9 Best Family Tracking Apps for Android and iOS: Parent-Approved Picks

Different routines and busy schedules; families nowadays rarely get seated together for even a meal. But, no matter how occupied, the subconscious remains stressed about the whereabouts and activities of your loved ones. So much so that one wishes ensuring family safety to be as easy as a few clicks here or a couple of taps there. Fortunately, that is now possible with the help of family tracker apps. 

However, the market is filled with many options, and choosing one from them can put you under a lot of pressure. ‘Do I go for this one?’ Or ‘Will that one be the better option?’ You won’t be able to decide. To help you with this, we bring you this guide featuring the 9 best options out there.

A Quick Look at the 9 Best Tracking Apps for Family 

Apps for Family Tracking	Rating	Price
Xnspy	9.3/10	– Basic: $4.99/month – Premium: $7.49/month
FamiSafe	9/10	– Monthly: $4.99/month – Quarterly: $6.67/month – Yearly: $9.99/month
AirDroid	8.7/10	– Monthly: $9.99 – Quarterly: $6.66 – Yearly: $5.00
Life 360	8.3/10	– Gold: $12.49/month – Platinum: $20.83/month
Norton Family	8/10	– Norton Family Premier: $4.17/month
mSpy	7.8/10	– Premium: $11.67/month – Extreme: $23.99/month
Verizon Family	7.4/10	– Family Perk: $10.00/month  – Family Plus: $14.99/month
Qustodio	7/10	– Basic: $4.58/month  – Complete: $8.33/month
Aura	6.5/10	– Kids: $10.00/month – Family: $32.00/month

9 Reliable Family Tracking Apps to Ensure the Safety of Your Loved Ones

1. Xnspy

Xnspy is a family monitoring app designed for those who want comprehensive oversight of their loved ones’ device activity. What sets it apart from basic tracking tools is its wide range of features, including location tracking, remote controls, and extensive monitoring capabilities, all accessible from a secure online dashboard. 

Whether you’re concerned about where your child goes or what they do on their phone, Xnspy offers a robust set of tools to help you stay informed.

Xnspy Features

Location Tracking

Xnspy provides real-time GPS tracking so you can see your child’s current whereabouts and view their location history. You can see the complete address of the location, coordinates, map view, and date and timestamps as well. 

Geo-Fencing

With geo-fencing, you can create safe zones around important places such as home or school. If the monitored device crosses these boundaries (enters or leaves), Xnspy instantly notifies you, giving you peace of mind about your child’s safety.

Surround Recording

Xnspy lets you activate the microphone remotely to record ambient sounds around the target device. This feature can help you understand the environment your child is in, especially when you’re unable to reach them directly.

Wipe Phone

In case of loss or theft, this app provides a remote wipe function that lets you erase all data on the device to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. This adds an extra layer of security beyond tracking alone.

Social Media Monitoring

Xnspy lets you monitor activity across popular social media apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and more. You can view sent and received messages, shared media, contact details, and timestamps. This helps you understand who your child is interacting with and spot risky conversations or signs of online bullying early, without jumping to conclusions.

Xnspy Compatibility

Xnspy supports both Android and iOS devices, including smartphones and tablets. The app runs discreetly in the background and works across a wide range of OS versions without displaying an icon on the target device to prevent accidental uninstallation. 

Xnspy Pricing

• Basic: $59.99/year
• Premium: $89.99/year

Xnspy Pros and Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive physical and online safety features
• Remote controls like lock and wipe phone for added security
• Real-time updates for timely insight and timely intervention
• Easy and hassle-free installation process
• The app comes with an intuitive dashboard that makes it easy for you to understand and use it.

Cons

• No option for a free trial

Should I Buy Xnspy?

If you need a high-end monitoring solution that goes beyond simple tracking to include remote controls and detailed device monitoring, Xnspy is worth considering. Its real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and remote surveillance tools make it ideal for families who want full visibility into both physical and digital activity.

2. FamiSafe

FamiSafe is yet another family tracking app that gives you peace of mind with its broad feature set. With its ability to run quietly on the targeted phone, you get to have all the required updates without frustrating your family members. 

Moreover, the fact that it features numerous safety functions allows you to sit back and relax, knowing your family is safe at all times. With the 

FamiSafe Features

Location Tracking 

FamiSafe allows you to easily see where your family members are currently and have been throughout the day with its location tracking feature. The layout is quite user-friendly, and you can view the whereabouts in map view. Moreover, you can also set up geo-fences for added protection of your children. 

