Best Family Tracking App Free for Android and iOS: Stay Connected & Protected

As a parent, a caregiver, or even just a concerned sibling, there’s nothing more important than knowing your loved ones are safe. Family tracking apps—powered by real-time GPS location sharing—give us the tools to stay connected and informed no matter where life takes us. These apps offer peace of mind by providing real-time updates and safety alerts, so you can feel reassured about your loved ones’ safety and whereabouts.

Whether you’ve got a teenager heading to school, a parent living independently, or a family road trip coming up, these apps let you easily track locations, making monitoring simple, secure, and surprisingly affordable (sometimes even free). Below, I’ll walk you through what to look for, how to compare apps, and which family tracking apps are worth your time.

What to Look for in a Family Tracking App

Before you start downloading, ask yourself: what features do I actually need? Here’s what I recommend looking for:

• Real-time GPS Accuracy – Reliable tracking with timely location updates, high location accuracy, and accurate location tracking so you always know exactly where your loved ones are.
• Geofencing & Notifications – Use a geofencing tool to set zones (such as home, school, or work) and receive real-time notifications when someone enters or leaves these areas.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility – Works seamlessly on both iOS and Android devices for full family coverage.
• Battery Alerts – Monitor battery level and get alerts when someone’s phone is about to die, plus benefit from battery efficiency to ensure continuous tracking without draining the device.
• Parental Controls – Comprehensive parental control options, including location tracking features, to manage screen time, app use, and device access for kids.
• Transparent Pricing – Know upfront what’s free, what’s not, and what’s worth upgrading. Consider additional features and how much location data or extra functionality (like movement history) is included.
• Ease of Use – Even Grandma should be able to use it without a tech degree. Look for frequent updates and easy access to movement history for user-friendly monitoring.
• Extra Features – Look for extra features such as panic buttons, driving reports, messaging, or other tools that enhance safety and communication.

Top Family Tracking Apps (Free & Paid)

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the best family locator apps available for Android and iOS. Many apps offer similar features, but they differ in device compatibility, pricing, and the way they handle real-time location updates. These ratings are based on ease of use, accuracy, features, pricing, and compatibility.

App Name	Free Trials	Unlimited Supported Devices	Key Features	Pricing
BPS	Yes	Yes	Real time, Geofencing, Alerts, History and more	Free/Paid
Life 360	Yes	No	Real-time Tracking	Paid
Find My	-	Yes	Real-time Tracking	Free

When choosing a family locator app, consider whether you need support for multiple apps or unlimited supported devices, especially if you have a large family or many devices to track. Some apps offer free trials, allowing you to test their features before making a commitment. If you are looking for a no-cost solution, a free family locator app can provide basic tracking and communication features, though there may be limitations compared to paid options.

1. BrickHouse BPS (Basic & Pro Plans)

Rating: 9.0/10

The BrickHouse Positioning System (BPS) is our proprietary GPS tracking platform designed for families, businesses, and professionals. Powered by advanced GPS technology, BPS serves as a reliable location tracker for families and teams. Whether you need to track family members in real time, monitor your kids’ locations, or manage multiple trackers across a team, BPS offers unmatched precision, speed alerts, geofencing, and full control via web or mobile. For tech-savvy users, the Pro version allows deeper customization and management of thousands of trackers.

Pros	Cons
Highly accurate tracking using GPS technology	Monthly fee applies
Works with GPS + cellular networks for real-time updates (cellular service required)	Some advanced features require BPS Pro
Great for families to track family members and small teams	Learning curve for BPS Pro dashboard

Price: $24.99/month (basic)
Platform: Android, iOS, Web

2. Life360

Rating: 8.5/10

Life360 is a household name in family safety apps. It offers real-time GPS tracking with live location sharing, instant alerts for geofencing and emergencies, crash detection, and a comprehensive location history feature that includes both movement history and detailed timestamps. You can always see the current location of family members, review their movement history, and use the send SOS function for quick emergency communication. Designed for busy families, it helps monitor driving behavior and stay connected with messaging and emergency tools. It’s a great all-in-one tool if you’re willing to upgrade from the limited free plan.

Pros	Cons
Includes emergency & driving safety tools	Free plan has limited features
Includes messaging & private circles	Can impact battery life
Detailed location history & movement history	Paid tiers needed for full features

Price: Free basic; Premium $14.99–$24.99/month
Platform: Android 8.0+, iOS 13.0+

3. Google Family Link

Rating: 8.0/10

Google Family Link is a parental control app built for parents managing children’s devices. It is especially useful for monitoring an Android phone, offering features like real-time tracking, screen time management, and app usage oversight. Parents can review location data to see where their child has been and receive updates when their child arrives at or leaves specific locations such as school or home. While it’s 100% free and great for families with younger children, its location features are limited and it only works well for minors.

Pros	Cons
100% Free	For children under 13 only (without consent)
Great for managing app usage	Limited tracking features compared to others
User-friendly Google interface	No geofencing

Price: Free
Platform: Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+

4. Find My (Apple)

Rating: 7.5/10

Apple’s built-in Find My app makes it easy to locate friends and family from your iPhone or iPad. It offers basic real-time tracking, allowing you to view the current location and exact location of family members. You can receive notifications when someone arrives at or leaves a friend's house. The app also includes a check in feature, so users can confirm their safety with a single tap. While it’s seamless for iOS users, it doesn’t support Android and lacks advanced features like driving reports or geofencing.

