Looking for a way to keep your children safe online? We tested and reviewed 20+ parental control software apps to find you the best parental controls of the moment. Here are the top 7 best apps:
- Bark: Best overall parental control app.
- Qustodio: An all-round parental control app that works flawlessly.
- Kaspersky Safe Kids: Get a lot of coverage for an affordable price.
- Net Nanny: Specializes in social media monitoring and web filtering.
- Norton Family: Get antivirus protection along with your parental controls.
- OurPact: Mobile parental controls for screen time scheduling.
- Mobicip: Parental controls with all the necessary features and great potential.
With the right parental controls, you can provide your children with the tools they need to keep themselves safe online and keep an eye on them from a distance.
The best parental control apps help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities. You can get reports on cyberbullying, keep an eye on your child’s live location, and receive alerts for dangerous apps, messages, and even social media comments.
Our testing panel of parents and children assessed 20+ apps to establish our list of the top 7 parental control apps. We pay special attention to features, web filtering, and privacy.
The #1 parental control app we recommend is Bark. It works for all kinds of families, has a user-friendly mobile version, and teaches your children the best online safety skills. It’s the most feature-rich of all the apps we tested, and it comes with a seven-day free trial!
Top 7 Best Parental Control Apps
We ranked these parental control apps based on their features, compatibility, and pricing, so you can quickly scan to see which fits your family’s lifestyle best.
Below is a summary of the five best parental control apps. To get a full review of all seven parental control apps we recommend, keep reading below.
| FEATURES | BARK | QUSTODIO | KASPERSKY SAFE KIDS | NET NANNY | NORTON FAMILY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating systems | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Amazon Fire | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Amazon Kindle | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Amazon Kindle | iOS, Android, Windows |
| Free version | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Paid subscriptions | Starts at $6.00/month | Starts at $54.95/year | Starts at $21.99/year | Starts at $39.99/year | Starts at $49.99/year |
| Number of devices supported | Unlimited devices | Unlimited devices | Unlimited devices | Up to 20 | Unlimited devices |
| Social media monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Location tracking | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Text message monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Web filtering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Screen time customization | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| App blocking | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free trial | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Link | Get Bark | Get Qustodio | Get Kaspersky Safe Kids | Get Net Nanny | Get Norton Family |
1. Bark: Best parental control app overall
What We Like
- Monitors 30+ social media apps
- Sensitive content filters
- Unlimited devices to one account
- Text monitoring possible on iOS
- Real-time alerts
- Location tracking and alerts
- Seven-day free trial
What We Don't Like
- Only available in US, Australia, and South Africa
- No geo-fencing feature
- Set-up can take some time
Bark is one of the best parental control apps available today and is the #1 parental control app we recommend. It strikes the perfect balance between online security and online independence — something we can’t encourage enough! In our testing panel, adults and kids alike were big fans of Bark, and for good reason.
Features:
- Advanced content filtering lets parents set parameters using 18 categories, including sexual content, violence, and profanity. You can even block streaming and gaming sites.
- Monitor 30+ apps and social media platforms, including TikTok and Snapchat. Android users will especially get a lot out of this feature since Bark covers most apps on Android.
- Customizable screen time schedules for each child allow parents to set how much screen time kids can have per day. Bark even suggests alternative activities when screen time is up.
- Real-time alerts, as well as regular activity reports, keep you in the loop about what your children get up to online.
- Top-notch data privacy and security mean all user data is fully encrypted, and no data is shared with third parties without your consent.
Bark offers different plans depending on your family’s needs and the age of your kids. Bark Jr. plans start at $6.00/month, while Bark Premium starts at $14.00/month. It also offers other products, including a Bark Phone and Bark Home internet filter.
Bark is compatible with most systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and Amazon Fire.
Tried and tested: Bark
We tested Bark extensively and found that the setup takes some time to accomplish. After creating our account, we had to set up app and website blocks, schedule screen time, install and set up the app on our test devices, and connect Bark to the test social media accounts.
However, this is a testament to how many features Bark has, so in our opinion, the setup was a worthy investment.
The app does not keep a minute-to-minute track record of kids’ activities, but it works fantastically at what it does. For example, location services are very accurate, and alerts arrive in real time.
Our testing panel was also very impressed with the range of content filters offered. Instead of only focusing on adult sites and explicit content, the filters also respond to signs of cyberbullying, depression, and substance abuse.
