The best geofencing apps are essential for monitoring the whereabouts of your loved ones and ensuring their safety. Given the persistently climbing crime rates*, it’s now more important than ever to know where your kids or partner are and that they aren’t going somewhere they shouldn’t.
I’ve researched and tested multiple geofencing apps to help you find the best one that suits your needs, considering factors like range, location accuracy, ease of use, and price.
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The Best Geofencing Apps Tested by Our Experts
Spynger — Best Geofencing Software to Monitor A Cheating Partner
What is Geofencing and How Does It Work?
Geofencing is a way to create virtual boundaries around a specific location. Geofencing apps use GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, and cell tower data to accurately track a person’s location and send you an alert when the person you are monitoring enters or leaves these areas.
In practical terms, you can install a geofencing app on your children’s or partner’s phones and set up fences around places like their school, workplace, home, parks, or entire city blocks. If you want to make sure your kids aren’t ditching school or sneaking off at night or that your partner is actually in the office when they say they’re working late, you’ll need a geofencing app.
More importantly, you can create restricted boundaries for dangerous areas your children should absolutely not wander off to. With a geofencing app, you don’t have to spend hours actively checking their location throughout the day.
The Best Geofencing Apps Reviewed
I have thoroughly tested numerous geofencing applications, assessing their value and price ratio, ease of use, accuracy, battery consumption, response time, reliability, and compatibility. Here are my top picks:
1. mSpy — Best Geofencing App With The Widest Coverage
Starting Price | $11.67/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Why We Picked It
With no upper limit on the geofencing radius, mSpy will help you cover every area your children or partner might go to. You can even set up multiple geofences, so there’s no compromise when it comes to your family’s safety.
Features
- Excellent geofencing range: With its limitless range, you can set geofences to cover multiple zones of interest, like, say, your home, your kid’s school, the local park, and more with a single geofence.
- Multiple geofences: A wide range is great, but if you want to set up multiple smaller geofences, mSpy doesn’t limit how many you can create to get a complete picture of someone’s daily movements.
- Setting up allowed and restricted zones: mSpy lets you mark safe zones like school, home, and work. But I could also define dangerous areas, places they absolutely shouldn’t go.
- Incredible accuracy: With a 5-10m accuracy, mSpy will show you exactly where the other person is. In my testing, I could even pinpoint which room my kids were in at home.
- Real-time geofencing alerts: Of course, the whole point of setting up geofencing is to be notified on time. mSpy sends alerts almost instantly as soon as the other person enters or leaves a marked area.
- Location history: You can also see a list of the other person’s visited locations. mSpy provides detailed location history with information like precise coordinates, exact addresses, and timestamps for when they reach and leave a place.
Price
While some providers, like Eyezy, offer lower starting prices, mSpy justifies its price tag with superior functionality. There’s one straightforward plan with duration-based tiers. As expected, longer terms have the biggest discounts.
mSpy Plans | Price |
---|---|
1 Month | $48.99/month |
3 Months | $28/month |
12 Months | $11.67/month |
You can also test the geofencing feature using the interactive live demo to get an idea of how it works. mSpy also offers a standard 14-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the service.
Who It’s Best For
mSpy is your ultimate all-in-one geofence app for pinpoint accuracy and reliability, with no limits on range or geofences.
Pros
- Unlimited geofencing coverage
- Pinpoint location tracking
- Full location history with exact coordinates
- Set up both safe and dangerous zones
- Instant geofence alert
Cons
- No free version or trial, but helpful interactive demo
- Pricier than some competitors
2. Spynger — Best Geofencing Software to Monitor A Cheating Partner
Starting Price | $9.28/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day refund window |
Why We Picked It
Spynger isn’t just a top-tier geofencing app; it’s the ultimate cheater-catching tool. In addition to setting up virtual boundaries, you can use its huge range of other features to fully spy on your partner’s phone.
