Parenting is not an easy job. Kids of the modern times, who are born in the age of technology, are exposed to various threats and risks that their parents cannot always control. That is why parents need a helping hand from modern technologies that allow them to keep track of their kids’ online activity.

Luckily, there are many software applications that can help you do that. In this article, we are going to list some of the best monitoring apps for parents to use and give you some tips on how to choose the best one for your needs.

Best Apps For Parents To Monitor

Research shows 75% of kids under the age of 8 are using mobile devices—and this number continues to rise.1 Most of the time, adults aren’t monitoring what kids are doing online.

In fact, most parents want their kids to be somewhat independent when it comes to digital devices. In addition to providing entertainment (like occupying their children while waiting at the doctor’s office), apps can also be educational.

It’s no secret, however, that the internet can expose kids to lots of inappropriate content. Nearly 80% of parents are concerned about how much violent and sexual content is in the media.2

This is why parental control apps are so important. They can monitor, restrict, and manage what kids are doing on their digital devices. While apps aren’t always 100% foolproof, they are an important tool that can help parents learn more about what their kids are doing online. Finding the best parental control app, however, can be a bit daunting because there are so many to choose from, and they all offer something slightly different.

Fortunately, we’ve done a bit of the work to help aid your search and narrowed it down to the five best parental control apps of 2022 below.

The 7 Best Parental Control Apps of 2022
Best Overall: Net Nanny
Best for Older Kids: Canopy
Best for Younger Children: Qustodio
Best for Overall Monitoring: Bark
Best for Location Tracking: FamilyTime
Best for Managing Screen Time: OurPact
Best Budget: Norton Family
Best Parental Control Apps
Net Nanny
Canopy
Qustodio
Bark
FamilyTime
OurPact
Norton Family
Final Verdict
Compare Apps
Methodology
BEST OVERALL
Net Nanny
Net Nanny
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Key Specs

Pricing: Starts at $50 per year and goes up to $129 per year
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: 1, 5, or 20, depending on your plan
Why We Chose It: Net Nanny lets parents decide whether they want to allow, block, or receive alerts when their kids browse websites that contain potentially inappropriate or dangerous topics, such as porn and tobacco.

PROS
Top-notch web filtering system that analyzes websites

Can set specific times for children to use devices

Blocks content across web addresses and apps

Monitors their physical and virtual location

CONS
Only offers annual subscription

No monitoring of calls and texts

Net Nanny is one of the most trusted and comprehensive apps on the market. Net Nanny allows you to monitor your family’s digital habits while also protecting your kids from harmful content. You can establish limits on screen time and prevent your kids from accessing inappropriate content.

You’ll receive detailed information on the searches your kids are conducting. You’ll also get real-time alerts on any pornographic, suicide, weapons, or drug-related content. Then, you can block websites and apps you don’t want your child to access or establish specific times of the day they’re allowed to be online.

Be aware that some reviewers of this product found that it didn’t block enough content. Others found it blocked too many sites—including ones they tried to add to their safe sites. So while no app is perfect, you may want to keep a close eye on how this one works before assuming your kids will be completely safe once it’s installed.

BEST FOR OLDER KIDS
Canopy
Canopy
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Key Specs

Pricing: From $8 to $16 per month
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: Up to 10
Why We Chose It: Canopy helps keep the internet a safe space for young adults by protecting them from exposure to pornography and inappropriate messaging. It also lets parents block access to apps and games.

PROS
Focuses on filtering out nudity and pornography

Analyzes photos to detect and prevent sexting

Can choose which apps are allowed on different devices

Real-time location feature

Doesn’t sell your data

CONS
No screen time limits

Can’t filter or block content within apps

Parenting young adults is a challenge, especially when it comes to social media and the internet. On one hand, you want them to have freedom, and on the other, you want to protect them from inappropriate content.

