The best parental control apps limit access to potentially objectionable apps and websites while providing easy monitoring of your child’s online activities on social media and video-sharing websites. Some apps go above and beyond by giving you access to the best antivirus programs, safeguarding your kids’ devices from malware and other viruses, and promoting their safety online. You should also consider the best identity theft protection services for additional family security.
These are the top parental control apps on the market right now, regardless of whether you are a new parent making plans or looking for more information about your kids’ online activities to keep them safe.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Parental Control App
Range of Parental Controls:
Depending on your child’s age, their technology usage habits, and your specific concerns, choose a parental control app that keeps you informed about their activities and ensures they don’t access inappropriate content or communicate freely with strangers on platforms like online gaming, social media, email, or chat services.
Filtering Tools:
Effective parental control apps should include advanced filtering and content-blocking capabilities to prevent accidental access to adult content, explicit music lyrics, or interactions with strangers.
Ability to Set Time Limits:
It’s essential to limit children’s online and gaming device usage. Look for parental control apps that provide intuitive and customizable screen time control features to meet your specific needs in this area.
Ability to Track Location and Monitor Online Activities:
Many parents want to monitor their children’s online activities and track their location, particularly for younger children.
Features like geofencing and location tracking are essential considerations. These tools enable parents to set virtual boundaries and receive alerts when their child enters or leaves designated areas, ensuring their safety and enabling quick response to unexpected situations.
Ease of Use:
Opt for a parental control app with an intuitive user interface that guides you through setup and explains how to use each feature effectively. Proper usage and configuration are crucial for maximizing effectiveness and preventing children from circumventing controls.
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
The best parental control apps should be compatible across all devices used by both parents and children, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, gaming systems, and smart TVs.
How to choose the best Parental App?
It is crucial to think carefully about what you require from a parental control app, just as you would when looking for the best headphones. Every family is unique, and as children grow, their needs evolve. So, think about the following:
Considerations When Choosing a Parental Control App
Your child’s age
Choosing a parental control app can involve anything from something as simple as putting it on an iPad for a six-year-old to more complicated requirements for teenagers who need fewer online distractions to concentrate in class. A middle schooler, for instance, might prefer to ride their bike alone home from school, but you want to be sure they get there safely. Choose an app that monitors your child’s activities at an appropriate level.
With so many options, both paid and free, it is advisable to make sure you are not paying for features you do not require. Examine the features that each app offers in detail and see if any free or less expensive options still fulfil your needs.
Ease of use
It’s crucial to select an app that matches your comfort level with technology. Some apps offer extensive data and customization options, which may be overwhelming if you prefer simpler interfaces. Opt for an app that you’ll find user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Context
It is important to be transparent about the reasons behind your use of parental control apps, especially when dealing with teenagers who might not be comfortable with the idea. To support academic focus, family time, and healthy sleep habits, emphasize the value of online safety and the advantages of establishing boundaries on screen time.
Try asking yourself the following questions to help you focus your options:
1. Which kind of content filtering and web browser do I prefer? Is it better to filter by category, age, or content? Since no parental control app is perfect, think about what level of filtering is most appropriate for your needs.
2. Which apps do I think my kid is using, or am aware they are? Which particular apps do I want them to stay away from? How often do they download new apps, and is it something I want to be in charge of?
3. Is location tracking necessary? For young drivers or kids participating in after-school activities, this can be advantageous.
4. How many devices and people must be covered by the plan? While some parental control apps charge per child or device, others may cover the entire household.
5. What types of devices and operating systems require coverage? Do you need one plan to cover multiple systems, such as having an iPhone while your child uses an Android device?
6. Which devices do I want to monitor? Should the parental control app track usage on computers, smartwatches, phones, or tablets?
7. How many children and devices are included in each plan option?
8. What specific features am I looking for? Do I need web filtering, time management, app restrictions, the ability to monitor texts and phone calls, or location tracking? These features vary in availability and level of control.
9. Do I prefer the parental control app to operate discreetly in the background, blocking and restricting app usage, or do I want a more hands-on approach where I actively manage notifications and approvals?