Driving Report

The most prominent feature that this app offers is the driving report. This report entails all driving habits that help you spot if your loved ones are not abiding by the safety rules. The analysis shows driving speed (both top and average), instances of overspeeding, high braking, distance, etc.

SOS Alerts

Another helpful feature is that your child can send you an instant SOS alert in case of an emergency. The best part about this feature is that even if your phone is on silent, you’ll still get notified within 5 seconds. With this alert, you get the real-time location of your child’s whereabouts as well. 

One-Way Audio

FamiSafe also allows you to remotely activate the microphone of the targeted mobile phone. Once active, it records all the noise from the surrounding environment for you to hear and ensure whether your family members are safe or not. 

FamiSafe Compatibility

The app can be used on Android, iOS, and even Windows. 

FamiSafe Pricing

• Family Plan: 59.88/year
• School Plan: 239.98/year

FamiSafe Pros and Cons

Pros

• The safety features of this app make it a good option for family usage. 
• If you want a free family tracking app for Android and iPhone, FamiSafe offers it. 
• The app works across most operating systems. 

Cons

• Occasional lags in location updates. 
• The setup process is a hassle. 

Should I Buy FamiSafe?

If you have children who have just started driving, and you need to ensure their safety while they’re out, investing in FamiSafe is a good option. With its detailed reports and instant alerts, you can rest assured that safety won’t be compromised. 

3. AirDroid

When it comes to the best family tracking apps, we could not have compiled a list without mentioning AirDroid in it. With a wide set of parental controls, this app allows you to keep your family safer than ever. 

AirDroid Features

Family Locator

AirDroid helps you keep track of your family’s location updates. Moreover, you can also set virtual boundaries around set parameters. Doing so, the app will instantly update you if your family member enters or leaves a designated area. 

Surround Recording

With the surround recording feature, you can remotely send a command to the targeted phone, and its microphone will activate, capturing ambient sound. This way, even if you suspect danger around your loved one, you can easily check on them and intervene if needed. 

Live Camera

If you want visual cues of your loved ones being surrounded by a safe environment, AirDroid takes things one step further. With its live camera feature, you can simply turn the targeted device’s camera on remotely and see live footage of what’s going on around. 

Screen Mirroring

To ensure the safety of your loved ones in the digital world, AirDroid comes with a screen mirroring feature. When enabled, you can see what your child is doing on their smartphone, be it to shield them from manipulative interactions, cyberbullying, or exposure to inappropriate content.  

AirDroid Compatibility

AirDroid is compatible with both iOS and Android. For iOS, it works with 11th and onward versions, while for Android, it works on version 4.4 and onward. 

AirDroid Pricing

• Annual plan: $59.99/year

AirDroid Pros and Cons

Pros

• Remote camera and microphone access make it easier to ensure safety. 
• The dashboard is quite easy to use.
• Option of a 3-day free family tracking app for Android and iPhone available.

Cons

• Location data doesn’t update in real-time. 
• If you want to monitor an iOS device, features may seem limited and require extra setup. 

Should I Buy AirDroid?

To ensure family safety, AirDroid is a pretty decent option, especially since it allows you to set up to 10 devices under a single guardian. Moreover, the live camera and surround record feature add to its ability to keep you posted about your family’s real-time safety. 

4. Life360

Life360 is one of the most widely used and best tracking apps for family, known for its reliability and comprehensive safety-oriented features. Unlike many other options out there, Life360 focuses on giving you a combination of monitoring and assistance for a more solution-oriented approach. With its clean interface, Life360 makes family location sharing and emergency response both simple and effective.

Life360 Features

Location Sharing

Life360 allows you to see the live location of your family members and view their location history throughout the day. The map interface is user-friendly and clearly displays movement, arrival, and departure notifications.

Roadside Assistance

One of Life360’s standout features is its built-in roadside assistance option. If your family member runs into trouble, whether due to a flat tire, dead battery, or any other mechanical issue, the app can connect them with professional roadside support. 

Emergency Dispatch

Life360 offers a dedicated emergency dispatch feature that can automatically send first responders to your location during severe crashes, thanks to its crash detection technology. When an incident is detected, Life360 alerts both emergency services and family members, helping ensure timely aid.

Medical Assistance

For additional protection, Life360 includes medical assistance support within its premium plans. Whether you need access to a nurse hotline, medical advice, or help locating nearby urgent care facilities, the app provides quick access to resources that can assist during health-related emergencies.

Life360 Compatibility

Life360 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Its cross-platform support ensures all family members, regardless of the phone they use. 

Life360 Pricing

• Gold: $149.88/year
• Platinum: $249.96/year

Life360 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Robust emergency response features, including crash detection.
• Cross-platform compatibility for family members.
• Roadside and medical assistance options are available.

