PackTrack vs KATS Platinum: Compare mobile logging, reporting, and oversight

Compare how each system supports K9 documentation workflows, from training and deployment records to reporting and supervisor review.

Dedicated iPhone and Android apps for field entry

Per-handler pricing that covers all of a handler’s dogs

Mobile tracking for training & deployments

Built for K9 units that need consistent, report-ready documentation

Teams often consider KATS Platinum because it’s a long-running K9 records management system built for law enforcement workflows. For teams comparing K9 record systems, the biggest day-to-day differences often show up in data entry, workflow speed, mistake prevention, and how easily reports can be produced later.

PackTrack is built around day-to-day K9 documentation and the reporting that follows, with a web app plus dedicated mobile apps for field entry. It’s designed to reduce redundant data entry, keep records structured, and make reporting easier to produce from what’s already been logged.

KATS supports smartphone access through a browser and emphasizes that no app download is required. PackTrack takes a different approach: the mobile app supports live tracking workflows, including a track layer and follower view over satellite imagery, so teams can document tracks inside the record instead of treating GPS as a separate tool. The difference is not just “browser vs app.” It’s whether tracking is documented as part of the record, with the track and follower plotted on the map as the work happens.

Why teams move from KATS Platinum to PackTrack

Wanting a dedicated iPhone/Android app experience for field entry

Preferring per-handler pricing instead of per-dog pricing brackets

Wanting trainer and supervisor access included without separate subscriptions

Wanting to reduce repeated entry so handlers can focus more on documenting performance

Wanting basic guardrails that help catch obvious entry mistakes before they spread across reports

Wanting tracking documented inside the record, including track layer + follower view over satellite imagery

Wanting supervisors to watch a handler’s location in real time from the dashboard during a track

PackTrack is designed to support how K9 teams document work in the field, keeping records consistent across handlers so reporting is easier to generate later.
Feature comparison

PackTrack vs KATS Platinum: What each platform supports

Capabilities
Dedicated iPhone & Android apps
Dedicated mobile apps for field entry
Browser-based smartphone access; no app required
Field logging experience
App-based workflows with in-app tracking and GPS-powered location capture
Browser-accessible from smartphones
Approach to record keeping
Structured workflows designed to reduce redundant entry
Highly customizable record structure depending on setup
Reporting workflow
Reports generated from logged activity with built-in statistics
Reporting supported, but workflow and consistency may depend on setup
Consistency across handlers
Designed to standardize documentation across a unit
Consistency may vary depending on configuration and user workflows
Per-handler pricing
Covers all dogs assigned to the handler
Pricing is based on number of dogs
In-app tracking on satellite imagery
Included
Not stated
Track layer + follower view within the app
Included
Not stated
Supervisor live view during a track (dashboard view)
Included
Not stated
Free trial
30-day free trial
Free trial available

KATS Platinum strengths and weaknesses

Where KATS Platinum works well

Long-running product positioned for law enforcement K9 record management

Browser-based smartphone access with no app download required

Highly customizable system for agencies that want to configure workflows

Where KATS Platinum can become limiting

Mobile experience is browser-based rather than a dedicated iPhone/Android app

Browser-based access does not provide the same app-based automation PackTrack uses for GPS-powered location capture

Pricing varies based on number of dogs, which may not align with per-handler budgeting

More manual data entry depending on workflow setup

Agencies with strict CJIS/data-handling requirements may want to confirm vendor approach early

What sets PackTrack apart

A closer look at how PackTrack supports K9 documentation, reporting, and oversight.

A dedicated mobile app experience for field entry

Dedicated iPhone and Android apps for handlers, trainers, and supervisors.
Smartphone access is through a browser.

Mobile tracking built into the record

Supports track mapping inside the app, including a track layer and follower view over satellite imagery, so tracking documentation stays tied to the record.
Smartphone access is browser-based, so mobile use is available, but public materials do not show the same dedicated app-based field-entry automation.

Supervisor visibility during tracking

Supervisors can view the handler’s location in real time from the supervisor management dashboard during a track.
Browser-based mobile access, with GPS tracks handled separately and uploaded back into KATS rather than viewed live in the dashboard.

Reporting that comes from consistent records

Structured record entry helps ensure reports can be generated directly from logged activity
Reporting is supported, but consistency may depend on how records are entered across users

Per-handler pricing that covers all of a handler’s dogs

Subscription is priced per handler and covers all of that handler’s dogs
Pricing is per dog with brackets.

A simpler, more consistent day-to-day workflow

Designed to reduce repetitive entry and keep workflows consistent across handlers, making it easier to maintain clean records over time.
Offers flexibility, but requires more setup and ongoing adjustment to maintain consistency.

PackTrack vs KATS Platinum pricing

$14/mo
$140/year
Per handler
Included:

30-day free trial

No contract required

Trainer and supervisor roles are free

$189/year
Per dog

A single dog is $189 USD annually (with lower per-dog rates at higher brackets)

45-day free trial

Why teams choose PackTrack

K9 handlers and supervisors use PackTrack to keep training records organized and reporting consistent across their units.

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Name Surname

Position, Company name

PACKTRACK has revolutionized how we maintain our training records, deployments forms, and statistics. As the only supervisor of a 26-team K-9 Unit, PACKTRACK has streamlined our recordkeeping and afforded me the time to monitor actual training and deployments on the street with my people instead of sitting behind a desk. The multiple access options of the system allow me to review and approve records whenever and wherever I am with ease. Additionally, it identifies when and where our deployments occur, allowing me to assign our K-9 teams when and where they are needed most. The customer service of the PACKTRACK staff has been second to none and they have been open to any of our needs. I would highly recommend the service for anyone looking to improve their recordkeeping and K-9 unit as a whole!

Sgt. Steve Hearth

Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida

PACKTRACK has made many of the administrative duties within our large K9 unit simple and efficient. The transition from an Access database system to PACKTRACK has been a monumental improvement to the many administrative processes of our unit! Our unit has 31 handlers, 2 full-time trainers, and 2 unit supervisors. The amount of data generated from training and deployments with a unit this size can be difficult to manage. PACKTRACK has made managing, navigating, entering, and retrieving all of our data nearly effortless. The increased efficiency not only allows our unit to be more productive but it also adds an element of professionalism with the ability to generate reports almost instantly. Our handlers in the field greatly appreciate the ability to use their mobile devices to make activity and training entries.

Lt. Jay Pavlenko

San Diego County Sheriff's Department, California

On behalf of the Maine State Police K9 Unit I'd like to extend our sincerest gratitude to PACKTRACK as our unit transitions to a new report writing and training record keeping system. The functionality and robust features of PACKTRACK proves to be invaluable for a group of handlers comprised of multiple agencies. The features of PACKTRACK are too numerous to list. The best part about PACKTRACK is their dedicated customer support system. Anytime there's a question, PACKTRACK is quick to help with whatever the need. We look forward to moving ahead with PACKTRACK being a huge part of our program.

Sgt. Scott Dalton

Principal Canine Trainer, Maine State Police

I've learned more about training police dogs from Jeff Barrett and Andy Weiman [PACKTRACK's creators] than from all of my other classes combined. These guys know what they're talking about and it works. They know it works because they're on the streets catching bad guys and finding drugs like no one else.

Deputy Morgan Case

Ada County Sheriff's Office, Idaho

Want a closer look at PackTrack?

Try PackTrack free for 30 days or book a demo to see how training records, deployments, reporting, and oversight work in one system.