Head-to-head · Parental Control Apps
Microsoft Family Safety vs Kidslox
Microsoft Family Safety leads on 0 checks, Kidslox 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 Kidslox
Microsoft Family Safety scores higher on our rubric for parental control apps: 8.7 against 6.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #27.
Microsoft Family Safety is the better fit for microsoft households using Edge and Xbox. Kidslox is the better fit for families wanting affordable broad controls.
- Microsoft Family Safety fits best
Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox
- Kidslox fits best
Families wanting affordable broad controls
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Side by side
| Feature | Microsoft Family Safety 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | Kidslox 6.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 6.4 |
| Ranking | #5 in Parental Control Apps | #27 in Parental Control Apps |
| Best for | Microsoft households using Edge and Xbox | Families wanting affordable broad controls |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $129.99/yr | $49.99/yr |
| 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, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Microsoft Family Safety 5/5 · Kidslox 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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
Kidslox is a parental control service for parents and legal guardians managing children’s iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows and Mac devices. Its feature set covers daily screen-time limits, recurring schedules, individual app blocking,… Read the review → |
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
Kidslox — where it wins
- Free plan supervises one child device
- Screen-time schedules, filtering, blocking and reports in paid tiers
- Supports iOS, Android, Windows and macOS
Where it doesn't
- Free plan limits manual mode switching to five times daily
- Basic supports only one device
- Some monitoring and advanced controls vary by platform
- Microsoft Family Safety8.7/10 · Free plan
A capable free option for families using Windows, Edge, Xbox, and Microsoft accounts.
Visit MicrosoftFull verdict → - Kidslox6.4/10 · Free plan · 3-day trial
Kidslox combines free basic controls with broad monitoring and scheduling across four platforms.
Visit KidsloxFull verdict →
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All parental control apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







