Google Family Link vs Microsoft Family Safety

Google Family Link8.8Visit Microsoft Family Safety8.7Visit

Higher score Google Family Link #4 in Parental Control Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site

vs

Microsoft Family Safety #5 in Parental Control Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Microsoft

• Google Family Link fits best

  Families wanting broad free Google controls

• Microsoft Family Safety fits best

  Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox

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.

Side by side

Feature	Google Family Link 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Microsoft Family Safety 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#4 in Parental Control Apps	#5 in Parental Control Apps
Best for	Families wanting broad free Google controls	Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$129.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Android, iOS, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features Google Family Link 5/5 · Microsoft Family Safety 5/5
Content filtering	✓	✓
Screen-time schedules	✓	✓
App blocking	✓	✓
Activity reports	✓	✓
Location tracking	✓	✓
Specs
Device platforms	Android	Not checked yet
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free access to screen-time limits, schedules, app controls, and reports Broad controls across Chrome, YouTube, Search, Play, and Google Accounts Location viewing, notifications, and battery status for compatible devices	Free plan includes schedules, filters, app controls, and activity reports Connects with Edge, Bing, Xbox, Microsoft accounts, and Microsoft 365 Supports purchase approvals, allowances, and mobile location alerts
Cons	Most Family Link tools cannot supervise iPhones, iPads, or non-Chromebook computers Location features depend on compatible Android and Fitbit devices Feature availability varies by device, account, country, and age requirements	Web filtering requires Microsoft Edge and a signed-in Microsoft account Location and driving safety features are going away Some premium location features require Microsoft 365 Family
Our verdict	Google Family Link is a free parental-control app for families using supervised Google Accounts. It lets parents manage children’s apps, set daily screen-time limits, create Bedtime, School Time, and Downtime schedules, restrict content,… Read the review →	Microsoft Family Safety helps parents manage children’s digital activity across Windows, Xbox, Android, iOS, and the web. It is designed for households that already use Microsoft accounts, Edge, Xbox, Bing, or Microsoft 365. Core controls… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Google Family Link — where it wins

  • Free access to screen-time limits, schedules, app controls, and reports
  • Broad controls across Chrome, YouTube, Search, Play, and Google Accounts
  • Location viewing, notifications, and battery status for compatible devices

  Where it doesn't

  • Most Family Link tools cannot supervise iPhones, iPads, or non-Chromebook computers
  • Location features depend on compatible Android and Fitbit devices
  • Feature availability varies by device, account, country, and age requirements

• Microsoft Family Safety — where it wins

  • Free plan includes schedules, filters, app controls, and activity reports
  • Connects with Edge, Bing, Xbox, Microsoft accounts, and Microsoft 365
  • Supports purchase approvals, allowances, and mobile location alerts

  Where it doesn't

  • Web filtering requires Microsoft Edge and a signed-in Microsoft account
  • Location and driving safety features are going away
  • Some premium location features require Microsoft 365 Family

• Google Family Link8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free Google-centered toolkit for screen time, content, apps, activity, and location.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Microsoft Family Safety8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable free option for families using Windows, Edge, Xbox, and Microsoft accounts.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →