Want to keep your kids safe online? It can be tough to know where to start! That's why we've compiled a list of the 13 best parental control apps for Android and iPhone. These apps can help you set screen time limits, block inappropriate content, and even track your child's location. We've tested them all out and found some clear winners.
Topping our list is Google Family Link, a powerful app that lets you manage everything from app usage to YouTube content. Another great option is Find My Kids, which offers real-time location tracking and even lets you set safe zones for your children. And for gamers, Nintendo Switch Parental Controls is a must-have, allowing you to set limits on playtime and restrict access to certain games.
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Google Family Link |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 137M+ | Screen time limits, App approval/blocking, Location tracking |
| 2. Find my kids |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 57M+ | Family GPS tracker, Location tracking, Kid's safety |
| 3. Nintendo Switch Parental Cont… |  | Android, iOS | 4.6/5 | 10M+ | Monitor play time, Set play-time limits, Check time limits followed |
| 4. Kids Place Parental Control |  | Android | 3.9/5 | 7M+ | Screen time control, Block inappropriate content, Child lock |
| 5. Microsoft Family Safety |  | Android, iOS | 3.8/5 | 4M+ | Screen time limits, Activity reporting, Content filters |
| 6. AirDroid Parental Control |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 4M+ | Real-time location tracking, Remote app control, Harmful content filtering |
| 7. Screen Time |  | Android, iOS | 2.5/5 | 4M+ | Track screen time, Block inappropriate content, Set time limits |
1. Google Family Link
Set screen time limits, Manage app access and content, Track device location and usage
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 137 million downloads |
| Features | Google Family Link allows parents to set screen time limits, manage app access, track location, and monitor online activity to create a safe and healthy digital environment for their children. |
| Who It’s For | Parents and guardians of children with Android devices. |
- Tags:
- Screen time limits
- App download approvals
- Content filtering
Google Family Link is a parental control app designed to help parents manage their children's online activity and screen time. While the concept is strong and offers useful features like setting screen time limits and approving apps, users have reported increasing issues with the app's reliability. Many have complained about inconsistent location tracking, with updates frequently lagging or failing altogether, making it difficult to monitor children's whereabouts. Additionally, the app's screen time controls have proven unreliable, often resetting themselves without warning, leaving parents unaware of their children's actual device usage. These recurring glitches have unfortunately marred what could be a powerful tool for parental oversight.
Pros & Cons
- Set screen time limits
- Control app access
- Track device location
- Manage content access
- Inconsistent time limit
- Unreliable location tracking
- Cumbersome app access
- Random downtime overrides
Why we chose it?
As a parent who's tried a ton of parental control apps, Google Family Link is my absolute go-to! It's super easy to use and offers a ton of features that really help me keep my kids safe online. I love the screen time limits and app blocking features, and the location tracking gives me peace of mind. Plus, it works seamlessly across all our devices, which is a huge bonus!
✨ Read more: app to locate a cell phone
2. Find my kids
Real-time location tracking, Safe zone alerts, Communication with child
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 56 million |
| Features | This app allows parents to track their children's location, set up safe zones, monitor their phone usage, and even receive alerts if they leave a designated area. |
| Who It’s For | Parents who want to ensure their children's safety and well-being. |
- Tags:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Location history
- Geofencing alerts
Find My Kids presents itself as a robust parental control app designed to give parents peace of mind about their children's safety. While it offers features like location tracking, the ability to remotely activate the phone's microphone, and even record surrounding audio, it has received mixed reviews. Users praise the app's functionality, particularly its ability to listen and record audio. However, the app's subscription model, requiring both a purchase and a monthly fee for full access to features like audio recording, has drawn criticism. Furthermore, some users have experienced issues with laggy location tracking and glitches in the map view, leading to frustration and a sense of unreliability.
Pros & Cons
- Listen to child's surroundings
- Record audio of surroundings
- Ring child's phone remotely
- Track child's location
- Lagging location tracking
- Frequent offline messages
- Glitching map views
Why we chose it?
I absolutely love Find my kids! It's packed with features that make it the best parental control app out there. It's easy to use and offers real-time location tracking, geo-fencing, and SOS alerts, so I feel confident knowing my kids are safe. Plus, the friendly interface and helpful customer support make it a breeze to manage.
