6 Best Parental Control Apps for Child Safety
In today’s highly connected world, children spend an increasing amount of time online, exposing them to various risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators.
A study by Common Sense Media reports that children aged 8-12 spend an average of five hours daily on screens, while teens spend even more.
With such heavy digital usage, parents must find ways to safeguard their children without invading their privacy. This is where parental control apps play an important role.
These apps provide features like real-time monitoring, screen time limits, and content filtering to help parents create a safer online experience for their children.
In this guide, we compare six of the best parental control apps, evaluating their key features, strengths, costs, and ideal use cases.
Whether you’re looking for a parental control app for iPhone, Android, or multi-device households, this comparison will help you make an informed choice.
What Are the Best Parental Control Apps?
Quick Picks: Editor's Recommendations.
Here's a summarized list of the best parental control apps according to your needs:
- Best for AI-Powered Content Monitoring: Bark.
- Best for Social Media & Cross-Platform Monitoring: ClevGuard.
- Best for Stealth Monitoring & Remote Tracking: mSpy.
- Best for Real-Time Device Monitoring: uMobix.
- Best for AI-Powered Risk Alerts: Eyezy.
- Best for Extreme Monitoring & Call Recording: FlexiSpy.
Our Selection Methodology and Evaluation Criteria
To ensure this list features only top-performing apps, we used the following criteria for evaluation:
- Feature Set: Monitoring, screen-time control, web filtering, location tracking, etc.
- Device Compatibility: Coverage for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.
- Ease of Use: Simple setup process, intuitive user interface.
- Privacy & Trust: A balanced approach to child safety and child privacy.
- Pricing & Value: Free vs. premium options with cost-effectiveness in mind.
Our team tested these apps in real-world conditions on various devices for accuracy and reliability.
Quick Picks Summary: Best Parental Control Apps at a Glance
| App Name | Best For | Starting Price | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bark | Content Monitoring | $14/month | AI-powered real-time alerts |
| ClevGuard | Social Media Tracking | $44.99/month | Cross-platform support |
| mSpy | Stealth Monitoring | $48.99/month | Hidden tracking capabilities |
| uMobix | Real-Time Device Monitoring | $49.99/month | Live social media tracking & remote control |
| Eyezy | AI-Powered Risk Alerts | $38.39/month | AI-based automatic threat detection |
| FlexiSPY | Extreme Monitoring & Call Recording | $49.95/month | Live call interception & ambient listening |
Check below for more details regarding the pricing of the above parental control apps as the monthly prices get cheaper with the quarterly and annual plans.
The 6 Best Parental Control Apps
1. Bark – Best for AI-Powered Content Monitoring
Overview
Bark stands out for its AI-driven content analysis, scanning texts, emails, and social media messages for potential dangers such as cyberbullying, self-harm, and explicit content.
Key Features
- AI-driven alerts across 30+ apps and platforms.
- Monitors texts, emails, and social media conversations.
- Screen time control and app blocking.
- GPS location tracking with real-time notifications.
User Experience
Bark is designed to be intuitive, offering parents a dashboard with real-time alerts instead of intrusive full-access monitoring.
Pricing
- Bark App: $14/month
- Bark Phone: $29/month + device purchase
Pros & Cons
✔ AI-driven content monitoring minimizes over-surveillance.
✔ Covers a broad range of social media networks.
✔ Allows for flexible parental control adjustments.
✘ Higher cost compared to some basic parental controls.
Best For
Parents looking for insightful content analysis rather than direct message reading.
Expert Opinion: If you're concerned about cyberbullying on social media, Bark’s AI-powered monitoring could be an excellent choice.
Get started with Bark.
2. ClevGuard – Best for Social Media & Cross-Platform Monitoring
Overview
ClevGuard provides robust monitoring across platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook, making it an excellent tool for understanding your child's online activity.
Key Features
- Real-time GPS tracking with geofencing.
- Remote screenshots and keyword alerts.
- Strong call, SMS, and contact tracking.
- Support for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows.
Pricing
- Starts at $44.99/month with better rates for quarterly and annual plans.
Pros & Cons
✔ Thorough tracking for major social media platforms.
✔ Excellent geofencing and GPS tracking features.
✔ Works in stealth mode for discreet monitoring.
✘ Stealth monitoring may raise ethical concerns.
