Best Tracking Apps for Family [Tried & Tested, 2024]

A Family Tracking App is a mobile application designed to help families stay connected and ensure the safety of their members. It allows real-time location sharing, geofencing, and sometimes has other phone monitoring features.

However, with so many tracking apps, it can be hard to find the one that suits your needs. That’s where our research comes in. Our HeyLocate team has tried different services (popular and not) to show what they can do, their pros and cons.

On the whole, a family tracker app for Android or iPhone allows you to discover and locate another smartphone on a map. It is helpful, especially when you cannot call and contact your loved ones instantly, particularly children or the elderly. Moreover, many family tracking apps let parents control children’s mobile usage. It is important, as over a third of young people in 30 countries report being cyberbullied, with 1 in 5 skipping school because of it.

You see, it’s all about safety and this is undoubtedly the main mission of such technologies. So, let’s go straight to the review.

Table Of Top-13 Best Apps For Locating Family

When it comes to protecting your family, particularly when you are willing to pay for this service, you don’t have time for trials and mistakes. To save you from technical hassles, our dream team has put in hours of effort, patience, and a passion for outstanding service to test as many available applications as we were able to. And here is our overview.

Total apps researched – 40

Total apps shortlisted – 13

We took some resources from the top reviews of the best, and almost all of them were awful. So trust only verified sources of information or blogs of specialized services related to telecommunications. For example, like our HeyLocate blog.

How Does Family Locator Function

A tracking app for family locates another phone using GPS technology, and aerial map. Then it lets you get speed alerts and gives you extensive insight into your family’s movements.

A family locator uses GPS because it is not reliant on a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. A GPS is just a radio that gets position data from satellites, and it is distinct from any cellular, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth radio. All that is required is to sign up and install the app on your smartphone and your family member’s devices, and to enable GPS services.

Many family tracking apps include more features than just location tracking, for example:

• monitoring of deleted calls and messages;
• geofencing;
• keylogger with remote access;
• access to social media of the target phone and more;
• recording of surroundings and phone calls, etc.

Best Family Tracking App

We tried many apps and here are the best of them. You can click the button below each review to try the service.

Parentaler

Parentaler is an all-in-one tracking solution to monitor child phone features. It can track online and offline data, including texts, calls, web activity, and geographical location. You can use Parentaler to discover your child’s whereabouts and view their digital activities to safeguard them from online dangers.

Features:

• content blocking;
• location tracking;
• texts and calls monitoring;
• web and social media activity tracking.

What Sets It Apart:

Has a specific porn blocker feature.

Compatibility:

Android 4.0+, iOS 7 – 13+.

Price:

• $40.68/mo;
• $22.83/mo paid quarterly;
• $9.60/mo paid annually.

User Experience:

Parentaler was convenient for finding my daughter’s location at all times. I liked that I could stay updated on their movements without asking her to check in with me. Moreover, Parentaler allowed me to block explicit content, which was a huge plus when protecting her from adult content.

One of the best features of Parentaler is getting alerts when certain words are used. The app even allowed me to take screenshots of their chats. This monitoring software is an ideal choice not just for parents but also for monitoring a senior adult’s phone.

Try Parentaler

mLite

mLite monitoring app is designed for parents who worry about what their kids are doing on their phones. The app can track your child’s movements giving you peace of mind. mLite is a limited version of mSpy with its main features being location tracking, geofencing, and listening to a child’s surroundings.

Features:

• live GPS location tracking;
• up to 10 devices tracking on single account;
• panic button;
• hidden microphone.

What Sets It Apart:

Can listen and record a child’s surroundings.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

• $0.99 1-day trial;
• $14.99/mo;
• $84.99/year.

User Experience:

This parental monitoring app allowed me always to see my child’s location. It offered real-time location monitoring, and it alerted me when they left the set geofence zones. I liked not having to hide the app from my child. I even showed them how to use the panic button in an emergency. Moreover, if I called their phone without a response, I could activate the hidden microphone and ensure they were not in danger. mLite is a cheap offering that emphasizes a child’s safety while ensuring the trust between you and your child is not broken.

