BuddySOS

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Score7.0

Rank#4 of 29

From$1.99/mo

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, iOS

Summary

BuddySOS is an Android and iOS group safety app for real-time location sharing, boundary alerts, and one-tap SOS. An SOS sends the sender’s live GPS location to members of the active group, including when the phone is locked. It can also send emergency contacts a live-location link by SMS through Twilio, and recipients do not need the app. Safe zones notify group members when someone enters or leaves; each has a minimum radius of 100 meters, and a group can have up to five. The free plan includes one group and one safe zone with ads. BuddySOS Pro costs $1.99 per month, removes ads, and allows more groups and zones. The maker says location is shared only with group members, is not sold, and is not retained as location history. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, but not end-to-end encrypted. Registration uses a phone number and text-message code, and sign-up is currently listed for numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU. The maker describes the app for event groups, families, friends, and staff teams.

Who it is for

BuddySOS may suit festival and event groups, families, friends, or staff teams who need shared live maps, safe-zone alerts, and SOS messaging. Sign-up is currently listed for phone numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU.

What is good

SOS shares live GPS with the active group
Emergency contacts can receive a location link by SMS
Safe zones alert groups on entry and exit
Maker says location history is not kept
Battery Saver Mode adjusts checks based on movement

What to know first

Free plan is limited to one group and one safe zone
Safe zones require a minimum 100-meter radius
Service is not end-to-end encrypted
Sign-up is currently limited to listed regions

Verdict

BuddySOS combines group location sharing, safe-zone alerts, and SOS messaging, including SMS links for contacts without the app. Consider its safe-zone limits, regional sign-up availability, and the fact that encryption is not end to end.

BuddySOS plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free 1 group · 1 safe zone · ads buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026

BuddySOS Pro $1.99/mo Monthly at $1.99/month Removes ads · more groups and zones buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on family locator apps

Free plan: Yesbuddysos.app
Paid from: $1.99/mobuddysos.app
Location alerts: Yesbuddysos.app
Geofence limit: 5 placesbuddysos.app
Location history: nonebuddysos.app
Platform support: bothbuddysos.app
SOS tools: Yesbuddysos.app

Facts

What it does: BuddySOS provides real-time group location sharing, boundary alerts, and one-tap SOS for groups.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
SOS alerts: One tap alerts members of the active group with the sender’s live GPS location, including while the phone is locked.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
SMS escalation: SOS can text emergency contacts a link to the sender’s live location through Twilio, and recipients do not need the app.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Safe zones: Safe zones alert the group when a member enters or leaves; each zone has a 100-meter minimum radius and each group can have up to five.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Location privacy: BuddySOS says it does not sell location data or keep location history, and shares location only with members of the user’s group.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Encryption: The maker says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and clarifies that the service is not end-to-end encrypted.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Battery behavior: Battery Saver Mode adjusts location checks based on movement, and the app says it does not hold a wake lock while the screen is off.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Account and availability: Sign-up uses a phone number and text-message code, with sign-up currently listed for numbers from the US, Canada, UK, and EU.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Event staff: Staff teams can use shared live maps and SOS on their existing iOS or Android phones without extra hardware or IT setup.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: The maker identifies Twilio as the service used to deliver SOS SMS messages.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Support: BuddySOS says it aims to reply to support and partnership messages within one business day.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026
Who it is for: The maker describes the app for festival and event groups, families, friends, and people coordinating staff teams.buddysos.app · 3 Oct 2026