Alerts are timely and specific, as seen in the below screenshot:
Unfortunately, we did find social media monitoring to be more limited on iOS devices. This is a more common problem with parental control apps, since not all apps can comply with Apple’s guidelines.
Pro Tip:
Are you an iOS user? Scroll down to see our experience with the free Apple Screen Time tool. It might be for you!
On all other fronts, however, Bark outperforms the competition! The web filters are extensive, and parents can customize the app to their preferences easily. In our most recent Bark review, we were happy to find that the app just continues to get better and better.
You can try the full suite of Bark’s features in a seven-day free trial, which you can upgrade or cancel at any time.
2. Qustodio: Excellent parental control app with many features
What We Like
- Location tracking and geo-fencing
- App monitoring works with major platforms like YouTube
- Available in eight languages
- Phone call and text messaging tracking
- Free version available
What We Don't Like
- Limited number of devices
- More expensive than its competitors
- Privacy policy is relatively vague
- Less privacy for older teens, which can cause resentment
Qustodio has everything you could want from a parental control app. Compared to Bark, you can get even more insight into what your children do online, including a record of their calls and text messages. This feature works best on Android phones, but location tracking and geo-fencing work equally well on Android and iOS. The app is best suited for parents who want to keep a close eye on their kids.
Features:
- Your Places feature allows you to fence certain locations (e.g., home, school, grandparents’ house, sports club). Once your child enters or leaves these locations, you receive an alert.
- Phone and text monitoring let parents see who their kids talk to and what they’re saying.
- Screen time scheduling allows you to set daily screen time limits as well as limits for specific apps and devices in your household.
- Content filters let you block website categories or blacklist specific websites of your choice. Parents can tweak the parental control settings to receive notifications.
- Free plan available that covers the bases: screen time monitoring, daily time limits, smart web filtering, and Safe Search. Other parental control apps only offer short-term free trials.
Qustodio Basic is offered at $54.95/year and covers five devices. Qustodio Complete costs $99.95/year and covers unlimited devices. It’s not the cheapest parental control software on the market, but you’re sure to get a quality product!
Qustodio has broad platform support and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Android, iOS, and Kindle.
Tried and tested: Qustodio
Questodio is one of our favorite parental control apps. While the sensitivity of the content filters is not quite up to Bark’s standard, it still works well. If your kids try to access a blocked website, you’ll be notified right away via a real-time alert.
Using Safe Search, web results on Google, Bing, and YouTube will also be blocked from displaying any harmful content.
From our testing experience, we have to commend Qustodio’s screen time scheduling feature. You can create very detailed schedules for each of your children and devices:
The Family Locator feature shows where all members of your family are at once. Geo-fencing lets you know whether your kids enter or leave any preset zones or saved locations that you’ve created.
When it comes to text and call monitoring, Qustodio is one of the few apps that allows parents full insight. (However, do keep in mind that older teens will appreciate being kept in the know and having a say in an open conversation. Ultimately, this will only make them safer online.)
Qustodio offers users a free version of their app, though you won’t get the full list of features. Try it today to see if it’s the right choice for your family! You can upgrade to a premium plan any time.
3. Kaspersky Safe Kids: Best parental control app for YouTube
What We Like
- Web filtering using14 categories
- Unlimited devices on one account
- YouTube Safe Search alerts parents in real time
- Affordable plans
- Low battery notification
What We Don't Like
- Limited features on iOS
- Social media monitoring covers only VK and Facebook
- Installation is time-consuming
- No private browser monitoring
Kaspersky Safe Kids is a more affordable option than Bark and Qustodio and still has great content filtering and a very useful YouTube Safe Search feature. You can set screen time limits for all your kids and devices. Social media monitoring might be somewhat limited, but Safe Kids has a lot to offer and can be a great option for your family!
Features:
- Advanced YouTube filters ensure that inappropriate searches will be promptly flagged, notifying parents or guardians right away.
- Browser monitoring on the desktop version covers Chrome, Edge, Safari, Yandex, and Internet Explorer. You can also filter content based on 14 different categories.
- Screen time lock automatically locks your child’s phone after a certain time. For extra safety, there are certain apps you can whitelist so that they will still work, even when the phone is locked, e.g., calling or texting services.
- GPS tracker shows your child’s location with pinpoint accuracy.
