At first glance, Apple AirTags look like an efficient solution for tracking business assets.
They’re relatively affordable, sleek, and easy to use.
But are they truly well-suited for commercial environments?
In our view, there are more effective options—one of which is GoCodes.
So, let’s explore GoCodes’ capabilities and compare them to AirTags to show which system truly stands out as the superior choice for commercial equipment tracking.
In this article...
Automatic Asset Scanning
GoCodes offers BLE beacons (shown below) that automatically detect nearby assets from your smartphone.
No line of sight needed.
Source: GoCodes
This means you and your team can manage assets even when they’re packed away in boxes or other storage, eliminating the need for manual barcode scanning.
The result?
Faster workflows and greater accuracy, especially in asset-dense environments like warehouses.
With this technology, an entire warehouse inventory can be instantly viewed and updated in the GoCodes smartphone app.
Workers no longer have to stop, find, align, and scan barcodes—equipment can be tracked even while in motion, such as on forklifts or carts.
AirTags, which you can see below, operate similarly since they, too, rely on Bluetooth.
Source: Apple
Because Bluetooth signals pass through walls, bags, and other barriers, line of sight isn’t required.
While physical obstructions may slightly affect range or precision, the tag can still be detected without being visible.
But here’s where GoCodes has the edge.
While both systems support automatic identification, GoCodes beacons go further by enabling users to update equipment data upon detection.
This includes checking items in or out, logging maintenance, updating stock quantities, and more, all from an intuitive interface like the one you see below:
Source: GoCodes
AirTags simply don’t offer this level of functionality.
So while both solutions automate asset scanning, only GoCodes lets you take immediate action on the assets it identifies.
App For Location Tracking On The Go
Both GoCodes beacons and AirTags come with an app that shows you where an asset is.
That’s their most fundamental capability, but they achieve it in different ways.
For one, the way each system functions slightly differs.
The GoCodes Bluetooth Beacon uses radio technology to broadcast its signal to nearby Bluetooth-compatible devices like smartphones.
The GoCodes app then displays both the user’s location and the estimated location of the beacon on Google Maps:
Source: GoCodes
It even provides walking directions to help you quickly retrieve your asset.
It’s fast, easy, and accurate.
GoCodes’ setup significantly improves equipment tracking efficiency and speeds up the recovery of lost items.
AirTags, on the other hand, don’t talk directly to you.
Instead, they rely on Apple’s Find My network, which uses nearby Apple devices—iPhones, iPads, or Macs—to detect the AirTag via Bluetooth.
These devices then encrypt the location and send it to iCloud, where you can view it using the Find My app, as shown below:
Source: Apple
While clever, this system depends heavily on the density of Apple devices in the area.
In other words, if there aren’t enough Apple devices nearby, tracking accuracy drops off sharply, as this Redditor points out:
Source: Reddit
Range is another key difference.
The GoCodes Android app can detect beacons from up to 300 feet away.
In contrast, the Find My app usually detects AirTags within 30 to 100 feet.
This might be sufficient for homes or small public spaces, but it limits AirTags’ usefulness in larger industrial settings, outdoor sites, or warehouses.
That’s definitely something to consider if you’re looking for a commercial equipment tracking solution.
Finally, there’s a difference in platform compatibility:
The Find My app is exclusive to iOS, requiring Apple hardware with Bluetooth.
Meanwhile, the GoCodes app works with both Android and iOS.
However, BLE beacon tracking isn’t yet available on iOS for GoCodes—only QR code scanning is supported on Apple devices.
In short, both systems offer mobile apps for location monitoring on the go, but GoCodes stands out as the more reliable option for commercial use.
Unlike AirTags, it doesn’t rely on the presence of third-party devices to provide accurate tracking, making it far more reliable in remote areas or job sites with few Apple devices nearby.
Periodic Location Updates
GoCodes has recently introduced a new feature called Beacon Gateway, even further boosting its asset tracking capabilities.
These Gateway devices act like real-time GPS trackers, sending periodic location updates from any beacons within a 300-foot range.
The gateway is:
- Rugged
- Waterproof
- Self-contained with up to a 10-year battery life
You can monitor your equipment continuously using a Bluetooth beacon at a fraction of the cost of traditional real-time tracking solutions.
Even better, our updated Android app can now function as a beacon gateway itself.
The perk of this app feature is that it works with any internet connection, including Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite.
Simply plug in your Android device, and it will start collecting periodic location updates from nearby beacons.
If you operate in a job site or other large area filled with valuable, beacon-tagged equipment, the Gateway can stay on-site, scanning for signals and reporting locations automatically.
