Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) have become an important supporting technology in manufacturing due to safety, logistical and managerial concerns. RTLS is a very wide term covering many different specific technologies. To increase the potential for implementation and better anticipate the costs associated, four different RTLS technologies have been evaluated according use case characteristics, maintenance costs, communication requirements. Data server capabilities, scalability, and integrability. The ability to analyze and determine such criteria are vital to support the selection of a specific technology (or mix of technologies) within manufacturing. The paper offers researchers and managers a reference comparison of the total costs surrounding the ownership of Ultra-wide band (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy, Ultrasonic, and Optical RTLS technologies.