15 Best Apps Like Citizen 2025

Citizen is a mobile app that allows users to keep abreast with the latest happenings in their localities and countrywide. The app allows users to watch live news streams, receive security and safety alerts in real time, and even leave comments.

It enables users to connect to emergency services and even inform their friends and families of potential dangers. Users can download the app from Google Play and App Store.

Nonetheless, Citizen is not a one-of-a-kind application. There are alternative apps that offer similar or better features and services.

Some of these alternatives include Neighbors by Ring, Watch Duty, and Patch: Everything Local. But the best app like Citizen is Nextdoor thanks to its feature-packed design and user-verification process.

Why Would You Need Alternative Apps Like Citizen?

While the Citizen app can be a good way to gain information on happenings in your locality, it is not always up to date. There are times when you get alerts regarding past events which can be quite annoying.

Another downside to using the Citizen app is that it requires you to subscribe to a monthly plan to unlock its full potential. The app also relies on unverified user reports and updates which can end up creating misinformation or false security alerts.

As mentioned above, there are similar apps that offer similar services. We have researched and compiled a list of some of the best apps like Citizen in this post.

Take a look to find out more.

Best Apps Like Citizen

1. Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a social media network that doubles up as a safety and security app. The designers of this network wanted to create something that could help connect people more realistically.

The network is therefore designed for people who live within the same neighborhoods. That means when you join it, you’ll be able to connect to people who are next door or just down the street from your house.

One thing that makes it an outstanding alternative to Citizen is that it keeps you informed about the latest happenings in your neighborhood. For instance, if a car crashes a few blocks down the street you’ll receive an alert about the incident.

In case of any natural or man-made incidents, you’ll also get notified so you and your loved ones can steer clear. Apart from the safety and security aspects of the app, you also get to learn about local services and products available within your neighborhood.

It can be an excellent place to go when you want to learn about community events scheduled for the week or even month. Unlike Citizen, which charges a fee to unlock premium services, Nextdoor is available completely free of charge.

It is a cross-platform solution so you can access it in your browser or download the app on Google Play or App Store.

Find out more apps like Nextdoor in this post.

2. Neighbors by Ring

Another excellent alternative to the Citizen app is Neighbors by Ring. This application was designed to help boost the overall safety and security of neighborhoods around the world.

The app relies on users to ensure security which is why more and more people are requested to join. Some of the main actors in providing news and safety updates are news agencies and security personnel.

As soon as something happens, such people send out updates through the app so that everyone in the network is aware of whatever is happening. Regular users are also free to send out updates to help security or rescue personnel respond accordingly.

The application features a simple interface so anyone can easily navigate to different sections. It has a map that shows the exact location of incidents so users can avoid such areas.

There is also a regular security report that lets users know of any potential risks. With this app, you can keep your family safe, find lost pets, learn about crime hotspots, and even stay away from natural disasters.

One of the best things about this app is that it is available completely free of charge so you won’t have to worry about paying a fee to unlock its features. You can download the app from Google Play and the App Store.

3. Watch Duty

Watch Duty is another helpful application you should consider downloading and installing on your device. It slightly differs from the Citizen app because it focuses on issues concerning wildfires or fire outbreaks.

One of the best things about this app is that it relies on the information shared by professionals such as firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders. That means whatever information you find on the app is reliable.

Another important point to note is that Watch Duty is a non-profit app meaning you won’t have to worry about paying any fee to access information. It has a modern layout making it easy for you to navigate through different sections.

With this app, you’ll get alerts regarding fire outbreaks in real time. The app utilizes push notifications so you don’t have to worry about launching it before you get updates.

The information you receive will include the threat level of the fire. It also includes air quality and wind direction so you can have some idea of how the fire is likely to spread.

The app provides satellite imagery so you can track the movement of the fire in real time. There is also information regarding evacuation orders and available shelters you can go to.

There is a section of the app that lets you upload and share photos of fire incidents in case you are nearby. This helps others stay safe and gives first responders an idea of what to expect when they get to the scene.

