You will not be allowed to compare more than 4 products at a time
View compare
⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in Ohio for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work van, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in Ohio. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: GPS tracking is legal in Ohio on vehicles you own, but since March 20, 2025, putting a tracker on someone else's property without consent is a crime (Ohio Rev. Code 2903.216). A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car or van live on your phone and alerts you when it moves.
Choose your tracker
Two trackers, one app
One-time hardware price. Both show up on the same map.
ShadowAuto
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Plugs into the OBD-II port. Never needs charging.
- Car Alarm alerts you if it moves while parked.
- Engine codes and unplug alerts.
ShadowTrack
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Battery-powered. Runs for weeks on a charge.
- No OBD-II port needed: trailers, mowers, boats.
- Add the weatherproof magnetic case.
Ohio theft data
Car theft in Ohio by the numbers
Thefts fell 17% in 2025, but that's still about 57 cars and trucks stolen every day.
20,628
vehicles stolen in Ohio in 2025 (NICB)
173.9
thefts per 100,000 residents (NICB)
5,823
vehicles stolen in Columbus in 2024 (CPD)
1,351
Hyundai Elantras stolen in 2024, the top model (NICB)
- Elantras lead the list. The Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen model in Ohio in 2024, per NICB data compiled by FinanceBuzz.
- Columbus thefts nearly halved. Columbus police counted 10,660 thefts in 2023 and 5,823 in 2024, as Kia and Hyundai thefts eased.
- A tracker is the backup. Lock it, take the keys, and use GPS so you know where it went. What to do if it's stolen.
Who it's for
Built for how Ohio drives
Families & teen drivers
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, practice or home.
Family guide →Turo & rental hosts
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute.
For Turo hosts →Small fleets
Every truck, trailer and mower on one map. Ordering 4 or more? Contact us.
For business →
How it works
Tracking in 3 easy steps
1
Plug it in
Plug ShadowAuto into the port under your dash. Every car and light truck since 1996 has one.
Ohio law
Is GPS tracking legal in Ohio?
Yes, on vehicles you own. Since March 20, 2025, it's a crime in Ohio to put a tracker on someone else's vehicle without their consent.
- Owners and co-owners can track their own vehicles.
- Parents can track a car they own that a teen drives.
- Businesses can track company-owned vehicles. Employee guide.
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Tracking without consent (2903.216) | First-degree misdemeanor |
| Repeat offense, or with a protective order | Fourth-degree felony |
General information, not legal advice.
Pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
$69.90 per tracker, one time. Then a plan per tracker, per month. Cancel any time.
| Trackers | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $15/mo | $13/mo | $12/mo |
| 4+ (bulk order) | $13/mo | $11/mo | $10/mo |
Compare
ShadowGPS vs. other options
| Live updates | Monthly | Contract | Setup | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirTag / Tile | No live GPS | None | None | Drop it in |
| BrickHouse | Varies by plan | About $17.99 to $34.99 | None | Plug in |
| Enterprise fleet software | 10 to 30 sec | Quote after demo | Varies | Onboarding |
| ShadowGPS | Every 5 sec | $10 to $15 | None | Plug in, 2 min |
Swipe the table to see all columns →
Competitor details from public pages, October 2026.
Coverage
Works across Ohio
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
Columbus
Many Kia and Hyundai thefts. Use Car Alarm overnight.
Cleveland & Akron
Commutes on I-71, I-77 and I-90. Trip history for new drivers.
Cincinnati
Work vans on I-71 and I-75. Track every job stop.
Toledo
Boats and trailers near Lake Erie. ShadowTrack in the case.
Dayton
Where I-70 meets I-75. Movement alerts if the car moves.
Rural Ohio
Farm trucks and equipment. Geofence the property line.
Reviews
What our customers say
Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 205 reviews of ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
★★★★★
Perfect for peace of mind
"I bought this for my teenage daughter who just started driving. Setup was literally plug and play, took 2 minutes. The app is super intuitive too."
Sarah M. · Parent · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Exactly what I needed for my fleet
"I run a small delivery business with 6 vans. Plugged it into each van, downloaded the app, and within minutes I could see all my vehicles on one dashboard."
Michael T. · Small business · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Small business must-have
"The magnetic mount lets me move it between vehicles easily, and the tracking is always accurate. A fantastic investment for any small business."
Robert C. · Small fleet · ShadowTrack
FAQ
Common questions
Is it hard to set up?
No. ShadowAuto plugs into the OBD-II port under your dash in under 2 minutes, with no tools or wiring. ShadowTrack sits in a magnetic case.
Is there a monthly fee?
Yes. Live tracking uses a cell connection, so plans run $10 to $15 per tracker per month. No contract. Cancel any time.
Does it need a SIM card?
No. The connection is built in and covered by your plan.
Is GPS tracking legal in Ohio?
Yes, on vehicles you own. Putting a tracker on someone else's vehicle without their consent is illegal use of a tracking device under Ohio Rev. Code 2903.216, a first-degree misdemeanor that can rise to a felony.
Can I track my teen's car in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio's tracking law has an exception for parents monitoring their minor children, and you can always track a car you own.
How fast does it update?
Every 5 seconds while your car or truck is moving.
Does it work in rural Ohio?
Yes, anywhere with cell coverage. Check your carrier's map for remote land.
How do I order 4 or more trackers?
Bulk orders of 4 or more go through our team. Contact us and we'll set up the account and the 4+ rate.
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in Ohio.
Ordering 4 or more for your Ohio business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- NICB 2025 vehicle thefts by state (via FinanceBuzz) (state theft counts, rates and change)
- Ohio Legislature: SB 100 (135th GA) (enacts Ohio Rev. Code 2903.216)
- FinanceBuzz: most stolen car in every state (NICB 2024 model data)
- Axios Columbus: Kia Boyz thefts dissipate (Columbus Division of Police data)
Also referenced: WKYC 3News on Ohio's tracking law penalties and exceptions; Ohio Senate release on SB 100. Pricing current as of October 2026, in USD, per tracker. Some retailer links are affiliate links. Legal information is general and not legal advice; consult an Ohio attorney for your situation.