Fi vs. SpotOn
Fi Series 3+, Fi Mini and Fi Ultra compared with the SpotOn GPS Fence (Nova). SpotOn figures checked 2026-08-09 against SpotOn’s published specifications.
The short answer
SpotOn Nova is a GPS containment fence and Fi is a tracker, so the comparison is about which problem you are solving. The Nova is $999, runs 33+ hours per charge, and SpotOn states it is for dogs over 15 lbs (about 6.8 kg) with a 10 in neck minimum. Fi Series 3+ is $189 for the first year and runs up to 3 months, and Fi Mini is 16 g (0.56 oz) — small enough for the cats and small dogs the Nova is not sold for.
Specifications side by side
Every figure below comes from the manufacturer’s own published specifications.
| Specification | Fi Series 3+ | Fi Mini | Fi Ultra | SpotOn GPS Fence (Nova) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | GPS tracker and health monitor | GPS tracker and health monitor | Satellite-connected GPS tracker with recall | GPS containment fence |
| Device weight | 47 g (1.66 oz) | 16 g (0.56 oz) | 69 g (2.43 oz) | Not Available |
| Battery life | Up to 3 months | Up to 2 months | Up to 5 days | 33+ hours of runtime |
| Water resistance | IP68 / IP66K, salt-water tested | IP68, salt-water tested | IP68 / IP66K, salt-water tested | IP67 |
| Coverage | North America and much of Europe — 35 countries and territories | North America and much of Europe — 35 countries and territories | United States only — live GPS over cellular plus T-Satellite powered by Starlink | Not Available |
| Containment | Unlimited geofences with 24/7 escape alerts | Unlimited geofences with 24/7 escape alerts | Geofences and escape alerts, plus Fi CallBack™ | Unlimited fences from 1/3 acre to 100,000+ acres (about 0.13 to 40,000+ hectares) |
| Subscription | Required | Required | Required | Not required for core containment; optional for tracking and alerts |
| Cost, first year | $189 — one-year membership, device included | $189 — one-year membership, device included | $388 — $199 hardware kit plus a $189 one-year membership | $999 collar; core containment needs no subscription |
| Try before committing | 30-day risk-free trial | 30-day risk-free trial | 30-day risk-free trial | 90-day money-back returns |
| Health and behaviour | Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking detection; AI vet records | Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking detection; AI vet records | Smart vet records, walks and car rides | Activity tracking and heat maps, with the optional subscription |
| Size and age limits | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Dogs over 15 lbs (about 6.8 kg); neck 10–26 in (25–66 cm) |
Where Fi is stronger
Months of battery against a day and a half
Up to 3 months on Fi Series 3+ against 33+ hours of runtime on SpotOn Nova.
A fifth of the first-year cost
$189 for Fi with the membership included against $999 for the SpotOn collar.
Fits small dogs and cats
SpotOn states dogs over 15 lbs (about 6.8 kg) with a 10 in neck minimum. Fi Mini is 16 g (0.56 oz) and attaches to a cat’s collar.
Health and behaviour monitoring
Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking detection with AI vet records, against SpotOn’s activity tracking and heat maps.
Common questions
- Is Fi an alternative to an invisible fence?
- Only partly. Fi alerts you the moment your dog leaves a safe zone, which is useful, but Series 3+ and Mini give the dog no feedback and will not keep it inside a boundary. Fi Ultra adds sound and vibration for recall, but it is still not a containment system. SpotOn is; Fi is not.
- Which costs less in the first year?
- Fi — about $189 for a one-year Series 3+ or Mini membership with the device included, or $388 for Fi Ultra, against $999 for the SpotOn collar. SpotOn needs no subscription for core containment, so the gap narrows over several years.
- Can I use SpotOn without a subscription?
- Yes for core containment; tracking and alerts are a paid option. Fi requires a membership for all features.
- Which has the better battery?
- Fi, on published figures — up to 3 months for Series 3+ and up to 2 months for Mini, against SpotOn’s 33+ hours of runtime with tracking enabled. Fi Ultra is the exception at up to 5 days.
- Can either be used on a small dog?
- SpotOn requires a dog over 15 lbs (about 6.8 kg) with a 10–26 in (25–66 cm) neck. Fi Mini attaches to a collar or harness you already own and suits much smaller pets.
What Fi owners say
Worth every single penny I paid for them and then some!
Tommy’s Dog Dad
I’ve had every version of the Fi collar, and it just keeps getting better!
Lola’s Dog Mom
We’re loyal to him because he’s loyal to us and he’s a part of our family… there’s no other better technology available.
Poppy’s Dog Dad
Ready to choose?
Every Fi membership includes a 30-day risk-free trial.