Side by side
Family Safety: GPS Locator 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.
Choose Family Safety if your family or invited circle wants opt-in map sharing, check-ins, and place notifications on Android or iOS. Look elsewhere for an emergency service, since the app is intended for coordination and feature availability can depend on device and network conditions.
Visit Family Safety: GPS Locator
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
| Family Safety: GPS Locator | OpenFamily | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone | Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Unlimited circles: $1.99, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | familysafety.io | openfamily.app |
| On family locator apps | #14 of 29 | #1 of 29 |
Family Safety: GPS Locator: what it does well
- Free plan is available on Android and iOS.
- Circle members can view shared location updates on a map.
- Place alerts can notify members about arrivals and departures.
- Manual check-ins and circle-code invitations are supported.
- The privacy policy says personal information is not sold for third-party advertising.
What to know first
- Some capabilities require optional in-app purchases.
- Location freshness, routes, and alert timing depend on device and network conditions.
- The service is not an emergency service.
- Users under 18 need parent or legal guardian consent.
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 Family Safety: GPS Locator Alternatives to OpenFamily The whole list