Try mLite

mSpy

mSpy is one of the best tracking apps for family that can simply let you monitor your family’s mobile phone activity from a distant location. Moreover, this program operates totally in the background on the target device, making it almost hard for the user to detect its existence. So, this is exactly for those parents who want to create the illusion of freedom for their children.

mSpy was created more than a decade ago, in 2010, and has progressively enhanced its capabilities to become one of the most trusted and often used family tracking apps. In fact, over 1.5 million parents worldwide use it monthly to provide their children’s internet safety.

Features:

• SMS tracking;
• tracking on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat;
• Kik tracking;
• screen recorder;
• inappropriate content blocker and keylogger.

What sets it apart:

SIM tracking functionality.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

• $48.99/month;
• $27.99/month for 3-month-package;
• $11.66/month for a year-package;
• 7-day free trial.

User Experience:

mSpy has a broad variety of features and monitors gadgets in the background. After evaluating the application and reading mSpy reviews online, it is fair to conclude that mSpy works as stated. mSpy is simple to install, configure, and operate, providing you access to almost anything on the target device.

With this application, I can see what websites my family members visit, what programs they use, and even ban stuff that I deem unsuitable. Furthermore, mSpy notified me when my kid attempted to access anything I had restricted.

You may have peace of mind knowing that your child is secure online using mSpy. Furthermore, its use allows me to know how much time my son spends on his gadget.

Try mSpy

uMobix

uMobix is a feature-rich parental control tool that lets parents spy on their child’s smartphone without leaving any stone unturned. This program makes parental control more effective, providing detailed information about children’s whereabouts at any time.

uMobix is a parental control application for mobile phones and tablets (for children under 18 years). According to the developer, customers of the uMobix surveillance program must either own the phone or tablet or have written approval from their children to prevent unauthorized usage.

The malware can only be used for ethical monitoring. As we all know, keeping an eye on your family is legal enough for safety reasons.

Features:

• spying on social media;
• GPS location monitoring;
• monitoring of call logs;
• keylogger;
• remotely download media files.

What sets it apart:

Ambient listening & recording.

Compatibility:

iOS, Windows, and Android.

Price:

• €49.99/month;
• €29.99/month for 3-month-package;
• €12.49/month for a year-package.

User Experience:

I could not find the app on Google Play and the app store, but it was readily available on the developer’s website for instant installation. After a few setups, I could track my child and wife’s phone seamlessly without bottlenecks.

Interestingly, the keylogger feature records all keystrokes on their keyboards. I had access to usernames, chats, passwords, Google searches, website addresses, and more.

Also, I could access some social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and more. As such, uMobix is recommended for tracking your family members, from your child to your partner. It also can be the best family tracking app for iPhone.

Try uMobix

Eyezy

Eyezy.com is a combination of a website and mobile app that claims to protect your family, from kids to your older parents. It has various features, some of which are exclusive to Eyezy.

Features:

• file explorer;
• history of the location;
• capture of keystrokes;
• magical alerts;
• phone analyzer;
• social highlights.

What sets it apart:

The magic alert and access to all files. You can access all photographs, movies, and installed applications. Each media file’s creation date is also shown. Browser history and bookmarks on the internet may also be traced.

Compatibility:

iOS and Android.

Price:

• $47.99/month;
• $27.99/month for a 3-month-package;
• $9.99/month for a year-package.

User Experience:

In my Eyezy review, it is one of the best tracking apps for family on the market, with a simple and easy-to-use interface. Eyezy is readily available on the Play Store and App Store for installation. With its simplicity, using the test results as shown on its dashboard gave me timeless access to my wife’s location, keystroke recording, social media access, and other features. In addition, I could find every member of my family without stress.

Also, there were no advertisements while I was using the app, which made for an excellent user experience. Eyezy is the software to use if you want to monitor someone’s phone activities in a cheap (if you choose a year-subscription), dependable, and unobtrusive manner.

