsara event feeds tie location changes to operational incidents for investigation-ready timelines across enrolled vehicles and assets.
Samsara is a device tracking software used for location-aware fleet and asset operations, with emphasis on real-time telemetry and operational visibility. The system aggregates GPS fleet tracking signals, device status, and event history into a centralized workflow for dispatch, maintenance, and exception handling.
- +Event-driven location history supports route replay and investigation workflows
- +Role-based access and audit logging support governance for multi-admin teams
- +Telemetry exports enable external reporting and operational automation
- +Device enrollment and inventory tracking reduce orphaned asset records
- –Setup and device provisioning require disciplined rollout planning
- –Some operational workflows depend on integrating multiple product components
Yard managers
Coordinate yard equipment and movement
Better availability awareness
Freight and delivery operations teams
Manage multi-stop delivery execution
Improved stop visibility
Show 2 more scenarios
Fleet managers and dispatchers
Monitor vehicles with geofences
Faster exception awareness
Dispatchers use live maps, breadcrumbs, geofences, and route alerts to investigate exceptions and deviations.
Safety and compliance managers
Review driver activity and risk signals
Centralized compliance review
Compliance teams review electronic logs and driving behavior signals tied to telematics events for centralized oversight.
Best for: Fits when asset management teams need governed device enrollment and event-ready telemetry for operational workflows.
SOTI MobiControl
enterpriseManages mobile and industrial devices with fleet visibility, diagnostics, and location controls.
Lost-device recovery workflow that coordinates inventory targeting with location checks and remote actions under admin policies.
SOTI MobiControl pairs mobile device management with device tracking workflows built for asset-heavy environments. It supports GPS location and inventory-linked device records that feed operational actions like lost-device handling and remote control commands.
- +Device inventory records tie directly to location and tracking actions
- +Lost-device workflows support staged remote actions for recovery
- +Admin RBAC and audit logging improve governance for large fleets
- +Offline client behavior supports location and command collection gaps
- –Setup requires careful enrollment and policy design to avoid drift
- –Indoor location coverage depends on device and network capabilities
IT asset teams
Respond to lost mobile equipment
Reduced exposure
Retail and facilities managers
Operate shared store devices securely
Reduced configuration drift
Show 2 more scenarios
Warehouse and logistics operations
Centralize scanner enrollment and settings
Centralized fleet control
Administrators enroll warehouse scanners, distribute operational apps, and enforce consistent settings under tracking.
Teams supporting field hardware
Maintain legacy Windows Mobile fleets
Continued centralized administration
Organizations manage older Windows Mobile and Windows CE endpoints with centralized provisioning, policies, and remote commands.
Best for: Fits when asset-management teams need MDM governance plus operational lost-device location workflows.
Esper
vertical specialistControls and monitors Android devices, applications, and dedicated operational endpoints.
Device identity and governance are centralized around Esper enrollment, then linked to automated device workflows via its API.
Esper provisions and manages endpoint devices for asset tracking workflows through an enrollment and policy model tied to hardware identifiers. It records location signals when integrations are configured, then correlates device identity with inventory and operational events inside Esper’s admin controls.
- +Enrollment and policy controls map device identity to managed assets
- +API supports event automation and integration with external tracking systems
- +RBAC and audit logs track who performed device and configuration actions
- +Grouping and targeting supports operational workflows across device sets
- –Location recording depends on properly configured integrations and signal sources
- –Device telemetry normalization can require custom logic across data feeds
- –Advanced workflows add complexity in governance and approval processes
Platform engineers and mobility developers
Automate enrollment and lifecycle actions
Less manual coordination
IT and device operations teams
Deploy dedicated Android endpoints
More consistent deployments
Show 2 more scenarios
IT asset and compliance administrators
Verify policy delivery to devices
Clear configuration evidence
Admins maintain hardware and software inventory while checking that configuration changes reached device endpoints.
Retail technology teams
Manage Android point-of-sale devices
Controlled POS behavior
Retail teams control the application environment and monitor POS device status across multiple locations.
Best for: Fits when asset teams need automated endpoint workflows and controlled device identity across operations.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 device tracking software, Hexnode UEM stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Device Tracking Software
How does Prey’s lost-device workflow differ from Hexnode UEM’s recovery workflow?
Which tool ties device inventory records to automated actions through an API?
What breaks if an organization cannot maintain consistent device identity fields like serial numbers and asset tags?
How do Samsara and SOTI MobiControl handle event timelines for investigation workflows?
When an endpoint goes offline, how do these tools avoid losing location or status context?
Which solution provides role-based administration controls and audit logs for configuration and device actions?
How do ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Hexnode UEM differ in how tracking ties into broader device lifecycle management?
What integration and automation surfaces matter most if existing IT operations require event routing into external systems?
Where does Hexnode UEM’s approach fall short compared with Absolute for incident response evidence needs?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
How to Choose the Right Device Tracking Software
What separates device tracking options is how accurately and consistently they collect, normalize, and act on device location signals, then how tightly that behavior can be controlled. In practice, we focus on Data freshness, Verification methods, and API automation depth—because those decide whether incidents and reports match reality.
Location data freshness windows
Why it matters
Location data freshness windows determine whether the reports reflect what was happening recently or something that’s already stale. For device tracking, stale reads make alerts and audits harder to trust.
How to check
In a demo, ask how the system timestamps incoming location events and what delays are typical for each collection method. Then request a sample activity log export and verify that event times and ingestion times differ within the stated window.
Verification and confidence indicators
Why it matters
Verification and confidence indicators tell you whether the system thinks a point is reliable or questionable. In device tracking, confidence gaps often explain why two sources disagree.
How to check
Ask the demo team to show what the product stores per location event (for example, confidence, source type, or validation outcome). Compare two events for the same device near in time and check whether the interface or export clearly flags low-confidence points.
Historical playback and retention controls
Why it matters
Historical playback and retention controls matter when you need to answer “where was it” after the fact. Without clear retention rules, device tracking records become incomplete at exactly the wrong time.
How to check
Request an export of a device’s history over a defined past period and check whether the UI can replay the same path. Then ask for retention configuration details and verify the product shows what happens when you request data after the retention window.
Action triggers beyond reporting
Why it matters
Action triggers beyond reporting turn device tracking into an operational process rather than a static map. When teams need consistent responses, they care about what can fire automatically from event conditions.
How to check
Ask to configure an automation rule tied to a device event and confirm it supports a clear condition builder (such as time, device state, or movement pattern). In the demo, run a controlled test event and verify the expected action output in an audit log or execution history.
Automation API and event schema
Why it matters
Automation API and event schema decide how cleanly other systems can consume device tracking results. If the product’s event format is hard to map or changes without notice, integrations break during routine operations.
How to check
Ask for documentation of the event payload fields and how schema versions are handled. Then request a sandbox example: pull a sample event via the API (or view a webhook payload) and confirm the fields cover timestamps, device identifiers, source, and confidence.
Red flags
- Location freshness is described vaguely and event timestamps don’t match ingest timestamps
- Confidence indicators are shown in the UI but missing from exports or API payloads
- Retention rules are unclear or historical replay differs from exported history
Fit by situation
- If you must prove what happened during a recent incident, prioritize Data freshness windows.
- If your teams investigate location disputes, prioritize Verification and confidence indicators.
- If you need to route events into internal automation, prioritize Automation API and event schema.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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