A Safe Kids subscription will cost you $21.99/year. You can use Kaspersky Safe Kids on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Tried and tested: Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids excels at keeping your child safe while using YouTube. It blocks harmful searches and prevents kids from viewing inappropriate content based on 14 preset categories.
Kaspersky logs your child’s YouTube search activity. If you’ve got older children, this is more invasive, but for younger children, it can be great.
In comparison to other parental control apps, Safe Kids doesn’t have as many features. Our parent testing panel was sad to see that there were no panic buttons or SOS features, nor was it possible to monitor iMessage or texting.
Some downsides of Kaspersky include setup taking some time and limited social media monitoring (only Facebook and VK). However, it really is one of the more affordable plans out there! If your kids use YouTube more than any other platform, then Kaspersky is the right choice for your family.
Make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee and try Kaspersky Safe Kids risk-free for a month!
4. Net Nanny: Best parental control app for social media
What We Like
- Can block 100+ different apps
- Limit screen time for your kids
- Location tracking, including geo-fencing
- YouTube monitoring available
- AI-trained content filtering system
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't offer call or text message monitoring
- Limited app blocking on iOS
- No SOS feature available
- Limited devices
Net Nanny has one of the most advanced web filtering systems for parental control apps on the market. There are 14 content categories to choose from in Net Nanny’s Content parental control settings. But what’s even better is that you can create your own! Have a look at the key features or check out Net Nanny for yourself right away.
Features:
- Block 100+ apps and even more websites with Net Nanny, which uses AI technology and real-time content analysis for its web filtering. This makes the app highly sensitive and effective in keeping your kids away from risky websites!
- Family Map lets you check your child’s location at any time. Like Qustodio, Net Nanny offers geo-fencing to create pre-set areas for each of your kids.
- App Advisor gives parents a heads-up about any new social media apps they should watch out for, including risky apps like Likee.
- YouTube monitoring is built into the Net Nanny software, making it easy to keep an eye on your kid’s search history.
- Screen time management lets you set screen time limits, restrict app use, and receive reports that give you in-depth insight into your children’s online activity. Real-time alerts are always a plus!
Plans start at $39.99/year if you’re happy to use Net Nanny on only PC or Mac. Want to cover all devices? Get a Family Protection Pass (up to five devices) for $54.99/year or a Family Protection Pass (20 devices) for $89.99/year.
In terms of compatibility, you can use Net Nanny on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle, and Chromebook.
Tried and tested: Net Nanny
Unlike Qustodio, Net Nanny doesn’t allow for text message monitoring. However, if you’re focused on web filtering and social media, Net Nanny is one of the best apps around.
Net Nanny allows parents to block major social media apps, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Our testing panel was happy to see that you can even see the apps that your child has recently downloaded. We also love seeing the built-in YouTube monitoring tool.
Family Map lets you set screen time schedules and check your children’s locations. In terms of usability, Net Nanny has a family-friendly design and doesn’t require too much time to set up.
Unfortunately, there’s no free trial or free version of Net Nanny, but you can buy the basic package for only $39.99/year (or less than $4/month) and see if it’s a good fit for your family.
5. Norton Family: Best parental control app with antivirus protection
What We Like
- Extra antivirus protection
- Set screen time schedules
- Geo-fencing and location tracking
- View search terms and web use
- Device locking is possible
What We Don't Like
- Relatively expensive
- No real social media monitoring
- Web filtering not as sensitive as other apps
- Not compatible with macOS
Looking for extra online protection? In addition to parental control software features, Norton Family offers antivirus packages and gives users better cybersecurity coverage. Of course, it wouldn’t make this list unless it covered all the bases when it comes to location checking, screen time management, app blocking, and website filtering.
Features:
- Screen time schedules let you set specific limitations and schedules, especially for school apps. With this feature, you can whitelist educational apps and websites your child is allowed to visit.
- View search terms and web use on Windows, Android, and iOS. While this is relatively invasive, kids do have an Access Request option for websites so that they stay involved and part of an open conversation.
- Location supervision tool to keep you updated on where your child is at all times. Parents can set alerts to be notified about specific locations.
- Mobile App Supervision lets you see which apps kids have downloaded and manage them.
- Active lock mode to keep your kids off their phones at certain times. For safety, kids can still be in touch with their parents or guardians even when the phone is locked.
You can buy Norton Family separately for $49.99/year, or you can get it as part of Norton 360 Deluxe (which covers five devices), now with a 50% discount at $49.99/year!