That’s why we recommend Canopy for parents of adolescents. It’s not overly restrictive and doesn’t invade their privacy—you can’t read the content of their texts, for example—but it does continually look out for their safety during virtual interactions. If necessary, the system flags problematic content like “sexted” photos, pornography, and other types of explicit content to your device. It does most of its blocking in real-time rather than with a predetermined set of forbidden content and allows you as the parent to decide whether or not your child can receive access to the images or videos.

Starting at $8 per month, Canopy allows you to restrict as much or as little content from your child’s device, plus it gives you the ability to track their location. The parental control app also includes removal prevention, so your teen can’t secretly delete the app.

BEST FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
Qustodio
Q Logo
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Key Specs

Pricing: From $55 to $138 per year
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: 5, 10, or 15, depending on your plan
Why We Chose It: Qustodio helps parents prioritize their kids’ health and safety by limiting screen time and preventing exposure to inappropriate content. The app’s features can lead to better sleeping habits and overall mental well-being.

PROS
Easy-to-read dashboard

Can set screen time limits, block content, and review calls/texts

Access to current and previous locations

Three plans available

Free trial

CONS
Some features only available for Android users

Parents can’t review in-app interactions (think Snapchat)

Qustodio allows you to monitor social networks, view your child’s messages, and track your child’s location. It’s also a comprehensive app that allows you to filter websites that may contain inappropriate content. You can block games and apps that you don’t want your child to access and you can also establish time limits on each device.

You can also locate your child’s devices at any time. And your child will have access to a panic button that can immediately alert you to your his or her location.

Just be aware that with Qustodio, monitoring and access is limited on some social media sites. For example, parents can see when their child used Snapchat and for how long, but they can’t access their interaction with other users. So make sure you are aware of the program’s limitations before you install it.

BEST FOR OVERALL MONITORING
Bark
Bark
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Key Specs

Pricing: From $49 to $99 per year or from $5 to $14 per month
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: Unlimited
Why We Chose It: Bark’s premium plan has an alert system that goes above and beyond, sending parents notifications the second the app identifies concerning content or activity on nearly 20 different topics.

PROS
Monitors in-app conversations and messages

Sends alerts for inappropriate or concerning content

Allows screen time management

One plan covers any number of devices

Free 7-day trial

CONS
Limited monitoring features for iOS users

Only premium plans let you monitor texts and apps

Bark monitors text messages, email, and over 30 different social networks for potential safety concerns. It looks for activity that could indicate danger like online predators, adult content, sexual content, drug use, cyberbullying, and suicidal thoughts. Bark’s location-sharing feature includes alerts when your child arrives at or leaves a specific place.

Bark searches through texts, photos, and videos and sends alerts to parents about any concerning interactions. You’ll receive automatic alerts via email and text messages when there are potential risks.

One of the best features of Bark is that you’ll receive recommendations from child psychologists about how to respond to issues when they arise.

You’ll also have access to a dashboard that provides you a snapshot of your child’s internet use. You’ll learn how much time they’re spending online, which sites they’re using, as well as how many potential threats were detected.

Bark comes with a 7-day free trial, so you can see if you like it before you purchase.

BEST FOR LOCATION TRACKING
FamilyTime
FamilyTime
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Key Specs

Pricing: From $27 to $69 per year
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: Unlimited
Why We Chose It:

PROS
Access to your kids’ real-time location

Alert systems for emergencies and non emergencies

Notifications of kids’ departure or arrival at certain places

Speed limit tracking for teens

Unlimited number of devices

Free trial

CONS
Some features are new or still in development

Kids can easily remove the app

Not available for Windows

FamilyTime allows you to create a geo-fence, and you’ll get instant alerts when your kids enter or leave geo-fenced places.

FamilyTime offers the same basic features you’d expect from a good parental control app—it blocks pornography, allows kids to conduct safe searches only, and filters out inappropriate content. It also lets you establish time limits on devices, and it can lock screens during certain times like at bedtime or during homework time.

But one of the best features is its locator function. It provides you with a detailed location history of all the places your kids have visited during a given time. You can also locate your kids in real-time with a map that gives you location details.

