These three cover the same basic need — letting family members see each other's location with consent — but they are built for different situations.
Find My (Apple)
Best if the whole family is on iPhone. Built in, free, no extra app to install. Does not work with Android devices.
Google Family Link
Best for a parent managing a child's device, especially if that child does not have full account independence yet. Combines location with screen time and app-approval controls, not just location. Works across Android, and to a more limited extent iOS.
Life360
Best for mixed iPhone/Android households, or families who want driving reports, crash detection, and roadside assistance alongside location. Free tier covers basic sharing; paid tiers add the extra safety features. See our Life360 setup guide.
Our take
If everyone has an iPhone, start with Find My — it costs nothing and needs no new account. If the family is split across platforms or you want driving/safety features, Life360 is the more complete option. Family Link is really a parental-controls product that happens to include location, so choose it based on whether you need those controls, not location alone.
