Comparison

Lighthouse by MapQuest vs LocaPing GPS Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Lighthouse by MapQuest

This app enables families to stay connected through live GPS location sharing and custom alerts. It offers peace of mind by allowing users to see when loved ones are traveling, arriving, or heading their way, with features like 'On My Way' and SOS notifications.

Highlights
  • Live location sharing on a map
  • On My Way notifications
  • SOS alert flow
  • Customizable place alerts
  • Check-in feature
  • Permission-based sharing
Features
Read full description

Lighthouse by MapQuest helps families answer the everyday questions that cause worry: Where is my family? Is my loved one on the way? Did everyone arrive safely? Can my family reach me if something goes wrong? Share live location, On My Way ETAs, check-ins, and SOS with your private family circle — all backed by MapQuest's long history of helping people get where they're going. WITH LIGHTHOUSE, FAMILIES CAN: • See everyone on one live map — know where loved ones are in your private circle • Share live ETAs — On My Way shows where someone is headed and when to expect them • Get arrival and departure alerts — know when family gets to or leaves home, school, work, and more • Check in with one tap — say "I'm okay" without another call or text • Send an SOS — quickly alert trusted family members when help may be needed • Get low battery alerts — know when a loved one's phone may be about to go dark • Invite the whole family — one private circle, one simple plan BUILT FOR FAMILIES, NOT SECRET TRACKING Lighthouse uses permission-based location sharing. Family members join your private circle and choose what they share. Your family's location is for the people you trust — never public, never sold. ONE PLAN FOR EVERYONE One person subscribes to Lighthouse Premium and the whole circle is in. Choose a monthly plan, or start the annual plan with a free trial. Pricing is always shown before purchase, and your trial renews into a subscription unless canceled before it ends. Manage or cancel anytime through your Apple account. BACKED BY MAPQUEST MapQuest has spent decades helping people get where they're going. Lighthouse brings that same experience with maps, routes, and ETAs to the moments that matter most: knowing your family is safe, on the way, and able to reach you. Location accuracy, alerts, On My Way, and SOS notifications depend on device settings, permissions, network connection, and location availability. Lighthouse is not a replacement for emergency services. Terms of Use: https://lighthouse.mapquest.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://lighthouse.mapquest.com/privacy/

About

LocaPing GPS Tracker

Share your real-time location with trusted contacts in a private group. Receive alerts when people arrive at or leave designated Safe Zones. Includes group chat, location history, and an SOS button for emergencies.

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS sharing
  • Custom Safe Zones with alerts
  • Built-in family chat
  • Location history
  • SOS button
  • Fake-GPS detection
Features
Read full description

LocaPing GPS Tracker — Stay connected with the people you care about. Share your live location with family or close friends in a private circle. See everyone on one shared map, get notified when loved ones arrive home or leave a Safe Zone, chat with the whole group, and review your own location history — all in one app. FEATURES • Real-time GPS sharing with family or close friends • Custom Safe Zones (Home, School, Office) with arrive/leave alerts • Built-in family chat • Detailed location history with addresses (kept only on your device) • SOS button to alert your circle in one tap • Fake-GPS detection — see when a member is using mock location PRIVACY FIRST Your location is shared only with people who joined your circle using your 6-character invite code. You can stop sharing or delete your data anytime. LEGAL Terms of Use (EULA): https://sites.google.com/view/phone-tracker-gps-location-/home Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/phone-tracker-gps-locationn/home

Screenshots

Lighthouse by MapQuest4 screens
LocaPing GPS Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lighthouse by MapQuest at none against LocaPing GPS Tracker's shown. Lighthouse by MapQuest also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2). LocaPing GPS Tracker's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Lighthouse by MapQuest sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and LocaPing GPS Tracker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lighthouse by MapQuest holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lighthouse by MapQuest ships an update every 10 days, LocaPing GPS Tracker every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Lighthouse by MapQuest versus LocaPing GPS Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLighthouse by MapQuestLocaPing GPS Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (12 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size104 MB57 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMapQuest Holdings LLCKhanh Thong Le

Customer experience

Lighthouse by MapQuest

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

LocaPing GPS Tracker

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Lighthouse by MapQuest

Subscriptions2
  • Lighthouse Premium$9.991 Month
  • Lighthouse Premium Annual7 Days trial$79.991 Year
3 purchases

LocaPing GPS Tracker

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly3 Days trial$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Lighthouse by MapQuest free?
Lighthouse by MapQuest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LocaPing GPS Tracker free?
LocaPing GPS Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lighthouse by MapQuest or LocaPing GPS Tracker?
Lighthouse by MapQuest is rated higher. Lighthouse by MapQuest averages 4.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while LocaPing GPS Tracker averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Lighthouse by MapQuest or LocaPing GPS Tracker have ads?
LocaPing GPS Tracker shows ads; Lighthouse by MapQuest does not.
Which is updated more often, Lighthouse by MapQuest or LocaPing GPS Tracker?
Lighthouse by MapQuest ships an update every 10 days, and LocaPing GPS Tracker every 9 days. Most recently, Lighthouse by MapQuest was updated on September 10, 2026 and LocaPing GPS Tracker on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons