Prey

Overview

Prey is a device security service for people who want to locate missing hardware and take action remotely, as well as organizations managing fleets. It is strongest when recovery controls and fleet response matter more than broad asset inventory; Ubuntu-only official Linux support and iOS restrictions narrow its fit.

Key features

Locate and respond

Active tracking, missing reports, location history, Wi-Fi triangulation and geofences give users several ways to follow a device and organize a response. Admins can mark devices missing, lock a screen, sound an alarm or send a message. Together, those controls make Prey useful when a lost device needs both location visibility and a remote response.

Protect data and manage fleets

Custom wipe, factory reset, remote encryption and a Windows kill switch extend Prey beyond location recovery. File retrieval is more limited: it handles one file of up to 25 MB at a time, and hosts retrieved files for 30 days. That suits retrieving a small, specific file, not recovering a large set of data.

For fleet administrators, the status dashboard, automated and mass actions, labels, search, roles and permissions support coordinated management. Check-in and check-out and a developer API add administrative flexibility. The API can support external integrations, and Prey provides JAMF deployment instructions. Prey says agent communications use encryption and authentication protocols, and lists two-factor verification, SAML/SSO and SSL/TLS support.

Pricing

Prey has a free plan and paid plans billed monthly or annually. Prey Starter costs $2.99 a month, billed monthly, and includes five device slots. It is the clearest fixed-capacity option for an individual or small setup, though five slots may be restrictive for a growing fleet.

Prey Tracking costs $1.30 a month per slot, billed annually, with no minimum slot purchase; the per-slot price decreases above 50 slots. Prey Protection costs $1.95 a month per slot on the same annual terms, while Prey Full Suite costs $2.25 a month per slot, also billed annually. The published plan details do not distinguish the feature bundles, so readers should confirm which capabilities each tier includes before choosing. The per-slot model scales to different fleet sizes, but annual billing is a meaningful commitment. The maker may arrange customized trials for qualified organizations; it no longer offers an automatic self-service 14-day trial.

Platforms

Prey lists Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows support, plus an API. Official desktop installers are offered for Mac ARM, Mac Intel 64-bit, Windows 64-bit and Ubuntu 64-bit; the maker also documents mobile apps. Official Linux support is limited to Ubuntu, so other Linux users should not assume equivalent support. On iOS, operating-system constraints heavily limit capabilities, and Prey advises against installation unless the app will remain open. That makes iOS a poor fit for users expecting dependable background recovery.

Who it's for

Prey is best suited to individuals, businesses and educational organizations that need to find missing devices and coordinate remote security actions across a fleet. It is a weaker choice for organizations seeking broad inventory management, users who need to retrieve substantial files remotely, Linux users outside Ubuntu, or iOS users who need the app to work in the background.

Pros and cons

Pros: Multiple location signals and remote actions let users combine device tracking with a response.

Pros: Fleet dashboards, automation, mass actions, roles and API support give administrators tools for coordinated management.

Cons: File retrieval is restricted to one file up to 25 MB at a time, with a 30-day hosting period.

Cons: Official Linux support is Ubuntu-only, and iOS capabilities are heavily constrained.

Cons: The lowest per-slot paid prices require annual billing, and Prey Starter is capped at five device slots.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of inventory-focused tools, browse Asset Tracking Software.

Shelf is worth considering if unlimited assets on its free Personal plan matter more than Prey's recovery controls; that plan is limited to one user and a personal workspace. AssetTiger is another asset-management option to compare. Reftab is a stronger match when a free plan for up to 50 assets, with barcode and QR-code support, is the priority. MapYourTag suits readers whose needs fit its free plan's 10 assets, two users and email alerts. Sortly is an option for those who want a free inventory plan capped at 100 unique items, one user and two active jobs. AssetCenter offers a no-time-limit free plan for up to 25 assets, but without reports. Asset Giant provides a free plan for up to 100 assets and one user, with a 50 MB storage limit. Asset Infinity is an alternative to compare for a 500-asset paid plan or an enterprise arrangement with custom pricing.

Verdict

Choose Prey if locating devices and coordinating remote recovery or protection actions across a fleet are your main priorities. Its tracking and administrative controls make a focused case for it, but narrow file retrieval, the Ubuntu-only Linux support and iOS limits are good reasons to look elsewhere.