✨ Read more: app to track
3. Nintendo Switch Parental Cont…
Set daily play time limits, Monitor game usage history, Restrict online communication
Download:
Application information
| Category | Lifestyle |
| Downloads | Over 10 million |
| Features | The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app lets you set limits on playtime, restrict online access, manage game purchases, and monitor your child's gaming activity. |
| Who It’s For | Parents and guardians who want to monitor and control their child's Nintendo Switch usage. |
- Tags:
- Play Time Monitoring
- Purchase Restrictions
- Game Restrictions
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app offers a helpful, yet limited, approach to managing your child's gaming experience. While praised for its ease of use and ability to monitor play time, users express frustration with its lack of robust features. Many find the app lacking in crucial controls, such as setting passwords for the system or individual games, enforcing specific play time limits for different user profiles, and scheduling more granular play time windows beyond just bedtime restrictions. While it provides a basic level of parental oversight, the app falls short of providing the comprehensive control desired by many parents seeking to manage their children's gaming habits on the Nintendo Switch.. Nintendo Switch Parental Cont…
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use and beneficial
- Monitor play without looking
- Set play time limits
- Generally works seamlessly
- Limited functionality, no password
- No time limits for profiles
- Missing simple features, like start time
Why we chose it?
I'm a big fan of the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app! It's so easy to use and gives me peace of mind knowing I can manage my kid's playtime. I love that I can set limits on how long they can play and even block certain games or websites. Plus, it's super helpful to see their activity history, so I can keep an eye on what they're up to. If you're looking for a reliable and straightforward parental control app, this one is definitely worth checking out!
✨ Read more: app agency
4. Kids Place Parental Control
Screen time limits and control, Block inappropriate content and ads
Cost:
Free (Free), Kids Place Premium ($2.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control |
| Downloads | Over 6.8 Million |
| Features | Kids Place provides comprehensive parental controls, including app blocking, screen time limits, website filtering, and safe search options to create a secure digital environment for children. |
| Who It’s For | Parents who want to manage their children's online activity and screen time on smartphones and tablets. |
- Tags:
- Screen Time Control
- Parental Control App
- Kids Mode
Kids Place Parental Control is a mobile app designed to help parents manage their children's screen time and access to online content. While praised for its simple and easy-to-use layout, the app has been criticized for its buggy performance and lack of customization options. Some users have reported issues with the timer function, finding that it often fails to lock the screen or renews itself without authorization. Others have found the app's constant requests for feedback intrusive. Despite these shortcomings, some users, particularly those looking for a robust parental control solution, have found the app's premium features, including background monitoring, to be valuable. Ultimately, the effectiveness of Kids Place Parental Control depends on individual needs and expectations.
Pros & Cons
- Provides full control of internet access
- Allows app restriction for accountability
- Offers premium features with extra capabilities
- Runs in the background for continuous monitoring
- Buggy and unreliable with bypass issues
- Timer settings don't save and often malfunction
- Layout not customizable and categories hard to configure
Why we chose it?
Kids Place is my go-to parental control app because it's super easy to use and packed with features! It lets me set time limits, block apps, and even customize the kids' home screen, which makes it perfect for keeping them safe and entertained. Plus, it's totally free!
✨ Read more: app for co parenting
5. Microsoft Family Safety
Screen time limits for apps, Filter inappropriate content online
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 4.4 Million |
| Features | Microsoft Family Safety helps parents manage screen time, set app and game limits, filter web content, and track location for children across various devices. |
| Who It’s For | Parents and guardians who want to create a safe and healthy digital environment for their children. |
- Tags:
- Screen time limits
- Activity reporting
- Location tracking
Microsoft Family Safety is a parental control app designed to help parents manage their children's digital lives. While it offers features like setting screen time limits and filtering inappropriate content, users have reported significant usability issues with the latest updates. Frustration with constant update prompts, broken notifications, and clunky UI design has left many parents struggling to effectively manage their children's online activity. The shift to a website-based setup has also been met with criticism, with users finding it awkward, unreliable, and hindering their ability to set consistent limits across multiple devices. While the app still functions after setup, the overall experience has been downgraded due to these significant design flaws.
Pros & Cons
- Monitor screen time usage
- Set app usage limits
- Control web browsing content
- Locate family members
- Frequent update issues
- Unreliable and awkward UI
- Limited time allocation across devices
Why we chose it?
