Comparison

RunBuddy vs SafeBeacon

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RunBuddy

This app acts as a safety companion for outdoor activities like running or cycling. It allows trusted contacts to track your location in real-time and sends alerts if you encounter trouble. A subscription unlocks advanced safety features and activity tracking.

Highlights
  • Real-time location tracking for buddies
  • Automated and manual alert system
  • Panic button alerts (subscription)
  • Stationary and overspeed alerts (subscription)
  • Activity history log (subscription)
  • Invite friends and family to track
Features
Read full description

What is RunBuddy? Have you ever been out for a walk, run, or ride and suddenly found yourself in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation? All of us have. That’s why we built RunBuddy – a smartphone application that acts as your “buddy” while you’re out for a walk, run, or ride. RunBuddy is a safety tool for the endurance sport community. The app is designed to advocate for you, to get attention to your situation, when you may not be able to. How Does RunBuddy Work? Using cellular connectivity, RunBuddy: - Allows your “buddies” to see your location on a map in real time. - Sends both automated and manually activated in-app alerts to your buddies if you sense or the app senses that you could be in trouble. RunBuddy is free to download. This way, anyone can be a "buddy". The free "buddy" version must be downloaded and set up in your phone or your buddy's phone in order to receive the in-app alerts. To view your friend's activity, click on the "Buddy Activities" tab in the menu. The fully functional version of RunBuddy requires a subscription - which you can sign up for in the Settings tab in the menu. About RunBuddy Subscription features: - Panic button alerts - Automatic stationary and overspeed alerts - Log and keep track of your activity history - Invite others to watch your activity and receive alerts To invite your friends and family to download RunBuddy so they can be your "buddy" while you are out for your walk, run, or ride, go to the Invite Friends tab in the menu - where you can invite them via text message, Facebook, etc. Billing information: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Please view our terms and conditions (https://getrunbuddy.app/terms-conditions/) and our privacy policy (https://getrunbuddy.app/privacy-policy/).

About

SafeBeacon

This app provides real-time GPS tracking for solo outdoor activities like running and hiking. It allows designated contacts to follow your route live and receive automatic alerts if you stop moving unexpectedly or experience a crash. It offers peace of mind for loved ones without constant surveillance.

Highlights
  • Live GPS route tracking
  • Guardian access via browser link
  • Automatic stationary alerts
  • One-tap SOS with 911 integration
  • Automatic crash detection
  • Activity-based tracking
Features
Read full description

You lace up. You head out alone. Your family and loved ones shouldn’t have to wonder if you’re okay. SafeBeacon is the safety app built for runners, hikers, cyclists, walkers and seasoned travelers who train or adventure solo. Start an activity, and your designated guardians can follow your route in real time — no app download required on their end. If something goes wrong, they’ll know exactly where you are. HOW IT WORKS 1. Tap Start before your run, ride, or hike 2. Guardians receive a link via SMS or email 3. They follow your live GPS route from any browser 4. Activity ends — they get a completion notification AUTOMATIC SAFETY ALERTS SafeBeacon monitors your movement during every activity. If you stop moving unexpectedly, your guardians are alerted automatically — no button press needed. Combined with one-tap SOS and crash detection, you’re covered whether you roll an ankle on a trail or get into an accident on the road. WHY ATHLETES AND USERS CHOOSE SAFEBEACON • Guardians don’t need the app — just a browser • Automatic stationary alert if you stop moving • One-tap SOS with 911 integration • Activity-based tracking — not always-on surveillance • Trusted by 6,000+ active subscribers BUILT FOR SOLO ADVENTURERS Unlike family tracking apps that run 24/7, SafeBeacon activates only when you’re doing an activity. Your location stays private until you choose to share it. Whether you’re training for a marathon, exploring a new trail, or commuting by bike, SafeBeacon gives your loved ones peace of mind without compromising your privacy. SUBSCRIPTION Monthly: $5.99/mo | Annual: $49.99/yr (save 30%) Terms of Use: https://safebeacon.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://safebeacon.com/privacy

Screenshots

RunBuddy4 screens
SafeBeacon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SafeBeacon at 95% against RunBuddy's 57%. SafeBeacon also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (1.4K vs 18). RunBuddy's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. RunBuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and SafeBeacon sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SafeBeacon holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SafeBeacon has 1.4K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of RunBuddy's written reviews are positive against 95% of SafeBeacon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RunBuddy ships an update every 5 weeks, SafeBeacon every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
RunBuddy versus SafeBeacon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRunBuddySafeBeacon
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (18 ratings)4.8 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews94.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings181.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB152 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStrategic Risk Transfers, Inc.SafeSignal

Customer experience

RunBuddy

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

SafeBeacon

All ratings1,372 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews537 reviews
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.1%
Negative4.1%

Bugs and requests

RunBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SafeBeacon

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent tracking and notification issues
  • Difficulty importing/syncing activity history

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to pause/resume tracking
  • Customizable alert settings
  • Integration with other fitness/tracking apps

In-app purchases

2 purchases

RunBuddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$9.991 Year
4 purchases

SafeBeacon

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Annual$29.991 Year
  • Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • SafeBeacon Annual$49.991 Year

Questions

Is RunBuddy free?
RunBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SafeBeacon free?
SafeBeacon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RunBuddy or SafeBeacon?
SafeBeacon is rated higher. RunBuddy averages 4.3 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while SafeBeacon averages 4.8 from 1.4K ratings.
Do RunBuddy or SafeBeacon have ads?
Neither RunBuddy nor SafeBeacon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RunBuddy or SafeBeacon?
RunBuddy ships an update every 5 weeks, and SafeBeacon every 9 days. Most recently, RunBuddy was updated on November 3, 2026 and SafeBeacon on November 3, 2026.

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