Matrix
Beame
R99/month
Head-to-head comparison
Beame vs Cartrack
Which is better for you, Beame or Cartrack? We compare prices, installation, contracts, recovery and features side by side.
TrackerPrices SA is an independent comparison site. We are not Beame or Cartrack and are not affiliated with either. Brand names belong to their owners. Prices are monthly subscriptions as listed in our catalogue; confirm current pricing with your quote.
The short answer
Beame and Cartrack’s entry plan cost about the same each month, but they do very different jobs. Beame is a wireless recovery unit with no live tracking; Cartrack Quick gives you live tracking in an app and tamper alerts, with free installation. If you want to see where your car is, Cartrack is the better choice; if you only want affordable, wire-free recovery, Beame fits.
Side by side
Beame vs Cartrack at a glance
| Beame | Cartrack | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans from | R99/month | R99/month |
| Top plan | R99/month | R199/month |
| Plans in our catalogue | 1 | 4 |
| Installation | Quoted | Free (on contract) / Quoted |
| Contract | 36 months | 36 months |
| Recovery approach | Wireless battery unit, last known location, recovery agents | GPS/GSM, 24/7 control room, strong app |
| Live GPS tracking | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Mobile app access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Jamming detection | ✓ Yes | – Not listed |
| Tamper / battery-disconnect alerts | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Geofencing | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Driver behaviour monitoring | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Crash / impact detection | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Wireless unit, no wiring into the vehicle | ✓ Yes | – Not listed |
| Multi-vehicle fleet dashboard | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
“Yes” means at least one plan from that brand in our catalogue includes the feature. “Not listed” means our catalogue does not list it for that brand; the provider may still offer it, so confirm with your quote.
The verdict
Beame and Cartrack’s entry plan cost about the same each month, but they do very different jobs. Beame is a wireless recovery unit with no live tracking; Cartrack Quick gives you live tracking in an app and tamper alerts, with free installation. If you want to see where your car is, Cartrack is the better choice; if you only want affordable, wire-free recovery, Beame fits.
Choose Beame if…
- you mainly want affordable, insurer-approved recovery
- you do not want wiring in a new or leased car
- you do not need live tracking
Choose Cartrack if…
- you want live tracking in a polished app on a budget
- you want driver-behaviour reports, for example for young drivers
- you run a small business fleet
How Beame recovers vehicles
Beame is a wireless, battery-powered unit that a technician hides in the vehicle in minutes, with no wiring into the car’s electronics. It is not a live tracker: the app shows the unit’s last known location. When you report a theft, recovery agents use location data from the unit to find the vehicle. Beame detects jamming attempts, and its battery lasts up to three years, with a free replacement.
How Cartrack recovers vehicles
Cartrack units report their position over GPS and the cellular network. The 24/7 control room watches for alerts such as tampering, and recovery teams are sent out when a vehicle is reported stolen. Because Cartrack relies mainly on GPS/GSM, ask what backup is in place if a jammer is used.
Beame plans
Cartrack plans
Cartrack
Quick
R99/month
Cartrack
Quick Plus
R149/month
Cartrack
Quick Exec
R199/month
Cartrack
Fleet
Quoted per vehicle
More on each brand: Beame price & review · Cartrack prices 2026 · All brands
Matrix Vision
Matrix Vision AI dashcam from R359/month
Road-facing and in-cab cameras with collision and distraction alerts. Vision R359 or Vision Pro R399 a month, VAT incl.
Matrix Beame
Insurer-approved recovery from R99/month
Wireless, no wiring into your car, battery up to three years. See Beame details. For higher-risk vehicles, Beame Plus is R149/month with two devices installed free, a recovery warranty of up to R100,000 and app access.
FAQ
Common Questions
Which is better, Beame or Cartrack?+
Beame and Cartrack’s entry plan cost about the same each month, but they do very different jobs. Beame is a wireless recovery unit with no live tracking; Cartrack Quick gives you live tracking in an app and tamper alerts, with free installation. If you want to see where your car is, Cartrack is the better choice; if you only want affordable, wire-free recovery, Beame fits.
Which is cheaper, Beame or Cartrack?+
Beame and Cartrack start at the same price: Matrix Beame and Cartrack Quick are both R99 a month. Compare installation and what each entry plan includes before deciding; the cheapest plan is not always the best value.
Can I switch from Beame to Cartrack?+
Yes, but check your current contract first. Most tracker contracts run for 36 months and may carry cancellation fees. See our guide to switching tracker providers.
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