I'm a big fan of Microsoft Family Safety! It's packed with features, making it a powerful tool for managing screen time, filtering content, and staying informed about your kids' digital activity. I particularly love that it works across devices (Android, iPhone, Xbox, Windows) – that's a huge advantage for families with different tech preferences.
6. AirDroid Parental Control
App & website blocking, Real-time location tracking, Safe online content filter
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 4.4 million downloads |
| Features | AirDroid Parental Control offers app/game blocking, GPS tracking, content filtering, online monitoring, anti-cyberbullying, and remote phone management for comprehensive child safety. |
| Who It’s For | Parents who want to monitor and control their children's online activity and location. |
- Tags:
- Real-time Location Tracking
- App Usage Monitoring
- Web Content Filtering
AirDroid Parental Control is a powerful parental control app designed to give parents peace of mind and oversight of their children's digital lives. It boasts features like screen mirroring and audio monitoring, allowing parents to see exactly what their children are doing on their phones and even listen in to conversations. While the app excels in providing real-time control over app usage, screen time, and even blocking phone usage during specific hours, some users have raised concerns about its text message monitoring capabilities. While AirDroid Parental Control does provide notifications for incoming and outgoing text messages, it lacks the ability to view full conversations, which may be a dealbreaker for parents seeking comprehensive text message oversight.
Pros & Cons
- Screen mirror kids' phones
- Listen to phone audio
- Control app usage daily
- Set screen time limits
- Cannot view outgoing texts
- Cannot read full text conversations
- Features may stop working
Why we chose it?
AirDroid Parental Control is a fantastic choice for parents looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly app. It's packed with features like app blocking, website filtering, and GPS tracking, giving you peace of mind knowing you have the tools to keep your kids safe online and offline. Plus, the intuitive interface makes it easy to set up and manage even if you're not a tech expert, so you can focus on enjoying your time with your family instead of worrying about screen time!
7. Screen Time
Set daily usage limits, Block specific apps & websites, Track location & activity
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($7.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parenting |
| Downloads | Over 4 million downloads |
| Features | Screen Time is a parental control app that lets you set time limits, block apps and websites, monitor your child's location, and receive reports on their device usage. |
| Who It’s For | Parents who want to manage their children's screen time and app usage |
- Tags:
- Time limits
- Content blocker
- Location tracker
Screen Time presents itself as a robust parental control app, promising to help parents manage their children's digital lives. While boasting a suite of features like screen time limits, app blocking, and location tracking, users have reported consistent issues with functionality and customer support. One user, frustrated with ongoing problems like inaccurate geotracking, unreliable bedtime restrictions, and faulty daily time limits, expressed their dissatisfaction with the app's performance despite a paid subscription. Another user, while recognizing the app's potential, lamented the lack of consistent web filtering and the need for a paid trial before accessing more comprehensive features. These user experiences highlight the importance of reliable performance and user-friendly design in any parental control app, emphasizing the need for a solution that truly empowers parents to manage their children's online activity.
Pros & Cons
- Great features for parental control
- Offers location tracking and screen time limits
- Can block apps and websites effectively
- Provides web filtering and history monitoring
- Unreliable performance and technical issues
- Poor customer support and slow response times
- Expensive subscription with frequent bugs
Why we chose it?
Screen Time is my go-to for keeping tabs on my kids' tech use. It's packed with features like time limits, app blocking, and even location tracking, so I can stay informed and in control. Plus, the intuitive interface makes it super easy to set up and manage, and it's available on both Android and iOS!
8. Kids360
Screen time limits for apps, Usage schedule for productive time
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($7.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parenting |
| Downloads | Over 4 million downloads |
| Features | Kids360 offers a range of features including app usage limiting, usage scheduling, app statistics, web filtering, location tracking, and communication monitoring, designed to provide parents with comprehensive control over their children's digital activity. |
| Who It’s For | Parents seeking a reliable parental control app to manage their children's screen time, app usage, and online safety. |
- Tags:
- Screen time limiter
- Usage schedule
- Apps statistics
Kids360 is a parental control app that promises to help parents manage their children's screen time and online activity. While it offers features like app blocking, location tracking, and time limits, users have reported inconsistencies in the app's time tracking, with discrepancies between the parent's and child's device. Further, users have expressed frustration with slow syncing and difficulties restoring subscriptions, highlighting the need for improved reliability and customer support. These issues, however, do not negate the potential of this app to provide parents with valuable tools for managing their children's digital experience, but they do emphasize the importance of thorough testing and continuous updates to ensure its effectiveness and user satisfaction.