Features
- Expansive geofencing coverage: Spynger offers an impressive geofencing range of 10km (6.2 miles), allowing me to cover as big an area as I want — entire city blocks, in this case.
- Real-time tracking and location history: With Spynger, I can see where my partner is in real-time or monitor the location history feature to check where they have been.
- Stealth mode: If you want to catch someone red-handed, you’ll obviously have to be discreet. After installing Spynger, it runs hidden in the background, so your partner won’t know that you are tracking them.
- Live screen recording: I was notified the moment my spouse stepped out of a marked zone, and I could check the live surroundings feature (which activates the phone’s mic and camera) to see what they are up to, which is a perfect way to gather evidence.
Pricing
With Spynger, you get a single package, the cost of which depends on the subscription length. Long-term subscribers will enjoy the biggest discounts and extras like priority support.
Duration | Spynger Subscription Price |
---|---|
1 Month | $44.56 |
3 Months | $25.99 |
12 Months | $9.28 |
Spynger doesn’t have a free trial or demo but makes up for it with a generous 30-day refund policy, which is more than enough time to test all its features.
Who It’s Best For
Spynger is the top app for catching a cheating partner. Its accurate location tracking and geofencing feature will give you a complete picture of what they are up to.
Pros
- Live monitoring and reliable geofencing to catch a cheater in the act
- Excellent geofence range
- Detailed location history
- Runs completely secretly
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No demo, but offers a long refund window
3. Eyezy — Most Budget-friendly Geofencing App
Starting Price | $7.99/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Why We Picked It
Even though Eyezy is the most affordable app on this list, it has an excellent geofencing feature and stands out with its AI-powered Magic Alerts system.
Features
- Impressive geofencing functionality: Despite being affordable, Eyezy keeps up with most of the competition with a maximum geofence radius of 10km (6.2 miles) and the option to set multiple safe and forbidden zones.
- AI-powered Location Alerts: The AI-driven location alert system automatically monitors a person’s routes. It won’t overwhelm you with alerts if, say, they had to take a side street outside a zone before returning to the safe area once it learns usage patterns. This way, you only get the notifications that are important.
- Pinpoint feature: As the name suggests, Eyezy’s location tracking is pinpoint accurate, so you will know a person’s exact whereabouts, whether you’re tracking them in real-time or going through location history.
Pricing
Eyezy’s annual subscription pricing makes it the most budget-friendly pick on this list.
Eyezy Plans | Price |
---|---|
1 Month | $38.39/month |
3 Months | $22.39/month |
12 Months | $7.99/month |
Similar to mSpy, Eyezy also has an excellent demo and offers a standard 14-day refund policy.
Who It’s Best for
With AI-driven location alerts, it learns what matters to you and skips the rest. Despite its comparatively affordable price tag, Eyezy doesn’t skimp on geofencing and other features.
Pros
- AI-driven location alerts filter out unnecessary info
- Accurate Pinpoint feature
- Budget-friendly pricing
Cons
- No live chat support
4. Phonsee — Easiest Geofence App to Install
Starting Price | $8.85/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Why We Picked It
Technology isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you aren’t particularly tech-savvy, Phonsee is a top-notch geofence tracker with an easy installation process and an intuitive interface.
Features
- Quick setup: During my testing, it only took me a few minutes to download and set up Phonsee. Once you create an account, you get a detailed, step-by-step guide to complete the rest of the simple process.
- Remote installation options: Installation is even easier on iPhones since you can use the other person’s iCloud credentials to remotely install the app on their phone.
- Accurate geolocation services: Phonsee provides precise location tracking so you can rest easy knowing exactly where the other person is, down to meters.
- Comprehensive geofencing: With Phonsee, you can set up unlimited geofences and multiple allowed and restricted zones. Combined with real-time GPS updates, you will get nearly instantaneous notifications when the other person enters or leaves a marked area.
- Location History: Like mSpy, Phonsee allows you to view location history with dates and timestamps, which is especially useful if you can’t actively track someone.