Watch Duty is available on Google Play and App Store.

4. Patch – Everything Local

Another impressive app to install on your device is Patch – Everything Local. It sends out timely news alerts to ensure that people in different neighborhoods are aware of whatever is going on.

These alerts can be regarding criminal incidents or unforeseeable accidents. There are also frequent weather reports to ensure that you know what to expect.

Keep in mind that weather reports do not always have to be about potential danger. Sometimes the report is simply meant to ensure you dress appropriately so as not to suffer things like a sunburn or cold shock.

It utilizes push notifications which ensure you’ll be in the know even without launching it. Patch is not all about safety and security alerts though.

Instead, it also provides information regarding local events, job opportunities, and announcements. You also get to interact with people in your neighborhood thanks to its social features.

The app boasts a simple interface and lets you read articles by simply swiping to the left or right. It is available on Google Play and the App Store.

5. WanderSafe

WanderSafe is designed to help users enjoy a greater level of safety and security. It can be a good app for anyone visiting new neighborhoods, cities, or even countries.

It incorporates an AI bot by the name of JENI which provides timely updates regarding any incidents that may compromise safety and security. It collects reports from law enforcement agencies, trusted media houses, and first responders.

This app also includes an SOS push button you can press to send out alerts to relevant authorities when you are in trouble.

It is available on both the App Store and Google Play.

6. SpotCrime

SpotCrime is another cross-platform app you can turn to when you want to enhance your overall safety and security. While it has some in-app adverts, it makes up for it by providing free services to all users.

You can use it directly from the web browser or download and install it on your Android and iOS devices. The application requires you to turn on your location finder so that it can send notifications based on where you are.

Once you activate it, you’ll get updates related to criminal activities such as robbery, arson, theft, assaults, and vandalism. The application sources information from relevant authorities including police and news agencies.

As is the case with most Citizen alternatives, SpotCrime incorporates a map where you can have a look at some of the hotspots to avoid. The app is operational in most parts of the United States, Canada, and the U.K.

You can find and download it on Google Play and the App Store.

7. NewsBreak: Local News and Alerts

NewsBreak offers a good alternative to Citizen thanks to its user-friendly design and variety of helpful features. The app allows users to personalize their newsfeed so that they only get things that are close to their heart.

That means you can set the app to send updates regarding things that happen in your city only. The app also allows users to enjoy live streaming of news from the local channels available in the region.

You can browse through the different sections and find national or international news. The discovery engine lets you find important updates from over 10,000 trusted sources.

This is another app that not only keeps you safe but also helps you find information regarding things such as local giveaways, the best restaurants, and promotional events that can help you save some cash.

You can interact with stories by adding emojis, upvoting or downvoting, sharing, and even commenting. Find and download NewsBreak on Google Play or the App Store.

8. Becon: Smart Safety Alert

Becon: Smart Safety Alert is another app you can turn to when you want to boost your safety and security. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

It slightly differs from the Citizen app because it allows you to set up certain security parameters before you set off on a journey. Immediately after launch, it will utilize AI to monitor different aspects of your journey.

For instance, it will monitor the speed at which you are moving and keep a record of the average speed. In case your speed changes drastically, it will send out an alert to the people you have included in the contact list.

Other things it can use to determine if you are safe include a sudden stop, disconnection, or even a change in route. In case it detects any other unusual activity, it will send a notification to your device.

You’ll need to respond to the notification before the timer counts down the allocated time. A lack of response triggers an alert to the people on your emergency contact list.

One of the best things about this app is that it does not require any active input from the user. That means it can be the ideal app for situations such as accidents, muggings, and medical emergencies.

You can find and download it on Google Play and the App Store.

9. Guardians from Truecaller

The next app you should be aware of is Guardians from Truecaller. It works in a slightly different way from the Citizen app because it requires you to choose your emergency contacts.

Once you create a profile on the app, you’ll need to create a list of some of the people you trust the most. In case of any accident or incident, the app will send an alert to the people in your contact list.