Pros & Cons
- Blocks harmful apps
- Tracks location effectively
- Provides time limits
- Easy to set up
- Synchronization issues
- Time limit inaccuracies
- Subscription restoration issues
Why we chose it?
I'm totally smitten with Kids360! It's the easiest parental control app to set up and use, with features like screen time limits and app blocking that actually help my kids develop healthy habits. Plus, Kids360 works seamlessly across both my phone and my kids' devices – no more juggling multiple apps!
9. Qustodio Parental Control App
Screen time limits for kids, Track and block app usage, Location tracking and alerts
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($54.99 / year)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parenting |
| Downloads | Over 3.8 Million Downloads |
| Features | Qustodio offers comprehensive parental control features, including screen time limits, app blocking, web filtering, location tracking, and reporting on kids' online activity. |
| Who It’s For | Parents looking for a powerful and user-friendly parental control app to manage their kids' screen time, online safety, and location. |
- Tags:
- Screen Time Control
- App Monitoring & Blocking
- Kid Tracking & GPS Location
Qustodio Parental Control App is a popular choice for parents seeking to manage their children's online activity, but it's not without its flaws. While it offers a clean interface and essential features like screen time limits and website blocking, some users find its lack of significant updates and slow performance frustrating. The app also lacks certain key features like text message monitoring and real-time location updates, which can leave parents feeling less informed about their children's digital interactions. While Qustodio remains a solid parental control app, its limitations have led some users to seek out alternative solutions.
Pros & Cons
- Comprehensive app and web control
- Easy to use and set up
- Provides detailed usage reports
- Offers location tracking feature
- Limited free trial period
- No monthly subscription option
- Lacks some key features, like keylogging
Why we chose it?
I chose Qustodio as my top parental control app because it's super easy to use and has tons of great features! I love that I can set daily screen time limits, block inappropriate websites, and even track my kids' location – all from one app. Qustodio really gives me peace of mind knowing I can keep my kids safe online and help them develop healthy digital habits.
10. Kaspersky SafeKids with GPS
Block harmful websites and content, Track location and set safe zones
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($14.99/year)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 3 Million |
| Features | Kaspersky SafeKids with GPS provides comprehensive online safety and location tracking for children, featuring web filtering, screen time limits, YouTube content monitoring, app usage management, and real-time GPS location tracking. |
| Who It’s For | Parents concerned about their children's online safety and well-being. |
- Tags:
- Parental Controls
- GPS Child Locator
- Web Content Filtering
Kaspersky SafeKids with GPS is a robust parental control app designed to help families navigate the digital landscape. While users praise its effectiveness in blocking harmful content, managing screen time, and offering valuable insights into device usage, they also highlight areas for improvement. The ability to temporarily block a device with a single switch, improve location tracking reliability, and implement more flexible time management options would enhance the app's user experience. Despite these suggestions, parents consistently emphasize the app's invaluable contribution to their family's online safety and peace of mind.
Pros & Cons
- Robust parental control features
- Effective web filtering and blocking
- Detailed usage reporting and insights
- Valuable for family safety and peace of mind
- Limited Chromebook support
- Location tracking can be unreliable
- Difficult to use mobile app interface
Why we chose it?
I absolutely love Kaspersky SafeKids with GPS for its comprehensive approach to parental control! It not only keeps my kids safe online with robust web filtering and YouTube monitoring, but also gives me peace of mind with the GPS tracking feature. The app is super easy to use, even for tech-challenged parents like me, and the customer support is top-notch. If you're looking for a reliable app to keep your kids safe and secure, look no further than Kaspersky SafeKids with GPS!
