TL;DR

• Losing hardware is expensive, so we rounded up five tracking systems that show you where every asset is hiding.

• Workwize is an excellent asset tracking system that enables you to track hardware throughout its lifecycle, from procurement to disposal.

• ManageEngine and SolarWinds integrate asset data into ITSM, and Sortly shines on mobile.

• Asset Panda bends to any workflow, but Link Labs is focused on tracking gear.

• When choosing one for your organization, zero in on automated discovery, lifecycle workflows, real-time alerts, integrations, and role-based controls.

Asset Tracking Systems: Top Solutions for 2025

At a mid-sized bank enterprise, a single misplaced laptop triggers costs of around $49,246 in damages. That figure isn’t made up; it comes from the Ponemon Institute’s benchmark on lost devices. 

Situations like this explain why asset tracking has become so essential.

What are Asset Tracking Systems?

Asset tracking systems are specialized software platforms that catalogue, monitor, and analyze the physical and digital assets your organization relies on, from laptops and servers to licences, vehicles, and lab equipment. 

These systems create a single, continually updated record for every item, capturing identifiers (such as serial numbers, barcodes, and RFID tags), the current holder or location, condition, and lifecycle milestones, including purchase, warranty, maintenance, and retirement. 

Why does that matter? 

Because fragmented asset registers waste hours and hide costly surprises. Unified tracking surface excess stock, soon-to-expire warranties, and underused software before they drain budgets. 

Organizations that adopt disciplined IT asset-management practices can reduce overall IT costs by as much as 20%, resulting in savings that directly impact the bottom line.

Asset Tracking Systems: At a Glance

Workwize

Workwize is an easy-to-use asset tracking solution designed for distributed teams. It helps you monitor every IT asset—laptops, monitors, phones, and more, regardless of where your employees work. 

With real-time visibility into what has been ordered, shipped, assigned, or needs replacement, it helps you reduce the number of lost devices, streamline onboarding and offboarding, and keep budgets on track.

Operating across 100+ countries with a wide supplier and warehouse network, Workwize scales easily for remote or fast-growing teams. It also integrates with your HRIS and MDM systems to ensure equipment status updates automatically with employee changes.

Workwize best features

• Procurement: Purchase or lease IT and office equipment through a global supplier network using a self-serve portal that enforces department-level budgets, so employees can access what they need without bottlenecks or manual approvals.

• Deployment: Deliver pre-configured, MDM-ready devices directly from regional warehouses to your team, whether they’re working remotely or in the office.

• Management: Track every asset in one automated dashboard, making it easy to manage renewals, repairs, replacements, and overall visibility.

• Retrieval: Streamline offboarding with automated return flows. With just a few clicks, you can schedule courier pickups or send out return kits—no chasing required.

• Disposal: Decommission outdated devices securely with options for data wiping, certified recycling, or resale—supporting compliance and sustainability efforts.

Reviews and ratings

• Capterra: 4.4/5

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

Via ManageEngine

ManageEngine’s flagship ITSM suite folds a fully-fledged ITAM module into the help-desk you probably already know. Because the asset database resides on the same platform as incidents, problems, and changes, technicians can jump from a ticket to the computer behind it without changing screens.

A single lightweight agent covers Windows, macOS, and Linux, while network, distributed-probe, barcode, and even RFID scans capture everything else, from VMware hosts to borrowed laptops. 

For day-to-day tracking, you receive lifecycle automation, loan and booking workflows for pool equipment, software license metering, and replenishment alerts when consumables drop below a threshold.

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus best features

• Automate discovery: Run agent-based, network, barcode, or RFID scans to populate the CMDB in minutes.

• Map dependencies: Visualize links between assets, users, and services to speed up root-cause analysis.

• Guide the lifecycle: Apply drag-and-drop workflows that shepherd each asset from purchase order to retirement.

• Stay audit-ready: Track licences, usage, and compliance status with real-time dashboards and scheduled reports.

