Side by side
BuddySOS vs OpenFamily
Both stand on family locator apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhone
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.
Visit BuddySOS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2
OpenFamily provides household location sharing and safety tools while keeping account and location data on the operator's server. It requires self-hosting and security upkeep, and map tile providers may see which areas are viewed.
Visit OpenFamilyThe facts
| BuddySOS | OpenFamily | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone | Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | BuddySOS Plus annual: $19.99 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | buddysos.app | openfamily.app |
| On family locator apps | #4 of 29 | #1 of 29 |
BuddySOS: what it does well
- 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.
OpenFamily: what it does well
- Live map displays battery, last-seen, and movement information.
- Saved places can trigger arrival and departure alerts.
- SOS, check-ins, and non-emergency help are available.
- Detailed location history is retained for 90 days.
What to know first
- Deployment requires operating a Docker Compose stack.
- The operator must manage the server and PostgreSQL data.
- Default map tile hosts can see the viewed area.
- The app does not encrypt database rows itself.
Alternatives to BuddySOS Alternatives to OpenFamily The whole list