Pricing
Phonsee offers a single, comprehensive plan, just like mSpy and Spynger. The cost varies based on how long you choose to subscribe.
Phonsee Plans | Price |
---|---|
1 Month | $42.51/month |
3 Months | $24.79/month |
12 Months | $8.85/month |
Phonsee offers a 14-day refund policy for first-time subscribers. Although the demo only shows a series of screenshots to help you understand the app, their fast and helpful customer support is available to assist you with any issues during installation or use.
Who It’s Best for
Phonsee offers straightforward, step-by-step instructions that make installation and setup a breeze, even for non-tech-savvy users. Its comprehensive geofencing features and pinpoint accurate location tracker make it one of the best GPS trackers you can get.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Shows real-time location, route history, timestamps, and most visited destinations
- Unlimited restricted and allowed zones
- User-friendly control panel
Cons
- Limited demo
5. ClevGuard — Best Geofencing App for Parents
Starting Price | $9.17/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | Up to 5 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day refund window |
Why We Picked It
I picked ClevGuard because it’s a well-rounded parental control app with good geofencing features (only on Android). With a single subscription, you can monitor up to 5 devices at once, which is great for large families.
Features
- Multiple geofences: ClevGuard let me set up numerous geofences to cover all key spots. I received detailed reports with dates and timestamps whenever my kids entered or exited these zones.
- Detailed geofencing setup: While ClevGuard doesn’t have the largest range, with a maximum radius of 1km (0.6 miles), you can set up multiple with different names and notification methods. The best part is that you can also set “Guard” times to schedule recurring geofences, like a school on weekdays.
- Comprehensive location history: It’s not always possible to track your kids in real time, which is why ClevGuard’s detailed location history tracker comes in handy. It shows you exactly where your kids were and how much time they spent there.
- Real-time updates via GPS or Wi-Fi: ClevGuard has an accurate GPS tracker. But to avoid issues with battery drain related to continuous GPS use, ClevGuard also lets you track your kid’s location with Wi-Fi. While not as accurate, you’ll get a general idea of where they are and their movements.
Pricing
To use geofencing, you will need ClevGuard’s KidsGuardPro plan. The plan is divided into three levels, depending on the other features you require.
Duration | Lite | Premium | Family |
---|---|---|---|
1 Month | $39.99/month | $49.99/month | $245.99/month |
3 Months | $18.67/month | $25.33/month | $125.33/month |
12 Months | $9.17/month | $11.67/month | $54.67/month |
The Lite is all you need to get geofencing features. The Premium plan adds more comprehensive features like screen recording, call recording, live listening, and access to the phone’s microphone and camera. The Family plan has the same features as Premium but lets you monitor 5 devices with the same subscription.
ClevGuard also has an excellent interactive demo that shows you exactly how the app works and offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best for
ClevGuard offers the best geofencing platforms for concerned parents, especially if you have a large family. You can set up virtual boundaries and receive regular reports on your children’s whereabouts, and it provides an array of additional useful parental control tools.
Pros
- Detailed location history reports
- Granular geofencing setup
- Monitor up to 5 devices
- A slew of other parental control features (like screen time limits)
Cons
- Comparatively short geofence radius (but you can set up multiple)
The Best Geofencing Compared
Here’s a comprehensive comparison table highlighting the best apps for spying on your spouse’s phone and their top features.
Provider | mSpy | Spynger | Eyezy | Phonsee | ClevGuard |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Price | $11.67/month | $9.28/month | $7.99/month | $8.85/month | $9.16/month |
Free trial/demo | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Top Features | Unlimited range, Unlimited geofences, Real-time alerts | Up to 10km of coverage, Stealth mode, Live recording feature | AI-driven location alerts, Accurate Pinpoint feature, Unique Magic Alerts feature |
Unlimited geofencing alerts for restricted & permitted locations Live GPS updates, Automatic alerts |
Multiple geofence setups, Scheduled geofencing, Detailed location reports |
No. of devices | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Up to 5 |
Compatibility | Android and iOS devices | Android and iOS devices | Android and iOS devices | Android devices | Android devices |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window | 30-day refund window | 14-day refund window | 14-day refund window | 30-day refund window |
How We Review And Test Spyware Apps
Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
- Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
- Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
- Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
- Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
- Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.
