Technology has improved our lives as we can get most things done without leaving our comfort zone, which includes monitoring and tracking the location of our kids and loved ones. However, there are many location tracking apps on the internet, making it difficult to choose from them. It is imperative to go for the best location-tracking app for the best results and also not put the security of your kids and loved ones in danger while trying to keep them safe.
Location Tracking apps are supposed to give an accurate location of anyone you are tracking, but we know some apps do not do that. In addition, some of these apps have weak security features and might even sell your data. We recommend going for the best when it has to do with your family, especially your kids, for the best results.
How to choose the best location tracking app
When choosing the best location tracking app in 2024, there are a few things you should consider. Below are the ones we feel are necessary when deciding the right app.
Friendly User Interface
When choosing a location tracking app, we recommend a user-friendly interface. Most parents are not tech-savvy, and it would be important to navigate the app without a third party.
Real-time tracking
Accurate real-time tracking should be first to consider but it becomes useless when you can’t navigate the app to find the real-time location of your child because of a complicated user interface.
Data encryption
Using these apps means giving them consent to managing your child’s data and it’s imperative to choose an app that protects your data. We recommend apps that encrypt your location data and that of your child and family.
Parental Control
We would recommend apps that include parental control features. It would be easy to monitor your child’s activities on the internet while tracking and monitoring their location simultaneously.
Affordability
Do not break the bank to track the location of your child. Some apps let you do that for free and unless you want more than monitoring your child’s location, you should not pay a premium price for that.
The best location tracking app in 2024
Below are our top 5 location tracking apps to choose from in 2024.
Google Maps
We understand if you see Google Maps as just an app to get driving directions. The app can do more than that. It is a great tool for monitoring the real-time location of your child and loved ones. While it doesn’t have geo-fencing features, you can use the Notification option to add locations and get an alert when your kids enter or leave that area.
Google Maps is a free location tracking app with 24/7 real-time location tracking. However, you can only track someone’s location while they are sharing their location with you. Your child can turn off location sharing anytime and you can’t track them again.
Your location must be on for Google Maps to function properly, which might affect your battery. Meanwhile, we are currently using the feature on many of our gadgets and there isn’t an issue with our battery draining faster than normal.
For parents who want to know their child’s location without the extras that come with location tracking, we recommend using Google Maps. You can find a complete guide on how to set it up here. Meanwhile, if you want more than location tracking, we recommend mSpy.
mSpy
The reason you should consider mSpy as a location tracking app is if you want more than just knowing the real-time location of your kids. mSpy has many great features. We recommend it for parents who want to monitor their teen’s social media activities while keeping tabs on their location simultaneously.
Unlike Google Maps, mSpy has geo-fencing features. Parents can set virtual boundaries and get notifications when their loved ones leave or enter that area. In addition, you see the location history of where your kids have been, including detailed coordinates, dates, and timestamps.
Aside from tracking location, you can use mSpy to read your child’s texts and emails. You can view their private social media chats and manage their online activities. While checking online activities, you can block websites, Apps, and others. Interestingly, you can view their call logs, contact, calendar, and streaming support, meaning you can trigger cameras and record remotely.
Unlike Google Maps, mSpy works in stealth mode meaning your children won’t know you are monitoring them. Nevertheless, we recommend discussing it with them before installing the app on their device. That is perhaps the issue with mSpy as it requires accessing the target phone to install the app. You can check this guide to know if someone is tracking your phone.
Of course, you need a paid subscription to use mSpy. Their monthly subscription is $48.99 while the Quarterly plan is $28.00/ month. We recommend the yearly subscription for $11.67/ month.
Qustodio
One of the things to consider when choosing a location-tracking app is accuracy. Qustodio has shown they can do that as the app is rated as the best in location accuracy. The app stores these locations for up to 30 days. It shows a list of places your child has been to and when which will help you spot any changes.
There’s a geo-fencing feature called Your Places. It allows parents to set virtual boundaries on places on the map and get an alert when their kids enter or leave that area. You can also save your favorite areas like your child’s school or your home if you work to know when your kids come back from school.
On accurate location tracking, the app updates your child’s location every 10 minutes. You can use the Family Locator feature, available through the Qustodio Parents App only to monitor your children’s real-time location. Of course, the app does more than just track location, and you can check for them here.
To use the services of Qustodio, you can purchase a one-year plan at $4.58 ($54.95) that supports up to 5 devices. There are medium $8.08 ($96.96/year) for up to 10 devices and large plans for $11.50 ($137.95/year) that support up to 15 devices.
Bark
Bark is the closest location tracking app to Google Maps, as it allows your Kids to share their location before you can track them. Your kids have to click on the Check-in option when you request their real-time location, and Bark will display their location using the Built-in Map.
Of course, you can still track your kid’s location in real time without asking for permission. Unsurprisingly, the location tracker is accurate, and it updates the location of the target device every 5-6 minutes. Like Google Maps, Bark can show the directions to your child’s location.
While location history is not shown on Google Maps, Bark keeps them, including time stamps if you have enabled geo-fencing. We recommend you set virtual boundaries on important areas to know when your kids enter or leave that particular area.
Of course, Bark does more than just location tracking. The app can monitor social media activities and spy on phone calls and messages. If you are paying for their services, it should not be just tracking locations, as Google Maps can do just that.
You can purchase a Bark Phone subscription for $39/month. The Bark App is only $14/month, and you can track location, pause the internet, get alerts for concerned content, and more.
CocoSpy
When choosing a location-tracking app for your children, it is necessary to go for the one with a friendly user interface. CocoSpy ticks this box, and we recommend the app for parents who are not tech savvy as it would be easy to read and understand the real-time location of their kids.
In addition, the app is easy to set up and would take only a couple of minutes to finish setting up and start monitoring your loved ones. And just like the other location tracking app, you need access to the target phone to install the app. Hence, it would be nice to discuss it with your teen before installing the app on their phone.
CocoSpy keeps location for up to 30 days with coordinates, timestamps, and addresses. We recommend setting up virtual boundaries to get alerts when the target device enters or leaves that area. It would be easy to track your kids that way instead of looking at the CocoSpy app every second.
And yes, the location tracker is accurate, and you get updates about the target device every few minutes. What I like about CocoSpy is that from the dashboard, you can see all the details like most calling contacts, last known location, recent messages, and phone activities. If you opt for CocoSpy, there is a $49.99/monthly subscription that goes down to $29.99 for quarterly plans. The best deal is the annual offer of $12.50/ month.
Conclusion
The most expensive location-tracking apps are not always the best ones. If the idea is to know the location of your children, Google Maps will do a good job and you will not have to pay for it. However, if you want the extras that come with most parental apps, you can choose from the ones listed in this post.