Reviews and ratings

• G2: 4.2/5 (200+ reviews)

• Capterra: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)

SolarWinds Service Desk

Via SolarWinds

Originally launched as Samanage, SolarWinds Service Desk is now the centrepiece of SolarWinds’ IT Service Management line-up. The platform mixes AI-assisted ticket routing with native ITAM and an employee self-service portal, making it easier for overstretched IT teams to keep both people and assets in view. 

AI suggestions propose knowledge-base articles to requesters, discovery agents inventory Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebooks, and built-in procurement tracking reconciles purchase orders with what’s actually on the network. 

Asset tracking features include scheduled scans, warranty tracking, software-license management, and a CMDB that syncs with SolarWinds’ Orion platform for richer network context. 

Solarwinds best features

• Discover everything: Auto-scan on-premises and cloud endpoints, then group by site, OS, or business unit.

• Relate tickets to assets: Link incidents, problems, and changes directly to the affected CI for faster triage.

• Forecast costs: Monitor warranties, leases, and depreciation to plan budget cycles with real numbers.

• Close the loop: Tie procurement data and licence entitlements back to the live asset record for true compliance.

Reviews and ratings 

• G2: 4.3/5 (700+ reviews)

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (500+ reviews)

Sortly

Via Sortly

Sortly markets itself as the “inventory app your team will actually use,” and that spirit shows up in its visual, mobile-first design. Every asset can be photographed, tagged, and nested inside a folder tree that mirrors your real-world locations or projects.

If you love tinkering, you’ll appreciate the ability to add unlimited custom fields, so a rack-mounted UPS can store its serial, last-service date, replacement battery SKU, and even a photo of the wiring diagram. 

For pure asset tracking, Sortly lets you group equipment by site, owner, or condition; attach maintenance logs; and export data-rich reports for auditors or finance. IT teams often lean on its folder permissions to let facilities staff audit ladders while locking them out of the server inventory.

Sortly best features

• Scan on the fly: Turn any phone into a barcode/QR reader to add, update, or move assets instantly.

• Set smart alerts: Trigger emails or in-app nudges for low stock, warranty expiry, or scheduled maintenance.

• Work offline: Log changes in basements or remote sites and sync automatically when you’re back online.

• Customize every field: Capture serials, photos, manuals, or license keys without hitting a limit.

Reviews and ratings

• G2: 4.6/5 (20+ reviews)

• Capterra: 4.5/5 (900+ reviews)

Asset Panda

Via Asset Panda

Asset Panda is a fully configurable, cloud-based platform that adapts to “the way you work,” not the other way around. Unlimited users, a matching iOS/Android app, and a drag-and-drop interface mean everyone sees the same single source of truth. 

Administrators can create custom dashboards, fields, and role-based views without writing code. The mobile app doubles as a barcode scanner, supports check-in/out workflows, and logs photos or e-signatures for custody trails. 

On the tracking front, Asset Panda keeps a real-time ledger of location, status, condition, and depreciation. You can schedule service dates, raise repair tickets, or send notifications the moment a piece of equipment goes missing or slips out of warranty.

Asset Panda best features

• Build your fields: Customize dashboards, statuses, and forms to match any workflow or asset class.

• Scan and go mobile: Use the free app to barcode scan, check items in and out, and attach photos in seconds.

• Automate upkeep: Schedule service, repair, or replacement dates with email or in-app reminders.

• Integrate with ITSM: Sync assets to ServiceNow, Jira ITSM, Azure AD, and more via one-click connectors or API.

Reviews and ratings

• G2: 3.9/5 (20+ reviews)

• Capterra: 4.6/5 (1,400+ reviews)

Link Labs (AirFinder platform)

Via Link Labs

Link Labs builds real-time location services for manufacturers, logistics teams, and any operation that needs to know exactly where high-value assets are.

The AirFinder lineup has two deployment modes: OnSite, a Bluetooth-based RTLS that delivers metre-level precision indoors, and Everywhere, which tacks on cellular/GPS so the same tag stays in view once it rolls out of the gate. 

Under the hood, AirFinder brings four location technologies: Bluetooth LE (with phase-ranging), cellular, GPS/GNSS, and Wi-Fi sniffing. From an asset-tracking standpoint, the standout is coverage continuity: forklifts, returnable containers, or specialist tools remain traceable as they move between buildings, yards, and long-haul transit legs. 

