Top 13 Free GPS Tracking Apps for Android [2023 Updated] (2024)

A GPS tracker is a kind of equipment or software that uses the global positioning system to determine the precise position of an object or person.

An Android GPS tracking app can be used in various scenarios, such as keeping track of family members, monitoring employees, locating lost or stolen devices, planning travel routes, and recording fitness activities.

To help you navigate through these options, let's delve into the 13 best free GPS tracking apps for Android phones.

Part 1. What Is the Best Free GPS Tracking App for Android Phone?

Picking the most suitable GPS tracking app that is free can become challenging because there are a lot of choices. But this section helps to identify the things you ought to look out for when picking the best free GPS phone tracker app.

1How We Choose, Test, And Rate

This first category of features is responsible for judging which app is the best.

2Main Features It Should Have

This second category of features is what you should look out for on the app.

Part 2. Differences between Paid (Free Trial) and Free GPS Tracking Apps

We have tested more than thirty GPS trackers and found that some apps are entirely free, while many apps offer a free trial before purchasing. We will introduce five free GPS tracking apps and seven of the best trackers with a free trial.

Let's view the difference between the two kinds of app first.

Part 3. 5 Free GPS Tracking Apps for Android [Completely Free]

This section has identified five completely free GPS tracking apps for Android.

1Google Maps (Location Share)

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Google Maps is not just a tool that saves time and money on routing plans but also a free GPS tracking app. Its user interface is friendly and intuitive, making it easier for users to navigate and locate features.

Google Maps also prioritizes user privacy and data protection, ensuring that users' location data and search history are securely stored.

With the real-time location tracking feature, users to share their current locations with friends or family so they can know exactly where others are on a map.

Pros

Google Maps communicates better through verbal directions than other maps.

Their visual features are superior.

Users can check battery life.

Cons

The estimated time of arrival is sometimes not accurate.

2Google Family Link

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Family Link is a parental control app from Google. It also works as a free GPS-tracking app for Android phones, allowing parents to view their child's location as long as their device is turned on and location permissions are activated.

Not only does the app send notifications when children enter or leave specific areas, such as home or school, but it also gives parents the ability to control app downloads and screen time limits.

Pros

There is a parental control feature that works through Google accounts.

It allows users to manage apps and screen time.

It shares real-time location.

Cons

It has no call or text control feature.

It does not provide geofencing features.

3Google Find My Device

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Find My Device by Google can be a built-in free GPS tracking app for Android. It is primarily used to locate, ring, or wipe your phone if lost or stolen. It shows your phone's location on a map; if your phone is nearby, it can play a sound to help you or someone else find it.

In addition, if you have access to the target phone's Google account (such as that of a family member or child) you can locate it provided that it is online.

Features

It stores personal data by strictly following legislation and GDPR policies.

It pairs devices with each other in a private network to allow you to track every moment.

Users can erase all the content from the device.

It can play sound on a device for nearby detection.

It can lock the target phone remotely.

Pros

It shows the last known location if the phone is turned off.

It features indoor maps of more significant buildings.

Cons

It works only when the phone is online.

4Samsung Find My Mobile

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Samsung Find My Mobile is a device-tracking feature designed for Samsung devices. Like Google's Find My Device, it lets you find, make noise, or clear your device when it's lost or stolen.

It helps you track your phone, but you must first activate it.

Open your Samsung Settings app, go to Lock Screen and Security, then look for the Find My Mobile option. Adjust the settings, and your Samsung device will become trackable.

To find your device, visit the website. To see your device, input your credentials and select your Samsung phone.

Pros

It offers an entirely free GPS tracking service.

You can use it to unlock a phone if you forget the passcode.

Cons

It has only 20 meters of accuracy.

Its accuracy can be stunning when your device is close to a wooded area, parking garage, and tall buildings.

5Live Mobile Location Tracker

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

It is a worldwide free GPS tracking app for Android. That means anywhere in the world where your phone is, and you can track it with this app.

Features

Allows users to read all SMS and MMS sent or received by the phone user.

It lets you view all incoming and missed calls and their duration.

Helps you to view all the pictures taken and images received by the phone user.

It enables you to see the live location of the target mobile device.

Users can search the local area for amenities they need.

You can measure the distance between two locations.

Pros

It is a user-friendly and straightforward app to install and use.

Its GPS location tracking is accurate.

Cons

It does not store past locations.

It has intrusive ads.

Part 4. 8 Best GPS Tracker Apps for Android [Free Trial]

This section has identified the best GPS tracker apps for Android that are paid but have a free trial.

