Comparison

Halo Collar vs Embark Vet

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Halo Collar

This app manages a smart collar system that creates virtual fences to keep dogs safely contained. It offers expert training, real-time activity tracking, and instant communication with your pet, providing peace of mind for owners.

Highlights
  • Virtual fence creation
  • Expert dog training methods
  • Real-time safety tracking
  • Activity monitoring
  • Instant pet communication
  • Customizable feedback
Features
Read full description

Introducing Halo: the world’s greatest smart fence system. The virtual fences you create right in the app work with the revolutionary Halo Collar, and actually keep your dog safely inside. Halo also includes in-app expert training, using Cesar Millan's proven training methods, real-time safety and activity tracking, and instant communication with your dog anywhere to provide the best protection for your best friend—at home or on the go. Halo Fences The easiest fences you’ve ever set up: it’s as simple as tapping on your map in the Halo App, or by walking around the boundary you want to create using the Halo App and your Halo Collar. Halo Fences use world-class global satellite GPS & GNSS systems to locate your dog(s), and work autonomously to provide instant Prevention and Encouragement Feedback to keep them safely inside their smart fences, direct them back in if they leave, or call them back home wherever they are. Halo Fences are stored right inside the Halo Collar, and don’t rely on a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to work. If your dog approaches a Halo Fence boundary, they’ll instantly receive guidance to teach them where they can and cannot roam freely. Easy Setup, Unlimited Options No wires, no digging, and no hubs necessary. Halo Fences are created in the Halo App, then sent to and stored inside each Halo Collar. You can even create up to 20 unique Halo Fences virtually anywhere in the world. Finally, a fence that your dog can’t jump over, dig under, and that won’t let your dog run out of range, regardless of terrain, property ownership, and the size and shape of your fences. Intuitive Boundaries Halo Beacons are small Bluetooth beacons that communicate with your dog’s Halo Collar just like Halo Fences do. Place Halo Beacons indoors to keep your pup out of harm’s way from dangerous areas like stovetops, or off-limits areas like trash cans. Halo Beacons and Halo Fences provide instinct and consistent guidance from the Halo Collar, and can easily be managed right from the Halo App. Phone Notifications Stay up-to-date, but not on the edge of your seat. With in-app and push notifications, you’ll stay in the loop about your dog’s safety without having to worry that you’ll need to panic and rush to bring your escape artist back home. Completely Customizable Completely customize your dog’s feedback directly in the app. Preventions (Warning, Boundary, then Emergency) communicate the existence of a boundary that your dog should keep away from. Your pup will only receive Prevention Feedback while moving toward danger; as soon as they stop, turn around, or head back home, the Halo Collar’s advanced internal logic plays customizable Encouragements to tell your dog they’re doing a great job. It even automatically plays a Return Whistle to guide them back home! Revolutionary Training Learn Cesar Millan’s expert techniques to train your dog(s) to recognize boundaries. Cesar’s step-by-step instructions explain his world-renowned, proven methods that will give your dog the safest and most effective training experience anywhere—starting in your home before moving outside. Halo is your go-to pet parenting support that you can count on to give you peace of mind and an amazing relationship with your dog(s) Real-Time Safety Statuses No other collar does it all like Halo. Real-time safety statuses tell you whether your best friend is safe at a glance. And fast and accurate tracking via GPS & GNSS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular technology shows you what your pup is up to, even if you’re not around. Activity Tracking Activity tracking logs your dog’s location, number of walks per day, and time spent active, resting, or in the car. Keep up with how much exercise your dog is getting every day so you can stay on top of their health goals. Please visit www.halocollar.com for more information about the Halo Collar. Recommended minimum OS version is iOS 16.

About

Embark Vet

Discover your dog's breed mix, health predispositions, and allergy risks with a simple DNA test. Connect with relatives and receive personalized care tips to build a stronger bond with your canine companion.

Highlights
  • Discover breed mix
  • Test for health risks
  • Understand allergy risks
  • Connect with relatives
  • Track test progress
  • Receive alerts
Features
Read full description

Know your dog. Better. Meet Embark, the highest-rated dog DNA test, trusted by millions of dog parents (and pups) across the world. With over 50,000 five-star reviews and developed by veterinarians , Embark makes it easy to understand your dog’s breed mix, allergy risk, health, relatives, and more. All from one simple swab. Whether you’re raising a goofy new puppy, helping a rescue feel at home, or just wondering where those giant ears came from, Embark gives you the science-backed insights you need to care smarter and build a stronger bond. Embark brings together dog DNA results, insights and care tips. Activate your kit, track your test, and explore your pup’s unique profile, all in one place. What you can do with the Embark app: ▸ Discover your dog’s breed mix Uncover your pup’s full ancestry with 99% accuracy. From Golden Retriever to Great Pyrenees, Embark analyzes over 350 breeds to reveal your dog’s unique story. ▸ Get ahead of health risks Get peace-of-mind by testing for 270+ genetic health conditions, including MDR1, and degenerative myelopathy. Get early insights into risks you can take action on & discuss with your vet. ▸ Understand allergy risks Discover your dog's genetic risk for four common allergy types—food, environmental, contact, and flea—and get expert, actionable tips to help you manage their care. ▸ Connect with your dog’s relatives See your dog’s DNA-based family tree and get matched with their siblings, parents, and extended relatives. Message their humans and build a bond with your pup’s extended pack. ▸ Never miss a moment Receive alerts when new relatives are found or new features are released. With Embark, you’ll always be the first to know as science unlocks more about your pup. ▸ Track your test every step of the way Use the app to activate your kit, monitor progress, and get notified the moment your results are ready. Already tested with Embark? Log in and start exploring. The Embark app requires purchase of an Embark DNA test. Download today to get started, access your results on the go, and discover what makes your dog truly one of a kind.

Screenshots

Halo Collar4 screens
Embark Vet4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Embark Vet at 4.9 against Halo Collar's 4.1. Embark Vet also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 70%) and device support (3 vs 1). Halo Collar's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Embark Vet holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.7K and 2.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Halo Collar's written reviews are positive against 94% of Embark Vet's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Halo Collar ships an update every 3 weeks, Embark Vet every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Halo Collar versus Embark Vet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHalo CollarEmbark Vet
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (9.7K ratings)4.9 (2.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.6% of reviews93.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.7K — better2.7K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size324 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProtect Animals With Satellites, LLCEmbark Veterinary, Inc.

Customer experience

Halo Collar

All ratings9,660 ratings
Positive77.7%
Neutral3.9%
Negative18.4%
Written reviews1,639 reviews
Positive69.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative24.8%

Embark Vet

All ratings2,567 ratings
Positive98.6%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews310 reviews
Positive93.5%
Neutral1.0%
Negative5.5%

Bugs and requests

Halo Collar

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • GPS inaccuracies
  • Collar malfunctions
  • Connectivity issues
  • Battery life problems

Requested features

2 requests
  • Custom No Go Zones
  • Remote control option

Embark Vet

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Halo Collar

No in-app purchases

None

Embark Vet

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Halo Collar free?
Halo Collar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Embark Vet free?
Embark Vet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Halo Collar or Embark Vet?
Embark Vet is rated higher. Halo Collar averages 4.1 out of 5 from 9.7K ratings, while Embark Vet averages 4.9 from 2.7K ratings.
Do Halo Collar or Embark Vet have ads?
Neither Halo Collar nor Embark Vet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Halo Collar or Embark Vet?
Halo Collar ships an update every 3 weeks, and Embark Vet every 2 months. Most recently, Halo Collar was updated on November 11, 2026 and Embark Vet on November 8, 2026.

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