As parents, it’s natural to wonder what our children are doing on their phones, especially when they become secretive or hide their devices. Fortunately, parental control tools make it easy to monitor their activities.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the many options available, this guide highlights the top free parental control apps. Read on to explore the best choices!
Part 1. What Makes the Best Parental Control Apps
With the abundance of parental control apps, choosing the right one can be daunting. To simplify your decision, we’ve outlined key criteria that define the best parental control software.
Here’s what to look for in a top parental control app:
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Ease of Use
A great free parental control app should be user-friendly, featuring a simple, intuitive interface for easy monitoring and management of your child’s online activities. Our picks are designed for seamless navigation. -
Powerful Parental Control Features
The app should offer robust features like real-time location tracking, screen time management, app and website blocking, and detection of inappropriate social media activity. -
Reliability and Privacy Protection
Your child’s safety and privacy are paramount. A reliable app should have strong security measures and a transparent privacy policy. Check real user reviews to gauge trustworthiness. -
Customer Support
Whether free or paid, a quality app should provide responsive customer support via email or live chat to address any issues, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Part 2. Top 8 Parental Control Apps for Android & iPhone
After testing and evaluating popular apps based on essential and standout features, we’ve compiled the top 8 free parental control apps for Android and iPhone.
1. Google Family Link – Free
Google Family Link is a go-to free parental control app, well-integrated with Android and iPhone devices. However, it’s not compatible with iPhones or iPads used by your child.
Key Features:
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Location tracking with geofencing
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Online activity reports
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Web and app filtering
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Screen time scheduling
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One-tap device locking
Note: Location tracking may be inaccurate if your child’s Google account is logged into multiple devices.
Pros:
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Completely free to use.
Cons:
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Limited parental control features.
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Only works for kids’ Android devices.
Compatibility: Android & iPhone
2. Screen Time – Free
Screen Time is built into iOS settings, making it ideal for parents who prefer not to install additional apps. It helps monitor and control your child’s device usage, showing time spent on specific apps. However, you must access your child’s phone to configure settings.
Key Features:
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Phone usage insights
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Content and website restrictions
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App time limiting
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Downtime
Pros:
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Completely free.
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No app installation required.
Cons:
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Limited functionality.
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App time limits can be bypassed easily.
Compatibility: iPhone
3. MobileTracking Parental Control – 8Day Free Trial
MobileTracking is a top-tier parental control app for families, enabling remote monitoring and management of kids’ Android devices. Its remote operation capabilities make it a standout, and it includes a kid-safe browser for secure online browsing.
Key Features:
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Real-time location with geofencing
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Notification syncing
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Monitoring kids’ surroundings via audio and video
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Real-time phone screen monitoring
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Screen time and app management
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Detection of harmful social media content
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Browsing history tracking
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Web filtering
Pros:
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Operates in stealth mode.
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Offers unique remote operation features.
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Includes a kid-safe browser.
Cons:
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Tracks only kids’ Android devices.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: Available after contacting customer service.
4. FamiSafe Parental Control – 3-Day Free Trial
FamiSafe, a Wondershare product, is a leading family monitoring app. Beyond standard features, it provides detailed driving history reports, offering peace of mind for parents of teen drivers.
Key Features:
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YouTube and TikTok watch history
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Inappropriate photo detection
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Browsing and search history tracking
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App blocking
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Web filtering
Note: FamiSafe may not track YouTube Shorts, and its category-based website blocking can be inconsistent, potentially exposing kids to harmful sites.
Pros:
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Allows kids to check parents’ locations.
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Compatible with kids’ computers and Kindle Fire.
Cons:
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Some features are unreliable.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: 7 days
5. Norton Family – 7-Day Free Trial
From a leading security company, Norton Family is both a parental control app and a learning tool. It blocks distracting notifications during study time and includes a safe search engine with automatic web filtering.
Key Features:
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Real-time location with geofencing
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Internet access restrictions
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Browsing history tracking
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Screen time and app management
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Web filtering
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Device locking
Note: Its browsing history tracking supports eight browsers, including Yahoo, Ask, and Firefox.
Pros:
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Allows kids to call emergency contacts even when the device is locked.
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Works with kids’ computers.
Cons:
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Some features are incompatible with certain operating systems.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: 60 days
6. Net Nanny – 3-Day Free Trial
Net Nanny offers industry-standard parental control features and excels as a porn blocker, making it ideal for shielding kids from adult content.
Key Features:
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Real-time location with geofencing
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Social media protection
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YouTube watch history tracking
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Screen time and app management
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Web filtering
Pros:
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Easy setup process.
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Compatible with kids’ computers and Kindle Fire.
Cons:
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Geofencing feature underperforms compared to others.
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Social media protection needs improvement.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: 14 days
7. Bark – 7-Day Free Trial
Bark Parental Control uses AI to monitor kids’ activities across over 30 social platforms, proactively tracking text messages, photos, and emails. It emphasizes trust over spying.
Key Features:
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Real-time location
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Detection of harmful social content, photos, and videos
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Text message monitoring
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Screen time and app management
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Web filtering
Cons:
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Alerts for harmful text messages can take up to 20 minutes.
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Only available in the US, Australia, and South Africa.
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Expensive.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: None
8. Qustodio – 3-Day Free Trial
Qustodio is a user-friendly parental control app for Android and iPhone, allowing remote monitoring of calls and text messages (via a separate app). It also offers a free version with limited features like app blocking and web filtering.
Key Features:
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Real-time location with geofencing
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Call and SMS monitoring and blocking
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Internet access restrictions
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Browsing and YouTube watch history tracking
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Screen time and app management
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Web filtering
Pros:
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Monitors and blocks kids’ text messages and calls.
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Compatible with kids’ computers, Kindle, and Chromebook.
Cons:
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Call and SMS monitoring/blocking is Android-only.
Compatibility: Android, iPhone, and Web
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days
FAQs about Free Parental Control Software
Is There a Completely Free Parental Control App?
Yes, Google Family Link is a fully free option with features like app management, location tracking, usage monitoring, and web filtering. However, its features are basic. Subscription-based apps with richer features and uninstall protection are often more effective.
Do Smartphones Have Built-In Parental Controls?
Yes, iOS devices include the Screen Time feature, which allows monitoring of phone usage and restricting harmful content.
Should I Monitor My Kids?
Yes, monitoring is important, especially for younger children and teens, to ensure their safety. However, respect their privacy as they reach adulthood.
What Is the Best App to Monitor My Child’s Phone?
Google Family Link is the best free option for basic needs, while MobileTracking Parental Control excels among paid apps for its remote operation features.
Is There a Free Parental Control App That Cannot Be Deleted?
No, free apps like Google Family Link can be uninstalled, and Apple’s Screen Time can be bypassed. Opt for a paid app with uninstall protection for better security.