You can use Norton Family on Windows PC, iOS, and Android. It is, unfortunately, not compatible with macOS.
Tried and tested: Norton Family
Norton Family optimizes your child’s online security and user experience in many ways. Location tracking works with great accuracy.
With the School Time feature, you can create specific schedules for school apps and educational websites. The location tracking features work well and provide you with notifications whenever you want. Of course, an added benefit is that Norton’s antivirus solution keeps all sorts of malware and spam away!
Norton Family is more invasive than other parental controls, especially considering that parents can view all web use. However, our testing panel did praise the “Access Request” option that lets kids ask permission to visit certain sites. This provides them with a degree of independence while still giving parents the final call.
The main reason Norton Family is not higher on this list is that it’s not compatible with macOS. It also doesn’t offer social media monitoring. On Android devices, you can block or allow certain apps, but this isn’t available on other platforms. Content on the apps is not monitored either.
Luckily, there is a 30-day free trial! This allows you to test out the parental controls risk-free for an entire month.
6. OurPact: Best parental control app for mobile screen time management
What We Like
- Works as well on iOS as on Android
- Set up customizable screen time schedules
- Free plan available (one device)
- Geo-fencing location services
- Web browser blocking
What We Don't Like
- Not available on Windows or Amazon devices
- Can only block Safari and Chrome
- More limited than other parental controls
- Content restrictions limited to sexual content
The OurPact parental control app specializes in customizable screen time control features for your whole family on iOS and Android devices. Parents can block certain apps while allowing their children easy access to approved apps. It is a bit more limited than other parental control apps in this list, but is also more affordable!
Features:
- Equally effective on iOS and Android, OurPact is best suited for mobile users, since there is no app for Windows or Amazon devices.
- Web filtering is primarily focused on sexual content, which is important for keeping children away from online predators. However, this makes content filtering a bit more limited than on other parental control apps like Net Nanny or Bark.
- Customizable screen time schedules for each family member make limiting screen time quick and easy to set up!
There are different plans to choose from: a free version (one device only), OurPact Premium at $6.99/month, and OurPact Premium+ at $9.99/month. The main difference is that Premium+ allows you to receive screenshots from your child’s device as well as get access to their photo gallery.
OurPact is compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Tried and tested: OurPact
OurPact is a more basic parental controls app. It’s best suited for iOS and Android devices. You can create custom screen schedules that are unique to each of your kids. While content filtering is primarily focused on sexual content, the Premium+ plan gives you a lot of insight into your child’s online activity.
You can receive instant screenshots from your child’s device, block text messaging, and even get access to the phone’s gallery. For best results, we recommend that parents discuss this with their children to help develop their digital independence.
Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks to OurPact. These parental controls can only block Safari and Chrome browsers and don’t offer a Windows, macOS, or Amazon version of the app. Still, you can get a lot done with this app! Both Premium plans offer two free months if you sign up now.
7. Mobicip: Best parental controls for real-time web filtering
What We Like
- Covers all bases at very low costs!
- Location tracking available (Family Locator and geofencing)
- Social media monitoring and web filtering
- Create custom schedules for screen time
- Scans the web in real-time for risks and issues
What We Don't Like
- Different features depending on device type
- Desktop restrictiosn don't always work
- Geared primarily towards Android users
- Scheduling has some limitations
If you’re looking for a more basic and affordable parental control app that still gets the job done, Mobicip might be for you! It’s a very affordable app that still gives you everything you expect from a solid parental control app: screen time limitations, location tracking, web filtering, and social media monitoring. It works best on Android devices!
Features:
- Family Locator shows you the live location of family members. You can use geo-fencing to see whenever your child enters or leaves a certain area.
- Full activity reports show your kids’ online activity and time spent online. Children themselves can also keep an eye on their own screen time via the Child Dashboard.
- AI-based social media monitoring and web blocking let parents restrict apps, games, and websites based on categories like Adult, Gambling, Social Network, Weapons, and Violence.
- App and screen time restrictions allow parents to limit screen time.
There are three different plans to choose from: Mobicip Lite (five devices) at $2.99/month, Mobicip Standard (10 devices) at $4.99/month, and Mobicip Premium (20 devices) at $7.99/month.
Mobicip is compatible with all major operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Amazon Kindle.