Try EyeZy

Cocospy

Cocospy is a disguised phone spy software for parents. With millions of users in 190+ countries, it’s one of the most popular spy applications available for tracking families. The Cocospy website obviously emphasizes this parental focus. Still, the software is also used to track your spouse, or elderly ones.

Cocospy’s key selling point is its superb user interface, which prioritizes simplicity and ease of use while preserving a collection of high-quality features that keep you in the loop about your loved one’s activities.

Cocospy is also an excellent tool for monitoring your kids’ social media, which is becoming more crucial as youngsters spend more time on social media.

Features:

• spying on social media;
• GPS location monitoring;
• spying on phone calls and SMS messages;
• keep track of installed applications;
• monitoring of internet activity;
• monitoring of dating apps.

What sets it apart:

Remote access to the target phone’s camera and microphone.

Compatibility:

iOS and Android.

Price:

• €49.99/month;
• €29.99/month for a 3 months-package;
• €12.49/month for a year-package.

User Experience:

Cocospy is simple to install and as well simple to monitor a target device secretly. I adore the user interface, and I definitely recommend it to parents.

There were no advertisements throughout usage, making it simple to get results in a shorter period. On the Cocospy dashboard, I could detect my children’s actions and whereabouts to choose which parental strategy to use.

However, you may lose your account if you have a problem with the app because the developer’s contact is not easy to come by. This may also make requesting a refund difficult. Nevertheless, Cocospy is advised for everyone who wants to watch their family members for legal reasons such as safety, parental control, etc.

Try Cocospy

OverWatch

OverWatch is the most classic yet functional best tracking app for families on the market. It will monitor every mobile phone action while remaining completely invisible to the owner of the phone being tracked.

The family locator can track up to five devices at the same time. Although traditional best-tracking apps for family might be sophisticated, this tool is simple to use. You, as the user, may go to the dashboard and read all the pertinent information.

Features:

• maintain complete invisibility;
• track messages and phone calls;
• geolocation function;
• up to 5 devices may be tracked;
• internet history, gallery, and applications;
• screenshots of Android.

What sets it apart:

Android screenshots are taken regularly. Call recording.

Compatibility:

Android, macOS, and Windows.

Price:

• €49.99/month;
• €29.99/month for a 3-months-package;
• €12.49/month for a year-package.

User Experience:

The application’s user interface is easy to use, and it’s only available via the developer’s website. It is also very responsive to maintain the same performance. The website gives a detailed description of how you can track your family member’s phones.

I tried OverWatch to trace my partner’s Android phone. It is an excellent option that is quite inexpensive in comparison to others. Many companies do not provide call recording. However, this one does, and at a reasonable fee.

You may believe that purchasing the OverWatch spy app is a decent investment so far. Still, some user reviews claim that OverWatch can’t monitor Mac devices.

Try OverWatch

XNSPY

XNSPY is one of the best apps for locating family, allowing users to thoroughly follow all device-centric actions of their family members. It is great for anybody who wants to enhance their parenting abilities, such as parents who wish to monitor their child’s gadget use and older parents for safety concerns.

XNSPY has plenty of functions, so you may choose the ideal one for your monitoring requirements, standards, and, most importantly, money.

Features:

• tracking of text messages;
• monitoring of call logs;
• recording of phone calls;
• monitoring of instant messaging apps;
• contact list & keylogging;
• GPS location monitoring;
• versions without and with jailbreak.

What sets it apart:

Surroundings Recording: the ability to remotely capture sounds from your child’s surroundings by simply turning on the device’s microphone.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

• €49.99/month;
• €29.99/month for a 3 months-package;
• €12.49/month for a year-package.

User Experience:

The XNSPY website is straightforward to use, making assessment a breeze. The website contains a FAQ section that is informative enough to let anybody set up the process without difficulties. In addition, the site is quite responsive.

The benefit of this app is that it allows me to keep an eye on my family members. Surprisingly, I can even remotely lock their phones without being discovered. However, it is tough to find since the website’s processes need individuals to subscribe to access their app. As a consequence, it is not available on the Play Store.

