Does PetSafe Guardian GPS Need a Paid Plan?

On this page (6 sections)

1. Does the original PetSafe Guardian GPS need a paid plan?
2. Which PetSafe Guardian GPS model requires a subscription?
3. What does the Guardian GPS subscription pay for?
4. How can you tell the two Guardian models apart?
5. Is the original Guardian GPS or Guardian GPS 2.0 the better fit?
6. What should you check before choosing a plan?

The original PetSafe Guardian GPS Dog Fence has no subscription fee when you use it as a home fence without tracking or portability. The Guardian GPS 2.0 adds tracking features and requires a monthly or annual plan, with a one-month free trial.

The names are easy to mix up, so check which Guardian model you're considering before comparing costs. A collar that says “Guardian GPS + Tracking” is the subscription model; the original Guardian GPS is the no-fee fence option.

Does the original PetSafe Guardian GPS need a paid plan?

No, the original Guardian GPS fence does not require a subscription for home containment. PetSafe describes this model as having no tracking or portability, with no subscription or fees.

You can shape the fence in the My PetSafe app, monitor collar battery life, adjust settings, and receive smartphone notifications. Those app features don't change the stated no-fee status of the original fence.

The system is designed for properties of 3/4 acre or larger and dogs over 25 lb, with neck sizes from 13 to 28 in. If those size and yard requirements suit you, read our PetSafe Guardian GPS review for a closer look at the fence.

Which PetSafe Guardian GPS model requires a subscription?

Guardian GPS 2.0 requires a subscription because it includes tracking features. PetSafe offers monthly and annual plans, and the 2.0 system includes a one-month free trial.

The 2.0 model lets you create up to 50 custom fences in the My PetSafe app. It also sends push notifications when a dog crosses a boundary, while its GPS fence can remain active without cellular service.

Cellular service is required for tracking and push notifications to work properly. A subscription and a cellular connection are separate considerations: the plan is required for this model, and cellular coverage affects those connected features.

For a feature-by-feature comparison, see PetSafe Guardian GPS vs Guardian GPS 2.0. To understand the basic technology behind GPS boundaries, read how a GPS dog fence works.

Does Guardian GPS 2.0 require a separate plan for each dog?

Yes, each dog needs its own Guardian GPS 2.0 collar and subscription. Factor that into your ongoing plan decision if you have more than one dog.

The original Guardian GPS supports additional collars without the tracking plan described for 2.0. Each dog still needs a compatible collar, though, and the add-on collar is a separate purchase.

The add-a-dog collar works with the original Guardian GPS Dog Fence and the first-generation Guardian GPS Connected Customizable Dog Fence. It isn't described as a replacement for the 2.0 subscription requirement.

What does the Guardian GPS subscription pay for?

The paid plan goes with Guardian GPS 2.0's tracking features. The model combines virtual fence boundaries with real-time location tracking and notifications.

With the 2.0 collar, you can save up to 50 custom fences in the app for home, travel, or new locations. Tracking and boundary-crossing push alerts rely on cellular service, so check that coverage is suitable where you plan to use them.

The original Guardian GPS takes a simpler approach: it provides a home fence without tracking or portability, and doesn't require a subscription. If you want to avoid a recurring plan, compare that setup with other invisible dog fences with no monthly fee.

How can you tell the two Guardian models apart?

Look for “2.0” and “Tracking” in the model name. The original product is called PetSafe Guardian GPS Dog Fence, while the subscription model is Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking.

The original is intended for properties of 3/4 acre or larger. Guardian GPS 2.0 is designed for properties of 1/2 acre or larger, and its collar adjusts to neck sizes as small as 8 in.

Both use the My PetSafe app and AccuGuard technology, but only the 2.0 product information specifies tracking, saved fences, and the paid plan. If you need a portable fence, make sure the model you choose includes the features you expect.

Is the original Guardian GPS or Guardian GPS 2.0 the better fit?

Choose the original Guardian GPS if you want a home fence without a subscription. Pick Guardian GPS 2.0 if you want real-time tracking and custom saved fences and are willing to pay for its required plan.

For a dog that stays within one home boundary, the original's no-fee setup may fit the need. For trips or multiple locations where tracking matters, 2.0 adds those features, but each dog needs its own collar and plan.

If cellular service is a concern, see whether the Halo Collar works without cell service for another system's connectivity details. For broader tradeoffs between GPS and wired boundaries, use our GPS vs. wire dog fence guide.

What should you check before choosing a plan?

Confirm the exact model, the plan terms, and the features you need. The available plan details identify monthly and annual options plus a one-month trial for Guardian GPS 2.0, but don't give current prices or renewal terms.

Before choosing 2.0, verify the current cost and what happens when the trial ends. Also check cellular coverage in the places where you'll want tracking or push alerts.

If you only need a home boundary and want to avoid recurring fees, the original Guardian GPS is the clearer match. For the PetSafe Guardian GPS subscription cost decision, choose by function: original for no-plan containment, or 2.0 for tracking with a required plan.

Frequently asked questions

Does PetSafe Guardian GPS have a monthly fee?

The original PetSafe Guardian GPS Dog Fence has no subscription fee when used without tracking or portability. Guardian GPS 2.0 includes tracking and requires a monthly or annual plan after its one-month free trial.

Check the model name carefully, since the two versions have different plan requirements.

Does Guardian GPS 2.0 need a subscription for the fence?

Yes, PetSafe says Guardian GPS 2.0 requires a subscription plan. The system can keep its GPS fence active without cellular service, but tracking and push notifications need cellular service.

A plan is still required for the 2.0 model.

Does each dog need a separate Guardian GPS subscription?

For Guardian GPS 2.0, PetSafe says each dog needs its own Guardian GPS collar and subscription. The original Guardian GPS system supports additional collars, but its no-subscription setup does not include tracking or portability.

Is there a free trial for PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0?

Guardian GPS 2.0 includes a one-month free trial, and PetSafe offers monthly or annual subscription plans. The supplied product information doesn't specify plan prices or what happens at the end of the trial, so check the current plan terms before signing up.