The Best Parental Control Apps in 2026
We researched parental control apps through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings focus on content filtering, screen-time controls, activity visibility, value for money and verified features across supported devices.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Bark#1 of 1069.2/10A broad cross-platform monitor with schedules, blocking, alerts, and location tools.
7-day trial
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Runner-up
Qustodio#2 of 1069.0/10A broad parental-control suite with AI safety alerts and five-platform coverage.
Free plan
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Top-ranked free plan
OurPact#3 of 1068.9/10A broad parental-control toolkit for families managing up to 20 child devices.
Free plan · 14-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 106 tools, best first · page 1 of 3
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Best forFamilies needing cross-platform content monitoring
A broad cross-platform monitor with schedules, blocking, alerts, and location tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Bark -
Best forFamilies wanting AI safety alerts
A broad parental-control suite with AI safety alerts and five-platform coverage.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Qustodio -
Best forLarge families needing many device licenses
A broad parental-control toolkit for families managing up to 20 child devices.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
Free plan · 14-day trial Our OurPact verdict → Visit OurPactFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit OurPact -
Best forFamilies wanting broad free Google controls
A free Google-centered toolkit for screen time, content, apps, activity, and location.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forMicrosoft households using Edge and Xbox
A capable free option for families using Windows, Edge, Xbox, and Microsoft accounts.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forApple-only households
A free, Apple-integrated control layer for managing apps, content, schedules, and communication.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Apple -
Best forFamilies wanting established cross-platform basics
A cross-platform parental-control app covering filtering, schedules, reports, and GPS alerts.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Kaspersky -
Best forBudget-conscious multi-device families
A value-focused parental control app for families managing up to 20 devices.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Mobicip -
Best forFamilies needing rich monitoring integrations
A broad parental-control suite for families that need monitoring, location tools, and app coverage.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit FamiSafe -
Best forParents prioritizing safety-risk detection
A broad parental-control suite with detailed monitoring and AI-powered safety alerts.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit MMGuardian -
Best forFamilies seeking maximum features per dollar
A feature-rich parental control app with low annual-billing entry pricing.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit FamilyTime -
Best forFamilies balancing monitoring and routines
A flexible mix of monitoring, routines, location tools, and earned extra time.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Screen Time -
Best forFamilies wanting a long trial and basic controls
A paid parental-control app with a 30-day trial and broad everyday supervision tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Norton Family -
Best forFamilies wanting established web filtering
A feature-rich parental control app for families prioritizing established web filtering.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Net Nanny -
Best forFamilies wanting large device coverage
A family subscription with broad device coverage, scheduling, filtering, reporting, and location tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Bitdefender -
Best forFamilies focused on explicit-content protection
A broad parental-control suite centered on explicit-content and AI chatbot filtering.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Canopy -
Best forParents wanting advanced Android supervision
Advanced Android supervision with broad monitoring tools, but no free plan.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AirDroid -
Best forAndroid families wanting monitoring add-ons
Android-focused parental controls with optional messaging, screen-mirroring, and AI alerts.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Safe Lagoon -
Best forFamilies wanting simple mobile supervision
A focused mobile parental-control app with scheduling, filtering, reports, location, and rewards.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Kids360 -
Best forFamilies wanting low annual per-device pricing
A low-cost annual option with the fullest controls on supported Android devices.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Boomerang -
Best forBudget-focused families wanting AI alerts
A low-cost parental-control app with AI scanning, monitoring, and screen-time tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit KidsNanny -
Best forBudget Android families wanting a full control set
A low-cost Android parental-control suite with broad monitoring and management tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Kids Dashboard -
Best forAndroid families wanting location and monitoring
A feature-rich free plan for Android families, with paid upgrades for real-time history and exports.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit KidSafe360 -
Best forAndroid families wanting structured app access
A free Android beta for structured app access, schedules, filtering, and reports.
- Content filtering
- App blocking
- Screen-time schedules
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit DigitalFence -
Best forMobile families wanting location and device monitoring
A broad mobile monitoring toolkit for families that need location and device controls.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit FlashGet Kids -
Best forFamilies wanting affordable mobile controls
A focused mobile parental-control app with location, filtering, schedules, and rewards.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Kidsee -
Best forFamilies wanting affordable broad controls
Kidslox combines free basic controls with broad monitoring and scheduling across four platforms.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Kidslox -
Best forFamilies wanting tamper-resistant basic controls
A paid family plan combines filtering, schedules, location, reports, and tamper alerts.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit ParentalEdge -
Best forParents prioritizing calls, texts, and location
A broad monitoring toolkit for parents focused on communication and location.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Family Orbit -
Best forFamilies wanting a long trial and core controls
A broad parental-control suite with a 21-day trial and tiered device limits.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit SafeKiddo -
Best forFamilies wanting reports and location tools
Safes combines screen-time controls, reporting, filtering, and location tools across major platforms.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Safes -
Best forAndroid families wanting low-cost multi-device plans
A low-cost Android option with broad controls and multi-device annual plans.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit SecureKids -
Best forFamilies preferring a one-time purchase
A one-time parental control license with detailed schedules, filtering, and reports.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Salfeld -
Best forFamilies wanting game-safety insights
A paid parental-control app with strong screen-time tools and game-safety insights.
- Content filtering
- App blocking
- Screen-time schedules
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Aura -
Best forAndroid and Windows families needing safety alerts
A capable Android and Windows family safety suite, priced for larger households.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SafeNeat -
Best forFamilies needing policy controls and Android protection
Broad parental controls with especially strong Android protection, but no supervised child iOS support.
