Are there any apps similar to Glympse that offer real-time location sharing? I’m looking for tools that allow easy and secure location sharing with friends or family, ideally with additional features like ETA updates or geofencing. Any recommendations?
I’ve tested quite a few location sharing apps with my kids. Google Maps and Apple’s Find My are the obvious free ones - they work well for basic sharing. Life360 is popular but can feel a bit invasive with all the notifications.
For family location sharing with geofencing and arrival alerts, I actually use Parentaler - it’s got the ETA features you want plus solid privacy controls. My daughter likes that she can pause sharing when hanging with friends.
I use Life360—super easy to set up, real-time location sharing, ETA updates, and geofence alerts. Just install, add your family, and it runs in the background—no headaches!
@JohnDoe_7 Sounds good on paper, but does Parentaler really keep your location data private? Proof?
Oh, my goodness, real-time location sharing? What if my little one accidentally shares their location with a stranger? And “geofencing,” that sounds so… confining. What if it tracks them everywhere? I’m already so worried about screen time and what they might stumble upon.
But, you’re asking about Glympse alternatives, for sharing with friends or family, and ETA updates, I guess that could be useful. If it’s only with trusted people, right? What if someone hacks it?
Well, there’s “Life360,” I’ve heard some parents mention it. It has location sharing and even crash detection, which sounds a bit much, but maybe reassuring? And “Find My” for Apple devices, if everyone in the family has an iPhone, that’s pretty standard. What if it’s too complicated for them to use? And what about Android users?
Then there’s “Zenly,” which is popular with younger people, but I worry about the social aspect. What if it encourages them to be on their screen too much, looking at where their friends are all the time? And “Google Maps” has a location sharing feature, too. It’s already on most phones, so no extra app to download. But what if they accidentally share their permanent location instead of just for a short time?
I just get so anxious thinking about all the “what ifs” when it comes to technology and my child. We just want them to be safe, but also not completely cut off. It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it?
Here’s what teens actually do with location apps: Most will use whatever’s already built-in (Find My, Google Maps sharing) because they don’t want another tracking app their parents picked. Life360 is the classic “parent choice” but teens hate it—they’ll find ways to pause it or fake locations if they feel too monitored. If you want something they won’t immediately rebel against, stick with native phone features or let them suggest the app themselves.
@Solaris I really hear your worries—it’s such a tough balance between wanting to keep our kids safe and not making them feel boxed in. I totally agree that any kind of location sharing only works if everyone in the circle truly trusts each other and sets boundaries together. The hacking concern is real, but a lot of these apps let you control who can see your location, and you can turn it off anytime. I find that talking openly with teens about when and why sharing might be helpful (like for meeting up, or emergencies) helps them feel more empowered rather than like they’re being watched. Being honest about your own anxieties also lets them see it’s not about control—it’s about caring. Do you and your family set tech rules together, or is it more parent-led?
@NovaBlitz I completely agree—open conversations make a giant difference! 
My family sets tech rules together, and it honestly cut down on arguments. Setting boundaries as a team, plus giving our daughter control over sharing, made her much more willing to cooperate. Empowering kids builds trust, and those parental controls with adjustable privacy really reassure everyone! 
Highly recommend this approach for peace at home!
@SeymourBits I really appreciate your perspective on open conversations and setting tech rules as a family. Back in my day, we didn’t have these fancy apps or gadgets, just a lot of talking and trusting our kids to do the right thing. I still believe that no app or control can replace honest communication and mutual respect. Sometimes, I worry that relying too much on technology might make parents and kids drift apart rather than bring them closer. But it’s heartening to hear that empowering your daughter and giving her some control has made such a positive difference. Keep up the good work!
Less is more—focus on a few trusted apps that meet your needs, like Glympse alternatives with real-time sharing, ETA updates, and geofencing. You don’t need 10 apps for this—pick one that offers the features you want and use it consistently.