Here is how it works:
Source: GoCodes
No more relying on someone walking by with their phone.
Now compare that to Apple AirTags.
They depend on a nearby mesh of Apple devices to relay their location—a system that can be unreliable or inconsistent, especially in remote or industrial areas.
The GoCodes Beacon Gateway offers a dedicated, always-on solution that delivers far more dependable results.
These regular location updates are vital for time-sensitive operations where knowing where things are at any moment can prevent delays or losses.
Tom Richter, Head of Industrial Verticals at Nokia, explains:
Illustration: GoCodes / Quote: Manufacturing Digital
He adds that, in addition to real-time tracking, the location data collected provides insights into asset usage and movement.
By analyzing usage patterns, you can:
- Better manage wear and tear on machinery
- Prevent overuse of specific vehicles
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Improve overall ROI
That’s what makes the GoCodes Beacon Gateway such a valuable tool.
It keeps you informed at all times, so you can make smarter decisions, extend the life of your equipment, and let your team focus on what really matters.
Alerts For Unauthorized Movement
Thanks to GoCodes’ Guardian feature, you immediately get notified if an asset or beacon moves out of range of the app.
This is made possible through geofencing technology, which allows you to create virtual boundaries around a specific area that your assets shouldn’t leave.
Here’s what that typically looks like:
Source: GoCodes
So, once a geofence is set around a location and beacons are attached to your assets, the software constantly monitors the movements of all tracked items within that zone.
If something leaves the area, you instantly get a text message.
This makes GoCodes an exceptionally effective theft-prevention tool.
Apple’s AirTags and the Find My app operate a bit differently.
With iOS 15, the “Notify When Left Behind” feature alerts users when they are separated from their AirTag:
Source: Apple
While handy for keeping track of personal items while traveling or in public, AirTags aren’t built for theft prevention.
This Reddit user sums up perfectly why AirTags shouldn’t be used as an anti-theft tool:
Source: Reddit
Essentially, they are better suited for recovering lost items, not stolen ones.
When an AirTag is detected by a nearby iPhone, it may alert the person carrying it, which could easily be the thief, making them aware of the tracker.
The likely outcome?
They remove and discard it.
Sure, there’s always a chance they don’t notice it, but is that a risk worth taking?
According to the 2024 BauWatch report, probably not.
As it turns out, 62% of construction professionals reported a rise in theft over the previous year, and more worryingly, 59% said thieves are becoming more sophisticated.
Illustration: GoCodes / Data: BauWatch
The takeaway?
If you want to protect your assets, you need a more vigilant tracking solution.
AirTags simply don’t meet that standard.
Asset Management Software Integration
The biggest advantage of GoCodes Bluetooth beacons over Apple AirTags is their integration with asset management software.
This software consolidates all vital asset data in one place and unlocks a wide range of powerful features for even more efficient tracking and management:
Source: GoCodes
This includes task and document management, custom reporting, and more.
Take GoCodes’ Enterprise Reporting module, for instance.
It enables you to create custom reports with an intuitive drag-and-drop designer, include them in dashboards, generate them automatically, and share them via email or URL.
With just a few clicks, you can access detailed insights into asset utilization, usage history, depreciation, and more, empowering data-driven decision-making and strategic asset allocation.
Here’s just a portion of the reports GoCodes offers:
Source: GoCodes
In contrast, Apple AirTags are limited to tracking location data, sometimes with limited historical markers depending on your settings.
They cannot provide deeper operational insights, such as usage patterns, chain of custody, or asset condition.
As a result, it’s nearly impossible to identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement within your operations.
Niels Soerensen, Founder & CTO of Provenance Tags, a next-gen blockchain DPP platform for authenticating and tracking products, agrees:
Illustration: GoCodes / Quote: LinkedIn
Meanwhile, GoCodes’ BLE beacons, paired with our asset management platform, deliver everything you need to truly know your assets.
Our system doesn’t just show you where your equipment is.
It tells you how it’s used, who has it, what condition it’s in, and how to get the most out of it.
For businesses that care about efficiency, visibility, and growth, it’s an absolute must-have.
Conclusion
AirTags might seem like a good option for asset tracking at first glance, but they’re designed for personal use, not business.
Their primary purpose is to help individuals locate everyday items like keys or bags, not manage valuable equipment across job sites.
In commercial environments, AirTags fall short.
No real-time location updates. No task management. No asset history or reporting.
When you’re running a business, simply knowing where something is isn’t enough—you need context, control, and actionable data.
That’s what GoCodes delivers.
AirTags just weren’t built for that level of performance.
