Best GPS tracker for different situations

Part 1. What GPS tracker is used for

GPS trackers are widely used in many fields, providing users with convenient, safe and practical functions. GPS trackers are commonly used for:

• Vehicle tracking and management: Used to monitor the location, speed and driving history of vehicles in real time, helping to improve management efficiency and ensure driving safety.
• Child safety: Parents can use GPS trackers to monitor their children's location in real time to ensure they are moving in a safe area, providing extra security.
• Care for the elderly: Used to track the location of the elderly, help caregivers understand their activities in a timely manner, and respond to emergencies.
• Pet tracking: It can be carried on pets to help owners track the location of pets at any time and reduce the risk of pets getting lost.
• Outdoor activities: When hiking, camping or exploring, GPS trackers can be used to locate and record travel routes to improve outdoor safety.
• Anti-theft of valuable items: Installing GPS trackers on valuable items can help prevent theft and recover stolen items.
• Commercial use: Commonly used in the logistics industry to help track the transportation route, timeliness and safety of goods.
• Social Media Sharing: Some GPS trackers allow users to share their location via social media platforms to stay connected with friends and family.
• Emergency rescue: In outdoor or remote areas, GPS trackers can provide accurate location information to help emergency rescue personnel quickly find trapped people.

Overall, GPS trackers provide users with more control and security in different areas by providing real-time location information.

Part 2. Which GPS tracker should be chosen for different situations

SpyX - Best GPS Tracker for Parental Monitoring

SpyX is one of the best phone trackers for parents to monitor their kids. Whether your child is using an Android or an iPhone, it is perfectly compatible. 

Among the many tracking apps out there, SpyX is one of the few that allows tracking without having to download and install the app, without having to jailbreak or root the device. 

In addition to tracking the current and historical location of the target phone, the software is able to monitor over 30 application data.

GPS tracker features

•  View current and historical location information by selecting the date you want to view. You can also view a comprehensive, timestamped history of the target phone's locations, giving accurate tracking information.

•  View activity tracks on the map.

•  Set the target device's activity range and receive alerts when the device is out of range.

General features

• Text Message, Contacts, Calls, Photos, Video, Live video
• Browser History, Browser bookmark
• Facetime, discord, Live audio, Live screenshot
• Voicemail, Mail, Gmail, Easilydo mail
• Installed APPs, Notes, Reminders
• Calendars, Wi-Fi networks, iCloud Drive

Social media

• Whatsapp, Line, Facebook, Viber
• Instagram, Snapchat, Messenger, Kik
• Tiktok, Skype, Youtube, Wechat
• Tinder, Teams, Telegram, QQ

mSpy - Optimal app for Android phone location tracker

mSpy is the best Android phone location tracker, which can remotely track the location of Android devices and keylogger all data typed on the keyboard. 

mSpy is compatible with both Android and iOS, but the GPS location function is not effective on iOS devices. When using it for Android tracking, you need to download and install the app.

GPS tracker features

•  Track the exact location of the target phone.

•  You can view the historical positioning for the last 60 days.

General features

• Contacts, WiFi, Installed apps, Keylogger
• Browser history, Block Wi-Fi, Block Websites, Block Applications

Social media

• WhatsApp

Further reading: GPS tracker for Android

Msafely - Top app for iPhone location tracking

Msafely is one of the best GPS trackers to track the location of iPhone. Msafely is capable of tracking all the historical location information of iPhone devices and presenting them in a timeline format for a clear view at a glance. 

Moreover, it can monitor data from multiple apps, satisfying the basic needs of the user.

GPS tracker features

•  Real-time location tracking and historical location data retention, with time-stamped location information.

•  When the device leaves the defined area, the Geofence function records the time and date.

General features

• Text Message, Contacts, Calls
• Photos, Video, Browser History
• Browser bookmark, Voicemail, Facetime

Social media

• WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, Snapchat

Further reading: GPS tracker for iPhone

Hoverwatch - Most suitable GPS software for employee location tracking

The business version of Hoverwatch can monitor 25 devices at the same time, no other software can do more. So it is the most suitable software for employee monitoring. And it also offers users a 4-day free trial. This allows you to try and experience all it has to offer before you decide to buy. 

One thing you should be aware of is that Hoverwatch can only be used for the tracking of Android devices. And it does not offer a lot of features. But you can use it for locating mobiles, tracking SMS, tracking Viber, and so on.

GPS tracker features

•  Locate the exact current location of the device.

General features

• SMS, Contacts, Calendar,
• Unlock selfies, Brower

Social media

• Viber, Facebook messenger

Eyezy - Best budget (cheapest) phone location app

Of all the tracking software, Eyezy is the cheapest. It's compatible with both Android and iOS. However, its location features only work with Android devices. Eyezy helps the users to see the location of the target device in real time and in the past. 

With the geofencing feature, you can also set the area of activity of the target device. In addition, it has other features such as SMS and phone tracking, email checking, etc.

GPS tracker features

•  Users will be able to see a target's exact location and historical location.

•  Geofencing helps set a target device's area of action and alerts the user when the device is out of range.

