• Features: This device has all the features required to track five people, whether for personal or business use. Features include geofencing, posted speed limits, max speeds, low battery warnings, curfew or off-hours motion detection, and an SOS button or panic button.
• Price: $24.99 for the basic plan; you can upgrade to a more advanced plan if needed.
• Compatibility: Available for Android devices and iPhones.

Life360

Life360 is a comprehensive family networking app that offers robust location sharing, safety features, and communication tools to help families stay connected and secure.

• Features: Real-time location tracking, driving reports, geofencing, and panic buttons.
• Pros: Built-in messenger, 30+ days of location history, and emergency assistance.
• Cons: Battery drain and limited free plan features.
• Price: Free trial plan, premium plans $14.99-$24.99/month.
• Compatibility: Android 8.0+ and iOS 13.0+.
• Rating: 8.5/10.

Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a free family tracking app designed by Google to help parents monitor and manage their children's digital activities.

• Features: Real-time location tracking, screen time management, app usage monitoring.
• Pros: Free, easy to use, and features personalized settings options.
• Cons: Limited to tracking children under 13 without their consent.
• Price: Free.
• Compatibility: Android 5.0+ and iOS 11.0+.
• Rating: 8.0/10.

Find My Friends (Apple)

Find My Friends is a popular family tracking app (free) developed by Apple. Designed to help users locate their friends and family members using GPS tracking. This app is ideal for coordinating meetups, ensuring loved ones are safe, and staying connected with those who matter most.

• Features: Location sharing and notifications for arrivals/departures.
• Pros: Integrated with Apple ecosystem and user-friendly.
• Cons: Limited to iOS devices.
• Price: Free.
• Compatibility: iOS devices.
• Rating: 7.5/10.

GeoZilla

GeoZilla is a versatile location-sharing app designed to keep families and groups connected and safe.

• Features: Real-time location sharing, geofencing, and location history.
• Pros: Private circle for location sharing as well as emergency alerts.
• Cons: In-app purchases for advanced features.
• Price: Free basic plan, premium features at additional cost.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 8.0/10.

Glympse

Glympse is a location-sharing app that allows users to share their real-time location with others for a specified period. Here are some of its key features:

• Features: Real-time location sharing, event tracking, and privacy controls.
• Pros: No sign-up required, share location via SMS/email.
• Cons: Location updates can be delayed.
• Price: Free.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 7.5/10.

Sygic Family Locator

Sygic Family Locator is another popular family safety app designed to help families stay connected and ensure the safety of their loved ones.

• Features: Real-time tracking, receiving alerts, SOS, and geofencing.
• Pros: Accurate location tracking and easy setup.
• Cons: Limited free features.
• Price: Free basic plan, premium features at additional cost.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 7.8/10.

uMobix

uMobix is a monitoring and tracking application designed primarily for parental control, allowing parents to keep an eye on their children's online activities and location.

• Features: Real-time control panel, call and app monitoring, and location tracking.
• Pros: Extensive monitoring features and customer support.
• Cons: Requires separate subscription per device.
• Price: $12.49/month for annual plan.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 8.0/10.

iSharing

iSharing is a location-sharing app designed to help families and close friends stay connected and ensure each other's safety.

• Features: Real-time tracking, communication features, and alert notifications.
• Pros: Comprehensive tracking features and user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Subscription required for multiple devices.
• Price: $14.99/month.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 7.5/10.

Safe 365

Safe365 is a comprehensive family safety app designed to help keep loved ones connected and secure.

• Features: Real-time tracking, route sharing, and battery status.
• Pros: Easy to use and offers multiple safety features.
• Cons: Limited advanced features.
• Price: Free.
• Compatibility: Android and iOS.
• Rating: 7.5/10.

Comparing different aspects

Use Cases

Family tracking apps can be beneficial in a variety of situations and needs. Families may find themselves considering different tracking options when faced with some of the following scenarios:

• Child safety: Child safety is always a concern, especially in cases where children are separated from their parents for some reason, whether to walk to a friend’s house, bike to school, or stay with a babysitter.
• Elderly care: Elderly relatives often want to maintain a sense of independence in their lives even when younger relatives are concerned about their safety and well-being. Tracking an older relative's whereabouts can help put family members’ minds at ease while still allowing the elderly person to live freely.
• Special needs family members: Sometimes younger family members also have special needs that make them susceptible to dangers, such as those with conditions that make them nonverbal or those with mobility issues. As with elderly care, tracking apps can provide some family members with peace of mind while still allowing the person with special needs to live their life.
• Family trips: Whether everyone in the family or just certain members are taking a road trip, family tracking apps can allow everyone to keep tabs on the members who are on the road to ensure that they are safe, traveling on their intended roads, etc.

Privacy and Ethical Considerations

Whenever GPS tracking is used, whether via an app or a separate device, it’s important to ensure that privacy concerns are addressed, and mutual consent is received. Tracking individuals without their knowledge and consent can have legal ramifications, and it’s important to ensure that you are operating within safe parameters when using one of these devices or apps. We recommend knowing the law in your area or consulting a lawyer for advice if you are concerned that your actions could be construed as illegal.

When using GPS location tracking devices or family tracking apps with your loved ones, ensuring that all family members are aware and consenting helps protect privacy and respect.

Conclusion

Family tracking apps can provide families with peace of mind as they monitor one another’s whereabouts and ensure each other’s safety. When choosing the right app for your family’s use, you’ll want to consider such features as accuracy in the areas where you’ll be tracking, features that you need to have depending on your family’s needs, costs associated with using the app, compatibility with the devices you use, and more.

We recommend comparing the app feature list and charts above to your personal needs to determine which app is best suited to your family's particular concerns. If you need assistance making your selection, our team is always available to walk you through your options.

FAQs

Is it better to use a tracking app or a GPS tracker?

One is not inherently better than the other. Families should choose what is best suited to their needs and situation. For example, if you have young family members or elderly family members who do not have smartphones, you will need to use dedicated GPS trackers to monitor their whereabouts. However, if everyone in your family has and uses a smartphone, a tracking app may be the right choice.

How easy is it to set up a family tracking app?

The BrickHouse Positioning System is an easy-to-use app that is user-friendly for the whole family. It only takes a few minutes to get the app set up and functional. Some apps are easier or harder to use than others. We recommend you check our features list above to learn more about each of the most popular GPS tracking apps.

What do I need to know about privacy concerns when using a family tracking app?

Families should discuss and consent to the use of GPS tracking apps on their phones as a matter of building trust and maintaining respect. If family members have not bought into the use of tracking apps, there may be more difficulties down the road. Ensure that you have the consent of all parties before you begin using apps and trackers to monitor your family.

How much does it cost to use a family tracking app?

The costs and fees associated with each family tracking app will vary depending on brand, features, and more. We provide a few details about pricing in our above features lists and charts and you can find more information on individual tracking apps’ websites.