Kids GPS watch or phone app: which is better?
Updated:
In short: for a child of about 5 to 8 who doesn't have a phone yet, a GPS watch is a good choice. Once your child has a smartphone (usually from 8 to 10), a location app such as Heri is cheaper, does more and needs no extra device.
Comparison
| Kids' GPS watch | App on the phone (Heri) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually 100–250 ₾ in Georgian shops, plus a monthly mobile plan | Free plan; Prime 5 ₾ a month. You already have the phone |
| SIM card | Needs its own SIM card with mobile data | Uses the phone's internet |
| Battery | Often 1–2 days | The phone's normal charging; an alert before it runs out |
| Calls | Approved numbers only | A normal phone; Prime Plus blocks unknown callers |
| SOS | A button on the watch | An SOS button in the app, free on every plan |
| Screen time | Small screen, few games | Prime Plus: limits, schedules, app blocking (Android) |
| Language and app | The parent app is often English or Chinese only | English and Georgian |
When a GPS watch is better
- Your child is young and doesn't need their own phone yet.
- You want them to be able to call only a few numbers.
- You worry they'll lose or break a phone.
When buying, check that the watch works on 4G (LTE), since older 2G/3G models are being phased out in many countries, how long the battery lasts, and where your child's location is stored. Apps for cheap watches often use unknown servers.
When an app is better
- Your child already has an Android phone or iPhone.
- You want the whole family on the map: the other parent, grandparents, older siblings.
- You want screen-time controls and app blocking as well as location.
- You want an automatic alert when your child gets to school or home.
Setting up Heri takes 5 minutes: how child location tracking works in Heri.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kids' GPS watch cost in Georgia?
In autumn 2026, 4G kids' GPS watches in Georgian online shops usually cost between 100 and 250 lari, plus a SIM card and a monthly mobile data plan.
How accurate is a GPS watch?
Outdoors, a good 4G watch shows the location to within a few tens of metres. Indoors and in the metro it is less accurate, just like a phone.
At what age should my child get a phone?
There's no single right age. Many families buy a phone at 9 to 12, when the child starts walking to school alone. What matters is agreeing on rules first and setting up parental controls; see screen time for kids.