Wireless vs Invisible vs GPS Dog Fence: Which Type Is Right for You?

Three fence technologies, three completely different approaches to the same problem: keeping your dog in the yard without building a physical barrier.

Wireless fences broadcast a radio signal from a base station. Invisible fences bury a wire underground. GPS fences use satellites. Each has tradeoffs that make it the perfect choice for some situations and a poor fit for others.

After testing and researching all three types extensively, here’s a direct comparison to help you choose.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Wireless (RF)	Invisible (In-Ground)	GPS
Boundary shape	Circle only	Any shape	Any shape
Installation	Plug in, done	Bury wire (2-8 hours)	Walk perimeter with collar
Accuracy	5-10 feet	1-2 feet	1.4-10 feet
Coverage	Up to 1.5 acres	Up to 25+ acres	Up to 1,000+ acres
Monthly cost	$0	$0	$0-$20
Upfront cost	$150-$450	$200-$500+	$450-$1,300
Portability	Medium (base unit)	None (wire is buried)	Full (collar stores boundaries)
Best for	Small flat yards	Any shape property	Large or multi-property

Wireless (Radio Frequency) Fences

A transmitter plugs into an outlet inside your home and broadcasts a signal outward. The collar detects when it moves beyond the signal’s range and delivers a warning, followed by a correction if the dog continues.

How the Boundary Works

The boundary is always a circle centered on the transmitter. You adjust the radius - up to about 0.75 acres on most models - but you can’t change the shape. If your yard is rectangular, the circular boundary will either leave corners unprotected or extend past your property into the street or neighbor’s yard.

Best For

• Small to medium flat yards
• Renters who can’t install permanent equipment
• Camping and travel (some models are portable)
• First-time containment system buyers on a budget

Limitations

• Circle-only means no protection for irregularly shaped properties
• Signal can be disrupted by terrain, metal buildings, or thick walls
• Not effective for properties over 1.5 acres
• Steep hills or elevation changes can distort the boundary shape

Top Pick: PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence

Price: Around $200-$350. No subscription.

Invisible (In-Ground Wire) Fences

A wire buried 1-3 inches underground creates the boundary. The collar detects the electromagnetic field generated by the wire and warns the dog as it approaches.

How the Boundary Works

The wire can follow any shape - straight lines, curves, corners, around garden beds, up to and around the pool. This is the most precise boundary option, with correction zones of just 1-2 feet from the wire.

The wire connects in a continuous loop from the transmitter, around your property boundary, and back. Any layout is possible as long as the wire returns to the transmitter.

Best For

• Irregularly shaped properties
• Homeowners who want precise boundary control
• Yards with landscaping, gardens, or pools to protect
• Properties up to 25+ acres (with sufficient wire)

Limitations

• Installation requires burying wire (manual labor or professional installation at $500-$1,500)
• Wire can break from digging, tree roots, or ground settling
• Not portable - moving means new installation
• Troubleshooting a wire break requires locating the exact break point underground

Top Pick: PetSafe In-Ground Fence System

Price: $200-$400 for the system; professional installation adds $500-$1,500. No subscription.

GPS Fences

The collar tracks the dog’s position via satellites. You create custom boundaries through a smartphone app by walking your property perimeter. When the dog approaches the boundary, the collar delivers warnings and corrections.

How the Boundary Works

GPS boundaries are stored digitally - either on the collar itself, in the cloud, or both. You draw the boundary shape via an app by walking the perimeter with the collar, or by tracing on a map in some systems.

The collar continuously calculates its position relative to the boundary and acts accordingly. No base station, no wire, no physical infrastructure beyond the collar.

