OwnTracks is a free, open-source location diary for people who want to keep location data under their control or share it with family and friends. Its iOS and Android apps publish a device’s location to a server chosen by the user through MQTT or HTTP. The app can report coordinates after the operating system detects movement and queue messages when connectivity is unavailable. Maps can show users and friends, while configured regions support entry and exit events, including possible home-automation controls. Users set up the receiving backend; OwnTracks Recorder stores published locations and provides an API without requiring an external database. Security options include MQTT over TLS, broker authentication, TLS client certificates, HTTP Basic authentication with TLS, and optional payload encryption. Users decide where data is stored, processed and retained, and there is no default server. Reverse geocoding uses Apple Maps on iOS, Google Play services in Android’s non-OSS release, or configurable OpenCage support. iOS background operation depends on the operating system, while Android restrictions can delay messages. External configurations are disabled by default after the July 2026 security changes.
Who it is for
It suits people and families who want self-controlled location sharing, geofencing and location history. It requires users to configure and operate a receiving server.
What is good
- Open-source and free
- Supports iOS and Android
- User-chosen backend
- MQTT and HTTP connections
- Optional payload encryption
What to know first
- Requires a configured server
- iOS background operation is OS-governed
- Android restrictions can delay messages
- Location history is limited
Verdict
OwnTracks offers location reporting and sharing while leaving storage and backend control with the user. Its privacy and security options are extensive, but setup and mobile background limits require attention.
Compared on family locator apps
- Location alerts
- Yes
- Location history
- limited
- Platform support
- both
