BuddySOS
BuddySOS is an Android and iOS group safety app for real-time location sharing, boundary alerts, and one-tap SOS.
What BuddySOS is
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.
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
Watch out
- 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
Who it suits
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.
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.
Plans and prices
From BuddySOS's own pricing page, checked 20 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 1 group · 1 safe zone per group · ads |
| BuddySOS Plus monthly | $1.99 a month | Up to 10 groups · up to 5 safe zones per group · no ads · monthly |
| BuddySOS Pro | $1.99 a month | Removes ads · more groups and zones · Monthly at $1.99/month |
| BuddySOS Plus annual | $19.99 a year | Up to 10 groups · up to 5 safe zones per group · no ads · annually |
The facts
Each one read from BuddySOS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- API and SDKs
- The official product, download, support and legal pages reviewed provide no public API, SDK or developer documentation.checked 20 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Battery saver
- Background GPS checks use a movement-adaptive 30-metre or 45-second trigger, while uploads batch every 20 seconds or 25 metres.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Public documentation consists of feature explanations, setup guidance, FAQs, support contact instructions and legal policies.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Emergency limitation
- Support guidance says BuddySOS does not contact 911 or other emergency services; users must call local emergency numbers.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The company says user data is encrypted in transit and at rest, while acknowledging the service is not end-to-end encrypted.checked 20 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Founder
- The company identifies Chris King as BuddySOS founder and product and partnerships lead.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Funding
- No funding round or investor information is stated on the company, LinkedIn or reviewed directory pages.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Google Play availability
- Google Play lists the Android app with 5K+ downloads, ads, in-app purchases and data deletion requests.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Google Play data disclosure
- The Android listing says the app may share device or other IDs, collect location, personal information and contacts, and encrypt data in transit.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Group controls
- Groups can be paused, deleted or left, and invitations can be sent by phone number or link across iOS and Android.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker identifies Twilio as the service used to deliver SOS SMS messages.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The EULA grants a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable and revocable licence for use on an owned Apple or Android device.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Limit: no history
- An independent directory review notes that the lack of location history prevents reviewing past routes or historical movement.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Limit: public privacy score
- Legit.Show's public-surface benchmark gave BuddySOS a 0/100 privacy frame and reported no consent prompt for cookies or scripts.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Live map
- Group members appear as named live pins with distance and compass direction, with links for walking directions or calling.checked 20 Oct 2026
The company
- Company legal name
- The maker identifies itself as Kingbird Solutions LLC.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Kingbird Solutions as a 2–10 employee company.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Founded
- An Arizona business-record directory reports Kingbird Solutions LLC was formed on March 28, 2023.checked 20 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- LinkedIn lists Kingbird Solutions headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.checked 20 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- iOS listing
- Apple App Store lists BuddySOS at 5.0 out of 5 from 12 ratings.checked 20 Oct 2026
Money
- Limit: free-tier ads
- The free plan contains advertising; the paid plan is required for an ad-free experience and additional groups or zones.checked 20 Oct 2026
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