Considering these questions will help you identify the parental control app that best meets your family’s needs and preferences.
What should you expect after installing a parental control app?
Once you have selected a parental control app, you should get ready for any notifications and findings. When using such apps, it is critical to keep open discussions about internet safety and trust levels to be prepared for challenging findings. It might not be enough to just monitor or restrict children, especially older ones. Older children may look for ways to get around monitoring, like using a VPN, especially since some parental control apps stop working after 13 years old.
Let’s dive into some of the best parental apps that you can choose from.
- Net Nanny- The best parental control app on the market
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Number of devices: 20
Blocking: apps, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Custom web filtering options | Unreliable apps |
| Great dashboard | Geofencing limits |
| Detailed reports | some features of iOS are missing |
| Reliable geolocation and time management | somewhat pricey |
Net Nanny features a modern, intuitive design and superior web-filtering technology. Unlike apps that simply block pages, Net Nanny analyzes them and allows you to create custom filters.
When it comes to features, Net Nanny’s iOS and Android versions are the most similar. It keeps track of your child’s whereabouts, shows you where they have been and establishes schedules and time limits just as well on both platforms.
While the Android version of Net Nanny lets you block all apps, the iOS version lets you block more than 100 apps on your child’s phone. You can be informed about new apps that need attention by the integrated App Advisor.
In addition, Net Nanny filters content on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok rather than entirely allowing or prohibiting it.
The only drawback is that Net Nanny cannot keep track of text messages or phone calls. Although we did not find any iOS apps that could accomplish this, some Android apps still can.
The focus of Net Nanny is on social media customization and observation. Its intelligent content filtering analyzes content in real-time rather than relying solely on blacklists like some other services.
The built-in YouTube monitoring is handy, given the platform’s popularity. The app also offers location tracking and location history tools. Net Nanny supports desktop and smartphone platforms, as well as Kindle Fire. However, location tracking is not available on Windows or Mac versions.
Even though it is not the least expensive choice, Net Nanny is more reasonably priced than some upscale parental control apps and has a ton of features, so it is something to think about.
- Qustodio- Supports multiple platforms and allows logging calls and reading texts seamlessly.
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Kindle
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: apps, games, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide feature set at all prices | Quite expensive |
| It supports up to 15 devices and has broad multi-platform support | Unreliable web filtering |
| Call, and text monitoring is still possible on Android | Does not block VPN usage |
| Excellent content filtering | |
| User friendly |
Qustodio is supported by numerous devices, including Macs, PCs, Chromebooks, Amazon Fire tablets, iOS and Android smartphones, and more. You can use it to set time limits for certain devices and apps.
This service tracks whereabouts on iOS and Android devices and also includes geofencing and a Family Locator feature that shows the whereabouts of all your children at once. You can manage around 6,000 apps on iOS and all Android apps, though the web filtering feature doesn’t work particularly well on either mobile platform.
Qustodio is one of the few apps that can still log a child’s texts and calls, view text message content, and block phone numbers, at least on Android. However, you need to sideload a special version of the app from Qustodio’s website for these features to function. If these capabilities are important to you, Qustodio might be the right choice.
The main downside is the cost, which can be quite high, reaching up to $138 per year for 15 devices.
Qustodio also offers an excellent free version that allows you to set rules, create time schedules, and block content. It’s compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Kindle and Chromebook.
The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to limit and filter content. Qustodio provides detailed reports on your child’s online activity, including the websites they visit, the apps they use, and their social media posts. Additionally, you receive alerts if they visit certain types of sites, such as those offering file sharing and chat rooms.
There is a tonne of useful information in the Help Center, including searchable guides. Another feature of the Care Plus plan that allows you to ask questions and get help with any issues you may be having with the app is one-on-one customer support. Nevertheless, VPNs can circumvent the service, and it is rather pricey. The app’s efficacy is harmed if your child uses a VPN or a browser like Opera that has a built-in VPN. These are the main drawbacks of the service.