Tried and tested: Mobicip
Generally, Mobicip is a great app to use. It is easy to set up and has many of the same features as other apps at a very affordable price! We’re a fan of the location services and the fact that Mobicip uses AI-based tech to filter the web for risky content.
One of the main drawbacks, however, is that certain features work slightly differently with Mobicip than with other parental controls. For example, you’re not able to set exact screen time limits, only between certain hours. Mobicip also automatically blocks certain apps by default, while others slip through the cracks.
Even so, parents in our testing panel liked the accuracy of the real-time alerts as well as the fact that Mobicip gives kids the option to request access via the Messages tab in the parent portal. You can add custom keywords to make filtering even more effective.
Overall, it’s a very decent app that deserves checking out. You can try Mobicip for free for seven days. Click the orange button to have a look for yourself!
How We Test and Choose the Best Parental Control Apps
In testing, reviewing, and choosing the best parental control apps, we pay specific attention to the following features and criteria:
- Value for money: If you’re going to invest in parental control software, the price-quality ratio is obviously important. Parental controls don’t have to break the bank!
- Web filtering and app management: We commend parental control apps that let you adjust the sensitivity of filters for each child individually. This way you can give older children more online independence while keeping younger kids away from inappropriate content.
- Screen time management: Can the app restrict screen time? Can parents set guidelines for each individual child? For this feature, we appreciate it if parents get various options for limiting screen time.
- Location services: A parental control app with good location tracking and geo-fencing can save parents and guardians a lot of stress! You can allow your kids the freedom to go out on their own while still being able to check in on them.
- Installation and ease of use: Is the app compatible with various device types? Does the user interface work smoothly? We value apps that respect their users’ time, especially since parents have hectic schedules.
Every single app in this article has been extensively tested and reviewed according to these standards.
Which Parental Control App is Best for Your Family?
Each family has its own needs. Our recommendations are just that: recommendations. When it comes to choosing the best parental control app for your family, you’re the real expert.
Here’s a quick overview of the unique selling points of each app in our top 7.
| Parental Control App | If You’re Looking For… | Get the App! |
|---|---|---|
| Bark | …an all-round parental control app that strikes the best balance between safety and digital independence. | Get Bark |
| Qustodio | …a multi-feature parental control app with a great free plan. | Get Qustodio |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | …affordable parental controls that include location tracking and real-time alerts. | Get Kaspersky Safe Kids |
| Net Nanny | …excellent social media monitoring and web filtering. | Get Net Nanny |
| Norton Family | …a parental control app that includes antivirus protection. | Get Norton Family |
| OurPact | …great entry-level parental control app for iOS and Android with some special features. | Get OurPact |
| Mobicip | …a cheap and easy-to-set-up app that meets all baseline criteria. | Get Mobicip |
Best Free Parental Control Apps for iPhone and Android
Looking for a free parental control app? Below, we listed two of the best free parental control apps for mobile devices.
Apple Screen Time: Best free iPhone parental controls
If you’re an iOS user, you’ll be happy to know that Screen Time is a free parental control app that’s already built into iOS.
In Apple Screen Time, you can set time limits for each individual app your family uses as well as for certain categories of apps. It’s a perfect free alternative to parental apps that don’t work with iOS.
Setup for this screen time app takes minimal effort. Just go into your iPhone’s settings and find App Limits.
Important:
Make sure that your child has their own Apple ID and that you’ve turned on Family Sharing on both devices. This will allow you to manage your child’s phone remotely.
With Screen Time, you can see app usage and determine how much time your child is allowed to spend on certain apps, down to the minute.
It’s also possible to “group” different apps. For example, your child can spend a total of 30 minutes on all apps in the social media group — this will give them the independence to decide which apps they want to use within that time frame.
It’s also possible to disable all your child’s iPhone apps automatically at night, except for the apps you’ve set to “Always Allow.”
While activity reports may be less detailed than other parental control apps, parents and caregivers can still get a lot of insight into their kids’ activity through the bar chart breakdown that shows app use.
Google Family Link: Best free parental controls for for Android
Google allows children who are older than 13 to opt out of filtering on their Google account, making Google Family Link the best free parental control solution for parents with younger children.
With Google Family Link, parents can:
- Get insight into how much time their kids are spending on apps
- Manage app usage
- Schedule downtime to disable access to your children’s phones at certain times
- Set daily phone use limits
- Show real-time location
Important:
For Google Family Link to work, kids need to have their own Google account, which can then be linked to a parent’s account.
