OUR TOP RATED APPS

Top 10 Parental Control Apps for Android & iPhone in 2023 – Tested & Verified

My kids could easily surpass most of these apps by using multiple hacks and tricks. They can easily doge different features like screen time limits, web filters, location tracking, app filters, and more in most apps.

After spending almost four and a half months on these apps, interacting with the interface, using multiple features, and even contacting customer support multiple times, I was able to write best parental control app reviews.

Before reviewing, I have shortlisted the top 10 parental control apps for Android & iPhone in 2023. In the process, I evaluated every app for the following merits:

• Web filter customizations
• Screen time Controls
• Social media activity controls
• Live location tracking
• Data analytics and reporting

While testing apps to construct the best parental control app review, I found that most don’t offer what they claim. Their features are too basic, unavailable, or have limited access. Surprisingly, a few provided me data I could access even without getting any of these apps.

Among all the options, FamilyTime has consistently committed to delivering the best results. The app impressed me with its unlimited parental control features, including an app blocker, web filter, family tracker, TimeBank, Teen Safe Drive, and more. FamilyTime has an easy-to-use interface and an organized dashboard that makes data easy to view and earned the position of best parental control app of 2023.

Table of Contents

10 Tested Parental Control Apps in 2023 for Android & iOS

• FamilyTime
• Qustodio
• Mobicip
• Bark
• Norton Family

Additional 5 Parental Apps that are a good choice!

• mSpy
• Net Nanny
• FamiSafe
• WebWatcher
• Secure Teen

One Parental Control app you Should Never Waste Your Time With Tips to Choose the Best Parental Control App for Your Child’s Safety What features does the best Parental Control app Hold?

FamilyTime – All Parental Control Solutions in One App

As I was looking for a full-option parenting app, FamilyTime was the best option. Among the apps I tested, it gave me complete control over my child’s online and offline digital interaction. It has been a game-changer for me to monitor my children’s activities from the youngest to the eldest.
In my comprehensive FamilyTime parental control app review, let’s discuss all the features that impressed me.

FamilyTime is packed with many great features that offer comprehensive control. One of my favorites is the ‘Screen Time Limit’ feature, allowing me to set daily screen time limits for my kids’ devices. Also, the ‘App Blocker’ and ‘Web Filter’ features have been super helpful in preventing my kids from accessing inappropriate content.

The ‘Location Tracker’ and ‘Geo-fencing’ let me track my children’s location in real time. I was able to set geofences to get alerts when they enter or leave certain areas, like home, school, or a friend’s house.

Additionally, with the ‘Family SOS’ feature, I have peace of mind knowing that my kids can send an instant alert with their location details in case of an emergency.

And, the ‘PickMeUp’ feature is neat – my kids can send me their live location when they’re ready to be picked up.

The biggest advantage was the parent dashboard, which gave me an eagle-eye view of all options. I could access all my kid’s activities, their views on YouTube and TikTok, messages, location history, calls or messages logs, and more.

The ability to personalize the settings for each child made this app a winner if I had Great flexibility to adjust the controls based on my children’s ages, habits, and needs.

A Few Areas of Improvement

As much as I love this app, there are a few cons i would like to mention in the FamilyTime review. These are not the major faults or turn offs at all. Occasionally, I’ve noticed a slight delay in updates for location tracking.

Additionally, while the web filter is generally robust, a few unwanted sites sometimes slip through the cracks. And while it is compatible with Android and iOS, some features like SMS and call monitoring are only available for Android.
 

Pricing Plans

FamilyTime offers three pricing plans. The ‘My Family’ plan at $2.25 monthly allows you to monitor three devices. The ‘Big Family’ plan at $1.15 per month/device lets you monitor up to 5 devices. The ‘Super Family’ plan at $0.69 per month/device is for larger families and covers up to 10 devices. Considering the functionality and peace of mind FamilyTime offers, I find the prices reasonable.
 

My Stance

After using the FamilyTime parental control app for several months, I can confidently say it’s one of the best parental control apps out there. It has significantly simplified my task of ensuring my kids’ digital safety.

