Top 7 Parental Control Apps for iPhone and Android 2023
Updated on 2024-01-15 17:15:22 to 2024-01-15 17:15:22
When it comes to choosing the best parental control apps for Android or iPhone, you have to consider many different factors. Choosing the right app is important to have a good understanding of how your children are spending their time on the internet.
Both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store are full of parental control apps. Since it can be difficult to choose the right app, we are going to discuss the top 7 parental control apps for iPhone and Android here.
So, keep reading to ensure you choose the best parental control app.
1. ParentalGuard
ParentalGuard is a reliable and efficient parental control app for iPhones. You can use this best parental control app to keep your kids safe and secure online by blocking inappropriate content, limiting screen time usage, and keeping a close eye on your children's online activities.
With a parenting control app like ParentalGuard, you can make sure that your children are getting a safe online environment and that they are not facing serious digital threats like cyberbullying, predators, and general internet addiction.
Follow these steps to use ParentalGuard on your iOS device, such as iPhone:
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Access the official website of ParentalGuard and log in to your account.
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Enter the iCloud account details of the device that you want to monitor for your child.
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Once you enter the iCloud details, you will have to pass the two-factor authentication.
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After the authentication process is completed, the device will be connected. You can easily monitor your child’s iPhone and all of the other devices associated with the iCloud account.
Pros
- Create customized time plans for different applications.
- Parents can track the real-time location of their child and also access detailed location history.
- Monitor your kid’s social media secretly.
- Block access to adult sites and inappropriate content through various filters available on ParentalGuard.
Cons
- Lack of free plan.
2. Google Family Link
Google Family Link is one of the best parental control apps for Android, as it is completely free. It is only available for Android users, but the fact that Google has developed it means it has excellent user-friendliness, reliability, and effectiveness.
By installing Google Family Link on your child’s Android device, you can get maximum control over the apps or settings they can have on their devices. Moreover, you can even limit the kind of apps that your child can download from Google Play. So, if you are looking for a free parental control app for Android, Google Family Link can be your top choice.
Pros
- Google Family Link is available for free.
- User-friendly app.
- Reliable and effective.
Cons
- Google Family Link is limited to Android devices and does not support iOS devices like iPhones.
- It has extremely limited web filtering.
3. Bark
Bark is a parental control app available for both Android and iPhone users. It is a powerful safety and mobile monitoring app that allows you to monitor content and manage your children's screen time. It is capable of monitoring different types of media content and over 30 social media platforms and apps.
Pros
- Bark uses powerful machine learning models to catch modern slang and keywords.
- It is capable of monitoring 30+ social media platforms.
- Restrict 18+ content.
Cons
- Bark can generate delayed alerts.
4. Qustodio
Qustodio is another popular parental control app that has received immense attention for its claims of being an all-in-one digital well-being solution. The platform has many different features to monitor kid’s phone, such as:
- Filtering content and apps.
- Activity monitoring.
- Setting time limits.
- Tracking calls and messages.
- Locating family.
- Generating SoS and emergency alerts.
All of these features are presented in a user-friendly interface to ensure that even if the parents are not tech-savvy, they can use Qustodio.
Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Wide-ranging monitoring and usage control options.
Cons
- Expensive
- Qustodio can be bypassed with the help of a VPN.
- Lack of social media tracking.
5.FamiSafe
FamiSafe is an impressive parental app that comes with standard parental monitoring features as well as some unique features. You can use FamiSafe to monitor your children's driving habits, track their location, and see the videos that your kids are watching on their devices. It also has a reverse location tracking feature through which children can track you in case of emergencies.
Pros
- Affordable
- FamiSafe has several unique features that are not available in other parental control apps.
Cons
- Lack of call monitoring.
- It is not as user-friendly as some of the other parental control apps.
6. ClevGuard
ClevGuard has several parental control apps for Android and iPhone, including KidsGuard, KidsGuard Pro, KidsGuard for WhatsApp, and KidsGuard for LINE. All of these apps have varying monitoring features.
Even though there is no one central app available, you can use these apps for specific needs, such as monitoring WhatsApp with your children. The KidsGuard app fulfills the general parental control requirements with features like web filtering, location tracking, and comprehensive activity reports.
Pros
- Impressive range of individual apps and features.
- User-friendly
Cons
- Buying individual apps can be expensive.
- Lack of one app to provide all of the features.
7. Life360
Unlike the other parental control apps mentioned above, Life360 focuses more on location and driving tracing. It is a highly easy-to-use app with excellent customer support service. The platform also has a free plan to fulfill basic parental control needs.
Pros
- Life360 has impressive, unique features, such as an SOS button, car crash detection, and features to protect your child against identity theft.
- User-friendly.
- A free plan is available.
Cons
- Lack of traditional parental control features like web and app filtering.
FAQs about Parental Control Apps
1. Are there any free parental control apps?
Yes, there are free parental control apps, such as Google Family Link for Android and built-in parental control features for iPhone.
2. What is the best app to monitor your child's phone without them knowing?
The best app to monitor your child’s phone discreetly without them knowing is ParentalGuard.
3. How can I monitor my child's text messages without them knowing?
You can use ParentalGuard to monitor your child’s text messages without them knowing.
Conclusion
The large variety of parental control apps for iPhone and Android can overwhelm you and make it difficult for you to choose the perfect app. However, you should evaluate the overall features and user-friendliness of these apps to make sure you are choosing the right app to protect your child from dangers lurking on the internet.
The overall analysis of these top 7 best parental control apps shows that ParentalGuard is the best parental app available for both Android and iPhone. It allows you to monitor your child’s phone discreetly and have complete reports about your child’s online activities.
