From Centurions guarding the gates of ancient cities to modern Ring doorbells monitoring our front doors, the drive to protect what matters most has always been a part of human nature. Today, in our digital age, laptops have become some of our most valuable possessions—not just for their cost, but for the treasure trove of personal and business data they hold. And yet, the statistics are sobering: one in ten laptops will be stolen, according to FBI crime reports, and over 90% of those devices are never recovered. A single lost laptop can unleash chaos—sensitive files, business-critical documents, and even personal data can fall into the wrong hands in an instant.
So, how can businesses safeguard their devices and the valuable data stored within them? The answer lies in laptop tracking software. This essential tool doesn’t just help locate stolen devices; it also fortifies your company’s data security by preventing breaches, limiting identity theft, and enabling quick responses to potential risks.
The market offers a wide array of laptop tracking solutions, each tailored to different needs—whether you're securing a small startup’s fleet or managing thousands of devices in a global enterprise. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate these options, highlighting the features, benefits, and considerations to keep in mind so you can make an informed choice and protect what matters most to your business.
Why does your company need a laptop tracking software
Nowadays, laptops have become indispensable, serving as the backbone of business operations. But here’s the harsh reality: they’re also prime targets for theft. Did you know that a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds? Even more alarming, 58% of these thefts happen in the workplace, according to recent data. And once a laptop is gone, the chances of getting it back are slim—97% of stolen laptops are never recovered.
But the impact doesn’t stop at the stolen device itself. A lost laptop can lead to catastrophic consequences for a business, especially if it holds sensitive data. In fact, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. reached $9.36 million in 2024, according to recent cybersecurity studies. For smaller businesses, the stakes are even higher—60% of small companies shut down within six months of a cyberattack.
These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a wake-up call. Whether it’s a misplaced device or a targeted theft, a single incident can put your entire organization’s data security at risk. That’s where laptop tracking software comes in. More than just a way to locate a missing device, it’s a critical tool for securing sensitive information, managing IT assets, and responding to potential threats before they escalate.
How does this actually work for your business?
Laptop tracking software is like having a virtual security guard for your devices. It uses a mix of advanced technologies to do far more than simply locate a missing laptop—it’s about safeguarding your data, streamlining asset management, and proactively addressing potential threats. Here's how it works:
Key Technologies Behind Laptop Tracking Software
- GPS Tracking: Leverages satellite signals to provide precise, real-time location data for your device.
- Wi-Fi Triangulation: Uses nearby Wi-Fi networks to estimate your laptop’s position, especially useful in urban environments.
- GeoIP: Tracks your device’s location by analyzing its internet connection, adding an extra layer of pinpointing even when GPS isn’t available.
These technologies work together to ensure that your IT team can locate stolen laptops and take swift action—whether that’s retrieving the device or remotely securing it to prevent data breaches.
What Makes Tracking Software Essential for Businesses?
- Prevent Data Breaches: Stolen laptops often grant unauthorized access to sensitive files. Remote wiping and locking features ensure that even if the device is gone, your data stays protected.
- Real-Time Alerts: Get notified instantly if a device is moved to an unexpected location, allowing for faster intervention.
- Proactive Asset Management:some text
- Track where your laptops are at any given moment, whether they’re in the office, with employees, or traveling across the globe.
- Ensure that misplaced or unaccounted-for devices don’t slip through the cracks.
Why It’s About More Than Recovery
Laptop tracking software isn’t just for finding stolen devices—it helps manage your entire fleet of IT assets:
- For Remote Teams: Ensure laptops issued to employees are being used securely and in approved locations.
- For Large Organizations: Keep a comprehensive inventory of device locations to prevent mix-ups or losses.
- For Preventing Fraud: Avoid false reports of "lost" laptops with detailed tracking logs and alerts.
A Layer of Assurance for IT Security
With its blend of real-time tracking and proactive security measures, laptop tracking software transforms IT management from reactive to proactive. Whether it’s stopping a breach in its tracks or simply ensuring your laptops are where they’re supposed to be, this software is a cornerstone of modern business security.
How to choose the best laptop tracking software for your business
Not all laptop tracking software is created equal, and finding the right solution for your business can feel like navigating a maze. Whether you're managing a small startup or a global enterprise, having a clear framework to evaluate your options can save time, money, and future headaches. Here’s how to approach the decision-making process:
Step 1: Evaluate Your Business Needs
Start by identifying what matters most to your organization:
- Fleet Size:some text
- For small startups: Focus on solutions that are simple to deploy and manage, even without a dedicated IT team.
- For large enterprises: Look for scalable platforms that can handle hundreds or thousands of devices seamlessly.
- Industry-Specific Requirements:some text
- Healthcare: Prioritize HIPAA-compliant software with strong encryption for patient data.
- Education: Seek solutions with multi-user management features to track shared devices across campuses.
- Remote Work: Ensure tools provide location flexibility and proactive alerts for distributed teams.
Step 2: Compare Features
The right software should do more than just track devices—it should support your overall IT strategy. Look for:
- Security Features: Remote lock, wipe, and encryption capabilities.