You’ll need to share your GPS location with the people on the contact list so that they can become your Guardians. This app can be quite helpful when you are traveling to a new place or if you are meeting someone new.

You can share your location permanently or deactivate it when you do not want people to know where you are. It can also share your battery life, phone status, and network strength if you activate the necessary features.

The app is on Google Play and the App Store.

10. Mayday Safety

Mayday Safety has a simple design and effective execution of processes. It comes in a small file size that installs relatively fast.

Once you launch the app, you’ll be greeted by a user-friendly interface where you can set up your contacts. Keep in mind that this app can be used by a small family or large organization to keep tabs on members.

Users are free to send alerts to inform others on their contact list that they are safe. The app keeps track of the user’s location at all times and shares the information with others in the network.

Of course, you can always disable the location finder whenever you do not want to use it. In case you are in any kind of trouble, you can send out a mayday call with a few clicks of a button.

Note that alerts and calls can reach just about anywhere in the world. Finally, the app helps promote general safety thanks to its update section where you can go to find information on happenings within your community.

The app is available on Google Play.

11. SayVU: Personal Safety

The SayVU: Personal Safety app is another option you can turn to when you do not want to deal with the downsides of the Citizen app. It has a simple interface and works in a number of ways which makes it ideal for the young and old.

For instance, if you want to alert people about your safety, you simply have to shake your device to activate alerts. You can also press the red button and record a voice message.

There is also the option of dropping your phone to send automatic alerts. Keep in mind that it detects your location and reports the incident to relevant contacts.

It is available on Google Play and the App Store.

12. Scanner Radio

Next on this list of the best apps like Citizen is Scanner Radio. Unlike Citizen which sometimes contains outdated or unreliable information, this app seeks to raise the bar by providing timely and accurate information.

The app sends out breaking news as soon as possible so that you can be aware of happenings in real time. It also allows you to view scanners available close by.

You can then choose which of the scanners to listen in to. Scanners can be used in marine, air traffic, public safety, and railroad institutions to keep things flowing as they should.

To find the best scanners to listen to, navigate to the most popular scanner section and choose one that seems most relevant to your situation. It is also a good idea to listen to scanners that have high traffic because they are often the ones with important information.

You can choose to turn on notifications or switch them off. This is another application with a simple interface making it easy for just about anybody to get acquainted fast.

It comes with colorful themes and is available on Google Play and the App Store.

13. Senior Safety App

Senior Safety App is another impressive option you can use. In contrast to Citizen, which works for just about anyone, this app is designed to be installed on devices that are being used by senior citizens.

The app can send out alerts when the senior goes out of a geo-fenced area which may compromise their safety. It includes a GPS tracker so that family members and medical personnel are always aware of the whereabouts of the senior.

You can find it on Google Play.

Also Read: Google Earth vs Google Maps

14. AccuWeather

While most apps on this list provide alerts and SOS solutions for people dealing with crime and accidents, AccuWeather differs in that it focuses on providing weather reports and alerts. Keep in mind that a flash flood or hurricane can easily take you or a loved one out.

The app provides regular reminders for danger zones and lets you know the general forecast of the weather. It works seamlessly worldwide.

You can download it from Google Play and the App Store.

15. FEMA

Lastly on this list of the best apps like Citizen is FEMA. It is designed to provide alerts regarding all sorts of natural disasters.

These could include earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes. The app avails information to help you and your loved ones get out of harm’s way and find a safer zone to shelter.

FEMA is available on Google Play and the App Store.

Wrapping Up

Keeping yourself safe and ensuring your loved ones, including pets, are also safe is one of the most important considerations you can make.

Thanks to technology, you can take advantage of the multiple apps noted above to boost safety and security.

Nextdoor and Patch are not only free alternatives to the Citizen app but also include a lot of helpful features to keep you aware of criminal activities, potential natural disasters, and everyday events in the community

You can also go for apps offering specific reports including Watch Duty and AccuWeather.

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