Passive vs Active GPS Tracking: What’s the Difference?

Once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, a young couple set off on a family road trip. They had decided to enjoy the scenic beauties and, of course, capture them all on their smartphones. Little did they know that their journey would soon become a tale of two tracking systems: passive and active GPS tracking. 

As they hit the open road, they quickly realized that keeping loved ones updated on their progress was crucial. The passive GPS tracker, a small device stashed in the trunk, was their first companion. It silently logged their route, speed, and stops. They could review their travels later, reliving the moments from the comfort of their home. 

But the active GPS was the real game-changer. With this technology, they streamed their route in real-time to friends and family, who could follow along, offer suggestions, and even share excitement as the couple’s trip unfolded. 

In this blog, we will learn about active and passive GPS tracking, along with their differences, to help you decide which one suits your needs.

Active GPS Tracking vs Passive GPS Tracking

Aspect	Active GPS Tracking	Passive GPS Tracking
Data Accessibility	Provides immediate access to real-time location data via mobile apps or web platforms.	Requires manual retrieval of stored data by connecting the tracking device to a computer.
Frequency	Sends location updates at frequent intervals, typically every few seconds to minutes.	Records location data at predetermined intervals, often every few minutes to hours.
Alerts	Sends trigger-based alerts.	Doesn’t send trigger-based alerts.
Storage Capacity	Limited storage capacity, primarily used for buffering data during transmission.	Offers greater storage space for extensive journey data, suitable for extended trips.
Power Usage	It requires a direct power source or frequent battery charging.	It can operate without frequent battery charging.
Use Cases	Suitable for tracking people or assets in motion, vehicle monitoring, and real-time location sharing.	Suited for activities where the main focus is data analysis, research, past route mapping, or long-term tracking.
Examples	Tracking a delivery truck’s route, keeping an eye on a teenager’s driving habits, monitoring live sports events, or sharing your live location with friends during trips.	Documenting long-term wildlife movements, analyzing a tour after it’s completed, or managing a rental car fleet’s usage over several months.

What is Passive GPS tracking?

Passive GPS tracking is like a silent observer, quietly recording and storing location data without actively transmitting it in real-time. It’s your digital notebook, jotting down where you have been, when you were there, and how fast you were moving, all for you to review later.

Here’s how it works: Imagine you are hiking, and you have a passive GPS device with you. As you hike, this gadget is taking notes, creating a digital footprint of your journey. It’s like your own personal tracker, mapping out your path step by step.

 When your trip ends, you can plug the device into your computer and see a detailed map of your hike. You will know where you stopped to admire a stunning view, where you picked up the pace, and where you took a breather.

When to Use Passive GPS Tracking?

There’s a catch: with passive GPS, you can’t share your real-time location with friends or family. It’s all about post-adventure analysis. It’s perfect for keeping track of a journey to reminisce or to monitor fleet vehicle usage, like in delivery companies, or for personal use in finding out where you went on a long road trip. However, if you need instant tracking or to share your location while on the move, you’d want to look into active GPS tracking. 

Let’s try to understand real-life scenarios better. For businesses with fleets of vehicles, passive GPS trackers can be installed to record routes, stops, and speeds. Later, this data can be used for fleet performance analysis and efficiency improvements. Additionally, passive GPS tracking can also be used in situations where you might need to prove where you have been or what you have done, like a legal case or insurance claim. So, it comes as a handy resource for several reasons, including research purposes as well. But what if we need to transmit real-time data?

What is Active GPS tracking?

Active GPS tracking is your real-time co-pilot in terms of location monitoring. It’s like having a live connection to your subject’s whereabouts at all times. Unlike its passive counterpart, active GPS tracking constantly updates and broadcasts location information as it happens.

 Here’s how it works: Picture a scenario where you are eagerly waiting for your favorite product to get delivered. You have access to the real-time location of the delivery van with an active GPS tracker. As the driver goes about their route, the device beams their exact location. You can see where the van is, how fast it’s moving, and even if it makes any unexpected stops—all in real-time.

 But the power of active tracking goes beyond just business aspects. Imagine you are concerned about your teenager’s safety during a solo road trip. With active GPS tracking like Family1st Teen Tracker, you can follow their journey on your phone or computer, ensuring they are on the right path and haven’t encountered any issues. 

In essence, active GPS tracking is your direct link to the present, providing you with up-to-the-minute information that can be invaluable for businesses, personal safety, and even thrilling adventures.

When To Use Active GPS Tracking?

Active GPS tracking is your real-time ally when you need to know where something or someone is, well, right now. It’s perfect for situations that demand immediate location updates and constant monitoring. Here are a few scenarios where active GPS tracking comes to the rescue:

1. Fleet Management: Businesses with delivery or transportation services use active GPS to track their vehicles. It ensures you always know where your assets are and if they are on schedule. For example, a pizza delivery service relies on active GPS to get your pizza to your door hot and on time. 

1. Personal Safety: The Family1st Portable Tracker is an extremely valuable asset to monitor your loved one’s whereabouts in real-time, ensuring they reach their destination safely. It is compact and fits the palm of your hand. 

1. Emergency Response: Search and rescue teams and emergency services depend on active GPS to locate people in distress quickly. Hikers or boaters lost in unknown places can be found faster, saving lives.

Active GPS tracking is your immediate connection to the here and now. It’s the tool to use when you want to stay in the loop and take action as events unfold, whether it’s for business efficiency, personal safety, or just adventure.

Active vs Passive GPS Tracking: Which one is right for you?

Active GPS tracking is the ‘trendy fit’—sleek, immediate, and in sync with the here and now. If you want to monitor your delivery fleet as they roam across the city, ensure your family member stays safe with the help of Family1st Tracker, or keep a real-time tab on your friends during a group travel adventure, this is your go-to. It’s like having a live feed of information, and it’s all about the present. 

On the other hand, passive GPS tracking is the ‘classic style’—reliable, comfortable, and built for the long haul. If you’re all about reminiscing about your road trip, meticulously documenting wildlife migration patterns, or maintaining an unobtrusive record of a loved one’s journey, then passive tracking is your timeless choice. It’s more like a detailed journal, perfect for reviewing historical data and analysis. 

So, when choosing between active and passive GPS tracking, think about your style: are you the ‘trendy fit’ person who craves real-time action, or do you prefer the ‘classic style’ of preserving memories and collecting historical data? Your decision should suit your tracking needs.

Conclusion

Indeed, both active and passive GPS tracking have their unique strengths and can be incredibly valuable, depending on your specific needs and preferences. The great thing is that you are not limited to just one option. You can even use a combination of both in certain situations, which is sometimes called “hybrid tracking”. 

For instance, if you are on a long road trip, you might use passive tracking to create a detailed record of your journey but also enable active tracking temporarily when you want to share your current location with friends or family during specific parts of the trip.

Ultimately, the choice between active and passive tracking, or a mix of both, should be guided by what works best for your goals, whether they are focused on real-time monitoring, historical data collection, or a bit of both. It’s all about finding the right balance to suit your unique needs and preferences. We at Family1st prioritize your needs, and we are always here to serve you the best with our products.