HeyPolo vs. Life360: I tried both location-sharing apps, and there's a clear winner

HeyPolo and Life360 are both positioned as location-sharing tools, but the debate in ZDNET’s comparison centers on consent versus continuous tracking. The article notes that location-sharing apps can include background processes, persistent GPS access, and features that may raise privacy concerns, including potential misuse in coercive scenarios. HeyPolo, a new app owned by Surfshark, is presented as “privacy-first” and built around user-controlled tracking levels. It supports joining or creating family and friend groups using an invitation code, with adding members described as free if at least one group member has an active subscription. HeyPolo lets users switch between “more precise,” showing exact location and trip history, and “more private,” which turns off location services so the group cannot see where the user is. When installed, it lists permissions such as location, background location, motion, push notifications, and battery optimization.