Free GPS Tracking Apps for Parents

Do you misplace things often? Well, you can now rest easy thanks to GPS tracking technology. Whether it is your phone, laptop, or your loved ones, you can easily locate them using free GPS tracking apps. The technology uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), an earth-orbiting satellite network that communicates with GPS devices to determine real-time location, direction, time, and speed. So, what are GPS tracking apps?

Table of Content

Part 1: What Are GPS Tracking Apps?

Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking apps are third-party programs that translate location information from the Global Navigation Satellite System Network. They are available across different platforms, including Android, iOS, and PC, enabling you to monitor and track target devices easily.

Here are the reasons why you need a GPS tracking app:

• It lets you monitor your child’s safety in real-time, ensuring their safety.
• Geo-fencing allows you to set safe areas for your child and sends you alerts when there is a breach.
• It allows you to locate your valuables when they are lost.
• GPS tracking apps help you plan the best route to your destination, minimizing travel time and fuel costs.

Part 2: Best Free GPS Tracking Apps

It is important to consider the features before installing a free GPS tracking app. There are two types of GPS tracking systems:

• Active tracking or 2-Way GPS allows tracking devices to exchange location details in real time through a central database.
• Passive GPS tracking monitors the target device’s location and internally stores data for later use.

Most modern devices are compatible with both systems, and here are the best free GPS tracking apps for locating your loved ones and valuables.

1. Famisafe GPS Tracking

Famisafe is arguably the best free GPS tracking app on the market. It is extremely user-friendly and includes several features to ensure your loved one’s safety when they are away from you. Famisafe also offers cross-platform functionality, meaning you can access location details on multiple devices, including Android, iOS, and Web.

Key Features

• Real-time location lets you track your kid’s whereabouts on-demand.
• Geo-fencing enables you to set safe zones for your children when they are away.
• Location history enables you to determine frequent routes and identify any unusual travel patterns.
• Real-time notifications alert you when your child strays from the designated areas.
• Content safety prevents your child from accessing inappropriate websites and apps, ensuring their online safety.
• Famisafe helps you promote healthy digital habits by monitoring your kid’s device usage through the Screen time and Activity reports tools

Hands-on Experience

Famisafe is easy to install and contains several tools to ensure your loved one’s safety when away. The cross-platform functionality allows you to monitor up to ten devices at once. Reverse location tracking and Driving report are unique extras that add to the app’s appeal. Your loved ones can determine your location through reverse location tracking and contact you in emergencies. FamiSafe offers a 3-day free trial, but you need a subscription plan to access the full features.

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2. Maverick GPS Navigation

Maverick GPS navigation is an open street map (OSM) navigation app for Android devices. It uses several sources to obtain the maps in its database, including Mapnik, Google Maps, Bing, and Public Transport. You can use the app to plan and track your hiking, boating, or jogging routes. It includes a built-in radar to determine your direction, distance, and estimated time to your next waypoint.

Key Features:

• You can use Maverick in online and offline mode on your Android device.
• Maverick uses different map sources to give you extensive location details compared to other apps.
• It allows you to save your location details, helping you determine common route patterns and geofences for your loved ones.
• You can also share location details through the app using Google Maps in case of emergencies.
• Automatic caching saves all your maps for offline use and lets you perform geocaching queries.

Hands-on Experience

Maverick GPS navigation is a decent GPS tracker for Android users. Its extensive map sources allow you to obtain global location data for multiple regions. The installation process is simple and does not require you to create an account to use it.

Unfortunately, the user interface appears outdated compared to other apps. The icons are too large, and the color scheme is dull, resulting in eye fatigue for most users. Maverick GPS navigation only works best for US and Europe-based users. Therefore, consider other GPS tracking apps if you live outside these regions.

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3. XNSPY Phone Monitoring

XNSPY is a remote monitoring app for smartphones on all platforms. It lets you establish parental controls on your loved ones’ devices or use fleet management solutions for your business. You can track locations in real-time and prevent access to inappropriate content using content monitoring. Additionally, the app includes an invisibility feature that lets you monitor the target device without the owner’s knowledge.