- User-Friendly Dashboards: Easy access to device status and activity logs.
- Integration Options: Compatibility with existing systems like MDM platforms or IT asset management tools.
- Reporting & Evidence Collection: Tools for generating theft reports or legal documentation.
Pro Tip: Use a checklist to compare your top choices side by side. (Download our feature comparison checklist to get started!)
Step 3: Consider Budget and Scalability
- Free vs. Paid Options:some text
- Free tools might work for basic tracking, but businesses often need premium features for security and compliance.
- Look for software that offers a free trial, so you can test before committing.
- Scalability:some text
- Can the software grow with your business?
- Does it offer flexible licensing to accommodate new devices as you expand?
Step 4: Ask the Right Questions
When evaluating software, consider:
- How quickly can it be deployed across all devices?
- Does it offer 24/7 support in case of theft or technical issues?
- What level of customization is available to suit your IT policies?
Best laptop location tracking software
There are a lot of computer tracking software packages out there to choose from, and each one is especially suited for particular types of users and needs. Not only do graphical user interfaces and dashboards vary among these platforms but some pair better with certain applications or operating systems that may already be in use within your institution.
Prey
Brought to you by The Prey Project, this tracking software is an excellent one-stop shop. Within one company account is a single online hub that allows users to find, lock, and secure all company gadgets.
More benefits of Prey include:
- Access to three different location technologies (GPS, WiFI triangulation, and GeoIP) to find phones, laptops, or tablets
- Customizable tracking that can be done actively or on demand
- Timestamp reports on a laptop's present location
- Ability to lock and prohibit access to a laptop as well as photograph the thief and any current sessions on screen
- Remote ability to delete saved passwords, preventing access to internet accounts or banking credentials
- A free multi-platform tracking program with several useful features for the first three devices registered
- Multi OS integration for Android, Windows, Ubuntu, Chrome OS, iOS, macOS, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones
Absolute DDS
This software boasts a customizable dashboard and the ability to measure device usage.
More benefits of Absolute DDS include:
- Constant connection to all of your endpoints and the data they hold, allowing you to provide a digital learning experience while also encouraging a safer school environment and a safeguarding of your IT assets
- Two-way connection with each device to assess risk and implement remote security steps to secure each endpoint, create a safer school environment, and recover stolen devices
- Cloud-based console that requires no new IT infrastructure
One disadvantage of this software is that it could require more in-depth training for customers.
LockItTight
This platform offers users from all walks of life, including individuals, parents, and IT managers, peace of mind with its GPS technology tracking.
More benefits of LockItTight include:
- Tools you can use to spy on your would-be robber, including the discovery of their location, a screen capture of their activity, the ability to snap a photo with the device’s webcam, and a view of their browser history
- Detailed information about theft activities on the device, which will enhance the likeliness of laptop retrieval
- Google Maps integration
One disadvantage of this software is that the free version is very limited in terms of the number of devices protected. Besides, the user interface is very limited.
EXO5
This software includes a licensing feature that allows employees to add their own devices to the computer tracking suite.
More benefits of EXO5 include:
- Laptop tracking to the exact street and accurate display of IP address connection
- Wi-Fi triangulation technology and Google Maps user interface
- Updates on new software installed on the device
- Remotekill for data encryption
One disadvantage to this specific software is that setup and day-to-day use may be too advanced for non-IT personnel.
Hidden Anti Theft
This program offers great protection for Mac OS products.
More benefits of Hidden Anti Theft include:
- Proven technology that can follow a lost Macbook, iPhone, or iPad and collection of evidence required to recover them
- Customizable remote lockdown that always keeps your data secure
One disadvantage of this software is that it only works with Apple products and macOS systems (PC versions are in development).
A few more computer tracking tips
When it comes to any kind of theft, time is of the essence. When a laptop is stolen, it is often powered down or in sleep/low-power mode. As soon as it is turned on, whether the thief is assessing general operability or analyzing an organization’s data, the installed laptop tracking software for your business will kick in, too. Soon, alerts will get sent via an established internet connection to the company software administrators and monitors, and the location services will start tracking the device.
However, these programs typically only work when the device is turned on, which means the best enterprise computer tracking software has battery-efficient tracking to find your device and acts quickly to disseminate information back to the company before the device is shut down again. A great laptop tracking system will not only allow you to monitor and reclaim a stolen laptop quickly, but also offer proof to the authorities that it was actually stolen in the first place.
Takeaways
No matter how small your network is, installing a laptop tracking system on your devices might be one of the best steps you can take when it comes to device and data security within your company. Everyone is a target, but not everyone needs to be a victim.
Having a robust enterprise laptop tracking software on your organization’s devices can take the burden off of your data security team and your employees in the case that an unplanned theft or loss of a device happens.
A great computer tracking software has benefits and features, including:
- ease of use and accurate tracking tools
- physical and data protection
- technology that answers all of questions about a theft or loss event
Prey includes these features and more. Whether you're looking to protect your own devices, or manage an enterprise fleet, Prey has a plan and platform for you.