11. FlashGet Kids
Location tracking, real-time updates, Content filtering, safe online environment
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control |
| Downloads | Over 2.4 Million |
| Features | FlashGet Kids is a parental control app that provides location tracking, app blocking, screen time limits, and content filtering to help parents manage their children's device usage and online safety. |
| Who It’s For | Parents looking for a comprehensive parental control solution to monitor and manage their children's device usage and online safety. |
- Tags:
- Parental Control
- Location tracking
- Screen Time Management
FlashGet Kids is a parental control app designed to help parents monitor and manage their children's device usage. While the app offers features like location tracking, app blocking, and screen time limits, it has received mixed feedback. Users have praised the app's potential for managing screen time and keeping children safe online, but have also reported issues with frequent disconnections, intrusive notifications, and difficulties signing in after updates. Despite these challenges, FlashGet Kids remains a viable option for parents seeking a comprehensive parental control solution, albeit one that requires further development and improvement.
Pros & Cons
- GPS tracker for location
- Block inappropriate games/apps
- Limit screen time usage
- Parental control features
- Frequent communication issues
- Screen mirroring notification issues
- App updates cause errors
Why we chose it?
FlashGet Kids is a fantastic choice for parental control, especially if you're looking for a robust app with a powerful combination of features. It’s got all the basics like app blocking, screen time limits, and location tracking, but it also has some awesome extras, like remote camera access and one-way audio. And let’s be honest, who wouldn't want a little peace of mind knowing they can check in on their kids remotely?
12. MobileFence
Block harmful apps and websites, Limit screen time and usage
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control App |
| Downloads | Over 2.3 Million Downloads |
| Features | MobileFence offers app blocking, website filtering, screen time limits, location tracking, and safe zone alerts to help parents manage their children's digital activity. |
| Who It’s For | Parents looking for a comprehensive parental control app to protect their children online and manage their device usage. |
- Tags:
- Parental Control
- App Blocking
- Safe Browsing
MobileFence is a comprehensive parental control app that empowers parents to monitor and manage their children's smartphone usage. With its robust features, parents can track app usage, set time limits, and block access to inappropriate content. Parents can even utilize MobileFence to set "family time" where both their phone and their child's phone are locked to everything except phone calls, ensuring quality time together. While MobileFence excels at blocking content and limiting usage, some users have reported difficulty in seeing SMS text content in their reports, even after setting up keywords. The developers are aware of this issue and are working to improve its functionality.
Pros & Cons
- Tracks child's app usage
- Blocks jailbreak attempts
- Limits phone usage/content
- Finds lost phone
- SMS text content not shown
- Keywords not detected reliably
- No response from developers
Why we chose it?
MobileFence is my go-to parental control app because it's super easy to use, packed with features, and actually helps me feel confident about my kids' online safety. I love that I can block specific apps, websites, and even set time limits on screen time, all with just a few taps. Plus, the real-time location tracking gives me peace of mind knowing where my kids are at all times. If you're looking for a reliable and comprehensive parental control app, MobileFence is a winner!
13. Parental Control
Limit screen time effectively, Block inappropriate apps remotely
Cost:
Free Plan (Free), Premium Plan (Monthly) ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Parental Control |
| Downloads | Over 1.8 million downloads |
| Features | The Parental Control app offers screen time limits, app blocking, website filtering, location tracking, and activity monitoring features to help parents manage their children's digital well-being. |
| Who It’s For | Parents looking for a comprehensive solution to manage their children's screen time and online activity. |
- Tags:
- Screen Time Management
- App Blocking and Control
- Location tracking
"Parental Control" is a mobile parental control app that offers a range of features to help parents manage their children's phone usage, but its effectiveness can be inconsistent. While users appreciate features like screen time limits, app blocking, and location tracking, some have reported issues with the location accuracy and a lack of clear communication about features still in beta mode. Despite these drawbacks, the app's ability to remotely control screen time, block apps, and provide location updates is a valuable tool for many parents, especially when it functions correctly. The app's user-friendliness and intuitive design can make it easy to set up and use, but some users may find the app's behavior unpredictable at times, requiring adjustments and patience.
Pros & Cons
- Control screen time
- Block apps and games
- Monitor device usage
- Track location
- Inaccurate location tracking
- Beta features may not work
- No warning before shutdown
Why we chose it?
I'm a huge fan of [Parental Control] because it’s super easy to use and packed with features that actually make a difference. It's got flexible screen time limits, app blocking, and even location tracking, so you can stay in the loop and keep your kids safe online. This app is a must-have for any parent who wants to be in control of their child's digital life!