And you can use their advanced geo-fencing feature that allows you to establish boundaries for your kids. When they step foot outside the boundary lines, you’ll be notified in real-time. Whether you use this feature to get a notification when they arrive home from school or you want to prevent them from going into a dangerous part of town, this feature keeps you posted 24/7.

Many reviewers appreciated that this app offers chat support. But many other reviewers experienced glitches that prevented certain functions from working properly.

BEST FOR MANAGING SCREEN TIME
OurPact
OurPact
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Key Specs

Pricing: Free or from $7 to $10 per month for premium
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: Up to 20
Why We Chose It: OurPact offers two different time management features: Schedule and Allowance. Schedule allows you to select time frames when you don’t want your child to use their phone at all (like in school), while Allowance lets them choose (with your approval) the amount of time they can spend on their device each day.

PROS
Can set rules for educational vs. entertainment apps

Can turn off texting at specific times

Monitors up to 20 devices

Offers a free trial

CONS
Limited features available on free version

Unable to monitor calls or texts

No matter how old you are, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hours on your device. OurPact’s app is a great tool to help parents set healthy boundaries with their kids’ online activity habits. You can limit when and how long they can use their phone, as well as let them learn how to manage their online time independently.

In addition to the basics, like blocking apps, filtering out inappropriate web content, and tracking your child’s location, OurPact includes some unique customizations when it comes to parental control. You can fully block an app or only allow it on a schedule (for example, if you only want your child on Instagram on the weekends), and you can do the same with calls and texts to limit distractions. You can also give your child a screen time allowance, which lets them figure out how to spend their online time within a window you give them.

There are four plans to choose from, including a free plan, OurPact Plus, OurPact Premium, and OurPact Premium+. The free plan lets you monitor only one device with very few blocking features. For $2 per month, OurPact Plus lets you manage up to 10 devices, block apps, and create screen time restriction schedules. The next step up, OurPact Premium, allows you to manage up to 20 devices along with all the location, screen time, and blocking features for $7 a month. If you want the best value, the premium+ plan, which costs $10 a month, provides the same benefits as the premium plan but also enables you to get screenshots of your child’s device.

BEST BUDGET
Norton Family
Norton Family
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Key Specs

Pricing: $50 per year
iOS/Android: Both
Number of Devices: Unlimited
Why We Chose It: For about $4 a month, the Norton Family parental control app gives you all the tools you need to monitor your child’s devices without spending a pretty penny. Note: It’s not compatible on Mac computers.

PROS
Budget-friendly annual price

Manage as many devices as you need

Has a comprehensive dashboard

Supervise activity and restrict content as needed

Provides website filtering to block inappropriate content

Features geofencing tools

Free 30-day trial

CONS
Can’t be used on Mac computers

No monthly subscription, only annual

Unable to block apps on PCs

Doesn’t track social media sites

If you’re looking for a low-cost parental control app, Norton Family is a great choice at just $50 a year. It’s a full-service option, allowing parents to be both aware and in control of their child’s online activities. Although you don’t need a Windows desktop to use Norton Family (it has apps available for both iOS and Android), it definitely streamlines your oversight. If you do use Windows, you can monitor and track your child’s internet usage and online activity across multiple devices including their desktop, laptop, phone, and tablet.

Like other quality parental control programs, Norton Family lets you set screen time limits, track locations, block inappropriate apps and websites, and view your child’s online activity. The app also sends alerts about attempted visits to blocked sites, enables access to YouTube videos your child has watched, and has a centralized parent portal where you can manage the devices.

The best part? You can try the app for free for 30 days.

Final Verdict
You can’t beat what Net Nanny has to offer: It’s a full-service parental control app, checking all the boxes parents want most, for a reasonable annual cost. Net Nanny monitors app usage, limits screen time, and blocks inappropriate content across the internet, all while keeping you in the loop about what your family has been up to online via alerts, a parent dashboard, and a family feed.