- Norton Family Link- A great choice for kids who use Android and Windows
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Can restrict to educational sites only | One or two small interface issues |
| Excellent location and geofencing tools | Lacks apps and games blocking on PCs |
| Easy setup | Mobile apps could be improved |
| Great web filters and monitoring | Doesn’t work on Macs |
| Unlimited children and devices | |
| Windows support |
Norton Family, a product of the well-known cybersecurity company Norton, provides parental control. Norton Family, which offers almost every feature a parent could want in a premium parental control app—including the recently added geofencing feature—is ideal for families with several kids using Android and Windows devices. iOS devices do not, however, support this feature.
One of Norton Family’s most notable features is School Time, which blocks access to educational websites for 30 to 8 hours at a time, thereby reducing distractions from other content.
Norton Family also comes with the usual parental control tools, like site and app blocking and location tracking. However, you can’t block apps by category or limit their usage. Furthermore, unless the Google Play Store is blocked completely, you are unable to stop Android apps from being downloaded from it.
Despite this, Norton Family has strong web filters and keeps an eye on both YouTube and Hulu, even on iOS. Its School Time feature is especially helpful for maintaining kids’ attention when learning remotely.
Norton’s more expensive antivirus suites, like Norton 360 Deluxe, which is frequently lowered to as low as $50 per year, come with Norton Family for free. Unless your kids use Macs, getting Norton Family along with top-notch antivirus protection is a great deal at that price.
4. Aura- Top all-rounder
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: apps, games, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: no
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup and simple to use | No standalone parental app |
| Alerts the parents in case of cyber-bullying | It can be pricey if you don’t need all the extra protection |
| Additional security features | No Firewall, anti-spam, or backup feature |
| Includes mobile device and game monitoring | Works best on Windows PCs |
| Web content filtering and blocking | |
| Screen time limits and usage tracking | |
| Unlimited family profiles and devices supported |
Aura is more than just a parental control app—it’s also an identity theft protection service, antivirus, VPN, and password manager all in one.
Setting up the parental control feature is quick and easy, with the app providing a QR code for convenient downloading. To begin using it, you’ll need to input your child’s age, as the app is not designed for users over 18.
Aura includes a screen time analytics feature that allows you to monitor and limit how long your child uses their devices, as well as block and restrict content from apps, games, and websites.
We were impressed by the level of control these restrictions offered. For example, you can block specific channels on YouTube rather than the entire app. You can also set timers on content, limiting your child’s access to a certain amount of time.
Additionally, Aura provides cyberbullying alerts, notifying you if the app detects abusive text or voice chats in online PC games. This feature is powered by ProtectMe, a third-party service from Kidas.
Aura also offers helpful advice related to online safety, a feature not commonly found in every parental control app.
Aura Parental Controls is a comprehensive resource that allows parents to manage their child’s mobile devices, web browsing, gaming habits, and more. The app filters or blocks inappropriate web content, limits screen time, and tracks all internet usage. It also monitors a child’s online PC gaming, including in-game voice and text communications, preventing cyberbullying and alerting parents to potential predators.
Alongside its extensive parental control features, Aura offers antivirus protection, a password manager, and a virtual private network (VPN) for up to 10 devices. It is designed to monitor the dark web for potential data breaches and can track up to 10 email addresses.
All of Aura’s tools can be set up and controlled using a parent or guardian’s smartphone. Adults can choose a web content filtering level based on their child’s age and remotely pause their child’s internet access at any time.
5. Bark- Ideal for customization
Specifications
Platforms: Android, iOS
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: apps, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| AI-powered monitoring | No geofencing |
| Cyberbullying monitor | No browsing history |
| Ability to connect to numerous apps | Expensive |
| Ideal for kids and teens with smartphones | Some features are limited on iPhones |
| Monitors social media activities | Not an ideal parental control solution for computer users |
| Parents can set screen time schedules | |
| Websites and apps can be blocked |
Bark adopts a unique approach to parental control apps by emphasizing communication and trust rather than intruding on your child’s activities. It encourages open dialogue and provides alerts for potential issues. The setup is straightforward, and the pricing is reasonable, with various plans available.
