Netstar
STARtag
R89/month
Brand Deep-Dive
Netstar Tracking: How the Netstar Car Tracker Works
Netstar is one of South Africa's best-known vehicle tracking providers, built around GPS-based location tracking, jamming detection and a 24/7 monitoring centre. Here's what the technology actually does. For monthly prices, see Netstar packages and prices.
✓ How Netstar's tracking works
✓ Jamming & tamper detection explained
✓ Honest, independent comparison
Netstar tracking packages and prices
Netstar tracking starts at R89 a month for the wireless STARtag. The hardwired Netstar car tracker packages are Nano (R99), Basic (R139), Plus (R169) and Early Warning (R199) a month, on 36-month rental with no upfront payment. Many people search for it as “Nester car tracker” or “Nestar”. It is the same company, Netstar, owned by Altron.
| Netstar package | Monthly price | Installation | Contract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netstar STARtag | R89/month | No installation needed | 36-month contract | Get a quote |
| Netstar Plus | R169/month | Installation quoted by provider | 36-month contract | Get a quote |
Prices include VAT, are per month on the provider's standard contract and were checked against official provider sources in September 2026. The provider's own quote is final.
See every plan side by side on Netstar packages and prices.
Netstar (“Nester”) car tracker contact details
- Stolen or hijacked vehicle (24/7): 0800 11 22 22
- Support and sales: 0860 12 24 36 (also on WhatsApp)
- Head office: 011 207 5500 · Email: cs@netstar.co.za
Login, app and account-number help: Netstar contact number & login.
What Does Netstar Actually Track?
GPS & Cellular-Based Location Tracking
Netstar's core technology uses GPS to pinpoint your vehicle's location and a cellular (GSM) connection to relay that position back to its monitoring centre. On higher tiers this becomes live, near-real-time tracking rather than a location fix only at the point of theft.
A Monitored Recovery Service
Netstar doesn't just sell a device — a confirmed theft alert is picked up by its monitoring centre and handed to a recovery process that works alongside South African Police Service (SAPS) channels, rather than the vehicle owner chasing it down alone.
Technology
What Netstar Tracking Actually Includes
Live GPS Tracking
Available from Netstar's mid-tier plan upward, giving location history and trip data rather than a recovery-only signal.
Jamming & Tamper Detection
Netstar's system is built to flag attempts to block its signal or physically interfere with the unit, alerting the monitoring centre rather than staying silent.
Geofencing
Set a virtual boundary and get notified if the vehicle leaves it — useful for both theft alerts and simple peace of mind.
Driver Behaviour Monitoring
Netstar's top tier adds driver-behaviour scoring and crash/impact detection on top of the tracking basics.
All prices shown include VAT and are provided for transparent, convenient comparison. Once you select a package or submit an enquiry, the relevant product provider may contact you directly to assist with your selection, pricing, and activation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Netstar
Is Netstar tracking the same as a GPS tracker app on my phone?+
No. Netstar fits a dedicated hardware unit into your vehicle, monitored by a 24/7 centre — a very different proposition to a consumer GPS-location app running on a phone, which has no monitoring or recovery service behind it.
Does Netstar require professional installation?+
Yes, for its hardwired units. Netstar's entry-level STARtag unit is battery-operated with no wiring required, which is why it's often positioned as the quickest to fit — see our pricing guide for the full tier breakdown.
How does Netstar compare to Tracker and Cartrack?+
All three combine GPS-based tracking with a monitored recovery service, but they differ in the technology layered on top (Tracker's VHF radio, for example) and in exact pricing and tier structure. See our three-way comparison for the details.
Is "TrackerPrices SA" the same company as Netstar?+
No. TrackerPrices SA is an independent comparison service. We are not affiliated with, and cannot speak on behalf of, Netstar or any brand named on this page.
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Read more →Ready to Compare Real Quotes?
See how Netstar stacks up against the rest of the market before you commit to a contract.