Try XNSPY

Find my Phone – Family Locator

During the day, Family Locator allows you to keep in touch with your family members. Family location tracker takes advantage of your phone’s natural GPS tracker to secure your family’s safety even when they are far away. This family tracker is available on Google Play and App Store for download.

Features:

• receive notifications when monitored family members arrive at their destinations;
• GPS location sharing on a family map;
• make private groups for your closest family;
• create GPS-based safe zones on the family map, such as a home;
• location history.

What sets it apart:

Flight radar will display your flight status on a map for family members to see.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

*prices may vary per location

• $14.99/week;
• $39.99/month for a 3 months-package.

User Experience:

As I have used it a few times, this family finder app is quite accurate in determining the location of family and loved ones. However, its capabilities are limited to first gaining access to the mobile phone being monitored.

I’ve always wanted to do this remotely, as well as view messages and discussions without my son finding out, ever since I became suspicious of him due to his activities. Within a few hours, I had complete access to my child’s phone, including his text messages, social networking applications, call history, and location. It is suggested; however, there are just a few features available.

Try Family Locator

Life360

Life360’s Advanced Location Sharing capabilities assist you in ensuring that your family arrives at their destination safely and on time. You can check in with your buddies while you’re online. Text messages may be used to communicate. It is simple to exchange information about specific individuals inside the stored circle.

Life360 is a new company that employs cutting-edge technology to protect families and individuals. The California-based firm is expanding rapidly and is on the fast road to success in the technology market.

Features:

• receive notifications when monitored family members come and go from your most frequented spots;
• GPS location sharing on a family map with your family members;
• driver report if your teenager begins driving a car.

What sets it apart:

Family circles and driver reports.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

• premium – $49.99/year;
• premium – $4.99/month.

User Experience:

The Life360 applications have a simple user interface. It has reliable location tracking when tested; however, other functions have faults. As a result, remote tracking works effectively but produces false trips and is inconsistent. There were also bogus notice warnings, and support was unable to assist.

Furthermore, the Life360 monitoring app evaluations are not promising. You may sample its free edition, but you should absolutely choose a better option, such as anyone in the TDLR section.

Try Life360

Famisafe

It is one of the top free family tracker apps for iPhone and Android that Google shows. It was also rated Wondershare.com’s best dependable parental control program, featuring many features and capabilities to assist you in keeping track of your family.

If your phone has GPS, you may use the Famisafe Parental Control App to keep track of your busy family without troubling them all day. You may do a fast location check from your phone or workplace computer to ensure that your youngster arrives on time for morning dance practice.

Features:

• web filtering; 
• app blocking;
• screen time control.

What sets it apart:

One of the most popular but nothing special sets it apart.

Compatibility:

Android and iOS.

Price:

• $10.99/month;
• $20.99/quarter;
• $60.99/year.

User Experience:

One feature of FamiSafe that really stood out to me was its ability to track the location and driving monitoring of my older parents. Their gadgets were located in a few minutes, and I got in-depth information on how they were driving.

The fact that FamiSafe can restrict access to applications is a huge plus in my book. In my tests, FamiSafe’s web filter could not reliably prevent access to offensive websites, and the app monitors for TikTok and YouTube were mostly ineffective.

The program is reasonably priced in the long term and has various capabilities. However, it is not a spying app and users can readily identify it. That should undoubtedly be considered before purchasing a FamiSafe membership.

Try FamiSafe

Best Free Family Locator App

There are several free family finder apps available on the internet nowadays. Some even claim to be the best app for locating family. However, the bulk of free trackers available are unsafe and provide simply location tracking with no extra monitoring functions like commercial providers.

Glympse

It’s a simple way to let your friends and family know where you are. It may also be a lifesaver if you’re a parent. Simply instruct your child to install Glympse on their phone, and they can share their location with you, give you projected arrival times, and more.

With their location information, parental control will help limit their travels towards dangerous areas. Furthermore, it lets anyone share (or not share) their whereabouts at any time.

