Thanks to information and technology, the standard of living has improved, yet in the 21st century, the issue of women's safety remains unresolved.
From dark, deserted streets to crowded areas, a woman’s personal safety is at risk everywhere.
To address this issue, technology-based research is being conducted worldwide. Many new mobile apps have been developed over the past decade.
These apps offer a range of features, from real-time location sharing to instant SOS alerts, empowering women to navigate their environments with greater confidence
Let’s take a look at the top 10 most widely used mobile apps among them.
Life360
Among the older apps created for women's safety, Life360 (https://www.life360.com/intl/) stands out. The developer company launched the app under its own name on April 7, 2010.
To use it, you need Android 9 or later versions, or iOS 15 and above. The app currently has a user rating of 4.7 (iOS) with a size of 169 MB, while the Android version is 17.8 MB with a rating of 4.5.
In addition to location sharing, Life360 can store location history for up to two days. What sets this app apart is that multiple people can view each other's real-time location simultaneously.
Additionally, if an accident occurs while traveling by car, the app can instantly notify emergency services.
bsafe
This app allows you to quickly share your location with friends or family. Its special features include sending an SOS signal in emergencies and automatically recording videos.
It also offers the convenience of sending a help message without touching the phone. The app was launched on May 20, 2011, by Mobile Software AS. The Android version requires 10.5 MB of space, and the iOS version is 87.1 MB.
The app is compatible with Android 9 (https://www.getbsafe.com/bsafe-app) and later versions, as well as iOS 13 and above. The app has a rating of 3.7 (iOS) and 3.1 (Android) according to users.
iSharing
On June 16, 2012, the iSharing app was launched by iSharing Soft Inc. The app (https://isharingsoft.com/) allows you to stay in constant communication with family members while traveling to remote areas.
This real-time GPS feature can be enjoyed by both the user and their family. It also stores the user's location history and provides advance warnings for risky locations.
Additionally, in emergencies, it helps make quick contact without dialing. The Android version requires 63 MB of space and Android 7 or later versions, while the iOS version is 215.8 MB and runs on iOS 13.4 or later. The app has a user rating of 4.8 (iOS) and 4.6 (Android).
Noonlight
Despite being an older app, Noonlight remains popular among female users due to its responsive and easy interface.
Regular updates with bug fixes have helped the app achieve a rating of 4.5 on Android and 4.7 on iOS. The app was released on January 20, 2014, and has been gradually improved by its developer, Noonlight Inc. Like other safety apps, it is equipped with GPS technology.
The Android version of Noonlight (https://www.noonlight.com/noonlight-app) is 24.04 MB, and the iOS version is 170.3 MB. The app requires Android 5 or later OS or iOS 12 or later OS for seamless operation.
Letstrack
This location-sharing app is another valuable application of GPS technology.
The Letstrack app, developed by Letstrack Limited, is 25.5 MB for Android and 165.7 MB for iOS. The app (https://india.letstrack.com/) has been available since September 10, 2015, and is suitable for not only women but also children.
To fully enjoy its excellent tracking capabilities, you need iOS 15 and later or Android 9 and above OS. Additionally, it offers a chat feature with friends. The app has a rating of 3.6 (iOS) and 4.1 (Android).
My SafetiPin
This app alerts users about the general safety of an area through notifications. This feature is what prompted developer SafetiPin to launch the app on March 9, 2016.
It uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to suggest relatively safer routes. At the same time, the user's friends or family can also check their location.
If the user is in a risky area, the app sends a warning message to family members or friends. To run the My SafetiPin (https://safetipin.com/my-safetipin-app/) app, you need Android 4.4 or later versions, and iOS 13 or later versions.
The app is 23.5 MB on Android and 134.3 MB on iOS. The current user rating of My SafetiPin is 3.4 on iOS and 3.9 on Android.
UrSafe
The UrSafe app (https://ursafe.com/) is directly connected to the Metropolitan Police’s citizen services. A single tap or voice command can send a help request message.
In emergencies, it doesn't even require touching the phone or dialing a number to make a crucial call. If needed, it can also enable live video and audio streaming.
This state-of-the-art app was developed by UrSafe Technologies and was made available to users on December 9, 2019.
The Android version is 72 MB with a rating of 4.4, while the iOS version is 150.4 MB with a rating of 3.8. The app requires Android 7 or later OS or iOS 11 or later OS.
Guardians
Within a short time of its launch on January 5, 2021, the Guardians app (https://www.getguardians.com/) by Truecaller gained reliability.
The app currently has a rating of 4.6 on iOS and 4.4 on Android. The app includes real-time location tracking and SOS message sending. What sets it apart is the ability to share the phone's last status with family or friends, including battery life and network condition.
The Android version of the app is 14.03 MB, and the iOS version is 53.1 MB. Compatible devices include Android 7 and later OS versions or iOS 12.1 and later OS.
Avoy
The "Avoy" app (https://avoy.io/) was developed by Barishal Youth Society (BYS) and Plan International Bangladesh in collaboration.
The app was launched on June 12, 2021, primarily for the southern region of Bangladesh, especially Barisal.
The app, which is just 3.01 MB, allows quick access to contact numbers on the phone’s dialer.
This makes it convenient to make calls in emergencies. It also includes various important numbers such as nearby police stations, emergency helplines, and government information services.
The app is available for Android 5 and later OS users.
I’m Safe
Published on October 19, 2022, the "I’m Safe" app was developed by Freetolive Tech Solution Private Limited.
In addition to location sharing and tracking, it also allows sending SOS signals. As an added feature, it includes a marked map of nearby police stations.
If the user is in danger, the app can secretly record audio, photos, and location details without the perpetrator’s knowledge.
The app requires Android 9 and above OS (3.5 MB) for the Android version, and iOS 13 or later versions (90.6 MB) for the iPhone version.
It is one of the most popular new apps with a rating of 4.7 on iOS and 4.9 on Android.