During downtime (for example, at night), the only way to unlock a phone is with a parent’s access code. Guardians can also lock and unlock a child’s phone remotely from their own phone with Google Family Link.
Do your kids love downloading games from the Play Store? Family Link requires kids to ask for approval when they want to download certain apps or make purchases in the Google Play Store. This can help limit their spending on mobile games.
Alternative Parental Control Apps: Looking for Something Else?
Not all the apps we tested made the cut. Some apps have a very niche focus, only work with a specific platform, or simply don’t perform as reliably as the top 7 parental control apps in this article.
Still, parents might find something useful in these services. Have a look at these alternative parental control apps!
Life360: Great for location tracking and remote assistance
Life360 isn’t a traditional parental control app. Its specific focus is on your child’s physical safety. Instead of elaborate web filtering features to keep kids away from inappropriate content, they excel at location monitoring and remote support.
Parents need only add family members to their “Circle,” which will then allow them to track their kids’ locations. On top of that, you can receive alerts about driving and digital safety, as well as send emergency assistance in case of danger.
Note that the app doesn’t offer web filtering, content monitoring, or social media app blocking.
Life360 costs $9.99/month for all features except credit monitoring and some Emergency Assistance features. The full package comes in at $19.99/month.
MMGuardian: Reads text messages but doesn’t work well
MMGuardian is one of the only parental control apps that can read text messages on iOS devices. For Android phones, MMGuardian also makes it possible for parents to log and monitor calls.
As parents, you’ve got to make your own decisions about how much privacy you want to grant your children. However, we do want to note that spying on your kids may backfire and not teach them much digital independence.
Another reason we haven’t included MMGuardain in our top 7 parental control apps is because the rest of the features don’t hold up against its competitors. The interface is clunky, and many of the other features are underdeveloped compared to apps like Bark or Qustodio.
ESET: Only developed for Android
ESET is developed for Android only. It offers app management and time scheduling features, as well as location tracking. All features are decent, though they don’t compare to most of ESET’s competitors.
The ESET Android app doesn’t support text message monitoring, nor does it log calls or block phone numbers. We were happy to find that there’s an SOS message option that lets kids alert their parents (or any other designated numbers) with a single tap.
When it comes to web filtering, kids can request access to websites for parents to review. Note that only the exact URL will be approved, not the website as a whole.
Overall, ESET is a decent app for Android users that has the potential to improve a lot! However, at the moment, it’s not yet anything to write home about and didn’t quite make the cut for our selection.
Conclusion: Picking the Best Parental Control App for Your Family
The best way to decide if a parental control app is right for you is to start with a free trial or use a free version of the app. You can explore the app’s web filtering features, screen time customization, location tracking, and call and text monitoring on your children’s devices.
Luckily, all parental control apps in our top 7 offer a free trial!
- Bark: Best parental control app overall
- Qustodio: Excellent parental control app with many features
- Kasperksy Safe Kids: Best parental control app for YouTube
- Net Nanny: Best parental control app for social media
- Norton Family: Best parental control app with antivirus protection
- OurPact: Best parental control app for mobile screen time management
- Mobicip: Best parental controls for real-time web filtering
Each of these apps has its own unique selling point. However, Bark is the overall best app thanks to its sensitive content filtering and dedication to user privacy. With Bark, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kids are browsing the internet safely, far from predators and hackers.
Do you have any questions about parental controls? Check out our FAQ to see what other parents are asking!
The best parental control app of the moment is Bark. Bark provides parents with all the tools and features they need to keep their kids safe online, while simultaneously not overstepping boundaries. The web filters work phenomenally, as do the other features: location tracking, app management, and screen time scheduling.
There are some great free parental control apps:
- For iOS users, Apple Screen Time is the best free parental control tool. You can easily access it in your iOS settings. Set app limits and downtime schedules, and get good insight in which apps your children are using.
- For Android and PC users, Google Family Link is a great option, especially for children younger than 13. You can manage screen time schedules and set app limits.
Many of the best parental control apps include screen time management. With Bark, you can create customizable schedules. Another app that has a unique screen time feature is Norton Family: with its School Time feature, you can manage educational apps and websites.
It depends on your family’s needs. If you’re looking to teach your children about online safety and having them learn the ropes with a degree of independence, Bark is the app for you.
Qustodio has more invasive features, including phone and text monitoring. However, the app works very well and can certainly be a solution for your family, too.
