They complement each other · verified on October 14, 2026
Mi Estela and AlertCops: together, not against each other
AlertCops connects you with the police. Mi Estela connects you with your people. Mi Estela's SOS puts 112 front and center and AlertCops one tap away, because real protection comes from them.
In two lines
The official, free app of the National Police and Civil Guard: alerts to the police room, SOS button, Guardian, Walk with Me, and location sharing with up to 5 contacts. It doesn't compete with Mi Estela. They complement each other.
What is AlertCops
AlertCops is the official, free app of the Secretariat of State for Security (National Police and Civil Guard), launched in 2014 and renewed on May 5, 2026. It lets you send geolocated alerts with a photo or video and chat with the police room (with translation into over 100 languages), an SOS button (five presses: records 10 seconds of audio and sends your position), location sharing with up to five contacts (from 15 minutes to 24 hours), “Walk with Me” (share a route live), “Guardian” (subscribe to location services that police forces publish for events and routes, such as the Camino de Santiago), “Rescue” (location without regular coverage), a simulated call, and a deterrent alarm. It does not replace 112.
Face to face
| Criteria | Mi Estela | AlertCops |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time map See where your people are right now | ✓ | ~ share with 5 contacts, from 15 min to 24 h |
| iPhone and Android together One family, mixing both | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arrival alerts When someone gets home, to school... | ✓ 3 free spots; more with Premium | ✕ |
| SOS Alert your people with your location | ✓ free forever; 112 one tap away | ✓ to the police; records 10 s of audio |
| Chat and calls Inside the app | ✓ free | ~ with the police room |
| Video calls Inside the app | ✓ free | ✕ |
| Route history Days we keep | ✓ 3 days free, 30 with Premium; each person turns it on | ✕ |
| Invisible mode or zone only Hide for a while or share only your area | ✓ Ghost (adults) or zone only | ✓ |
| Symmetrical Everyone sees the same about everyone; there's no "supervisor" | ✓ | ✓ |
| No ads On the free plan | ✓ never | ✓ |
| Never sells or licenses your location According to its privacy policy | ✓ no sale or licensing, ever | ✓ Ministry of the Interior |
| Free plan What's included | ✓ map, alerts, SOS, chat, calls, video calls | ✓ everything free |
| Paid price In Spain, as of Oct 14, 2026 | ✓ €9.99/month or €99.99/year for the whole circle; 14-day free trial | ✓ free |
| Driving reports Speed, hard braking, phone use while driving | ✕ on purpose: no notes | ✕ |
| Parental controls Block apps, screen time, read messages | ✕ presence, not control | ✕ |
| Minimum age To have your own account | ✓ 14 years old in Spain (digital consent) | ✓ under 14 with consent |
| Company and data Where it is and where it stores data | ✓ Madrid, Spain; data in the EU | ✓ Spain (Interior) |
✓ yes · ✕ no · ~ partly. Mi Estela info comes from the app's code; AlertCops info comes from the sources at the bottom, as of October 14, 2026.
What AlertCops does better
- It's the police: alerts go straight to the police room, with chat and translation.
- Guardian for events and routes overseen by police forces, including the Camino de Santiago.
- Rescue in areas without regular coverage.
- Free, no purchases, no ads, from the Ministry of the Interior.
What Mi Estela does better
- AlertCops is not a family circle: there's no always-on map of your people, no arrival alerts, no family chat, and no video calls.
- Mi Estela is the day to day; AlertCops is the moment you need the police. That's why Mi Estela's SOS links to it.
Pricing
AlertCops: free, no purchases (only data costs). Mi Estela: essentials free; Premium optional.
Privacy and data
Data controller: the General Subdirectorate of Information and Communications Systems for Security (Ministry of the Interior). The App Store listing only declares linked phone and diagnostics; live location sharing is optional.
Minimum age
AlertCops: under 14 only with consent and assistance from a parent or guardian. Mi Estela: 14 in Spain.
How to sign up for AlertCops
- Download, choose your language, and accept the terms.
- Enter your mobile number, the SMS code, and a username (no ID number required).
And in Mi Estela: how to get started, step by step.
We answer your questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I have AlertCops in addition to Mi Estela?
Yes. They complement each other: Mi Estela alerts your people; AlertCops alerts the police. Mi Estela's SOS puts 112 front and center, with AlertCops one tap away.
Sources
- AlertCops: capabilities and services (official PDF)
- AlertCops: legal notice
- La Moncloa: AlertCops passes two million downloads (2023)
- OCU: AlertCops
Brands and names mentioned belong to their respective owners. This comparison is written by the Mi Estela team; if you spot anything outdated or incorrect, write to us at hola@miestela.app and we'll fix it.
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