The best asset-tracking software depends on what you mean by “tracking.” A barcode app can tell you who last borrowed a laptop. A maintenance platform can schedule an oil change for a truck. A GPS system can show where equipment is now—but only after you install compatible hardware and pay for connectivity.
For most small organizations, schools, nonprofits, contractors, and households with valuable equipment, AssetTiger is the strongest low-cost general-purpose choice. Snipe-IT is the best open-source option for technically capable IT teams, while Fleetio, UpKeep, and Samsara are better when maintenance or live location is the main requirement.
Best asset-tracking software at a glance
| Software | Best for | Starting price or pricing model | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| AssetTiger | General-purpose asset registers | $20 per month for up to 500 assets | Free access is a 30-day trial, not a permanent free plan |
| Reftab | Small IT teams and lending programs | Free for up to 50 assets; paid plans from $31.25 per month annually | Software-user tracking costs extra |
| Sortly | Simple, visual inventory | Free for 100 unique items; paid plans from $24 per month annually at displayed introductory pricing | Limits are based on catalog records and users |
| Snipe-IT | Open-source IT asset management | Free to self-host; hosted plans from $39.99 per month | Self-hosting requires technical administration |
| Fleetio | Vehicles and equipment maintenance | From $4 per vehicle per month annually | Live location requires telematics or another integration |
| UpKeep | Maintenance-heavy operations | From $24 per user per month | Advanced asset-lifecycle features require higher tiers |
| Samsara | Live GPS and connected-equipment tracking | Quote-based; hardware and connectivity required | Higher implementation and hardware costs |
| Tenna | Construction equipment and heavy fleets | Custom pricing | Too specialized for ordinary office inventory |
Our top picks
AssetTiger: Best overall for ordinary physical assets
AssetTiger is the most practical starting point when the goal is to maintain a central register of equipment, assign items to people or locations, record check-ins and check-outs, schedule maintenance, and print barcode or QR labels.
Its current paid plans start at $20 per month for up to 500 assets, and paid plans include unlimited users. That makes it especially attractive when many employees need access but the organization owns a relatively modest number of laptops, tools, cameras, furniture items, or other equipment.
#1 Best Overall
- CUSTOM ASSET LABELS - Upload your logo and personalize the labels with your company or organization name. Enter a prefix and starting number, we will create and sequentially order the barcodes (CODE-128).
- SIZING - Each asset tag measures 2" × 0.7".
- DURABILITY - Our waterproof labels are laminated and designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
- STRONG ADHESIVE - Can be removed without damaging the item.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities Range from 50 labels to 5000 labels. Choose the perfect quantity of asset tags that suit your needs.
AssetTiger also includes depreciation, warranty and contract records, reports, mobile apps, and a REST API. It is a strong value for schools, nonprofits, contractors, and distributed teams. However, the current free offer is only a 30-day trial for up to 250 assets. It is not a permanently free production plan, and inventory quantities are billed separately from individually tracked assets. See AssetTiger’s current pricing before budgeting.
Sortly: Best for visual inventory and easy adoption
Sortly is a good choice when users need to identify equipment quickly from a phone rather than learn a formal IT asset-management system. Photos, folders, custom fields, QR and barcode scanning, alerts, job-based tracking, offline mobile access, and reports make it approachable for small teams.
The free plan covers 100 unique items and one user. “Unique items” means catalog records; quantities assigned to an item do not count in the same way as separate records. Paid plans currently display introductory annual prices starting at $24 per month for Advanced, with higher tiers shown at $74 and $149 per month annually. Those annual figures are promotional first-year prices and renew at the standard rate afterward, so they should not be treated as permanent pricing.
Sortly works well for tools, event equipment, photography gear, office supplies, and small business inventory. It is less suitable when you need deep software-license management, complex audit controls, or a full maintenance work-order system.
Snipe-IT: Best free and open-source choice for IT
Snipe-IT is designed primarily for IT hardware and software assets. It supports user assignment, check-in and check-out, labels, audit history, API access, and unlimited users and assets subject to the capacity of the server hosting it.
The software itself is free and self-hostable. Hosted plans currently start at $39.99 per month or $399.99 per year. Self-hosting can reduce licensing costs, but it does not eliminate costs. Someone must provide infrastructure, configure TLS, manage backups, apply upgrades, monitor availability, and handle security and support.
Rank #2
- Asset tags feature a strong, industrial-grade permanent adhesive and the durable metallic material is chemical resistant, waterproof and abrasion resistant
- Easily customize your own asset label tags using the free Avery Design & Print software that features free designs, templates and barcode generator on the Avery website
- Print on demand as many labeling tags as you need, avoiding high minimum order quantities and long lead times
- Create your own security asset tags, barcode labels, equipment tags, property tags, name tag labels and more with blank labels optimized for laser printers
- Accurately record and monitor valuable assets such as electronics, equipment, tools, furniture, containers and more with chemical resistant and waterproof printable labels
Snipe-IT is a strong fit for a business with an IT administrator or developer who wants control over its data. It is not the best match for a nontechnical user who wants a ready-made mobile inventory app, nor is it a GPS or maintenance platform.
