TL;DR: Novagems vs TrackTik
Novagems is the better choice for most North American security companies looking for affordable, easy-to-deploy software with GPS tracking, scheduling, and client reporting in one platform. TrackTik is a larger enterprise platform with a longer implementation timeline and higher price point.
The key decision: If you need to be operational quickly and want predictable, per-active-user pricing, Novagems wins. If you’re a 500+ guard enterprise with a dedicated IT team and complex multi-country requirements, TrackTik is worth evaluating.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Novagems | TrackTik |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time GPS tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| NFC / QR checkpoint scanning | ✅ | ✅ |
| Drag-and-drop scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated overtime alerts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile incident reporting with photos | ✅ | ✅ |
| Client portal | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live dashboard | ✅ | ✅ |
| Per-active-user pricing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Setup time | 1–2 days | Weeks |
| Dedicated onboarding required | ❌ | ✅ (often) |
| Best for company size | 10–500 guards | 200–5,000+ guards |
| Pricing transparency | Public | Quote-based |
Detailed Comparison
GPS Tracking and Patrol Monitoring
Both platforms offer real-time GPS tracking and geofencing. Guards carry a smartphone with the mobile app, which transmits location data to the management dashboard.
Novagems: GPS updates appear on the live map every 30–60 seconds. Geofence alerts trigger immediately if a guard leaves an assigned zone. Offline mode stores location data when connectivity drops and syncs when reconnected.
TrackTik: Similar GPS functionality with strong patrol history logging. TrackTik’s GPS features are well-regarded for large multi-site operations but require more configuration time to set up properly.
Bottom line: Both handle GPS tracking well. The difference is configuration complexity — Novagems is ready to use within hours, while TrackTik’s patrol management setup typically takes longer.
Scheduling
Scheduling is where daily pain points concentrate for security managers.
Novagems: Drag-and-drop weekly and monthly scheduling, real-time guard availability display, automated conflict detection, overtime alerts before you save a schedule, and instant mobile notifications to guards. Most managers report building a full week’s schedule in under 10 minutes.
TrackTik: TrackTik has robust scheduling features including shift templates and open shift management. However, users frequently cite scheduling complexity as a learning curve — the interface requires more navigation to accomplish common scheduling tasks.
Bottom line: Novagems wins on scheduling speed and ease. For companies whose managers aren’t full-time schedulers, the lower friction of Novagems directly translates to fewer scheduling errors and less admin time.
Incident Reporting
Novagems: Guards log incidents from their phone in real-time, with photos, GPS coordinates, and timestamps auto-attached. Supervisors receive instant alerts. Reports are formatted and ready to share with clients immediately.
TrackTik: TrackTik’s incident reporting is comprehensive and supports complex workflows. Their reporting tools are strong at the enterprise level but can feel over-engineered for smaller operations.
Bottom line: Both handle incident reporting well. Novagems is faster for guards to use in the field; TrackTik has more complex workflow customization for large enterprise operations.
Pricing
This is one of the most significant differences between the two platforms.
Novagems: Charges per active user per month. If a guard is on leave or not currently working, you don’t pay for them. This is a significant cost advantage for security companies with variable headcounts or seasonal fluctuations.
TrackTik: Enterprise pricing model — typically quote-based and scales with total guard count. TrackTik’s pricing is not publicly listed; companies need to request a demo and negotiate pricing. Reports from security industry forums suggest TrackTik’s per-user costs are significantly higher than Novagems, particularly for mid-market companies.
Example: 50-guard company
| Cost Component | Novagems | TrackTik (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform cost | Lower, per active user | Higher, quote-based |
| Implementation cost | Minimal (self-serve) | Moderate to high |
| Training required | 1–2 days | 1–3 weeks |
| Ongoing support | Included | May require additional contract |
Bottom line: Novagems delivers better value for companies with 10–500 guards. TrackTik’s pricing may be more justifiable at large enterprise scale where the cost is spread across hundreds of users.