Pros	Cons
Pre-installed on Apple devices	iOS-only
Easy to use & secure	Basic tracking only
Great for iPhone families	No advanced features

Price: Free
Platform: iOS only

5. GeoZilla

Rating: 8.0/10

GeoZilla combines real-time location tracking with a focus on privacy. It’s great for families who want to form a private group and track movements discreetly. The app features a geofencing tool that lets you set zones around important locations like home or school. You receive instant notifications when kids enter or leave these zones, helping you monitor their safety. GeoZilla also allows you to create bigger geofenced zones for more comprehensive coverage. Some features are locked behind a paywall, but the core tracking tools are effective and reliable.

Pros	Cons
Energy-efficient tracking	Premium features require subscription
Strong privacy controls	Interface can feel cluttered
Supports Android & iOS	No messaging feature

Price: Free basic; Premium available
Platform: Android & iOS

6. Glympse

Rating: 7.5/10

Glympse is best for short-term or one-time location sharing—like tracking your kid’s walk home or meeting friends at an event. As a location tracker, it offers high location accuracy for precise, real-time updates. Glympse integrates with Google Maps, allowing you to share your live location easily and provide detailed directions. No sign-up required, just send a link via text or email. It’s simple, fast, and private, but not ideal for ongoing family tracking.

Pros	Cons
No account needed	No history tracking
Easy to send/share location	Not designed for long-term monitoring
Good for events or temporary use	No geofencing

Price: Free
Platform: Android & iOS

7. Sygic Family Locator

Rating: 7.8/10

Sygic’s Family Locator app is perfect for parents who want a quick setup and emergency-focused features. It includes a send SOS button for emergencies, live tracking for real-time location updates, and instant alerts when kids leave safe zones. It’s easy to use, but its best features are behind a paywall, and the free plan is limited.

Pros	Cons
Emergency notifications	Limited free plan
Simple setup	Ads in free version
Great for families with young kids	Premium required for full access

Price: Free basic; Premium add-ons
Platform: Android & iOS

8. uMobix

Rating: 8.0/10

uMobix goes beyond GPS tracking by offering advanced location tracking features and detailed insights into device activity. Parents can monitor call logs, messages, app usage, and, of course, access real-time location data. The app also includes a location history feature, allowing parents to review past movements with detailed timestamps and location points. It’s especially valuable for families with tech-savvy kids or teens, though it does require one license per device.

Pros	Cons
Advanced parental controls	Requires one subscription per device
Strong customer support	May be too robust for some families
Real-time activity tracking	Complex setup for beginners

Price: $12.49/month (annual plan)

Platform: Android & iOS

9. iSharing

Rating: 7.5/10

iSharing is a location-sharing app that includes walkie-talkie messaging, real-time alerts, and lost phone detection. It’s easy to use and ideal for families that just want simple, consistent updates. The premium plan supports unlimited supported devices, making it a great choice for large families who need to monitor many members. However, tracking more than one device requires a premium plan. Note: Using multiple apps for tracking can cause conflicts and affect location accuracy, so it's best to use a single comprehensive app.

Pros	Cons
Simple and family-friendly	Subscription needed for multiple devices
Works well for small and large families	Less advanced geofencing
Walkie-talkie-style communication	Battery consumption

Price: Free basic; $14.99/month for premium
Platform: Android & iOS

10. Safe365

Rating: 7.5/10

Safe365 is a free tracking app designed especially for senior safety. It tracks real-time location, route history, and battery status, helping family members monitor aging parents without being invasive. The app can also help locate lost phones for seniors, making it easier to recover misplaced devices. While it’s missing advanced features, its simplicity and targeted use make it a great option for elder care.

Pros	Cons
Good for elderly or special needs	Basic interface
Battery monitoring	Limited advanced tracking
Free version with money-back guarantee	Premium features are limited

Price: Free; optional upgrades
Platform: Android & iOS

Comparing Features

Want to see where your child was last Tuesday?

Look for apps with a location history feature that provides detailed movement history and accurate location data, like:

Use Cases

• Kids walking to school – Track your kid in real time, monitor your child's location with live updates, and set safe zone boundaries for peace of mind.
• Elderly care – Ensure safe movement while maintaining independence by using the app to track family members and receive instant alerts.
• Special needs monitoring – Provide safety for non-verbal or mobility-challenged individuals.
• Road trips – Track family members in real time and keep tabs on traveling loved ones in unfamiliar areas.

Privacy & Consent Matters

Always discuss tracking apps with your family first. Mutual consent builds trust and ensures everyone understands the purpose and limits of the technology. Tracking someone without their knowledge can have legal and ethical consequences so always be open. It is also important to comply with privacy laws, especially when tracking minors, as these regulations require proper consent and protect digital privacy.

Conclusion: Which App is Best for You?

Your choice depends on your family's needs:

• Need advanced GPS, real-time and geofencing? → Go with BrickHouse BPS
• Want a fully-featured, app-only solution? → Choose Life360
• On a budget and monitoring younger kids? → Try Google Family Link
• Apple family only? → Use Find My Friends (Apple)
• Elderly care or minimal tracking? → Consider Safe365

Need help comparing options? Reach out to our team at BrickHouseSecurity.com — we’re here to help.

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FAQs

Q: GPS tracker or family tracking app—what’s better?
A: If your family uses smartphones, an app works great. For younger kids or seniors without phones, a dedicated GPS tracker is more reliable.

Q: Are these apps easy to set up?
A: Yes—most can be installed in minutes. BPS and Life360 have especially easy onboarding.

Q: Where can I download family tracking apps?
A: You can download family locator and GPS tracking apps from the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices.

Q: What about privacy?
A: Consent is key. Never track someone without their knowledge. Always check local laws before tracking someone.

Q: What does a good family tracking app cost?
A: Prices range from free (Google Family Link, Find My) to $19/month (BPS Pro or Life360 Platinum). Choose what fits your needs.