Best For

• Large properties (5-1,000+ acres)
• Multiple properties or locations (vacation home, hunting land, dog park)
• Properties where burying wire isn’t practical
• Owners who want tracking capabilities along with containment

Limitations

• GPS accuracy varies by environment (1.4-10 feet depending on conditions)
• Dense tree cover reduces accuracy on most models
• Battery requires regular charging (18-36 hours for most GPS collars)
• Some models require monthly cellular subscriptions ($5-$20)
• Higher upfront cost than other options

Top Picks

• SpotOn GPS Fence: $999-$1,295, no subscription for basic fence. Best accuracy with 128 satellites. Full review
• Halo Collar 4: $549-$599, subscription required ($10-$20/month). Built-in training program. Full review
• PetSafe Guardian GPS: ~$449.95, no subscription for basic containment. Full review

Decision Tree

What shape is your property?

• Circular or roughly square, under 1 acre: Wireless (RF) fence is cheapest and simplest
• Irregular shape: In-ground wire or GPS

How large is your property?

• Under 1.5 acres: Any type works
• 1.5 to 5 acres: In-ground wire or GPS
• Over 5 acres: GPS is the practical choice

Do you rent or plan to move?

• Renting / likely to move: GPS (portable, no installation) or wireless (portable base unit)
• Homeowner, staying put: In-ground wire (most precise) or GPS (easiest installation)

What’s your budget?

• Under $400: Wireless RF or basic in-ground wire (self-installed)
• $400-$600: In-ground wire (professional install) or entry GPS (Halo, PetSafe Guardian)
• $600+: Premium GPS (SpotOn) or in-ground wire with professional installation

Is your yard heavily wooded?

• Yes: SpotOn GPS (Forest Mode) or in-ground wire. Other GPS systems lose accuracy under canopy.
• No: Any type works in open terrain.

Installation Time Compared

Type	DIY Time	Professional
Wireless RF	30 minutes	Not needed
In-ground wire (0.5 acre)	4-6 hours	$500-$800
In-ground wire (1+ acre)	8-12+ hours	$800-$1,500
GPS	20-30 minutes (walk perimeter)	Not needed

3-Year Cost Comparison

System	Upfront	Installation	Subscription (3yr)	Total
PetSafe Stay & Play (RF)	$275	$0	$0	$275
PetSafe In-Ground (DIY)	$300	$0	$0	$300
PetSafe In-Ground (pro install)	$300	$1,000	$0	$1,300
PetSafe Guardian GPS	$450	$0	$0	$450
Halo Collar 4	$575	$0	$360-$720	$935-$1,295
SpotOn GPS	$1,100	$0	$0	$1,100

The cheapest long-term option is a wireless RF fence for small flat yards. The cheapest wire-free option for irregular properties is the PetSafe Guardian GPS. SpotOn has the highest upfront cost but zero subscription, which makes it competitive over three years.

Training Is the Same for All Types

Regardless of which system you choose, the training protocol is the same:

1. Flag the boundary with visual markers (all systems include them)
2. Walk the dog on leash near the boundary so they hear/feel the warning
3. Redirect them away from the boundary and reward
4. Repeat for 10-14 days before allowing off-leash time in the contained area
5. Remove flags gradually over 2-4 weeks

Skipping or shortening training is the number one reason containment systems fail. The technology works; the training makes the dog respect it.

For detailed reviews of every model mentioned here, see our Best Wireless Dog Fences guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple fence types together?

Yes. Some owners use a GPS fence for a large outer boundary and an in-ground wire fence for a small exclusion zone (like a garden). The systems operate on different frequencies and don’t interfere.

Do wireless fences work in hilly yards?

RF wireless fences are affected by terrain changes. The circular signal is centered at the transmitter’s elevation - hills can create dead zones. GPS fences handle elevation changes better. In-ground wire fences work with any terrain.

How deep does the in-ground wire need to be?

Most manufacturers recommend 1-3 inches deep. In areas with heavy foot traffic or garden beds, deeper is better (3-4 inches). The wire can be laid along the surface temporarily under mulch, but burying it prevents accidental damage.

Will a GPS fence work without internet?

It depends on the model. SpotOn stores boundaries on the collar, so the fence functions without internet or cell service. Halo requires cellular connectivity for some features. Check whether the model stores boundary data locally or in the cloud.

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