Features:

• keystrokes are captured;
• highlights in social life;
• pinpoint & plans breaker;
• file finder & web magnifier;
• connection restrictor;
• invisible shield.

What sets it apart:

The Glympse Share GPS location allows you and your family to create a group where everyone can view each other’s whereabouts.

Compatibility:

iOS and Android.

Price:

Free.

User Experience:

This is an excellent tool for monitoring the position of a loved one while travelling. Not usually extremely precise. I can sit in the same location for an hour and watch my triangle move. This is suggested, though, when going out of state, and people need to know where you are so they don’t get concerned.

It also displays the actual time and the speed at which you travel. This tool has the potential to grow even more unique in its attempts, in my opinion!

Try Glympse

Find My Kids

The concept of developing a family tracking service first arose in 2016. The creators’ objective was to design a worldwide application that would allow parents all around the globe to keep their children safe, no matter where they were or what country they were in. The software was translated into 30+ languages and released in 50 different countries, including the European Union, the United States, and Latin America.

The program, subsequently renamed Find My Kids, was originally released in the same year. Since 2017, FindMyKids has been ranked as one of the best apps for locating families in 88 countries on Google Play and one of the top five in the Education category on the AppStore.

Features:

• GPS tracker powered by AI;
• remotely activate a loud signal;
• location tracking is updated in real-time;
• GPS watch support;
• hear the surrounding sounds of your kid if unresponsive.

What sets it apart:

GPS watch support. If the child is not responding, listen to the surroundings.

Compatibility:

iOS and Android.

Price:

Free.

User Experience:

Find My Kids is a kid monitoring app for iOS that pinpoints a child’s location to within a few meters by triangulating the phone’s position every 15 minutes. It has a straightforward and basic user interface. While testing this software, I quickly identified my wife’s location.

Also, the outcome I obtained, which did not take much time, was developed with parenting in mind. Thanks to the GPS sensor incorporated into smartphone and Internet connection networks, you may use this application to monitor the whereabouts of your family members at any time.

Try Find My Kids

Where’s My Droid

Alienman Technologies LLC created Where’s My Droid, mainly designed for Android and tablet phone users to locate relatives. You may use the app to see the location history of your family member’s phone for free. Location monitoring is significantly easier and more practical than many navigation systems, especially for a free app.

Features:

• location history;
• location & GPS flare;
• ring & passcode;
• SIM monitor;
• wipe and lock.

What sets it apart:

Ring & passcode.

Compatibility:

Android.

User Experience:

Where’s My Droid is definitely worth the download and setup time. Its free availability makes it a viable alternative. My wife’s phone was lost, but thanks to its GPS tracking and constant ringing, we were able to track it down. The only time it won’t function is if your phone is in airplane mode, but as soon as you switch it off of that setting, it’ll be OK again.

However, the issue is that the “Found” screen is no longer accessible when I call the phone, and I have no way to disable it. To resolve it, I have to restart it. Aside from that, there are zero issues. There were several advertisements when testing the location tracker.

Try Where's My Droid

Bonus: Simple Tracking with SMS – Scannero

Scannero.io is a tracking app that enables remote tracking and geolocation services without needing extra software to be downloaded and installed. There is no requirement for a phone connection, since the mobile phone number is sufficient.

There is no setup required. If you supply Scannero with a phone number, it will utilize it to determine the device’s location. It will then store all of the findings on a single dashboard. Furthermore, the tracker includes additional capabilities such as phone lookup, email lookup, and so on.

Try Scannero.io

Conclusion

When looking for the best app for locating family, the first thing to remember is to ensure it comes from reliable and trustworthy creators. Then, all you need to know is what you want to do: monitor the location, prevent roaming, restrict regions, watch your children’s behavior, etc. Start looking for an app that matches your demands once you’ve made a list of the features that are most important to you.

You can try our top-3 family tracker apps: mSpy, uMobix, and Cocospy. They are all suggested to assist you in protecting your family and ensuring the safety of your loved ones. While these family trackers are premium services, they are more effective with beneficial features for family surveillance, and family safety is absolutely worth it.