Matrix
Beame
R99/month
Head-to-head comparison
Beame vs Netstar
Which is better for you, Beame or Netstar? We compare prices, installation, contracts, recovery and features side by side.
TrackerPrices SA is an independent comparison site. We are not Beame or Netstar 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 Netstar STARtag are the two main wireless, budget recovery options in South Africa. Both avoid wiring and neither offers live tracking. STARtag is slightly cheaper in our catalogue; Beame is fitted by a technician and detects jamming. Netstar’s hardwired plans add live tracking if you want more.
Side by side
Beame vs Netstar at a glance
| Beame | Netstar | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans from | R99/month | R89/month |
| Top plan | R99/month | R249/month |
| Plans in our catalogue | 1 | 3 |
| Installation | Quoted | None needed / Quoted |
| Contract | 36 months | 36 months |
| Recovery approach | Wireless battery unit, last known location, recovery agents | GPS/GSM with jamming detection, 24/7 monitoring |
| Live GPS tracking | – Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Mobile app access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Jamming detection | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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 | ✓ 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 Netstar STARtag are the two main wireless, budget recovery options in South Africa. Both avoid wiring and neither offers live tracking. STARtag is slightly cheaper in our catalogue; Beame is fitted by a technician and detects jamming. Netstar’s hardwired plans add live tracking if you want more.
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 Netstar if…
- you worry about jammers used by hijacking syndicates
- you want the lowest monthly price (STARtag)
- you want crash detection
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 Netstar recovers vehicles
Netstar’s hardwired units use GPS/GSM, and the Plus and Platinum plans add jamming detection, so the control room is alerted if someone tries to block the signal. The budget STARtag is a small wireless tag hidden in the vehicle that supports recovery without live tracking.
Beame plans
Netstar plans
More on each brand: Beame price & review · Netstar 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 Netstar?+
Beame and Netstar STARtag are the two main wireless, budget recovery options in South Africa. Both avoid wiring and neither offers live tracking. STARtag is slightly cheaper in our catalogue; Beame is fitted by a technician and detects jamming. Netstar’s hardwired plans add live tracking if you want more.
Which is cheaper, Beame or Netstar?+
Netstar is cheaper to start: Netstar STARtag is R89 a month, against R99 for Matrix Beame, a difference of R360 over 36 months. 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 Netstar?+
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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