Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OwnTracks VS SimpleX

Compare OwnTracks VS SimpleX and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

OwnTracks logo OwnTracks

Cross-platform location sharing

SimpleX logo SimpleX

Handle text data with a no-code console that can read natural language. Never again with a spreadsheet.
  • OwnTracks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-27
  • SimpleX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-21

OwnTracks features and specs

  • Open Source
    OwnTracks is open-source, allowing users to review and modify the code for customization and security audits.
  • Privacy-centric
    OwnTracks allows users to host their own server, giving them control over their location data and who can access it.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The app is available across multiple platforms, including iOS and Android, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
  • Integration Capabilities
    OwnTracks offers integration with various applications and services such as Home Assistant and Node-RED.
  • Cost-effective
    The core application is free to use, which can be beneficial for individuals or organizations looking for a budget-friendly solution.

Possible disadvantages of OwnTracks

  • Complex Setup for Beginners
    Users need to set up their own server for complete control, which can be complex and challenging for non-technical individuals.
  • Limited Technical Support
    As an open-source project, support primarily comes from the community, which might not be as immediate or comprehensive as commercial options.
  • User Interface
    The app's user interface may not be as polished or intuitive as commercial counterparts, which could impact user experience.
  • Battery Consumption
    Continuous GPS tracking can lead to higher battery usage on mobile devices, which might be a concern for users.
  • Manual Updates
    Unlike commercial solutions, users might need to manually update or modify the system as new features or security enhancements are released.

SimpleX features and specs

  • Simple and intuitive interface
    SimpleX provides a clean, straightforward interface for decision-making that doesn't overwhelm users with unnecessary complexity, making it accessible to people without technical expertise.
  • Structured decision framework
    The tool helps users organize their thinking by providing a structured approach to evaluating options against multiple criteria, reducing the likelihood of overlooking important factors.
  • Free to use
    SimpleX appears to be a free web-based tool, making it accessible to anyone who needs help making decisions without requiring a financial commitment.
  • Web-based accessibility
    As a browser-based application, SimpleX requires no software installation and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it convenient for quick decision-making on the go.
  • Visual comparison of options
    The tool provides a visual representation of how different options compare against each other across various criteria, making it easier to see which option comes out ahead overall.

Possible disadvantages of SimpleX

  • Limited advanced features
    SimpleX focuses on simplicity, which means it may lack more sophisticated decision analysis features such as sensitivity analysis, probability weighting, or Monte Carlo simulations that more advanced tools offer.
  • Low visibility and community
    SimpleX is a relatively niche tool with a small user base, which means limited community support, fewer tutorials, and less peer feedback compared to more established decision-making platforms.
  • Potential oversimplification
    For complex decisions involving many interdependent variables, the simplified framework may not adequately capture nuances, dependencies, or non-linear relationships between criteria.
  • Limited collaboration features
    The tool may lack robust collaboration capabilities for team-based decision-making, such as real-time co-editing, role-based access, or voting mechanisms for group consensus.
  • No offline functionality
    Being a web-based tool, SimpleX requires an internet connection to function, which can be a limitation in situations where connectivity is unreliable or unavailable.

Analysis of OwnTracks

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OwnTracks is a good option for those who prioritize privacy and wish to have control over their location data. Its open-source nature and compatibility with various platforms make it a flexible and powerful tool for personal location tracking.

Why this product is good

  • OwnTracks is a reliable open-source application that allows users to track their own locations and share it securely. It's popular due to its emphasis on privacy, as all location data is stored on private servers or chosen brokers, rather than on third-party servers. Users appreciate its extensive configurations, integration with other services like Home Assistant, and the ability to control data sharing.

Recommended for

    OwnTracks is recommended for privacy-conscious individuals, tech-savvy users who want to self-host their data, and those who are integrated with smart home or automation systems. Itโ€™s also suitable for groups or families who wish to keep track of each other's locations securely and privately.

OwnTracks videos

How To Get Started with MQTT and Owntracks

SimpleX videos

No SimpleX videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OwnTracks and SimpleX)
Mobile OS
100 100%
0% 0
No Code
0 0%
100% 100
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Data Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OwnTracks seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 39 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OwnTracks mentions (39)

  • No reasonable expectation of privacy in one's Google location data
    I've personally heard of https://owntracks.org/ though I haven't been able to try it myself. Seems like a location history and see where other members of your instance are. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Any alternatives to Life360/FindMy?
    The only private alternatives are going to be self hosted and will require some technical skill. See owntracks for details. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Trying to make a pair of compasses that always point to each other
    On your side, you need some way to be tracked. Easy solution is an app on your phone, I like OwnTracks as a privacy-respecting option. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Privacy-focused Vehicle Tracking Tool?
    Sounds like owntracks with a android headunit https://owntracks.org/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Updating location on Google maps
    OwnTracks is app people can install on their phones that you can setup to send live gps coordinates back to your web server. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

SimpleX mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SimpleX yet. Tracking of SimpleX recommendations started around May 2023.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OwnTracks and SimpleX, you can also consider the following products

Glympse - Glympse is the easy way to safely share your location in realtime. No sign-up needed.

PhoneTrack - Nextcloud app to create tracking sessions to display phones position in real time and export activity to gpx.

locus - Share your location end-to-end encrypted on decentralized servers using Nostr.

iSharing - iSharing is an app that provides a real-time GPS location tracking service for family, kids and closed friends.

Fog of World - Go around the world and remember everywhere you have been in your whole life journey!

uMobix - uMobix is a leading provider of child monitoring and parental control software, and easy solutions make it easy for parents to keep their children safe online.