FlowLocate vs Trace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FlowLocate
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FlowLocate - Professional GPS Tracking for iOS FlowLocate is a powerful location tracking app that continuously captures your location and sends it to your server using the JSON protocol. Ideal for fleet management, outdoor tracking, travel logging, and many other use cases. KEY FEATURES • Continuous GPS Tracking Track your location accurately and reliably - even when the app runs in the background or the device is locked. • Intelligent Dual-Trigger System Sends location data based on two criteria: - Time-based: Regular updates at configurable intervals (when stationary) - Distance-based: Automatic updates when moving over configurable distance • JSON Protocol Fully compatible with the JSON standard. Send location data directly to your own server or use Creative Skyline's API. • Offline Queue No internet connection? No problem! Locations are stored locally and automatically sent once connection is restored. • Flexible API Configuration - Use the default API with API key - Or use your own server with custom endpoint - Optional custom headers for advanced authentication • Complete History Detailed history of all sent locations with status (Success/Failed) and automatic cleanup after configurable time period. • Background Tracking Works reliably even when: - The app runs in the background - The device is locked - iOS has removed the app from memory • Privacy and Control Your data, your server. You retain full control over your location data. CONFIGURABLE SETTINGS • Time interval: 1-60 minutes (default: 15 minutes) • Distance threshold: 10-1000 meters (default: 50 meters) • Individual device name for identification • Automatic history cleanup (1 hour to 30 days) • German and English PERFECT FOR • Fleet management and vehicle tracking • Outdoor activities (hiking, cycling, running) • Travel logging • Personal location tracking • Asset tracking • Field service management • Research and data collection PRIVACY FlowLocate respects your privacy: • No ads • No third-party trackers • Your data stays on your server • Open-source compatible protocol TECHNICAL DETAILS • JSON Location Message Format • Precise GPS data with accuracy information • Battery status transmission • Speed and altitude measurement • Network status detection (WiFi/Cellular/Offline) • Exponential backoff for connection issues SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • iOS 17.0 or later • "Always" location permission required for optimal tracking • Internet connection for data transmission SUPPORT Need help? Visit our support page or contact us directly. We're happy to assist! Download FlowLocate now and start with professional GPS tracking!
Trace
This app provides a large, clear GPS speedometer and automatically records your trips. It keeps your location data private on your device and offers optional Pro features for advanced trip analysis and customization.
- Large, clear GPS speedometer
- Automatic trip recording
- Live Activity on Lock Screen
- Home and Lock Screen widgets
- Speed limit warnings
- Personal heatmap (Pro)
- GPX/CSV export (Pro)
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Trace is a big, clear GPS speedometer for iPhone that can also record your trips by itself. Turn on Auto-Record and Trace saves your drives and rides in the background with no tap — any trip faster than 9 mph (15 km/h). There is no monthly limit on Auto-Record trips. No account needed — your speed, routes, and history stay on your device, syncing only to your own iCloud if you turn it on. It's your private location timeline: a map of everywhere you've been that lives on your phone, never on anyone's server. SPEEDOMETER • Big, easy-to-read speed in mph, km/h or knots • Classic Gauge and Big Digital layouts • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island: see your speed without unlocking, and pick the stats it shows • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, including your latest trip on a map • Stat tiles for top speed, average speed, distance and trip odometer • Set your own speed limit and get a warning when you go over it • Four themes, light and dark TRIPS • Auto-Record for drives and rides, or tap Record for any walk, run, bike ride, drive, motorcycle ride, hike, train or boat trip • Keeps recording with the screen off • Trips are saved with their route on a map • Full trip detail for the first 24 hours: speed chart, splits, speed zones and an interactive map. The stats stay for 30 days; the route, distance and total time stay for good. • Share any trip as a picture, with your route on the real map: choose from five cards, then share it, copy it or save it to Photos. • Import your workouts from Apple Health: runs, walks, hikes and rides, routes included. Connect once and the last 30 days import and stay in sync. COMES WITH TRACE PRO Trace Pro is an optional subscription. It comes with: • A personal heatmap of every road, trail and place you've moved through • GPX and CSV export • iCloud sync of your trips and settings across your devices • Full detail on all your trips, however old • Trip lines colored by speed • Six more speedometer layouts: HUD Mirror, Hybrid Pro, Analog Dial, Track Day, Pace and Navigator • Focus Mode: a clean, full-screen view of your speed, distance and time • More stat tiles, including pace, slope, altitude, heading, total ascent and moving average • More Live Activity styles, themes, speed fonts, trip line colors and app icons • Resume a trip that was interrupted • Up to five years of workout history YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS • All trip data stays on your device (or your own iCloud) • Settings sync via iCloud across your devices • We never collect or sell your data — your trips stay on your device • Your trips are always yours, exportable anytime as GPX or CSV Whether you're commuting, training for a marathon, road-tripping, riding the train, or just curious how far you walked this week — Trace is the speedometer, trip log, and memory map that comes with you everywhere. Free to start. No account needed. Your trips are always yours. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.dukefu.com/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FlowLocate at none against Trace's 3. Trace's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Trace sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. FlowLocate asks for nothing beyond the download.
FlowLocate ships an update every 5 weeks, Trace every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FlowLocate | Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Creative Skyline | Minghao Fu |
In-app purchases
FlowLocate
No in-app purchases
Trace
- Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
- Pro Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Pro Lifetime$49.99