Reftab: Best for equipment lending and IT automation
Reftab goes beyond a simple inventory list with reservations, loan limits, custom fields, QR and barcode labels, mobile apps, software-license tracking, maintenance records, depreciation, audit logs, and integrations. It is particularly useful for schools, libraries, studios, laboratories, and IT departments that regularly lend equipment.
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The free plan supports up to 50 assets. Starter currently begins at $31.25 per month when billed annually for 250 assets, followed by Pro at $62.50 and Business at $125. Paid hardware plans include unlimited platform users. Software management is priced separately at $0.75 per tracked user per month when billed annually, so a company should count both physical assets and users whose software needs to be monitored.
Archived assets that cannot be checked out do not count toward the active asset quota. That detail may matter when comparing Reftab with products that count every historical record.
Fleetio: Best for vehicles and maintained equipment
Fleetio is better than a general inventory app when the assets are vehicles, trailers, or equipment that need inspections, fuel records, service programs, repair histories, reminders, and total-cost-of-ownership reporting.
Its Essential plan is listed at $4 per vehicle per month when billed annually, or $5 monthly. Professional is listed at $7 annually and Premium at $10 annually. Fleetio also offers a Tools add-on for smaller equipment, beginning at an average of $0.50 per piece per month, although pricing varies by tier and Fleetio Core is required. Tools cannot be purchased as a standalone product.
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Rank #3
- Instantly Improve Asset Tracking: Take control of inventory management with durable and customizable asset tags that resist water, scratches, and fading. Whether labeling tools, IT equipment, or machinery, your barcode labels ensure seamless tracking and security
- Multiple Variations & Sizes for Your Needs: Choose from Metalized Silver, Heavy-Duty 3M Adhesive, or Semi-Gloss White Polyester asset tags. Available in standard 2x1” and 1.5x0.75” sizes, with custom color and sizing options to fit your inventory tracking requirements
- Precision Printing & High-Contrast Visibility: Your barcode labels and serial number stickers feature sharp, high-contrast printing, making them easy to scan in any lighting condition. Perfect for fast inventory management, security tracking, and equipment identification
- Strong Adhesion for Reliable Labeling: Featuring industrial-strength adhesive, your permanent labels bond securely to metal, plastic, and textured surfaces. Whether for laptops, servers, or machinery, they stay put with no peeling or fading
- Built to Last, Unlike the Rest: McAuley asset tags are built to last - unlike flimsy stickers that fade, smudge, or peel. With high-contrast, easy-to-scan barcodes, they ensure precise asset tracking and long-term durability in any environment
Fleetio does not provide live GPS by itself. Location data generally comes through a compatible telematics integration or hardware. If knowing where a vehicle is right now is essential, price the telematics equipment and connectivity separately.
UpKeep: Best for maintenance operations
UpKeep is a computerized maintenance management system, or CMMS, with asset-tracking capabilities. It is built around work orders, preventive maintenance, parts and inventory, technician workflows, mobile access, and maintenance reporting.
Essential is currently listed at $24 per user per month and Premium at $55. Professional and Enterprise require a quote. The lower tiers are not equivalent to the complete asset-lifecycle platform: UpKeep lists mobile offline mode, deeper analytics, asset lifecycle tracking, and signature capture under Professional.
Choose UpKeep when avoiding downtime and controlling maintenance costs matter more than simply recording custody. It is not a dedicated GPS asset-location system.
Samsara: Best for live location
Samsara belongs in a different category from barcode inventory tools. Its equipment-tracking system uses GPS hardware for powered assets and Bluetooth tags for smaller or unpowered equipment. It can provide near-real-time location through the Samsara Network, utilization reporting, and theft or loss alerts.
Samsara’s asset-monitoring materials list an Asset Gateway at a $249 manufacturer’s suggested retail price, but software and connectivity pricing require a quote. A realistic budget should include the hardware, subscription, cellular connectivity, installation, battery replacement, and the expected location-update interval.
Rank #4
- CUSTOM ASSET LABELS - Personalize the labels with your company or organization name. Enter a prefix and starting number, we will create and sequentially order the barcodes (CODE-128).
- SIZING - Each asset tag measures 1.2" × 0.7".
- DURABILITY - Our waterproof labels are laminated and designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
- STRONG ADHESIVE - Can be removed without damaging the item.
- MULTIPLE QUANTITIES - Quantities Range from 100 labels to 5000 labels. Choose the perfect quantity of asset tags that suit your needs.
Bluetooth tags should not be treated as independent cellular GPS devices. Their visibility depends on nearby compatible gateways, the Samsara Network, and network coverage. Request a complete quote from Samsara before comparing it with per-asset inventory software.
Tenna: Best for construction fleets
Tenna is designed for construction companies managing heavy equipment, vehicles, job sites, utilization, geofences, theft prevention, maintenance, scheduling, and equipment job costing. Its construction focus can be valuable when equipment moves among multiple sites and managers need more than an asset register.
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How to choose the right system
- Define the location requirement. Decide whether you need a last-known scanned location or continuous location. QR and barcode systems update when someone scans an item. GPS, cellular, Bluetooth, telematics, or another connected technology is required for automated location data.