Bark includes web content filtering and screen time monitoring. Although its tracking and monitoring capabilities are not as extensive as some of its competitors, it still monitors texts, emails, and YouTube. Additionally, it offers check-in alerts when your child reaches a specific destination.
Alerts are also issued if cyberbullying, suicidal discussions, drug use, or online predators are detected.
We appreciated that the app uses AI in its monitoring, providing real-time and often more accurate alerts.
However, we found the iOS app lacking, as it cannot monitor TikTok or Skype. Additionally, on Windows, only Chrome and Edge browsers are supported.
6. Microsoft Family Safety- Ideal for Microsoft Store users
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: apps, games, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Controls access to Microsoft Store | Web filtering supports Edge only |
| Runs on Android, iOS, Xbox, Windows | Limited iOS app |
| Precise location tracking | Lacks social media monitoring |
If your family uses Microsoft devices, then Microsoft Family Safety is a valuable parental control app. It allows you to limit screen time on Windows, Android, and Xbox, making it ideal if your child spends a lot of time gaming.
You can also block content in other apps, but a significant drawback is that website and search filtering only work in Microsoft Edge and Bing. Therefore, if your child uses Google search and the Chrome browser—the most popular browser in the world—Family Safety won’t filter web content.
However, if your family uses the Windows Store to download apps, you can control which apps your child downloads. The location tracking features are among the best we’ve seen, and there’s even a driving safety feature that analyzes driving and keeps journey logs.
Unfortunately, both the location and driving features are set to lose support at the end of the year due to low usage, according to Microsoft.
On the plus side, Microsoft Family Safety is free, so you can try it out without spending anything.
7. Kaspersky Safe Kids- The best value among parental control apps
| Pros | Cons |
| Very affordable price | Web portals can be slow |
| Full-featured on both free and paid tiers | Poorly designed mobile apps |
| Monitors PCs, Macs as well |
Like Net Nanny, Kaspersky Safe Kids allows you to monitor and control your children’s activities on PCs, Macs, and smartphones. Even better, Kaspersky’s paid tier is only $15 per year (with a 7-day free trial) for an unlimited number of child devices, and its free plan lets you set screen-time limits, filter websites, and manage other apps.
The paid plan includes social network monitoring, location tracking, and geofencing, all of which work on both iOS and Android. Kaspersky’s web monitoring and device scheduling also function across these platforms. However, app management on iOS is limited to blocking apps with age restrictions.
Additionally, the feature that lets you block specific YouTube searches and review YouTube search history, available to paid users, works on Windows, iOS, and Android (including the YouTube Android app), but not on Macs.
The drawbacks are minor: the mobile apps are somewhat clunky, the web portal can be slow, and the web filters may not work with lesser-known browsers. However, if you don’t need to read your kids’ text messages, Kaspersky Safe Kids is worth considering.
Kaspersky Safe Kids has also received an AV-TEST Approved Certificate for the seventh consecutive time. AV-TEST is an independent German organization that evaluates and rates antivirus and security apps for Android and Windows.
8. OurPact- The best parental control app for iOS devices
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent design and navigation | Limited web filtering |
| Powerful iOS feature set | Can get expensive |
| Covers up to 20 child devices |
Once the most powerful parental control app for iPhones, OurPact has seen its capabilities reduced by Apple, which temporarily removed it from the App Store. Despite this, it can still manage or block any iOS app, just as it can on Android.
OurPact involves kids in managing their daily screen time allowance and excels at scheduling. Its Premium Plus plan allows you to get screenshots from the child’s device, even on iOS, and you can block messaging and texting apps, although you can’t read the messages themselves.
However, its website filtering only blocks adult content, and the time-management interface is somewhat clunky. While OurPact can tell you where your child is and notify you when they arrive at or leave specific locations with its geofencing feature, it cannot provide a history of where your child has been.
Despite these drawbacks, OurPact’s well-designed interface and intuitive features make it a pleasure to use, especially if your kids have iPhones.
