4 under-the-radar apps that can help keep you safer in Uber and Lyft rides

Circle of 6 was originally designed for college students to prevent sexual assaults, according to its website.

The smartphone app allows users to add up to six contacts to join the "circle" of people who will receive pre-programmed SMS alerts when a certain icon is pressed in the app. Pressing the pin icon sends the text, "Come and get me. I need help getting home safely," with the user's GPS coordinates. Pressing the phone icon sends a, "Call and pretend you need me. I need an interruption," text, and pressing the chat icon sends an, "I need to talk," text.

Life360 is marketed towards families. The app gives users in the "Circle" real-time access to the location of other members in the group, according to Life360.

If a user ever feels unsafe, they can use the "Help Alert" that instantly sends the user's location to other Circle members. There's also an in-app chat option that makes group communication quicker.

LifeLine is an automatic response application. To activate the program, users need to press and hold their thumb on the screen when the app is open. The moment the user's thumb leaves the screen, a disarm code will open. If it's unable to be unlocked, a loud alarm will be set off and authorities will be sent to the location, according to LifeLine.

There's also a Timer Mode that checks in later on if the user can't constantly have their hand on the phone.

The app is free for the first 14 days, and subscription prices then vary based on the duration of the subscription and the number of people in the subscription.