- Count the correct billing unit. Some products charge by individual asset, some by user, some by vehicle, and some by a combination of hardware, connectivity, and software. Include active assets, tracked software users, vehicles, archived records, and seasonal equipment in your estimate.
- Separate inventory from maintenance. A basic asset register can store a service date, but it may not support work orders, technician labor, parts, inspections, preventive-maintenance schedules, or downtime reporting. For those workflows, compare Fleetio or UpKeep rather than relying on a simple inventory app.
- Test mobile and offline workflows. A mobile app does not automatically mean scans can be completed without internet access. Test the actual phones, labels, warehouse, job site, and synchronization process. Sortly lists offline mobile access, while UpKeep lists mobile offline mode under Professional.
- Test your data import. Use a sample of the real spreadsheet, including duplicate tags, blank serial numbers, dates, custom fields, archived assets, barcode values, attachments, and ownership history. A successful CSV import may not transfer historical check-outs or maintenance records.
- Check permissions and audit history. Unlimited users can still have role restrictions, API limits, asset caps, or feature restrictions. Confirm who can create, edit, retire, assign, and export records.
What asset-tracking software does not do
Asset-tracking software is not automatically a theft-recovery system. A QR code on a tool cannot report its position after it leaves the job site unless someone scans it. A check-out record tells you who accepted responsibility; it does not prove where the item currently is.
Likewise, “free” can mean several different things. AssetTiger’s current free offer is a trial. Snipe-IT’s application is free to self-host, but hosting and administration are not. Promotional annual pricing, such as the currently displayed Sortly discounts, can also change at renewal.
For GPS products, the advertised monthly software price is rarely the entire cost. Include hardware, data service, installation, batteries, replacements, contract terms, and the frequency of location updates.
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- Instantly Improve Asset Tracking: Take control of inventory management with durable and customizable asset tags that resist water, scratches, and fading. Whether labeling tools, IT equipment, or machinery, your barcode labels ensure seamless tracking and security
- Multiple Variations & Sizes for Your Needs: Choose from Metalized Silver, Heavy-Duty 3M Adhesive, or Semi-Gloss White Polyester asset tags. Available in standard 2x1” and 1.5x0.75” sizes, with custom color and sizing options to fit your inventory tracking requirements
- Precision Printing & High-Contrast Visibility: Your barcode labels and serial number stickers feature sharp, high-contrast printing, making them easy to scan in any lighting condition. Perfect for fast inventory management, security tracking, and equipment identification
- Strong Adhesion for Reliable Labeling: Featuring industrial-strength adhesive, your permanent labels bond securely to metal, plastic, and textured surfaces. Whether for laptops, servers, or machinery, they stay put with no peeling or fading
- Built to Last, Unlike the Rest: McAuley asset tags are built to last - unlike flimsy stickers that fade, smudge, or peel. With high-contrast, easy-to-scan barcodes, they ensure precise asset tracking and long-term durability in any environment
A practical buying process
- List every asset category: IT equipment, tools, vehicles, furniture, machinery, or inventory quantities.
- Mark each category as requiring barcode, Bluetooth, GPS, maintenance, reservations, or software-license tracking.
- Calculate the five-year cost, including onboarding, labels, hardware, connectivity, migration, support, and renewal pricing.
- Import 25 to 100 real records into two finalists.
- Ask three employees to perform the core tasks: scan an item, check it out, return it, report damage, and find its history.
- Choose the least expensive system that completes those tasks reliably—not the one with the longest feature list.
FAQ
What is the best asset-tracking software for a small business?
AssetTiger is the strongest general-purpose value when you need asset records, check-in and check-out, QR or barcode scanning, maintenance reminders, and many users. Sortly may be easier if your priority is a visual inventory with photos, while Reftab is better for lending equipment or managing IT assets.
Can asset-tracking software show an item’s real-time location?
Usually not. Barcode and QR systems show the last recorded scan or transaction. Real-time or near-real-time location requires compatible GPS, Bluetooth, cellular, telematics, or gateway hardware, plus the relevant connectivity subscription.
Is Snipe-IT really free?
The Snipe-IT software is free and open-source to self-host. The organization still pays in staff time and infrastructure for hosting, security, backups, upgrades, monitoring, and support. Hosted plans are available for a recurring fee.
What is the difference between asset tracking and inventory management?
Asset tracking usually follows individually identifiable items such as laptops, vehicles, or tools, including their custodian, location, condition, and history. Inventory management often focuses on quantities of interchangeable items, purchasing, stock levels, and fulfillment. Some products support both, but their billing and workflows may treat them differently.
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The Bottom Line
Choose AssetTiger for the best low-cost all-purpose asset register. Choose Sortly for the easiest visual inventory, Snipe-IT for self-hosted IT management, Reftab for lending and IT automation, Fleetio for vehicle maintenance, UpKeep for work-order-heavy operations, and Samsara or Tenna when live connected-equipment location is the central requirement.
Before subscribing, confirm whether you need a scan-based record or actual location data. That single distinction often matters more than the difference between two software feature lists.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
