BuddySOS is a group safety app for Android and iOS with live location sharing, boundary alerts, and one-tap SOS. An SOS notifies members of the active group with the sender’s live GPS location, even when the phone is locked. It can also send emergency contacts a live-location link by SMS through Twilio; recipients do not need the app. Safe zones alert group members when someone enters or leaves. Each zone must have a radius of at least 100 meters, and groups can have up to five zones. The free plan includes one group and one safe zone with ads. BuddySOS Pro costs $1.99 per month and removes ads while allowing more groups and zones. The maker says location is shared only with group members, is not sold, and is not stored as location history. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, but the service is not end-to-end encrypted. Registration uses a phone number and text-message code, with sign-up listed for numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU.
Who it is for
BuddySOS suits families, friends, festival and event groups, and staff teams coordinating by phone. It is available on Android and iOS, with sign-up listed for numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU.
What is good
- SOS shares live GPS location with the active group.
- Emergency contacts can receive a link by SMS.
- Safe zones send entry and exit alerts.
- The maker says it keeps no location history.
- Battery Saver Mode adjusts location checks based on movement.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to one group and one safe zone.
- Each safe zone needs a 100-meter minimum radius.
- Service is not end-to-end encrypted.
- Sign-up is listed for numbers in specific regions.
Verdict
BuddySOS combines group location sharing, boundary alerts, and SOS messages, with a free plan and a $1.99 monthly Pro plan. Keep its safe-zone limits, regional sign-up availability, and lack of end-to-end encryption in mind.
Get started with BuddySOS
- Visit the BuddySOS website.
- Install the app on Android or iOS.
- Sign up with a phone number and text-message code; listed regions are the US, Canada, UK, and EU.
- Create or join a group.
- Use the free plan with one group and one safe zone, or choose BuddySOS Pro for $1.99 per month.
What the free plan stops at
The free plan includes one group and one safe zone, with ads. Each safe zone has a minimum radius of 100 meters, and a group can have up to five zones; BuddySOS Pro at $1.99 per month removes ads and allows more groups and zones.
Questions about BuddySOS
How much does BuddySOS cost?
The free plan includes one group and one safe zone, with ads. BuddySOS Pro is $1.99 per month and removes ads while allowing more groups and zones.
Which phones can run BuddySOS?
BuddySOS is listed for Android and iOS.
How does SOS work?
An SOS alerts members of the active group with the sender’s live GPS location, including while the phone is locked. It can also text emergency contacts a live-location link through Twilio; recipients do not need the app.
How many safe zones can a group have?
A group can have up to five safe zones. Each zone has a minimum radius of 100 meters.
Does BuddySOS keep location history or use end-to-end encryption?
The maker says it does not keep location history and shares location only with group members. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, but the service is not end-to-end encrypted.
Where can people sign up?
Sign-up uses a phone number and text-message code. It is currently listed for numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU.
BuddySOS plans and pricing
All plansCompared on family locator apps
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $1.99/mo
- Location alerts
- Yes
- Geofence limit
- 5 places
- Location history
- none
- Platform support
- both
- SOS tools
- Yes