If you’re more focused on location tracking, FamilyTime is a budget-friendly way to keep tabs on your kids, while also offering some screen time limits and app blocking perks. If you’re a Windows family, Norton Family offers the best of both worlds by allowing you to monitor iOS and Android devices as well as a Windows desktop computer.

Compare Apps
Company Pricing iOS/ Android Number of Devices Screen Time Limits Location Tracking
Net Nanny Best Overall From $40 to $129 per year Both 1, 5, or 20 Yes Yes
Canopy Best for Older Kids From $8 to $16 per month Both Up to 10 No Yes
Qustodio Best for Younger Children From $55 to $138 per year Both 5, 10, or 15 Yes Yes
Bark Best for Overall Monitoring From $49 to $99 per year Both Unlimited Yes Yes
FamilyTime Best for Location Tracking From $27 to $69 per year Both Unlimited Yes Yes
OurPact Best for Managing Screen Time Free or from $7 to $10 per month Both Up to 20 Yes Yes
Norton Family Best Budget $50 per year Both Unlimited Yes Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Parental Control Apps?
Parental control apps are used to keep an eye on kids both online and offline and can help you find out what they’re doing on their smartphones and tablets. The apps can track your kids’ physical locations, set limits on screen time, monitor phone and app usage, block them from viewing and using certain websites and apps, and allow you to see who they’re communicating with online.

How Do Parental Control Apps Work?
Parental control apps work in several different ways, depending on the type of app. Some apps are content filters, which limit access to inappropriate content or specific websites and apps. Others control the usage of your child’s phone or tablet by setting time limits or restricting phone usage after a certain time.

Some apps monitor your kids’ physical locations, text messages, social networks, emails, and other activities. For apps that monitor social media, you’ll need your kids’ account names and passwords. Monitoring apps may search through texts, social media posts, photos, and videos and send alerts to parents about any potential dangers.

How Much Do Parental Control Apps Cost?
Although some parental control apps have a free version, most require a monthly or annual subscription to access the most helpful features. Prices can range from approximately $5 to $10 per month, depending on the type of services and the number of devices you want to monitor.

Methodology
Our biggest concern when researching parental control apps was finding ones that helped keep kids safe without feeling too invasive. We considered the ease of use for parents to achieve whatever their goals happen to be—whether it’s location tracking, screen time limits, content blocking, or a combination of everything—and ensured it would be a simple process to change, update, increase, or decrease your child’s access as needed.

We looked for apps designed to block unsafe or graphic content and help kids establish a healthy balance of screen time and off-screen time. Finally, we also considered customization, focusing on apps that offered multiple plans for different amounts of devices with tiered price options.

best free parental control app for iphone

Are your kids spending too much time on their mobile phones and the internet but you have no idea what they are doing, watching, reading or listening to? Would you like to make sure they don’t access inappropriate or unsafe content? If yes, then these top 13 best free parental control app for iPhone will keep you up to date about your child’s online activities and help you control what they have access to.

Setting Boundaries With A Best Free Parental Control App for iPhone
The internet is a great tool for kids to learn and develop, but it also exposes them to online threats such as cyberbullying or explicit content like pornography. Being allowed to freely explore the digital world could also become a great distraction if not properly monitored.

Parental control apps help you filter the kind of content your kids have access to while monitoring their activities and managing screen time to ensure they don’t misuse apps or social media.

Top 13 Best Free Parental Control Apps for iPhone
Many of these apps have robust features that allow you to monitor call/browser history, track real-time location, set screen time limits, block apps, and monitor emails, social media accounts and text messages.