Ease of Setup and Onboarding
Novagems: Most companies are fully operational within 1–2 business days. The platform is designed for owner-operators and managers who don’t have IT departments. Self-serve setup with guided onboarding is available, and the Novagems support team is accessible during setup.
TrackTik: TrackTik’s feature depth comes with implementation complexity. Larger organizations typically require dedicated onboarding support and several weeks of configuration before going live. This is acceptable for enterprise buyers with implementation resources but creates friction for smaller companies.
Bottom line: If speed to value matters, Novagems has a clear advantage.
Support
Novagems: Customer support is included in all plans. The team is accessible via chat and email, and response times are consistently reported as fast by users.
TrackTik: TrackTik has a support team but reviews on G2 and Capterra occasionally note slower response times for non-enterprise clients. Priority support is typically reserved for higher-tier contracts.
Who Should Choose Novagems
Novagems is the right choice if:
- You have 10–500 guards and want software that’s operational quickly
- You want predictable, per-active-user pricing without enterprise contract negotiations
- Your managers need to build schedules in minutes, not hours
- You want client transparency via a portal without paying extra for it
- You’re switching from spreadsheets, WhatsApp, or an older system and need minimal implementation friction
- You’re a growing company that needs software that scales without complexity
Who Should Choose TrackTik
TrackTik may be the better fit if:
- You manage 500+ guards across multiple countries with complex compliance requirements
- You have a dedicated IT and operations team to handle implementation and ongoing configuration
- You need deep API integrations with existing enterprise HR or payroll systems
- Your budget supports extended onboarding and higher per-user costs
What Customers Who Switched from TrackTik to Novagems Say
Security companies that have migrated from TrackTik to Novagems typically cite three reasons:
- Cost savings — particularly for companies whose headcounts fluctuate seasonally
- Faster scheduling — managers spend significantly less time building and adjusting schedules
- Simpler client reporting — generating and sending reports to clients takes minutes instead of hours
Migration: Switching from TrackTik to Novagems
Moving from TrackTik to Novagems is straightforward:
- Export your guard data from TrackTik (CSV export is available)
- Import to Novagems — the Novagems team can assist with bulk import of guard profiles, site information, and schedule templates
- Configure checkpoints — NFC tags and QR codes are set up at each patrol point (typically takes 1 day per site)
- Train your team — guards and managers typically need 1–2 hours of orientation on the app
- Go live — full operations within 1–2 business days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Novagems and TrackTik?
Novagems is designed for small to mid-size security companies looking for an affordable, easy-to-set-up platform with GPS tracking, scheduling, and reporting in one place. TrackTik is an enterprise-focused platform with more complex features, typically requiring longer implementation and higher per-user costs. Novagems charges per active user only, making it more cost-effective for companies with variable guard headcounts.
Is Novagems cheaper than TrackTik?
Yes. TrackTik’s enterprise pricing typically starts significantly higher and scales with your guard count regardless of active status. Novagems charges per active user only — you don’t pay for guards who aren’t currently working. For companies with 20–200 guards, Novagems consistently delivers lower total cost of ownership.
Does Novagems have a client portal like TrackTik?
Yes. Novagems includes a client portal that gives clients direct access to patrol reports, checkpoint logs, and incident reports for their sites. This is included in the standard platform — not an add-on.
Which is easier to set up: Novagems or TrackTik?
Novagems is significantly faster to set up. Most security companies are fully operational within 1–2 days. TrackTik’s implementation, particularly at enterprise scale, typically takes weeks and often requires dedicated onboarding support. If you need to be live quickly, Novagems is the better choice.
Who should choose TrackTik over Novagems?
TrackTik may be a better fit for very large enterprise security companies (500+ guards) with complex multi-country operations, dedicated IT resources, and budgets for extended implementation. For most North American security companies with 10–500 guards, Novagems delivers equivalent operational features at lower cost and faster deployment.
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