If you want a competitive and full-option parental control app, try FamiyTime. Get its 3-day free trial with no commitments to experience all the premium features. After using the app, you can observe a significant change in your kid’s digital habits.

Qustodio – Ultimate Web Filters & Device Monitoring

Another incredible parent control app I came across during my journey was Qustodio. Right from the beginning, I was impressed by its various features. I was able to have activity reports, filtration of inappropriate content, and set screen time limits.

The app allowed me to add flexibility for different devices. So, I could set different rules for each kid based on age, gender, and interests.

The real-time location tracking feature gave me peace of mind, and the emergency panic button was like an added safety net. I could manage and review all these aspects of my kids’ digital life from the easy-to-navigate Dashboard on my device.

Another important feature I explored with Qustodio was monitoring the social media activities of my kids. It gave me a glimpse into their digital social lives without prying too much.

What I found truly impressive in my Qustodio parental control app review was the level of detail in the activity reports on my Dashboard. I could see how much time my kids spent on each app, which sites they visited, and even how many times they unlocked their devices!

A Few Challenges with Qustodio

Although I found Qustodio incredibly helpful, it’s not without a few drawbacks. The app’s installation process was a bit complex. I had to install the software on each device I wanted to monitor, which initially felt a bit daunting. However, once installed, it was smooth sailing.

Pricing Plans

In terms of cost, Qustodio offers three pricing tiers based on the number of devices you want to monitor. The Small plan covers up to 5 devices for $54.95 per year. The Medium plan supports up to 10 devices for $96.95 per year. The Large plan covers up to 15 devices for $137.95 per year for larger families.

My Stance

While it may seem a bit pricey, considering the comprehensive features provided, I found the peace of mind worth the investment. Plus, there’s a free version available, although it has limited features. Hopefully, my Qustodio review will help you make a smart choice of parental app.

Mobicip – Smart Screen Time Management with Exclusive Controls

I tested Mobicip much later in the sequence, but the app impressed me enough to make its place in the third position. The default settings of the app were so impressive. The app enabled my child’s device’s default screen time limit schedule based on the age limit. To test the app, let the default settings work for a few days and observe the Dashboard later.

In Mobicip parental control app review I would like to mention the default 18 broad spectrum filter categories app offers for the web. It allowed me to customize the categories by adding a list of websites or app names for systematic monitoring.

The app has presets for daily schedules with time limits like school hours, sleep, dinner, or more. I was happy to adjust these presets easily using the Dashboard. I noticed the Vacation Mode feature in the Mobicip parental control app that lets children have more fun during vacations and automatically switch back to regular mode afterward.

Another feature that made me love the app was social media monitoring. I configured Mobicip with my child’s social media accounts (Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram). I was able to sell all his updates, connections, and other activities. Plus, geo-fencing and GPS tracking were another blessing of the app, letting me stay up to date with my child’s location.

Little Lack in the App

Mobicip is compatible with Android and iOS devices. Still, most of its features are only for Android users – Snapchat monitoring is unavailable for iOS. It offers YouTube content monitoring, but it’s too basic and does not contain details that are a little disappointing.

Pricing Plans

Mobicip offers multiple subscription plans ranging from its Basic plan at $2.99/month, which lets you manage five devices using all basic to advanced features. If you have 5+ devices to organie, access Standard or Premium options at $4.99 and $7.99 monthly. These plans let you monitor up to 20 devices with all advanced features. Before you decide which plan suits you, claim a 7-day free trial of Mobicip without any commitment.

My Stance

When you are looking for a reasonably good and reliable parental control app, this Mobicip review will help you in making a choice. I liked all of Mobicip features coming in good sync, giving you all access to your child’s digital life. However, it does have some limitations for devices and features. Still, a free trial is helpful to experience the app and decide if it meets your requirements.

Bark – Extensive App Monitoring with Advanced Control Options

Bark was different and exceptional among all the parental control app reviews I did earlier. The first thing I noticed about Bark was its ease of use. The setup was straightforward, and I was connected to my children’s devices within a few minutes.

