Simple pricing.
Start free.
The app is free. GPS tracking is optional. No contracts, no hidden fees, no complicated tiers.
Starter
- check_circle Full Herd Records up to 100 head
- check_circle Custom Ranch Protocols
- check_circle Multi-User Access
- check_circle Ranch Dashboard
- check_circle CSV Import
- check_circle Phone + Desktop
Professional
- check_circle Full Herd Records with no head limit
- check_circle Link up to 100 GPS Satellite Tags
- check_circle GPS Positions 4x daily
- check_circle Behavioral Activity Data
- check_circle Health & Calving Alerts
- check_circle Geofence Monitoring
Enterprise
- check_circle Full Herd Records
- check_circle Unlimited GPS links
- check_circle Custom Onboarding
- check_circle Bulk Tag Discounts
- check_circle Designated Account Rep
- check_circle New Feature Early Access
Where your money actually goes.
No hidden fees, no bundled markup. When you put a GPS tag on a cow, you're paying three separate line items. TerraOptics is the software layer — the tags and satellite connection are services from our partner, Ceres Tag. Here's what each piece actually does and what each one costs.
The Ear Tag
Manufactured by Ceres Tag
A solar-powered GPS ear tag built by Ceres Tag, developed in collaboration with CSIRO — Australia's national science agency and one of the world's largest research organizations. These tags are built for Satellite GPS, not cellular — so they work on BLM allotments, open range, and anywhere cattle can roam.
Sold in boxes of 10. Bulk pricing available on larger orders.
Shop Ceres Tags arrow_forwardSatellite Service
Paid directly to Ceres
Every tag streams GPS coordinates and health telemetry to a satellite constellation overhead — not a cell tower, not a LoRa gateway. That connection is a recurring per-tag fee paid directly to Ceres. It's what makes satellite tags different from every other cattle tracker on the market: there's no dead zone. Think of this service like your cell phone bill, but with satellites.
4 GPS positions per day plus behavioral and health telemetry.
The Ranch App
TerraOptics — that's us
We pull your tag data from the Ceres feed, map it onto your ranch boundaries, and turn raw coordinates into something you can actually use — a herd dashboard, animal records, geofence alerts, calving notifications, and automated protocols at the chute. The base app is free for ranch management; the paid tier unlocks GPS features when you're ready for tags.
Phone + desktop, multi-user, unlimited ranches.
Get Started Free arrow_forwardActivation tip: You'll register your tags on the Ceres portal after purchase to pay the satellite connection fee and link them to your TerraOptics ranch. The whole process takes a few minutes — great walkthrough here: Ceres Tag Activation Guide.
GPS Cattle Tag Investment Calculator
Adjust your herd size to see how a Satellite GPS system could benefit your bottom line with tags on just 20% of your herd.
Annual System Cost
Estimated Value Recovered
Scenario Comparison
| Herd Size | Annual Cost | Est. Value Recovered | Net Gain | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 head | $1,419 | $2,650 | +$1,231 | 1.9× |
| 100 head | $2,477 | $5,300 | +$2,823 | 2.1× |
| 250 head | $5,653 | $13,250 | +$7,597 | 2.3× |
| 500 head | $10,947 | $26,500 | +$15,553 | 2.4× |
info Estimates based on industry producer reports and rancher feedback. Actual results vary by operation size, region, and management practices. Tag count assumes 20% of herd covered (bulls + select cows). Software cost = Professional at $29.99/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do GPS cattle tags cost?
There are three line items, and we're transparent about every one. (1) The tag itself: $34.99–$39.99 one-time per tag, built by Ceres and sold through us in boxes of 10. (2) Satellite service: $4.49–$4.99 per tag per month, paid to Ceres to keep the tag connected to the satellite constellation. (3) The TerraOptics app: free up to 100 head for ranch management, or $29.99/mo + $0.50 per tag on the Professional tier once you're ready for GPS features. For a 100-head operation tagging 20% of the herd (bulls and select cows), that's roughly $2,477/year all-in — see the calculator above to dial in your exact numbers.
How do GPS cattle tags work?
The Ceres tag is a solar-powered GPS ear tag with a satellite radio built in — no cell towers, no base stations, no Wi-Fi. Four times a day, each tag beams its GPS position and behavioral telemetry up to a satellite constellation overhead. Ceres collects the data from the satellites, and TerraOptics pulls it off their feed and maps it onto your ranch — showing you where every tagged animal is, flagging geofence exits and health anomalies, and sending alerts to your phone. Three separate services working together: Ceres makes the hardware, Ceres runs the satellite connection, and we turn the raw data into a ranch dashboard you can actually use.
Do I need GPS tags to use TerraOptics?
No. The app works great as a standalone ranch management tool. GPS tags are optional — add them when you want satellite tracking for your herd.
Can I switch from another app?
Absolutely. Import your existing herd data via CSV. We support common formats from CattleMax, Herdwatch, and standard spreadsheets.
Start free. Add tags when you're ready.
Start with the free app to map your boundaries, build your protocols, and build track your herd records. Add tags when you're ready to see more data and get the full picture.