1AirDroid Real-Time GPS Tracker

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AirDroid Parental Control is a comprehensive parental control app. It allows parents to manage and monitor their kids' Android mobile devices remotely.

This family locator has incredible real-time location capabilities, supporting parents to track their child's location at any time, and setting up the geo-fenced area for receiving arriving and leaving notifications of their kids. This detail is key as it allows parents to know exactly where their children are at any given moment.

In addition, it has excellent monitoring features such as setting screen time limits, limiting games, and suspicious call history tracking, thereby enhancing their safety and healthy phone use.

Pros

Remotely manage kids' phones (protect your kids from a harmful person, surroundings, and content)

Remotely use a kid's camera screencast on an Android phone to keep your child safe online and ensure your child's digital activity is balanced and risk-free.

Listen to phone surrounding live.

View notifications on your kid's phone, including WhatsApp message notifications, messages, and incoming calls.

There's no data alert after the kid has been offline for a long time.

2AirDroid Business

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AirDroid Business is the top-tier MDM solution for Android devices, offering a centralized dashboard for managing company devices, monitoring their status, and giving remote support in case of incidents. GPS tracking is one of the effective features of AirDroid Business that helps enterprises better manage their corporate devices.

3 Life360 GPS Tracking App for Android

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Life360 GPS Phone Tracking App was launched in 2008, and users can vouge for its productivity. It has real-time location sharing and history. The place alert feature notifies you about the spot on the phone. It updates users on what their drivers are doing behind the wheel.

Note: The app isn't suitable for technical novices because its interface is quite complicated.

Pros

It provides in-app chat so circle members can communicate with each other.

It offers drive detection to maintain a safer drive.

Cons

It'll drain the phone's battery quickly due to the constant location tracking.

Limited features in the free version.

4 Find My Kids - GPS Tracker App for Android

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is one of the most famous children's tracking apps. It helps you to track the phone's location on the map. It sends a loud signal to the smart device if the phone's silent mode is turned on. You can listen to the surroundings of a phone, and it has a chat room where you can converse with your child and family.

Pros

It has an intuitive interface for users.

It has numerous features.

Cons

It requires the installation of two apps on two phones.

5 Phone Tracker and GPS Location

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Phone Tracker and GPS Location app is another feature-rich GPS tracking app for Android, which can ensure the safety of your friends and family. It offers reliable GPS tracking that allows for precise location tracking of connected devices. Not only does the app provide real-time location updates, but it also ensures that all location data stays secure and private within the app.

Pros

Provide several map visual options to suit user preferences.

Add a code to share the location with families and friends.

Allows creating custom zones and sends notifications when these are entered or exited.

Cons

It has limited features compared with other apps.

All users must install the app to share locations, which may not be convenient for everyone.

6Where's My Droid - Android GPS Tracker App

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Where's My Droid is a famous GPS tracking app for Android that is exceptional for its theft detection feature. Many users have noted that the theft detection feature has helped prevent their phones from being stolen.

Users can remotely lock their devices and wipe SD cards and phone data. It offers password protection to prevent unauthorized app changes. And it will give users when a SIM card or phone number is changed.

Pros

Make the phone ring/vibrate when it's lost in the nearby area, even if it's in silent mode.

In the Pro version, it can take pictures with the device camera which may help identify the phone's surroundings or the person who has it.

Cons

Limited features in the free version

Some advanced features, like taking pictures or locking the device, are only available in the Pro version.

7Geo Tracker - Android GPS Tracking

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This GEO GPS-tracking app is best for long-distance tracking.

The app can keep recording even when switched off. It allows users to see someone else's route stored in GPX or KML. Users can mark important and exciting points on their trip, and see statistics, such as track length, altitude, maximum speed, slope, and other information.

Pros

It is excellent for tracking long-distance locations.

Cons

It turns off when the screen goes off on the latest Android OS.

8Find my Phone - Family Locator

Editor's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Find my Phone is a useful GPS tracking app available for Android phones. It lets you keep a watchful eye on your loved ones and prevent intruders from getting their information.

One of its standout features is that it allows users to set up custom text alerts to get a notification when someone arrives or leaves the destination. This ensures you can stay updated about your family's movements, adding an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind to your day-to-day life.

Pros

Safely monitor the location of their loved ones.

Users can set up custom text alerts and get notified when someone reaches a specific destination.

Cons

Compared to some other apps, this app may offer fewer features.