General features

• SMS, Calls, Contacts,
• Block wifi, Email, Screen recorder

Social media

• Whatsapp, Snapchat

Phone brand’s own GPS tracker - Locate lost/stolen device

To find a lost or stolen mobile phone, we can give priority to using the built-in GPS positioning software of the mobile phone brand. Because this kind of thing often happens suddenly, we may not have other tracking apps installed on our phones. So using the tracker that comes with the phone is the best solution.

Well-known brands like Apple's "Find My", Samsung's "Find My Mobile", Huawei's "Find My Phone", Xiaomi's "Mi Cloud" all have their own GPS positioning features. And their functions are similar.

GPS tracker features

•  Track phone locations in real time.
•  Trigger a device to play a sound.
•  Enter "Lost Mode" to remotely lock the phone.
•  Support for remote wiping of all data on the device.

Learn more about Phone brand’s own GPS tracker

Part 3. Principles of GPS trackers selection

When choosing a GPS tracking device, it is essential you understand your requirements and choose a device which meets them. Different situations require different types of tracking devices, and it's vital to fully evaluate a product's features and performance before choosing one.

User needs: Need is the most basic selection factor. According to the different needs of users, GPS trackers can be divided into several types. There are free GPS trackers, GPS trackers for location sharing, lost property tracking, vehicle tracking, monitoring family members and employees, hidden GPS trackers, etc.

Product Features: Some trackers can only provide real-time location tracking, not historical tracking. For this reason, it is better to choose a method that is capable of providing both real-time tracking as well as historical tracks. And make sure that the GPS tracker has necessary features like alarms, geo-fencing, etc.

Pricing: Pricing options vary based on user's financial status. If you have enough money in your budget, the one with more features should be your first choice. Of course, if there is a free trial version of the software available, you can try it out first.

Ease of operation: Choosing software with multiple connection solutions can greatly improve your success rate in binding devices. Friendly interface and clear guidance can improve your experience.

Platform Support: Make sure the tracker app is compatible with the OS of your target device, like Android or iOS. Some apps have support for both platforms, while others have support for only one platform. Using software that supports both Android and iOS devices can reduce many frustrations, such as sudden device changes.

Part 4. Tracking location and legal relationships in different countries

The relationship between GPS tracking location and law involves many aspects, including privacy, data protection, usage, etc. Specific legal requirements vary by country and region. We can consider the following aspects:

Privacy Laws: Many countries have specific privacy laws. Sets out how personal information, including location data, is processed. Tracking an individual's location may be considered an invasion of privacy, so please comply with relevant legal requirements.

Legitimate purpose: There needs to be a legitimate purpose for tracking location, such as security, service provision, vehicle management, etc. The purpose of using location data must comply with legal regulations and must not be used for illegal or malicious activities.

Employee tracking: In some countries, employers may require prior notification and consent for employee location tracking. Under certain circumstances, employers can monitor employee devices.

• Due to business needs, such as ensuring the safety of company assets and improving work efficiency, etc.
• Requirements based on the nature of the job, especially positions that handle sensitive information or require a high level of security.
• Monitor company-provided equipment and networks to ensure employees are using company resources appropriately.
• Evaluate employee performance, including monitoring work quality, efficiency and attendance.
• Protect company assets and confidential information.
• Comply with industry-specific regulatory requirements.

Individual Rights: Individuals generally have the right to know whether their location is being tracked and for what specific purposes. Some countries provide individuals' rights to access and correct their location data.

International Differences: Cross-border tracking may involve issues with different national regulations. Legality and compliance may be subject to more complex legal implications in cross-border activities.

Changes in laws and regulations: As technology and social trends change, regulations may also change. Therefore, it is important to remain aware of regulations and ensure ongoing compliance.

When tracking your location with GPS, it is crucial to understand and comply with the relevant legal requirements. Before implementing tracking, it is recommended to check local laws and regulations to ensure that tracking activities are legal and ethical.

Part 5. FAQs

Is there any free GPS tracker?

Yes, there are free GPS trackers. The GPS locators provided by mobile phone brands are free. However, the functions of this type of software are limited and can usually only be used to track the location of mobile phones. Unable to meet the needs of tracking data from other apps.

What is the easiest way to GPS track a car?

The easiest way to track your car is usually with a specially designed vehicle GPS tracker. Such items can be purchased online or through specialist retailers. Installed inside the vehicle for use with an online platform or mobile app. Through an online platform or mobile app, you can track vehicle's location, driving speed, and historical trajectory in real time.

Can I track my pet with my phone?

Of course, you can download an app on your phone to connect with the GPS tracker. Then you can track the location of your pet in real time on your mobile phone, view its movement track, and even health data and activity monitoring.

How can I locate my lost phone?

If you lose your phone, you can use Find My Device (Android) or Find My iPhone (iOS) to locate it on a map, remotely ring a ring, or lock your device. You can also use the mobile phone's built-in positioning application, contact service providers, and third-party tools to help locate and report to the police. If your phone is stolen, please change your account password quickly to avoid loss of money.

Part 6. Conclusion

This article describes the different situations to track the phone. Introduce some tips about how to choose the most suitable app for you. Considered the relationship between the use of GPS tracker and the law. And picked out the best apps for different situations. Hopefully, there is one that can fulfill your needs!