The app monitors 30+ popular social media platforms, emails, and texts, making it a comprehensive one-stop solution.

In my Bark review, I would like to mention that it’s more of a social media monitoring app as it uses a powerful algorithm to scan for danger. The app scans cyberbullying, adult content, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more.

Something I loved about the app is its behavior of respecting my child’s privacy. It does not share every detail of my children’s online activity. It only alerts me when it detects potential threats, so I can protect my children without invading their privacy.

The Bugging Points

Despite impressing me greatly with its monitoring feature, Bark does have a downside that I felt disappointing. It doesn’t allow parents to set screen time limits directly through the app. Instead, I had to use the built-in controls on my children’s devices.

Also, the number of alerts can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if your child is active online.

Pricing Plans

Bark offers two plans: Bark Jr. for $5/month, which offers basic features like screen time management, web filtering, and check-ins, and Bark Premium/Sr. for $14/month, which includes all the advanced monitoring features.

My Stance

When concluding my Bark parental control app review I recommend Bark Sr. as a great value for money. It gives you the best coverage. Plus, you can have a 7-day free trial of the app to experience before making a trade.

Norton Family – AI Supported Web Filters for Content & App Screening

Norton Family parental control review got my attention since I was into limiting access to content for my children along with live location tracking. I was surprised that it offers web filters in 40 different categories. You can customize these filters in default present and adjust categories according to your child’s age or needs.
Though it was an attraction but efficiency was not that good previously. However, in the recent update by the provider, did some advancements. Afterward, I experienced things quite smoothly, and I could observe some features working much better. The presets are compatible with numerous browsers and provide extensive monitoring by looking into diverse factors.

A Few Downsides

Norton Family catches your kids using a private or Incognito mode tab for the searches. It can monitor searches and content in those tabs. However, there is a downside. It only works with the popular search engine like Google or Bing. If your children opt DuckDuckGo or Start Page, the app cannot monitor it.

Pricing Plans

Norton Family has single-pricing plans that cost you about 49.99/per year with an average of $4.16/per month. Against the features it covers, the price seems reasonable. However, I found some other impressive apps on the list offering better features in a similar price range.

My Stance

Overall, the easy-to-use interface and comfortable Dashboard make Norton Family a good choice. Its 30 days free trial was a blessing for me. It lets me access all the premium features for free, giving me enough time to test the app and provide a Norton Family review for you. Before signing up with a paid plan, do not lose your chance to test the app with a free trial.

Additional 5 Parental Apps that are a good choice!

mSpy – Live Tracking and Easy to Use App

One thing this mSpy review reveals is it’s not a parental control application. After experiencing mSpy among the other best parental control apps in 2023, I discovered it’s an efficient monitoring app. Though it does not offer significant control features like screen monitoring, app block, and web filter but gives good location tracking data.

You can keep your kids on the radar using its 27/4 live updates on their location. I was able to limit the frequency of updates to avoid excessive notifications. Another attractive feature mSpy has to offer is social media monitoring.

It’s no secret that kids spend a substantial part of their day on social platforms, and this feature gives me an inside look into my kids’ digital social lives. Whether it’s Facebook, Snapchat, or Instagram, mSpy provides me with detailed reports on their activities.

mSpy runs in stealth mode, which means it’s completely invisible to the device user. It’s not that I want to invade my kids’ privacy, but I believe in being fully aware of keeping them safe. And this feature allowed me to do just that without making them feel like they’re being constantly watched.

Reservations with mSpy

I was impressed by the mSpy monitoring feature. However, still, it was not good enough to provide me with sufficient tools for parental control. During mSpy parental control app review I missed the tools like content screening, screen time limits, and others. But I was impressed by the use of the Dashboard and its accessibility.

Despite the massive data collection and categories, accessing the algorithm and stats was pretty simple. I felt that is not a general case. Parents uncomfortable with technology or looking for a simpler interface may find the dash board complex.