Link Labs best features

• Combine indoor and outdoor tracking: Follow assets seamlessly with Bluetooth RTLS indoors and multi-tech tags on the road.

• Trigger geofence alerts: Raise instant notifications when a tagged item leaves, enters, or lingers too long in a zone.

• Monitor asset health: log temperature, humidity, shock, or tamper events from the same tag that supplies location.

• Scale through APIs: Stream live location and sensor data into MES, WMS, or BI tools via MQTT or REST without extra middleware.

Reviews and ratings

• G2: N/A

• Capterra: N/A 

What Should You Look for in Asset Tracking Tools?

Choosing the right platform depends on a handful of core capabilities rather than a long checklist of niche add-ons. Focus on the elements that protect data, reduce manual work, and scale with you:

• Automated discovery: Favour tools that find assets through agents, network scans, or tags easily.

• Real-time dashboards and alerts: Look for configurable views and notifications that flag warranty expiries, low stock, or out-of-compliance software before they become firefights.

• Integrations and APIs: Ensure the tool can push and pull data from ITSM, ERP, and security platforms; siloed inventories defeat the purpose.

• Role-based access controls: Safeguard sensitive fields while letting technicians update day-to-day details.

• Scalability and deployment flexibility: The platform should handle thousands of assets without performance dips and offer SaaS or on-premises options to fit governance rules.

Prioritize these fundamentals, and you’ll establish a system that earns trust across IT, finance, and compliance.

Never Lose Track Of Assets Again

These were our picks for the best asset-tracking systems.

We suggest experimenting with free trials and reading detailed user reviews before making your choice.

And if your top priority is IT asset management, go for Workwize.

Whether it’s a laptop or printer, Workwize lets you keep track of them throughout their lifecycle. You can see your asset whereabouts on an intuitive interface and customizable dashboards.

Brands like DuckDuckGo, HighLevel, and more use Workwize to track assets.

Schedule a Workwize demo to learn more.

FAQs

What is the best asset tracking system?

The best asset tracking system varies based on the type of assets you manage, your team size, and your operational needs.

• For IT asset tracking across distributed or global teams, Workwize is a leading option. It provides full lifecycle management, real-time location tracking, automated procurement and retrieval workflows, and integrations with HRIS and MDM systems. It's designed for modern, remote-first organizations that need centralized control over laptops, monitors, and other IT hardware.

• For small businesses and general-purpose asset tracking, tools like AssetTiger and Sortly offer simple, affordable solutions. These platforms support barcode scanning, mobile tracking, and automated alerts, making them ideal for tracking office equipment, tools, or physical inventory without added complexity.

When choosing an asset tracking system, look for:

• Real-time tracking and alerts

• Scalability for your workforce

• Lifecycle and audit readiness features

• Integration with your existing tools

Using the right asset tracking software helps reduce equipment loss, improve compliance, and optimize IT and operational efficiency.

Why should IT teams prioritize asset tracking now?

Misplaced hardware opens the door to data breaches and unplanned downtime. Ponemon measures the average cost of a lost laptop at nearly $50,000, with much of this cost tied to breach remediation.

On the upside, Gartner reports that organizations with disciplined IT asset-management programs save up to 30% off IT costs in year one and continue to trim 5% annually thereafter. Between risk reduction and hard savings, the ROI case writes itself.

What should an asset record include?

Gartner’s framework stresses four lenses: financial (purchase price, depreciation), contractual (warranties, leases, SLAs), physical (location, custodian, condition), and lifecycle events (deployment, service, retirement). 

Capturing all four allows you to forecast replacements and easily link incidents to the hardware or software responsible for them.

Barcode, RFID, BLE; how do I choose a tagging technology?

• Barcodes/QR codes are ideal for static assets, such as servers.

• RFID adds bulk scanning for storerooms and tool cribs but needs fixed readers.

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags cost more, but they broadcast continuously, great for high-value assets.

• GPS/cellular hybrids, such as the Link Labs Airfinder, cover outdoor and in-transit scenarios.

Most mature programs combine two or more methods, ensuring coverage aligns with risk.