Overview

Prey is device security software for people who want to locate missing hardware and administrators responsible for protecting a fleet. It is strongest when location tracking and remote response matter more than broad asset inventory; iOS and Linux support require particular care.

Its combination of tracking, remote security actions, and fleet controls can serve individuals, businesses, and educational organizations. The key trade-off is that some protections are platform-dependent, while file retrieval is limited to small, individual files.

Key features

Tracking and recovery

Active tracking, missing reports, location history, Wi-Fi triangulation, and geofences give users several ways to follow devices and organize a response when one goes missing. Admins can mark a device as missing, lock its screen, sound an alarm, or send a message. That makes Prey a practical fit when locating a device and taking immediate action belong in the same workflow.

Data protection and fleet administration

Prey's data-protection features include custom wipe, factory reset, remote encryption, and a Windows kill switch. File retrieval is much narrower: it supports one file at a time, up to 25 MB, and keeps retrieved files hosted for 30 days. That can help recover a small, specific item, but will not suit teams that need to retrieve larger files or batches.

Fleet tools include a status dashboard, automated and mass actions, labels and search, roles and permissions, and a developer API. The API can support external integrations, and Prey publishes deployment instructions for JAMF. These options make the product more useful to organizations managing multiple devices than a location-only service, though the Windows-specific kill switch is not a uniform safeguard across platforms.

Prey says agent communications use encryption and authentication protocols; it also lists two-factor verification, SAML/SSO, and SSL/TLS support. These controls address communication and account security, while the available remote actions provide device-level response.

Pricing

Prey uses a freemium model. Prey Starter costs 2.99 USD per month, billed monthly, and includes 5 device slots. Its fixed slot count makes it a straightforward small setup, but larger fleets need another plan.

Three plans are priced per slot and billed annually, with no minimum slot purchase and lower per-slot prices above 50 slots:

Prey Tracking: 1.30 USD per month per slot. The lowest-cost paid option is the fit for buyers prioritizing device tracking.
Prey Protection: 1.95 USD per month per slot. It costs more than Tracking and is the middle paid tier for buyers seeking protection features.
Prey Full Suite: 2.25 USD per month per slot. It is the highest listed tier for buyers who want the full suite.

The monthly figures for these three plans are per-slot prices billed annually, not monthly-billed totals; the per-slot price drops above 50 slots. Prey says it no longer offers an automatic self-service 14-day trial, though customized trials may be arranged for qualified organizations. Organizations that need to evaluate the service should not assume they can start a standard 14-day trial.

Platforms

Prey supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, as well as an API. Its download page offers installers for Mac ARM, Mac Intel 64-bit, Windows 64-bit, and Ubuntu 64-bit, and the maker documents mobile apps. Official Linux support is limited to Ubuntu, so other Linux distributions are a poor fit for buyers who need supported desktop coverage.

Prey warns that iOS capabilities are heavily constrained by the operating system and advises against installation unless the app will remain open. iOS users should weigh that limitation before relying on it for recovery. Windows, macOS, Android, and Ubuntu are the more clearly supported choices in the published installer details.

Who it's for

Prey suits individuals and organizations that need to locate missing devices and respond remotely, especially administrators coordinating actions across a fleet. The range of fleet controls and API access gives IT teams more to work with than tracking alone. It is less suitable for fleets that depend on broad Linux distribution support, consistently capable iOS tracking, or bulk file retrieval.

Pros and cons

Pro: Multiple location tools, including history, geofences, and Wi-Fi triangulation, support a more organized response to missing devices.
Pro: Remote lock, alarm, and message actions let administrators respond without physical access.
Pro: Fleet dashboards, mass actions, roles, and an API support administration beyond individual device recovery.
Con: Linux support is limited to Ubuntu, narrowing its fit for mixed-distribution Linux fleets.
Con: iOS capabilities are heavily limited, and the app must remain open for Prey's advised use.
Con: File retrieval is restricted to one file of up to 25 MB at a time, with a 30-day hosting period.
Con: Qualified organizations may arrange a customized trial, but there is no automatic self-service 14-day trial.

Alternatives

For a broader look at this category, see Asset Tracking Software.

Consider Shelf instead if you want an asset-tracking product with a free Personal plan that includes unlimited assets, one user, a personal workspace, and three custom fields. Its platform support also includes self-hosted deployments.

AssetTiger is another option to compare for asset tracking; it has a free plan and supports Android, iOS, API, and web.

Reftab may suit teams that need inventory and software tracking for up to 50 assets on a free plan, with mobile apps and barcode and QR-code support.

MapYourTag is worth comparing if a free plan capped at 10 assets, two users, and 10 scans of asset history per item matches your scale.

Sortly offers a free plan for 100 unique items, one user, and two active jobs, making its stated free allowance a useful comparison for smaller inventory needs.

AssetCenter provides a free plan with no time limit for up to 25 available or deployed assets, but no reports.

OrbitEquip may be a better fit for tool tracking: its free plan covers up to 25 tools, unlimited users, roles and invites, QR check-in/check-out, and CSV import for up to 25 tools.

UNIO24 offers a free UNIO 50 plan for 50 assets, with no credit card required.

Verdict

Choose Prey if you need device recovery tools combined with remote security actions and fleet administration, particularly across Windows, macOS, Android, or Ubuntu devices. Its main advantage is the link between location and coordinated response; look elsewhere if your fleet relies on broad Linux support, dependable iOS capabilities, or retrieving files in bulk.

	Prey	QR Chameleon
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes
Paid from	$1.30/mo	$84/mo
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows	api, Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	1.3 /mo	8 /mo
Check-in/check-out	Yes
Mobile apps	Yes
GPS location tracking	Yes
Dynamic QR codes		Yes
Scan analytics		Yes
Bulk QR creation		Yes
Brand customization		Yes
Campaign management		Yes

Prey vs QR Chameleon

Prey

QR Chameleon