Pricing Plans

When you do not want yearly commitments, mSpy offers several options from monthly to 3 months and 12 months subscriptions. You can get a monthly subscription at $48.99 if you wish limited-time usage. However, for three months mSpy will cost you 27.99 per month and 11.66 per month for a year.

My Stance

Giving the app a try worth it. You can try its 14-day paid trial that lets you enjoy all its features and technical support. If you are unsatisfied with the results, you can claim a refund.

Net Nanny – App Advisor for Dedicated Control

For the first time I installed and used Net Nanny, it felt like my lost love. With its modern and intuitive design, the app got me. I wasn’t only impressed by its design but the features too. The web filtering in Net Nanny is next level. Instead of blocking all the content, apps, or websites, the app lets you be smart.

You can create filters to let the app skim through the content and block only the inappropriate stuff. My children have device variations, and Net Nanny provided me with similar Android and iOS features. It is something I haven’t experienced with any other app.

While doing Net Nanny parental control review I felt that app is acting as a nanny offering me suggestions through App Advisor to choose or block specific apps and their certain features. I could restrict content on YouTube and TikTok instead of blocking them entirely.

A downside that made me feel bad

My experience with Net Nanny review was going smoothly, and it excited me until I found that the app does not offer a call or text monitoring feature. I felt the app was leaving a loophole for letting my child slide out and go off guard. Though most of the apps I tested do not offer this feature for iOS but Android, I was expecting it here too.

Pricing Plans

Net Nanny offers two subscription plans for users with variant numbers of devices. You can subscribe to an app for $54.99/year to manage five or fewer devices. However, the other $89.99/year plan lets you manage up to 20 devices using all exclusive features. If you are unsure about subscribing to the app, claim your free 14-day trial.

My Stance

Net Nanny is your thing if your child is not into calls or text messages but socializes online. It lets you monitor all their online activities. The best option is the App Advisor, which suggests appropriate apps based on your preference for the child.

FamiSafe – Smart Content & App Monitoring

During my Femisafe review I was happy to find the plethora of features that were easy to use from the FamiSafe’s dashboard. I found the app usage and screen time control features excellent. They’ve helped me set healthy boundaries for my kids’ digital usage. I can even block or restrict access to certain apps during homework or bedtime, ensuring their focus stays where it should be.

Using the web content filtering option with 21 default categories, I could block inappropriate content, ensuring that my kids only see age-appropriate websites. Additionally, I could monitor their web browsing history, and it was great to be aware of their online activities.

Another catch of the app was the real-time location tracking. Not only could I view my children’s current location, but the geofencing feature also allowed me to set up safe zones. Whenever my kids enter or leave these zones, I get instant alerts. It’s like having a virtual guardian angel.

Things I Wasn’t Comfortable With

Unfortunately, my kids could easily bypass content filters by visiting likes like YouTube and Reddit. Though in-app, there were options to fix the situation, I wanted something more efficient and to work on self-detection.

I did not find it hard to navigate through the Dashboard, but it wasn’t user-friendly. I observed it’s a bit technical, and parents may have difficulty using it normally.

Pricing Plans

The pricing plans for FamiSafe are quite reasonable for its extensive features. You can get three options, a monthly Plan of $9.99 per month, a Quarterly Plan of $19.99 every three months (around $6.66 per month), and an Annual Plan of $59.99 per year (around $4.99 per month).

If you wish to experience the app’s features, you can sign up for its three days free trials before a longer commitment. The app offers an open-end interaction where you can continue or quit.

My Stance

To be honest in my FamiSafe Parental Control app Review, I did not like the vulnerability of the app. I observed that my children could disable GPS easily, and the app had no mechanism to notify me. Though a smart web filter is good, the parental Dashboard is another mess. It’s complicated and not user-friendly.

WebWatcher – Comprehensive Tracking & Monitoring

I installed the app for an extensive WebWatcher parental control app review, but it doesn’t take too long to understand that it’s a monitoring app. Coming to the monitoring tool, it’s an excellent choice that lets you have all device records and updates. The app can even provide screenshots of the apps like TikTok, Facebook chats, tinder, and more.

