Parental control apps are valuable for helping parents manage and monitor their children's online activities and screen time. When choosing a parental control app, looking for features that align with your needs and concerns is essential. Here are some key features to consider:
Screen time: Does the app encourage kids to use screens less? Can you monitor or control how much your kids use their phones?
Content: Does the app protect kids from harmful content?
Location: Does the app let you see where your kids are and where they've been?
Additions: Does the app manage chores, family communication, and allowances?
Apps dedicated to one area may do it better than general-purpose apps, but you might need assistance in all three areas. Our Buyer's Guide to Parent Control Apps goes into this in more detail.
Best Parental Control Apps
1. OurPact - Parental Control App
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
OurPact is a parental control app that helps manage kids' screen time and location. It offers app blocking, GPS tracking, and geofencing for Android, iPhone, and iPad.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
- Location tracking
- Whole-family focus
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
If we missed any of the Best Free Parental Control App for Android and iPhone, tell us about them!
2. ScreenCoach
(Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac)
ScreenCoach is a parental control app that uses a task and reward system to balance kids' device use. It's available on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Mac with a 30-day free trial.
Top Features
- Encourages kids to reduce their screen time.
- Incorporates chore and allowances/pocket money management features
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac
Price: Free 30-day trial on mobile then charged monthly.
3. Gryphon Connect
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Gryphon is a parental control and security WiFi router with enhanced controls, security features, and fast WiFi. It's compatible with Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows devices.
Trusted by over 50,000 parents, Gryphon has more than 4000 positive reviews and was voted the best parental control system three years in a row by Fatherly, a leading parenting publication.
Top Features
- Hardware-based for maximum effectiveness
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad and Windows
4. FamilyKeeper Parental Control
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
- Location tracking
Devices: Android, iPhone and iPad
Price: Free with in-app purchases
5. FamiSafe-Parental Control App
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Famisafe is a parental control app to help you monitor, protect, and limit your kids' use of mobile and desktop devices. You can control your kids' overall use of their devices, monitor or block certain content or searches, and find your kids' location.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
- Location tracking
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Kindle, Chrome
6. Qustodio Parental Control
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Qustodio is one of the most popular parental control apps that help families keep their kids supervised and safe. This app offers multiple parental control features including in-depth reports of kids' daily activity via email.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
- Location tracking
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebook
7. Norton Family parental control
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
One of the popular parental apps for Android and iPhone, Norton Family Premier. This app, from the makers of Norton Security, provides a wide range of parental control and monitoring features for parents of today’s hyper-connected kids. Parents can grant or block access to all apps, browsers, games, and more from the Norton Family portal when they need to enforce a break.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebook
8. Life360: Find Family & Friends
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Life360 is designed to track your family’s location and keep them safe, whether walking, driving, or browsing online. It’s not a traditional parental control app, but it can't be beaten regarding location monitoring.
Life360 is the best app for parents most concerned with tracking their child’s whereabouts. While it doesn’t offer any internet, call, text, or app monitoring, it keeps track of your child’s location and gives you alerts when they reach a specific location
Top Features
- Location tracking
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebook
9. ESET Parental Control
(Android)
ESET Parental Control is one of the best Android-based parental control apps that allows you to monitor and regulate your kid's activities. It is a standalone application integrated with all essential features in a single ESET portal where parents can track and monitor their kid’s activities from any browser.
All you need to do is download and install ESET parental control application from their website on your phone and your kid’s phone, create your account and start monitoring your kid’s daily activities.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
Devices: iPhone, iPad and Android
10. Kidgy - Parental control app
(Android, iPhone, iPad)
Kidgy is a unique application that makes modern parenting easier. Not only does this application monitor your child’s exposure to social media, websites, contacts, and calls, it also acts as a GPS system to monitor your child's whereabouts or whether they have moved out of a given area.
Top Features
- Content filtering
- Screen time monitoring
- Location tracking
Devices: iPhone, iPad, and Android
Frequently Asked Questions
What are parent control apps?
Parent control apps let you place restrictions or monitoring features on your kids' devices to keep them safer online, limit their screen time, and block apps or content. Geotracking monitors device locations so you know where they are. There are dedicated location apps and general-purpose parent control apps which add geolocation features. Buyer's Guide to Parent Control Apps.
How do my kids' devices affect my choice of parental control app?
Limitations — Apple iPhones are more restrictive than Android phones in what they allow developers to do. Some of the features you might want in parental control apps aren't possible on iPhones as they have privacy implications which Apple has chosen not to enable.
What else should I do to keep my kids safe?
Don’t over-rely on app-based safety. You might know where kids are, but there will still be a distance between you both. If your kids lose their device they will have to make decisions without your support. Ensure kids know what to do in different scenarios where they do not have their devices.
Plenty of parental control apps are available for you to keep an eye on your children and how they use their smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even Kindles when you're not around. While Google's Family Time and Apple's Screen Time offer basic controls, they are restricted by requiring all family members to be on the same operating system.
However, you can choose the best parental control app for Android and iPhone with its features, such as fast installation service, ease of use, and a complete range of features that help you make the right choices.
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