Table of Contents
Security and safety concerns are settling deep down in the foundations of Millenial and Genz lifestyles. Being out late, attending events at unknown places, or locally traveling around outside a native place all seem like risks to the upcoming generations and their caretakers. However, when concerned about the 24/7 location-sharing capabilities of responsible apps, the fear dissipates instantly.
As per the survey by Life360, the word “Safe” has been proven to be the number one term that pops up when GenZ revolves its heads around location-sharing features. This trust towards location-sharing has augmented the viability of a location tracking app like Life360 among global users. The convenience and untroubled life such apps institute is a testimony of their amplification in the saturated market. The utilization is never limited to the generation with full-fledged comprehensions of technology, like teenagers, GenZ, and Millenials, but also affixed to elderlies needing care.
Such a dilated demand welcomes the idea of building location tracking apps like Life360. However, decision-makers find themselves conflicting about the investment based on factors like how much it will cost, what the process will be, and what features to include. One clear trajectory can be to outsource navigation app development services. However, the other is to comprehend the integral process, including the cost, process, and features, and then hire a location tracking app development company. That being the pretext, we bring forth a bifurcated guide elaborating on all the indispensable factors, advantages, and processes that go into Life360 app development.
Advantages of Location Tracking App Like Life360
Beginning with the benefits of location tracking app development like Life360 is better off moving further in the elaboration. As stated above, security and safety are the quintessential reasons why people choose Life360. Awareness of the well-being of loved ones brings unruffled thoughts and apparent peace to the general masses. The applications may be more, but the ones mentioned below are the primary benefits of why everyone prefers to stay connected on a tracking app like Life360.
-
Family Security and Safety
The safety features in location tracking apps allow users to locate their family members and ensure their security. Oftentimes, parents find themselves in the dilemma of calling up their children about their whereabouts. That can be intrusive at times when the family members are attending imperative events. However, the real-time location tracking app allows them to check on their family members without disturbing them with several phone calls.
-
Coordination and Communication
Misguidance and getting lost in a location are among the prerequisites that have allowed individuals to use location-tracking apps like Life360. For instance, even when together, people often get lost in a massive crowd, causing further panic. However, technologically-ready individuals can just look up at the map and communicate via it for better coordination.
-
Cost-Saving on Insurance
Life insurance is somewhat dependent on the individual’s previous track record. Oftentimes, people cannot represent their driving habits due to the non-existent nature of tracking it. However, users are using the monitoring and reporting features of the tracking app to reflect their safe driving habits and gain reduced rates or discounts on insurance.
-
Peace of Mind for Elderly Care
When people take care of their elderly parents, they often come across conditions out of their hands. Among them, Alzheimer’s is one that slowly discards an individual’s memory and leaves them with none. Elders with such a condition have a likely chance of getting lost within the neighborhood when not taken care of. To have full-time vigilance, the location sharing app features to share and monitor location can assist in keeping track of elderly individuals who still want to live their lives.
Imperative Location Tracking App Features and Functionalities
Developing a location-based app like Life360 relies on the features and functionalities that decision-makers choose. With advanced features ready to upturn people’s lives in terms of safety and security, a location-tracking app can easily surpass the saturated market and become an industry giant like Life360. Assessing the features of top tracking apps with the corresponding iOS or Android app development and keeping the planning in mind becomes imperative for thriving in the market. Let us differentiate the diverse features for the evaluation of user-specific feature needs.
Life360 App Features | Functionality of the Location Tracking App Features |
Real-Time Location Tracking | It can be used to track individuals based on their real-time location |
Geofencing | Creates a virtual boundary around a specific area using the GPS |
Location History | It provides the record of users’ previous locations and visitations |
SOS and Emergency Alerts | Alerts close friends and family in case of an emergency or an attack on the user |
Location Sharing and Permissions | Allows users to send the location to other users that are friends and family |
Privacy and Security | Let the user set the privacy and security settings as per their needs and wish |
Battery Optimization | When in need to save the battery, this feature optimizes the background battery usage |
Driving Behaviour Monitoring | Records the driving of users and maintains the record for bad or safe drivers |
Family Circles and Groups | Lets the user build a group to share location with as per their preference of people |
Offline Mode | If not needed, the users can go offline and not let the people see their location |
Crash Detection and Roadside Assistance | In case of a susceptible car crash or accident, this feature alerts the connected users of the incident |
In-App Messaging and Communication | Users can communicate about their whereabouts via in-build messaging |
Step-By-Step Location Tracking App Development Process
When planning to build location-tracking apps like Life360, decision-makers must always remember the necessity of a systematic approach to the process. It does not stop here; it begins the majority of its functioning with the hiring of a GPS tracking app development company for iOS, Android or cross platform app development. These companies infuse their valuable insights into the tracking app development process and present the decision-makers with feature-rich apps.