The app has some simple location tracking options and a convenient-to-use interface. Even the Dashboard is pretty simple and easy to access.

A Big Turn-Off for Me

Having a track of all the screenshots seems wasteful to me when it cannot put content filters or use screen time limits. It wanted my kids to access safe content online, but the app has no such feature.

Plus, it’s not a budget-friendly option for a parent like me with three kids. WebWatcher support only one device for one subscription, and buying it for every child against these limited features is a bad idea.

Pricing Plans

The monitoring app plans start at $10.83/month, offering access to multiple monitoring tools. You can explore more options once you register.

My Stance

In my WebWatcher review, I do not recommend the app to families with multiple children. It costs too much for an individual subscription. Plus, you are not getting all parental controls in the app but some advanced monitoring. It’s possible to access these monitoring features in another app.

Secure Teen – Advanced GPS Free Tracking

Initially, I considered Secure Teen an ordinary parental control app. Still, it’s one feature that convinced me to add a Secure Teen review here. Even if my children turned off the GPs from their devices, the app gave me access to their location. It was exceptional and comforting when my kids were out there, possibly in an area with no network reach.

Why do I not Prefer it?

Even though I was impressed by the smart GPS feature, it wasn’t the only thing I needed in a parent control app. I wanted some full option control for my children’s online safety. Still, Secure Teen has no app blocker and offers a basic screen and web filter. Moreover, my children could easily bypass their daily screen limits on devices which were alarming for me.

Pricing Plans

Secure Teen offers you two yearly plans, Premium and Premium Plus. The premium plan costs around $39.99/ year, managing up to 3 devices and supporting Android, iOS, and PC. In contrast, Premium Plus offers you advanced features with managing three devices supporting Android and costs $69.99/ year. If unsatisfied with the app results, you can sign up for a free trial and even enjoy their 15 days money-back guarantee.

My Stance

I do not prefer to invest in the app after doing a Secure Teen parental control app review. It comes with simple and basic features. It can work for the parent who wants some limited features but cannot satisfy a full option parental control app demand. Though the app and Dashboard have an easy interface, no live support sometimes makes me feel stranded in the desert.

One Parental Control app you Should Never Waste Your Time With – FamilyLink

I started exploring and reviewing parental control apps with Google FamilyLink. Considering it is coming from Google, I thought to try it first; however, I did not expect much from the free tool.

Soon after getting started, I realized I did not need it for my kids. FamilyLink is one basic location tracking and screen time limit app. It does not offer extensive parental controls to take charge of what your kids do in the digital world.

The Android-supported app only tells you the time your kids spend on each app daily and limits the usage time. Using the bedtime filters, you can just restrict the screen time. It does not notify explicit content searches or advise content filter options.

A major downside I observed when doing FamilyLink parental control review was its vulnerability. My kids easily rule out the app, even for screen time limitations. If your need is pretty basic, it can be a choice. However, to experience a full option free parental control app, get FamilyTime free for three days without any commitment to continue. It will help you experience real control of your kid’s digital devices and be in charge.

Tips to Choose the Best Parental Control App for Your Child’s Safety

Every family and parent have different and specific needs when it comes to child safety. Being a parent of 3, having two boys and a girl aged between 4 and 14, I had different requirements. I stood forward and experienced different apps and do best parental control app review. It helped me to finalize one that fits all my children’s profiles and specified needs.

However, every parent can’t go overboard and experiment this much. So, here are a few tips that can help everyone finalize the best-suited app quickly.

Accessibility Features

My research evaluated that all parental control apps are not equally created. Each of them has different features and functions. The apps have a certain focus on tools like screen time, web filters, app filters, location tracking, and more. It’s hard to find one app that provides every feature at its best.

Well, my priority was to find one, and I got it under the name of FamilyTime. So, you should observe these features offered by the app you are focusing on. It must meet your requirements to ensure the child’s safety.

Anti-Hack Mechanism

A major concern for me in the process of finding the best parental control app was hack proofing. Like me, my kids are pretty advanced with their tech skills and look for options to cheat with the web or app filters and screen time limits. In this matter, I found FamilyTime a reliable source.