1. mSpy

This app sends you updates on any device you’re monitoring every 5 mins, and by this, you’re always looped in and equipped with the right tools you need to keep your kids safe online. Want to view details of call logs or read emails/chats? That’s what mSpy is good for.

mSpy

2. FamiSafe

FamiSafe allows you to keep track of your child’s phone location with its real-time location sharing feature. It also lets you view location history, block apps, mark geofences as safe zones, see if your kids searched for inappropriate videos on YouTube, filter website content and control screen time remotely. FamiSafe offers a free 3-day trial.

best free parental control app for iphone

3. FamilyTime

One key feature of FamilyTime is the SOS button which kids can use when there’s an emergency. There’s also a “time bank” feature which can allow your child to save screen time for another day. You can also set an alert to know if your child is over-speeding, this is great for monitoring rebellious teenagers. Besides these key features, you can block apps and keywords, as well as log phone data, view browsing history and track location. However, it doesn’t give you access to control social media. FamilyTime offers a free 3-day trial after which you’ll be charged $45 annually.

family time

4. Norton family premiere

Norton family premier keeps you ahead of online predators by identifying potential dangers before they become real issues. Its device usage limits assists you in establishing a healthy cyber routine for your child. By showing you what your child is doing online, you can flag unsafe behaviour and then talk to them later about it. You can also issue warnings for sites that you may not want to ban but would prefer your kids be careful on. Norton is free to try for 30days before you’re required to make a commitment.

Norton family premiere

5. NetSanity

NetSanity is compatible with the iPhone’s “screen time” feature, which allows you to track and get real-time reports on how much time you spend using your iPhone. This app enables you to block multiple apps with the click of a single button, thanks to its database of over 70 popular apps that requires parental control. You can also use this to prevent your child from being exposed to adult content on streaming apps like Netflix. NetSanity is available to try for free, no credit card required.

6. Qustodio

Qustodio comes highly recommended. It aims to make parenting easier by enabling you with key insights to identify potential problems while creating healthy digital habits for your child. Not many parental control apps come with such features, and only a few can lay claim to offering multiple languages like Qustodio’s Italian, German, Portuguese and Japanese. Another great thing about this app is that it has a lifetime free option. However, the free option limits you to tracking a single device and accessing only one week of browsing history.

7. ScreenTime

Finally, one app on our list of parental control apps that is actually FREE. That means you’re under no obligation to go premium. ScreenTime keeps you informed about how much time your kids spend on their devices and enables you to block off periods during which they should be sleeping or doing homework. It also lets you give access to Nannies just in case you need to take a break.

8. OurPact

OurPact had a whopping 52,000 reviews that set its rating at 4.5 stars on the AppStore. This was before Apple banned it along with several other parental control apps that apparently put users privacy at risk. However, the app has been reinstated, and is back to helping parents track, monitor and set schedules for their kids’ devices. It allows you to seamlessly manage multiple devices and discover what apps your child uses.

9. WebWatcher

WebWatcher records websites, photos and text messages — including deleted ones, so that you can keep tabs and monitor activities on all frontiers. Web watcher is compatible with PC and Android, in addition to its iPhone compatibility.

WebWatcher

10. Pumpic

Pumpic offers more monitoring features than most other parental control apps for iPhone. It provides specific access to Instagram, Snapchat, Skype, WhatsApp, Kik, Viber, and Facebook. You can check contact and calendar, lock and wipe the device remotely.

11. UnGlue

UnGlue provides everything you need to help your kids balance their time online. You can manage games and decide what screen-time limits to set for each child. UnGlue also offers a comprehensive usage report to keep you up to date on what your kids are looking for online.

12. SaferKid

SaferKid helps to combat cyberbullying by studying what apps are unsafe, learning why and alerting you if your child is at risk. With SaferKid, you can read your child’s texts, access browsing/call history and phone contacts. You also have the option to ease privacy restrictions as your child grows older.

13. SafeFamily

SafeFamily is McAfee’s comprehensive parental control app that’s compatible with multiple devices, not just the iPhone. It can be used to restrict data usage for kids, collaborate with them by allowing extra screen time and monitor the standard activities like browsing, app usage, social media and gaming.

SafeFamily

There are endless distractions online, endless treats and an endless stream of explicit content. If you want to continuously keep your kids safe and raise them to be responsible digital citizens, then choosing one of these best free parental control apps for iPhone is a good place to start. By monitoring their activities, you can help them cultivate better habits while ensuring they are protected from harm.

Conclusion

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