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Head-to-head · Parental Control Apps

Microsoft Family Safety vs FamilyTime

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft Family Safety #5 in Parental Control Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Microsoft
FamilyTime #11 in Parental Control Apps 8.1/10 Free plan · 3-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit FamilyTime

Microsoft Family Safety leads on 0 checks, FamilyTime on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMicrosoft Family Safety · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly FamilyTime

Microsoft Family Safety scores higher on our rubric for parental control apps: 8.7 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #11.

Microsoft Family Safety is the better fit for microsoft households using Edge and Xbox. FamilyTime is the better fit for families seeking maximum features per dollar.

  • Microsoft Family Safety fits best

    Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox

  • FamilyTime fits best

    Families seeking maximum features per dollar

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Side by side

Feature Microsoft Family Safety 8.7/10 Visit ↗ FamilyTime 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.1
Ranking #5 in Parental Control Apps #11 in Parental Control Apps
Best for Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox Families seeking maximum features per dollar
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $129.99/yr $2.41/device/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 3 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Microsoft Family Safety 5/5 · FamilyTime 5/5
Content filtering ✓ ✓
Screen-time schedules ✓ ✓
App blocking ✓ ✓
Activity reports ✓ ✓
Location tracking ✓ ✓
Specs
Device platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet 1 devices
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Screen-time schedules, app limits, blocking, and web filtering
  • Location tracking, geofencing, movement, and SOS alerts
  • Monitoring and controls across Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS
Cons
  • 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
  • The MyFamily plan covers one child device
  • Some monitoring features, including calls and SMS, are Android-only
  • Feature availability can differ by operating system
Our verdict

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 →

FamilyTime is a parental-control application for parents managing children’s mobile and connected-device use. It combines screen-time limits, recurring schedules, individual app limits, app and game blocking, web filtering, SafeSearch,…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft Family SafetyParental Control Apps 8.7Free plan
  2. FamilyTimeParental Control Apps 8.1Free plan · 3-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • FamilyTime — where it wins

    • Screen-time schedules, app limits, blocking, and web filtering
    • Location tracking, geofencing, movement, and SOS alerts
    • Monitoring and controls across Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS

    Where it doesn't

    • The MyFamily plan covers one child device
    • Some monitoring features, including calls and SMS, are Android-only
    • Feature availability can differ by operating system

More comparisons

All parental control apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update