Cons

• Some advanced features are locked behind higher-priced subscriptions.
• Real-time tracking can occasionally lag depending on signal strength.
• There is no option for a free trial. 

Should I Buy Life360?

If you are looking for the kinds of apps for family tracking that go beyond simple location updates and provide true emergency support, Life360 is one of the strongest options available. Its blend of real-time location tracking along with support options will give you the much-needed mental peace. 

5. Norton Family

Norton Family is a comprehensive tracking app for families. Norton Family combines location monitoring with robust digital safety tools, making it a great choice for parents who want to oversee both physical and online safety. Its intuitive interface ensures that even less tech-savvy parents can set up and manage the app without hassle.

Norton Family Features

Favorite Locations

Norton Family allows you to mark specific locations as favorites, such as home, school, or a friend’s house. You can receive alerts when your child arrives or leaves these locations, helping you keep track of their routine and ensure they stay within safe boundaries.

Alert Me

With this feature at hand, parents can schedule specific dates and times to receive automatic and consistent location alerts from their child’s device without constant manual checking.

Web Browsing

Set rules to guide your child’s online experience. Norton Family allows you to block websites and content you don’t want your child to access. In this way, you can protect them from inappropriate or harmful material while they browse the internet.

Norton Family Compatibility

Norton Family works on Android, iOS, and Windows devices. However, some features, like web monitoring and app blocking, are more robust on Windows and Android compared to iOS. 

Norton Family Pricing

• Annual Plan: $49.99/year

Norton Family Pros and Cons

Pros

• Combines location tracking with digital safety tools
• Real-time alerts for location and online activity
• User-friendly interface for parents

Cons

• Limited functionality on iOS devices
• Some features may lag depending on network connectivity

Should I Buy Norton Family?

If your goal is to monitor both your family’s physical safety and digital behavior, Norton Family is a strong choice. Its real-time alerts make it easy to stay informed, while the focus on online safety sets it apart from basic location-tracking apps. 

6. mSpy

mSpy is a versatile family monitoring app designed for parents who want to keep tabs on their children’s location and smartphone activity. Known for its stealth mode operation, mSpy runs quietly in the background, allowing you to track essential data without interrupting your child’s device usage. 

mSpy Features

GPS Locations

mSpy provides real-time GPS tracking so you can see your child’s current location and location history. The intuitive map view makes it easy to monitor their movements throughout the day.

Geo-Fencing

With this app, you can set up safe zones using geo-fencing and receive instant alerts when your child enters or leaves designated areas.

Installed apps

mSpy allows you to monitor the apps installed on your child’s device. You can see which apps are being used, which makes it easier for you to manage exposure to potentially unsafe content or distractions.

mSpy Compatibility

mSpy works with both Android and iOS devices, although some advanced features may require a jailbreak or rooting for full functionality.

mSpy Pricing

• Premium Plan: $140.04/year
• Extreme Plan: $287.88/year

mSpy Pros and Cons

Pros

• Real-time GPS tracking with location history
• Wide range of features for digital and physical safety

Cons

• Subscription prices are pretty high
• No options for recording surroundings or a live camera 

Should I Buy mSpy?

mSpy is a reliable option for parents who want comprehensive oversight of both physical location and digital activity. However, if you need physical safety features like surround recording or live camera, other options may be more suitable for you. 

7. Verizon Family

Verizon Family is a family tracking app designed to provide peace of mind by combining location tracking with safety features for drivers. Tailored for families with frequent or new drivers, it helps parents monitor whereabouts and driving behavior.

Verizon Family Features

Location Alerts

You can stay informed about your family’s movements with real-time location alerts. This feature sends you notifications when a family member arrives at or leaves a designated location.

Driving Insights

Verizon Family provides detailed driving reports, including speed, braking habits, and phone usage while driving. These insights help you encourage safer driving habits for your family members.

Roadside Assistance

In case of vehicle trouble, Verizon Family offers access to roadside assistance. Whether it’s a flat tire, battery issue, or towing, help can be dispatched quickly, adding an extra layer of safety for your family.

Verizon Family Compatibility

The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and works best when connected to Verizon’s network. 

Verizon Family Pricing

• Verizon Family Perk: $120/year
• Verizon Family Plus: $179.88/year

Verizon Family Pros and Cons

Pros

• Location alerts and driving insights provide greater assurance of physical safety.
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons

• Limited features for non-Verizon users
• Relatively pricey

Should I Buy Verizon Family?

If you want to ensure safe driving and reliable tracking, Verizon Family is a solid choice. However, if you want to enjoy full functionality without switching your network, another option might suit you better. 

8. Qustodio

Qustodio is a well-known family safety app that focuses on helping parents manage their children’s digital habits while also keeping track of their physical location. With its clean dashboard and detailed reports, Qustodio makes it easy for parents to understand how their children use their devices and intervene when necessary.

Qustodio Features

Locate Family

Qustodio allows parents to view their child’s real-time location and location history through an interactive map. This feature helps you stay updated on where your children are throughout the day and ensures they are safe when away from home.

AI-Powered Alerts

Using intelligent monitoring, Qustodio sends AI-powered alerts when it detects potentially concerning behavior, such as accessing harmful content or unusual activity patterns. These alerts help parents act proactively and intervene in a timely manner. 

Set Time Limits

With Qustodio, you can set daily screen-time limits and schedules for device usage. This feature helps encourage healthy digital habits by preventing excessive screen time during school hours, bedtime, or family time.

Qustodio Compatibility

Qustodio works across Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Kindle devices, making it a versatile option for families using multiple platforms.

Qustodio Pricing

• Basic: $54.95/year 
• Complete: $99.95/year

Qustodio Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong screen-time and app management tools
• AI-powered alerts for proactive monitoring
• Wide device compatibility

Cons

• Some features are limited on iOS 
• No driving report or surround recording feature

Should I Buy Qustodio?

If managing screen time and online safety is a priority alongside basic family tracking, Qustodio is worth considering.

9. Aura

Aura is a comprehensive digital security and identity protection service that goes beyond traditional tracker apps for families. Instead of real-time GPS or location sharing, Aura focuses on safeguarding your family’s online presence and personal information from modern digital threats. 

Aura Features

Dark Web and Data Breach Alerts

Aura continuously scans the dark web and breach databases for your family’s personal information, like emails, passwords, and financial data, and alerts you immediately if anything is found exposed.

Content Filtering

While Aura doesn’t offer traditional GPS tracking, it includes parental controls that help filter harmful or inappropriate content online. You can set rules to block unsafe websites and manage your child’s digital experience. 

Antivirus Protection

Aura bundles antivirus software into its security suite, protecting devices from viruses, malware, and other malicious software. This helps keep computers and mobile devices safe from threats that could compromise personal data.

Aura Compatibility

Aura is compatible with both Android (9 and higher) and iOS (15.1 and higher). 

Aura Pricing

• Kids: $120/year
• Family: $384/year

Aura Pros and Cons

Pros

• 14-day free trial available
• Comprehensive digital protection, including dark web alerts and antivirus tools

Cons

• No location tracking feature available
• Not compatible with Android phones sold outside of the US, like Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.

Should I Buy Aura?

Aura is a strong choice if your priority is protecting your family’s online safety alone. Its combination of dark web monitoring, content filtering, and antivirus protection makes it valuable. However, if you specifically want GPS tracking or real-time location alerts, you’ll need to pair Aura with a dedicated tracking app.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right family tracking app ultimately depends on what you value most: real-time location tracking, driving safety, digital monitoring, or online security. Apps like Xnspy, mSpy, and FamiSafe stand out for advanced monitoring and detailed reports, making them suitable for parents who want in-depth oversight. Whereas Life360 and Verizon Family are excellent for families with drivers, thanks to their crash detection, driving insights, and roadside assistance. 

However, if your primary concern is managing screen time and online behavior, Qustodio and Norton Family offer strong parental controls. Meanwhile, Aura fills a different but important role by focusing on identity theft protection and cybersecurity rather than physical tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can family tracker apps drain the phone’s battery quickly?

Some tracking apps can increase battery usage, especially those that rely on real-time GPS tracking and frequent location updates. However, most reputable apps like Xnspy use fewer resources as they optimize background activity to minimize battery drain. Adjusting update intervals and permissions can further reduce impact.

2. Do family tracking apps work without an internet connection?

Most apps require an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to update locations and sync data to the dashboard. Without internet access, the app may still record data locally, but will update the information only once connectivity is restored.

3. Is it legal to use tracking apps for families?

Generally, yes, when used ethically and legally. Parents are allowed to monitor their minor children’s devices. However, tracking adults or older teens without their consent may violate privacy laws depending on your region. So, the best practice is to always check local regulations and obtain consent when required.

4. Can multiple parents or guardians access the same account?

Yes, many tracking apps allow multiple guardians under a single account, enabling both parents to monitor children simultaneously. The number of supported devices and guardians varies by app and subscription plan, so it’s best to review plan details before subscribing.