Looking for a Cartrack alternative in New Zealand?
If you are comparing fleet tracking providers in NZ, you have probably come across Cartrack. They are a well-known name in the GPS tracking space. But they are not the only option, and for many Kiwi fleets, BONNET offers a better fit. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.
Plug and play devices: no auto electrician needed
BONNET GPS trackers are designed for self-installation. Plug the OBD device into your vehicle’s port and you are tracking within minutes. No auto electrician, no appointment, no vehicle downtime. You can roll out tracking across your entire fleet in an afternoon.
Cartrack typically requires a professional installation by a technician, which means scheduling, waiting, and paying for someone to fit the device. For busy fleets, that downtime adds up fast.
Built for NZ compliance
BONNET was built from the ground up for New Zealand compliance requirements. We pull WOF, COF, Rego and RUC data directly from Waka Kotahi (NZTA) so your compliance dashboard is always up to date. No manual data entry, no spreadsheets, no missed deadlines.
We also offer inspection checklists that your drivers can complete from the app, and FBT (Fringe Benefit Tax) reports to help you stay on top of tax obligations for fleet vehicles used for personal travel.
Auto RUC without the subscription
BONNET manages your Road User Charges automatically. We track your distance and purchase RUC on your behalf for just $6 + GST per licence purchased. There is no monthly subscription for the Auto RUC service itself.
Cartrack charges significantly more for their RUC management services, often bundled into a higher monthly fee per vehicle. For fleets watching their costs, the difference adds up quickly.
A user-friendly experience
BONNET’s interface is clean, simple, and designed for people who do not want to spend hours learning fleet software. Whether you are a fleet manager running 50 vehicles or a tradie with 3, the app makes it easy to see everything in one place: tracking, compliance, servicing, and more.
Many Cartrack users report that the interface feels dated and complex. We hear this regularly from customers who have switched to BONNET.
Free machine tracking
Got machinery, trailers, or other assets? BONNET lets you add machines to your account for free. Track their location, manage compliance, and keep everything in one platform without paying extra per asset.
Staff perks: free family vehicle compliance
One of the features our customers love most is the employee perk. Every staff member on a BONNET fleet account can add up to 5 personal vehicles to manage their family’s WOF, Rego, and RUC compliance for free. It is a genuine value-add that your team will actually use, and it costs your business nothing.
Cartrack does not offer anything like this.
Kiwi owned and operated
BONNET is a New Zealand company, founded and operated out of Mount Maunganui. When you call support, you are talking to someone in NZ who understands NZ fleet compliance. We are not a global franchise adapting an overseas product for the local market.
Cartrack is a South African company with a global operation. While they have a NZ team, the product and platform decisions are made overseas.
OEM Connect: hardware-free tracking for supported vehicles
For fleets running newer Tesla, BYD or Mercedes-Benz vehicles (including the Sprinter Van), BONNET also offers OEM Connect. This connects directly to the vehicle’s built-in telematics system with no hardware install at all. Your odometer and location data flow into BONNET automatically. No device, no wires, no install. Cartrack does not offer a hardware-free option.
OEM Connect works alongside traditional GPS trackers, so you can mix and match across your fleet. Use plug and play devices for older vehicles and OEM Connect for supported models.
What Cartrack does well
We believe in being honest. Cartrack has been in the market longer and has a large install base. Their stolen vehicle recovery service is well established, and they offer dashcam integration on some plans. If stolen vehicle recovery is your number one priority, Cartrack is worth considering.
Side by side comparison
| Feature | BONNET | Cartrack |
| Installation | Plug and play, self-install | Professional install required |
| NZ compliance (WOF, COF, Rego, RUC) | Built in, direct from NZTA | Limited |
| Auto RUC | $6 + GST per licence, no subscription | Higher cost, bundled subscription |
| Inspection checklists | Yes | No |
| FBT reports | Yes | No |
| Free machine tracking | Yes | No |
| Staff perks (5 free family vehicles) | Yes | No |
| Hardware-free OEM tracking | Yes (Tesla, BYD, Mercedes-Benz) | No |
| Lock-in contract | No | Month to month available |
| Kiwi owned | Yes (Mount Maunganui) | No (South Africa) |
Want to see if BONNET is a fit?
No lock-in, no credit card required. See why Kiwi fleets are making the switch.