The app itself is designed to doge any hack attempts, and in case my kids pass through one step, I can always go in advance. The support team is there to help me with the situation and secure the settings. If you have similar concerns or challenges, it is recommended to look for the app that has got your back.

Usage Interface

Most parents are not good with the technical side and can access all the tools in a complex interface. I can feel it because I have seen many parents struggling with common actions in some parental control apps and asking for help. Instead, FamilyTime does have a simplified and easy-to-use interface.

Even a non-technical parent can get through all the basic and advanced setup options in the app with built-in navigation. Furthermore, the extensive knowledge base of FamilyTime is right there to help them know all settings and use them efficiently. It’s essential to look at the app interface along with the features because it is not worth it when you cannot access the features.

Analytics & Reports

Setting up limits is not enough; as a parent, you should know the patterns of screen time your child has. Knowing what your kid watches and how much app is in use for the allowed time helps you know about your kid’s digital habits and interests. Pick up a parental control app that provides you with these analytics. You can use the data to provide your kids with a better digital ecosystem.

Great Value for Money

The cost efficiency of the parental control app does matter, but it’s not everything. I prefer to look for the value any app is offering. Paying a little more for the features, security, and better customer service of FamilyTime is considerable for me against WebWatcher or Secure Teen.

What features does the best Parental Control app Hold?

Do you want to quickly decide on the best-performing parental control app? Here are some features I recommend you in my FamilyTime parental control review to find at a glance. If the app offers these key features, you should sign up for a trial, and following a satisfactory experience, you can continue.

Key Functions and Controls – the app must have key controls like web and app filer, location tracking, screen time tracking, content monitoring, SOS, or panic notifications. Having these options in the toolkit of any app will let you secure your kids online.

Easy-to-Use Dashboard – the control dashboard should be comfortable and easy to access. Access to tools and settings lets you easily set up, change, and monitor controls.

Real-Time Updates – outdated apps are of no use. The efficient parental control app should have real-time upgrades considering the possible online threats. It keeps you in charge of your kid’s digital well-being.

24/7 Efficient Customer Support – the app giving you 24/7 support coverage cares for you. Whenever you are stuck with something, you have access to a support representative who can help you pass through the hiccups.

Pricing & Plan Variations – every family has different needs and limitations. Hence, they need flexible options in features, plans, and pricing. You should observe parental control app reviews and pick up an app that offers you price variations to fit your requirements.

FAQs

Why is it important to have parental control over my child’s device?

Securing your child from cyber predation, bullying, harassment, data or identity theft, explicit content and physical or mental issues is important. The parenting apps help you save them from digital toxins and provide a better digital space.

Isn’t using a parental control app synonymous with spying?

Do not strangle yourself, deciding whether it’s spying or parenting. The dangers in the digital world are real, and you need to save your children from them. Using parental control on minors does not involve any legal or ethical implications. However, for adults, you can always build a connection through communication before using the parental control app. FamilyTime offers solutions for teens’ and minors’ digital parenting according to your needs.

Are parental control apps safe to use?

Not all these are safe or have secure mechanisms, but the apps I tested and listed are reliable. Data security is why I do not recommend using a free app to make money. They may sell your children’s data or not invest in secured data servers. Well, in the case of FamilyTime, data security is a priority.

Are there any free parent control apps?

Yes, there are numerous free versions of parental apps but with limited features. You can access free apps like FamilyLink or built-in parental control settings on your child’s device. Furthermore, many apps offer you to set up parental control on each of them individually.

How does a paid parental control app make digital parenting easy?

Investing in a parental control app like FamilyTime makes digital parenting easy and seamless. One app lets you control all others on your child’s device. Using its web filter, app blocker, screen time limit, and content screening options, you can make your child’s digital world a safe space.

Can I try FamilyTime for free?

Yes, I took its free 3-day trial before confirming my yearly subscription. I enjoyed all of its premium features in the trial period and safe satisfied with the results.

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