This isn’t about who was first. It’s about how two apps answer the same human need with radically different philosophies — and what that reveals about building safety technology.

The Problem: A Global Loneliness Crisis

The numbers tell the story:

• China: 120 million people living alone, projected to reach 200 million by 2030
• United States: 36% of adults report frequent loneliness
• Japan: « Lonely death » cases have tripled since 2000

The fear is real. People die alone in their apartments and aren’t discovered for weeks or months. As one Demumu user put it: « This is the first time someone cares whether I’m dead or alive. »

Both Demumu and Tribe Check emerged from this context. But we took very different paths.

Demumu’s Approach: « Are You Dead? »

The Philosophy

Demumu confronts mortality head-on. It’s radically minimal:

1. Enter a name and emergency contact email
2. Tap a button daily to signal you’re alive
3. Miss two check-ins → automated email to contact
4. That’s it

What Works

• Provocative name = viral marketing. « Are You Dead? » is impossible to ignore
• Extreme simplicity = fast adoption. Anyone can use it in 30 seconds
• Low price point ($1) = impulse downloads
• Validated the market at massive scale

The Limitations

• Email is slow. Average check time: 3-12 hours. In emergencies, those hours matter.
• iOS-only excludes 71% of users. Even in China (Demumu’s main market), Android is 78% market share.
• Zero context. « Marie didn’t check in » tells your contact… what? Phone died? Actual emergency? No way to know.
• No immediate help. If you’re in danger right now, Demumu can’t help you. You have to wait 48 hours for the alert.
• Negative psychology. Daily reminders that you might die alone can increase anxiety rather than reduce it.

Tribe Check’s Approach: « Are You Okay? »

The Philosophy

I built Tribe Check as a woman who travels solo and has been followed home, had sketchy Uber rides, and stayed in unfamiliar hotels alone. I kept thinking: « If something happens RIGHT NOW, how long until someone knows? »

The distinction shaped everything: Not « Are you dead? » but « Are you okay? » Not checking after the fact, but supporting you through the moment.

How It’s Different

• Instant push notifications. Your tribe gets alerts in seconds, not hours. No spam filters, impossible to miss.
• Flexible scheduling. Going on a date? Schedule 3 hours. Solo hiking? Make it 6. The app adapts to your life.
• Rich context. When you schedule a check-in, add useful information, like where you’re going (address, venue), transportation details (taxi plate, Uber info), custom encrypted messages, battery level and GPS location. Your tribe gets actionable information, not just « missed check-in. »
• SOS button for immediate danger. Someone following you? Medical emergency? Press SOS and your entire tribe is alerted instantly with your location.
• A tribe, not one person. Multiple trusted contacts means redundancy. Your mom might be asleep, but your roommate isn’t.
• Pet safety built-in. If something happens to you, who feeds your dog? Tribe Check includes pet-specific alerts.
• Cross-platform. Android + iOS from day one. Safety shouldn’t be an iPhone privilege.
• Free, always. No paywall for safety.

Head-to-Head Comparison