-
Define the Requirements
As we begin the location tracking app development process, the primary approach that needs to be taken care of is to draft the requirement document. This means that you must apprehend the market and the users, find issues that need to be resolved, and then offer them an app-based solution. Along with that, you need to define your requirements from the GPR tracking app and get it ready to be presented in front of the pre-planned company.
-
Hire a Location Tracking App Development Company
If not planned, then hiring a GPS tracking app development company is the next step in the systematic process. For that, you have to conduct interviews, assess the company’s experience, and provide them with your requirements. How the company responds to your requirements brings you a judgment for further choice. These companies can suggest you move ahead with MVP for the location tracking app or go for full-fledged development, which you get to decide based on the availability of time and resources.
-
Focus on Tracking App UI/UX Design
Once decided on the models, the next step right after hiring a company is the user experience in location tracking apps. You must keep in mind the necessity of custom UI/UX design. Stating the facts and reflecting the vision-centric design with information-accessible features are the interfaces that retain the customers and engage them with the Life360-like app.
-
Full-Fledged Location Tracking App Development
Coming to the development stage, the one with the majority of essential tasks being done, your developers will work on the front end, database, and backend development for location apps. This is the phase where the integration with third-party APIs, the front and back-end interconnection, and the AI and ML integration are done. As soon as you decide on the operating system, the Android or the iOS app development, your app development company brings forth the decision in context to that.
-
Quality Assurance in Tracking App Development
Quality assurance in app development for GPS tracking apps is among the phases when the finalized source code is reviewed, and changes are made. Be it a bug or code error, every aspect of the app is evaluated, and the back and forth with the location tracking app development begins. As soon as the code review shows zero issues, you have to validate the app for further deployment, and the process will come to a winding phase.
-
Tracking Apps Like Life360 Deployment and Maintenance
As mentioned above, with your validation for the location tracking app, the deployment preparation begins, and all the security and compliance are ensured. Once done, the app is deployed in the market to engage the users and perform. After the deployment, app maintenance and support are among the existing prerequisites that move ahead to ensure the performance of the location-tracking app.
Technology Stack for Location Tracking Apps
Considering the technology stack based on the target audience you choose to target is essential. However, sometimes, the choice of technology directly for the app development comes from the decision-maker’s preference. With the mobile app development services from a location tracking app development company, you utilize the latest technology trends in location tracking integration. The table mentioned below provides you with the proper technology categorization for better decision-making.
Front-End Development | Mobile Frameworks | Swift or Objective-C (iOS), Kotlin or Java (Android), React Native or Flutter (Cross-Platform) |
UI/UX Frameworks | React Native Components, Material Design, SwiftUI | |
Back End Development | Programming Languages | Node.js, Python, Java |
Frameworks | Express.js, Django, Spring Boot | |
Database | NoSQL, SQL, Redis | |
Location Tracking | Location Services | Google Location Services, Core Location Framework, Geo-fencing APIs |
Data Streaming | WebSockets, Firebase Realtime Database, MQTT | |
Mapping Services | Google Map API, Mapbox, OpenStreetMap | |
Cloud Infrastructure | Cloud Platforms | AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure |
Microservices Architecture | Docker & Kubernetes | |
Data Security and Privacy | Encryption | TLS/SSL, AES |
User Authentication | OAuth 2.0, JWT | |
Data Privacy Compliance | GDPR & CCPA, User Consent | |
DevOps & Deployment | CI/CD Pipeline | Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Docker |
Version Control | GitHub, GitLab | |
Monitoring & Analytics | Firebase Analytics, Datadog or Prometheus, Crashlytics | |
Push Notifications & Messaging | Push Notifications | FCM, APNs |
SMS/ Email | Twilio, SendGrid | |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Location Predict & Behaviour Analysis | TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn |
Testing and Quality Assurance | Automated Testing | Appium, Selenium, JUnit |
Real Device Testing | BrowserStack, Sauce Labs |
Location Tracking App Development Cost Breakdown
It is tricky to provide a fixed figure for the cost of developing a location-tracking mobile app. As the two businesses have different feature and functionality requirements, their ultimate capital investment estimate would also differ. For instance, a company with a primary location tracking features idea will have a distinctive cost figure compared to a company with advanced features like crash accident alert, offline mode, or battery optimization.
However, to still provide you with an estimate, the location tracking app development cost can range between $40,000 to $170,000, based on factors like the app size, app intricacies, and platform type. You must define your requirements for a GPS tracking app and then look for a cost estimate from a trusted app development company like AppsChopper.
How do you Create an App Like Life360 with AppsChopper?
As we have come across the necessity of a tracking app development company, it becomes imperative for you to choose among the industry leaders. They possess years of experience and are professionals worth the knowledge. Building GPS tracking apps for more than a decade has enabled them to present clients with robust geofencing apps.
Among those renowned leaders, we at AppsChoppers also bring a decade-long proficiency in developing apps like Life360. We have 300+ experts across the globe working around the clock to create an app like Life360 for the clients. With professionals and smooth communication, we guarantee flawless and strong communication while delivering the app just in time.