Is Using a Geofencing App Legal?
Using a geofencing app has important legal considerations. It’s illegal to track someone’s location and monitor their device without their knowledge in many countries. However, you can track your children as long as you own the devices they use.
Employers need to be upfront with employees if they’re tracking their locations. Maintaining transparency is crucial for complying with workplace regulations. So, use geofencing apps responsibly and ethically to avoid any trouble.
Can You Set Up a Geofence For Free?
While Google Family Link offers some geofencing features for free, it only lets you set up specific spots, like your home or your kids’ school. That is helpful for covering the basics, but you can’t set up broader area boundaries, which limits its usefulness for more dynamic tracking needs.
Free third-party apps often fall short. Some work poorly with inaccurate location tracking and bad notification systems. Others are inundated with sketchy ads, which can lead to malware and questionable data usage.
While not free, the apps on my list are the best option. The paid options I’ve chosen are not only safe and reliable but also prioritize the security of private data and offer superior geofencing features.
How to Use a Geofencing App - Step-By-Step
Here's how to install mSpy on another phone and set up a geofence.
Create Your mSpy Account
To start, visit the official mSpy website and click the ‘Try Now’ button. Then, enter your email address and select a subscription plan that meets your requirements. Once you have completed this step, you will receive your login credentials and the app’s installation wizard via email.
Disable Play Protect
You’ll need to disable Play Protect on Android phones. Open the Google Play Store and locate Play Protect in the drop-down menu (top right corner). Go to Play Protect > Settings. Finally, click Turn off to deactivate the ‘Scan apps with Play Protect’ option. You can now download and install the mSpy app on your chosen device.
Set Up a Geofence
Access your control panel using the login details from mSpy’s welcome email. Follow the installation wizard to complete the process. After installation, go to the phone’s apps list, select ‘Update Service,’ grant app permissions, and hide mSpy on the device.
In the mSpy control panel, navigate to the Location tab on the left-hand menu. Click the + button on the map to set up geofences. You’ll receive alerts when the monitored device enters or exits these zones.
How to Choose the Best Geofencing App
Choosing the right geofencing tracker app can make tracking your loved ones’ whereabouts a breeze. These are some factors to consider before making your choice:
Some apps offer small, localized geofences, while others provide extensive coverage. Consider the areas you need to monitor and choose an app that meets your requirements.
If you need to set up multiple geofences for home, school, and work, ensure the app you choose supports this.
The app must work seamlessly with your phone’s operating system, whether iOS or Android. Most apps support geofencing on Android, but make sure they work on iPhones before subscribing.
Nobody wants to wrestle with a complicated interface or difficult installation process. So, I recommend choosing a geofence tracker app with an intuitive design and straightforward setup process.
Some great apps offer basic features for free or at a low cost, while others deliver a bounty of advanced geofencing features at a higher cost. Assess your budget and decide what features are must-haves for you so that you can get an app that meets all your needs.
Conclusion – What is The Best Geofencing App?
After putting a slew of geofencing service providers to the test, mSpy is my top pick for keeping my family safe. Its extensive coverage and unlimited virtual boundaries could be the deciding factor between your child coming home safely or not.
If you want to keep tabs on your spouse, there isn’t a better choice than Spynger, and for those on a tighter budget, Eyezy does a great job. Its geofencing capabilities are similar to those of pricier apps, but they come at a fraction of the cost.
FAQs
Which app is using geofencing?
Does geofencing really work?
What are the disadvantages of geofencing?
How to do geofencing on Google Maps?
References
- *Is Violent Crime Increasing? (University of Pennsylvania)
- Private Use of Location Tracking Devices: State Statutes (NCSL)