Best Microsoft Family Safety Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Family Safety alternatives are Bark, Qustodio and OurPact: 15 parental control apps our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Family Safety, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Family Safety: A capable free option for families using Windows, Edge, Xbox, and Microsoft accounts. Where it falls short: web filtering requires microsoft edge and a signed-in microsoft account.
Switching from Microsoft Family Safety? For most parental control apps buyers the best Microsoft Family Safety alternative is Bark, built for families needing cross-platform content monitoring. On a budget, FamilyTime starts at $2.41/device/mo. Qustodio has a free plan. Bitdefender Parental Control offers the most device limit (25 devices).
Why People Look for a Microsoft Family Safety Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBark9.2
Families needing cross-platform content monitoring
Visit Bark - Lowest priceFamilyTime8.1
Paid plans from $2.41/device/mo
Visit FamilyTime - Best free optionQustodio9.0
Has a free plan
Visit Qustodio - Most device limitBitdefender Parental Control7.7
25 devices
Visit Bitdefender Parental Control
All 15 Microsoft Family Safety Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forFamilies needing cross-platform content monitoring
- Better than Microsoft Family Safety:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.7
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
- Better than Microsoft Family Safety:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.7
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
- Better than Microsoft Family Safety:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.7
A broad parental-control toolkit for families managing up to 20 child devices.
- Location tracking
- Content filtering
- App blocking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit OurPact -
Best forFamilies wanting broad free Google controls
- Better than Microsoft Family Safety:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.7
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 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
Microsoft Family Safety Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?
Bark: #1 in our Parental Control Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad cross-platform monitor with schedules, blocking, alerts, and location tools.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?
Yes. Qustodio, OurPact, Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time and Kaspersky Safe Kids have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, FamilyTime starts lowest, at $2.41/device/mo.
Why do people look for Microsoft Family Safety alternatives?
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.
Which Microsoft Family Safety alternative has the most device limit?
Bitdefender Parental Control, with 25 devices.
How do I switch from Microsoft Family Safety?
Export your data from Microsoft Family Safety (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Family Safety.
How to Switch from Microsoft Family Safety
- Export your data from Microsoft Family Safety (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Family Safety.
Microsoft Family Safety vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Content filtering | Screen-time schedules | App blocking | Activity reports | Device limit | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Microsoft Family Safety | Yes | $129.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 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 | Apple Screen Time | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 6 | Kaspersky Safe Kids | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 7 | Mobicip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 8.4 | |
| 8 | Wondershare FamiSafe | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 devices | 8.3 | |
| 9 | MMGuardian | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 8.2 | |
| 10 | FamilyTime | Yes | $2.41/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 8.1 |
| 11 | Screen Time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 devices | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Norton Family | No | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Net Nanny | No | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 7.8 |
| 14 | Bitdefender Parental Control | No | $79.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25 devices | 7.7 |
| 15 | Canopy | No | $8.33/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 devices | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Microsoft Family Safety vs Bark
- Microsoft Family Safety vs Qustodio
- Microsoft Family Safety vs OurPact
- Microsoft Family Safety vs Google Family Link
- Microsoft Family Safety vs Apple Screen Time
- Microsoft Family Safety vs Kaspersky Safe Kids
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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