- Content filtering
- App blocking
- Screen-time schedules
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit ParentProof -
Best forFamilies wanting basic controls with a long trial
A paid parental-control app with broad core controls and a 30-day trial.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit McAfee -
Best forFamilies wanting free activity and safety basics
A broad free toolkit for managing children’s devices, activity, location, and safety.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit KidGate -
Best forAT&T customers needing family location tools
A broad family-safety app for AT&T customers who need location alerts and controls.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forFamilies wanting lifetime ownership options
A broad parental-control toolkit with lifetime ownership, but a high monthly starting price.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit FamiKit -
Best forFamilies needing communication monitoring for three devices
A three-device parental-control service with filtering, schedules, monitoring, and location tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit SecureTeen -
Best forFamilies wanting extensive Android and iOS oversight
Broad parental controls across Android, iOS, and Chrome, with several Android-only tools.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Kroha -
Best forFamilies wanting detailed logging and screenshots
Detailed parental monitoring with filtering, schedules, screenshots, and activity logs.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit SentryPC -
Best forFamilies wanting free Android monitoring
A broad free monitoring toolkit for families with Android phones.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit NetSpy -
Best forFamilies wanting straightforward location controls
A focused choice for families needing location, screen-time and content controls.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit MyParental -
Best forFamilies needing broad monitoring integrations
Broad monitoring and messaging coverage, but advanced features require paid add-ons.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit iKeyMonitor -
Best forFamilies wanting detailed mobile monitoring
A paid monitoring app with broad controls, reports, location tools, and Android child-device support.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit KidsGuard -
Best forFamilies needing affordable monitoring across devices
Affordable monitoring across desktop and Android, with platform-dependent controls.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit KidLogger -
Best forMobile families wanting free monitoring basics
A free mobile-focused parental control app with broad monitoring basics.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit Nischint -
Best forAndroid families needing strict app lockdown
A focused Android app for controlling approved apps, screen time, purchases, and device access.
- Content filtering
- App blocking
- Screen-time schedules
4.2/10★★☆☆☆Visit Kids Place
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Content filtering | Screen-time schedules | App blocking | Activity reports | Device limit | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bark | No | $49/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Qustodio | Yes | $72.94/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 9.0 |
| 3 | OurPact | Yes | $69.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20 devices | 8.9 |
| 4 | Google Family Link | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Microsoft Family Safety | Yes | $129.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 6 | Apple Screen Time | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 7 | Kaspersky Safe Kids | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 8 | Mobicip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Wondershare FamiSafe | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 devices | 8.3 | |
| 10 | MMGuardian | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 8.2 | |
| 11 | FamilyTime | Yes | $2.41/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 8.1 |
| 12 | Screen Time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 8.0 | |
| 13 | Norton Family | No | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 14 | Net Nanny | No | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 7.8 |
| 15 | Bitdefender Parental Control | No | $79.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25 devices | 7.7 |
| 16 | Canopy | No | $8.33/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 7.6 |
| 17 | AirDroid Parental Control | No | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2 devices | 7.5 |
| 18 | Safe Lagoon | Yes | $5.83/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 7.4 |
| 19 | Kids360 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 20 | Boomerang Parental Control | No | $19.99/device/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 7.2 |
| 21 | KidsNanny | No | $2.92/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 | |
| 22 | Kids Dashboard | Yes | £5/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 devices | 6.9 |
| 23 | KidSafe360 | Yes | ₹250/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 24 | DigitalFence | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 25 | FlashGet Kids | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 devices | 6.6 | |
| 26 | Kidsee | No | $29.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 27 | Kidslox | Yes | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 6.4 |
| 28 | ParentalEdge | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.3 | ||
| 29 | Family Orbit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 6.2 | |
| 30 | SafeKiddo | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2 devices | 6.1 | |
| 31 | Safes | Yes | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 32 | SecureKids | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 5.9 | |
| 33 | Salfeld Child Control | No | €29.95/device one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 5.8 |
| 34 | Aura Parental Controls | No | $10/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.7 | |
| 35 | SafeNeat | No | €40/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 devices | 5.6 |
| 36 | ParentProof | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.5 | |||
| 37 | McAfee Safe Family | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.4 | ||
| 38 | KidGate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.3 | ||
| 39 | AT&T Secure Family | No | $7.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30 devices | 5.3 |
| 40 | FamiKit | No | $79.90/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 devices | 5.2 |
| 41 | SecureTeen | No | $39.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 devices | 5.1 |
| 42 | Kroha | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 5.0 | ||
| 43 | SentryPC | No | $69.95/device/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 4.9 |
| 44 | NetSpy | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.8 | |
| 45 | MyParental | No | $29.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 devices | 4.7 |
| 46 | iKeyMonitor | Yes | $10/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25 devices | 4.6 |
| 47 | KidsGuard for Children | No | $69.99/device/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 4.5 |
| 48 | KidLogger | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 4.4 | |
| 49 | Nischint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.3 | ||
| 50 | Kids Place | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.2 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Bark vs Qustodio
- Bark vs OurPact
- Bark vs Google Family Link
- Bark vs Microsoft Family Safety
- Bark vs Apple Screen Time
- Bark vs Kaspersky Safe Kids
- Bark vs Mobicip
- Qustodio vs OurPact
- Qustodio vs Google Family Link
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How we rank parental control apps
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update