Key Features:

• GPS location allows you to track and monitor locations in real-time.
• Web and social media monitoring helps you create healthy online habits for your children.
• Instant alerts let you know when geofences are breached, or inappropriate content is detected.
• Location and web history give you full transparency of your child’s device usage.
• The Remote Control feature lets you lock the device and take live screenshots to promote healthy digital devices..

Hands-on Experience

XNSPY is available on iOS and Android devices. The app includes several tools to ensure complete parental control of your kid’s device. It is also easy to install and has an interactive user interface compared to similar solutions.

XNSPY offers real-time and offline monitoring capabilities, meaning you are always in the loop of your loved one’s whereabouts. Although it does not offer a trial period, you can have a live demo, and the subscription plans are affordable.

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4. Mobile Spy Smartphone SpyTool

Mobilespy.at is a GPS tracking and monitoring app for smartphones. The solution applies to parents, schools, and businesses that require 24/7 tracking o target devices. The app operates discreetly and offers over 42 unique monitoring and tracking tools.

Key Features

• You can use Mobile Spy to monitor and track Android, iOS, and Web devices.
• It allows you to monitor up to 2000 devices, depending on your subscription plan.
• Mobile Spy offers real-time GPS and Wi-Fi tracking, giving you precise location details of target devices.
• Social media and web monitoring ensure your loved ones are safe when using their devices online.
• The app’s interface is extremely user-friendly, with easy access to all monitoring tools from a single screen.
• Mobile Spy complies with European Data Privacy laws, ensuring your information is protected when using the app.

Cons

• The app is more suited for businesses than personal use.
• It lacks critical features, such as geofencing, making it unsuitable for protecting your children.
• You will need a GPS Wox subscription to enable tracking on your device.

Hands-on Experience

MobileSpy allows you to track multiple devices simultaneously. The user interface is interactive and does not require advanced skills to use it. The over 42 monitoring features ensure total protection and encourage healthy digital habits. You can also choose different subscription plans to suit your personal, business or school needs.

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5. Hoverwatch Cell Phone Spy App

Hoverwatch Cell Phone Spy is a free GPS tracking app for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS devices. It includes several tools to monitor and track your loved one’s device usage in real-time. For example, you can monitor calls, social media, and screen messages on up to five devices using a single account.

Key Features

• The Hoverwatch Cell Phone Spy app operates in secret on target devices.
• The app does not require root access to function.
• Hoverwatch’s Geolocation tracker uses Wi-Fi signals, cell tower information, and GPS to relay real tie location details of target devices.
• The SIM card tracking feature alerts you whenever your kid switches device SIM cards.
• You can also monitor social media and messages to prevent access to inappropriate content.
• The call data and recording feature allows you to block unwanted numbers.

Hands-on Experience

The Hoverwatch Cell Phone Spy app is a feature-rich tracking app for Android and iOS devices. It allows you to monitor and track your kid’s device usage in real-time through an interactive dashboard. The app offers a live demo on its official website to help you familiarize yourself with its features before purchasing a subscription.

Hoverwatch Cell Phone Spy App also allows you to take screenshots from the target device, offering greater monitoring capabilities. The installation process is extremely easy, and the flexible subscription plans add to the app’s appeal.

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6. GEOfinder.Mobi

GEOfinder.Mobi is a web-based cell phone tracker that lets you identify location details using the phone number. It is extremely easy to use and precisely pinpoints the target device’s location. The app works across different device platforms and works with any GSM network. The app sends a custom SMS to the target device with a special link. Once they click the link, you receive their real-time location on the app’s user interface.

Key Features

• GEOfinder.mobi is completely free and only requires you to sign up on their official website.
• The web-based app does not require installation on the target device.
• You can track cell phones on any GSM network, regardless of their global location.
• GEOfinder.mobi lets you send unlimited geo-location requests once you have an active account.
• You can customize the SMS to ensure your loved ones can identify your location requests.

Hand-on Experience

finder.Mobi is the easiest GPS tracking app you can use on the market. It works cross-platform and is compatible with any GSM network globally. The app offers detailed location details using the target device’s GPS, IP, and Wi-Fi coordinates. However, you can only receive these details when the user clicks the link from the SMS.

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