9. Mobicip- Best for real-time alerts
Specifications
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS,
Chromebook, Kindle Fire
Number of devices: 20
Blocking: apps, games, websites
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Real-time alert when your kids try to access blocked sites/ apps | Default restrictions didn’t always make sense |
| Excellent Android setup | Desktop browsing restrictions are easy to bypass |
| Not the best app for blocking |
We believe Mobicip is an excellent option among parental control apps. It scans websites in real-time, rather than relying solely on blacklists, and supports Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers for this functionality.
Setting up Mobicip was straightforward in our experience. You can select from Strict, Moderate, or Mature settings, as well as a monitor-only mode. The app is available for installation on Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS devices.
We were also impressed with the interface, which features an elegant design that’s well-organized for intuitive navigation. The activity section provides a clear overview of all monitored devices, showing details such as the most used apps and frequently visited websites, along with other statistics. Charts and graphs are also available for easy data visualization.
However, we were disappointed with the app blocking feature, as it seemed to rely on outdated information and make some questionable decisions regarding what to block and allow. Additionally, there was no two-factor authentication available to enhance account security.
10. Google Family Link- Ideal for Google enthusiasts
Specifications
Platforms: Android, Chromebook
Number of devices: Unlimited
Blocking: apps
Screentime limiting: yes
Location tracking: yes
| Pros | Cons |
| Free | Very basic web content filtering |
| Intuitive | Underpowered in some areas |
| No limits on the number of accounts and devices | Doesn’t support kids’ iPhones |
| Excellent performance | |
| Solid design |
Google Family Link is a completely free service that provides controls for an unlimited number of accounts and devices, making it a compelling option to consider. However, it lacks some features compared to its competitors.
For instance, in our testing, it couldn’t effectively block inappropriate web content, despite having filtering options available. It performs better with apps, allowing you to manually disable ones that are not approved. You can also manage in-app purchases.
As a Google product, it offers restrictions for the use of Chrome, YouTube, the Google Play Store, and its widely used search engine.
However, it cannot block apps based on category or rating on the Google Play Store, and there is no option to limit time spent on specific apps either.
While it includes time scheduling and device location features, we found these to be fairly basic. The device location feature lacks geofencing capabilities or alerts for when your child leaves or arrives at specific locations.
FAQs
Q. What are the best practices for ensuring your children’s online safety?
As parents, keeping children safe online is crucial. Even if you’re a digital native, the online world evolves rapidly. Regularly discuss online activity with your children, teaching them responsibility and caution.
Parental control apps aren’t a substitute for vigilance. Keep device usage visible, stay interested in your child’s online habits, know who they’re talking to, and monitor their internet time. Deploy parental control software effectively by staying aware of settings, updating regularly, and reviewing settings to ensure safety in the digital age.
Q. How do I select the ideal parental control app?
When choosing a parental control app, start by assessing your needs. Apps vary in price, with budget options offering basic features and higher-priced ones providing more advanced capabilities. Consider the features you require based on your children’s ages; younger kids may need stricter controls, while teenagers might need more flexibility.
The best app gives you control, allowing you to block websites, limit screen time, or monitor browsing habits. Evaluate how easy each app is to use, especially if you’re not tech-savvy, to ensure it’s effective for your household.
Ultimately, the best app depends on your budget, required features, and technical skills. With a wide range of solutions available, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.
Q. What are the potential drawbacks of using a parental control app?
Parental control apps, like any digital software, have their downsides. Some third-party apps that claim to block inappropriate content may store or sell your child’s data. Therefore, it’s crucial to read the terms and conditions before installing any app. Not all parental control apps sell data, but it’s essential to do your research before choosing one.
Additionally, these apps can impact your relationship with your children, especially older ones. Blocking or limiting access to certain sites may make you seem annoying, controlling, or distrustful. It’s wise to discuss the controls with your children beforehand, explaining your reasons and the restrictions.
The effectiveness of parental control software depends on how you use it. Take time to fully understand the app before implementing restrictions across your household. Emphasize the benefits of online safety to gain your children’s understanding and cooperation.