Best For
Tech-savvy parents needing deep insight into children's online behavior.
Expert Opinion: If you need a parental control app for Android and, virtually, all other platforms, that provides extensive social media tracking, ClevGuard is a strong choice.
Get started with ClevGuard.
3. mSpy – Best for Stealth Monitoring & Remote Tracking
Overview
mSpy operates in total stealth mode, tracing social media activity, GPS movement, call logs, and even deleted text messages.
Key Features
- Hidden tracking with a stealth mode option.
- Logs all keystrokes with a keylogger feature.
- Records GPS location and route history.
- Compatible with Android and iOS.
Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $48.99/month
- Quarterly Plan: $28.00/month
- Annual Plan: $11.67/month
Pros & Cons
✔ Undetectable monitoring feature.
✔ Tracks deleted messages and browsing logs.
✔ Frequent updates (as often as every 5 minutes).
✘ Requires technical setup to install in stealth mode.
✘ Potential trust and ethical concerns.
Best For
Parents needing real-time insights without the child’s knowledge.
Expert Opinion: If your concern is online safety, a text monitoring app for parents like mSpy can help provide essential oversight.
Get started with mSpy.
4. uMobix – Best for Real-Time Device Monitoring
Overview
uMobix is a robust parental control and cell phone tracking solution designed for modern parents seeking real-time insights into their child's digital activities.
With extensive monitoring tools, remote access options, and AI-powered alerts, uMobix ensures parents stay informed about their children's online and offline behaviors while maintaining security.
Key Features
- Monitors 41+ popular apps and social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat.
- Real-time updates every 5 minutes provide current insights into activities.
- GPS tracking with location history to monitor movements.
- Keylogger functionality to capture everything typed.
- Complete monitoring of calls, text messages, and deleted content.
- Browser history and screenshot capture for enhanced security.
- Remote control settings to block apps, websites, Wi-Fi, and calls.
- Audio and video streaming from the target device for comprehensive oversight.
User Experience
uMobix offers an intuitive online dashboard that parents can access from any device, making it simple to monitor real-time activities and set restrictions without requiring physical access to the device.
Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $49.99/month
- Quarterly Plan: $29.99/month (40% savings compared to monthly plan)
- Annual Plan: $12.49/month (up to 75% savings compared to monthly plan)
Pros & Cons
✔ Real-time location tracking and monitoring.
✔ Comprehensive social media and app activity tracking.
✔ Remote access controls to block apps or websites instantly.
✔ Easy 5-minute setup process.
✘ Stealth monitoring raises privacy concerns.
✘ Higher cost for monthly subscribers.
Best For
Parents looking for an advanced real-time tracking solution with a broad feature set and remote accessibility.
Expert Opinion: If you need instant updates on your child’s digital interactions and whereabouts, uMobix is a powerful platform offering extensive real-time monitoring features.
Get started with uMobix.
5. Eyezy – Best for AI-Powered Risk Alerts
Overview
Eyezy positions itself as one of the most advanced monitoring software solutions for parents, leveraging AI-based technologies to track online activities, detect suspicious behavior, and prevent potential digital threats.
Key Features
- Social media monitoring including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
- AI alerts that flag risky conversations, inappropriate content, and potential threats.
- GPS tracking (Pinpoint feature) to know your child’s location at all times.
- Call and text message tracking (including deleted conversations).
- Web browsing and screen recording capabilities to detect unsafe behavior.
- Keylogger feature to track all keystrokes on the device.
- Invisible operation ensures discreet parental monitoring.
User Experience
Eyezy’s user-friendly dashboard interface, accessible via any browser, makes it an excellent tool for non-tech-savvy parents looking for powerful monitoring with minimal manual setup.
Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $38.39/month
- 3-Month Plan: $22.39/month (Most Popular)
- Annual Plan: $7.99/month (Up to 79% savings vs. monthly plan)
Pros & Cons
✔ AI-powered alerts reduce manual monitoring effort.
✔ Stealth monitoring mode for discreet tracking.
✔ Bank-grade encryption ensures data security.
✔ Flexible pricing plans with significant long-term savings.
✘ Limited free trial or demo options.
Best For
Parents wanting AI-driven insights and automatic risk detection to safeguard their child.
Expert Opinion: If you need intelligent risk detection rather than manual tracking, Eyezy’s AI-powered system offers the right balance of automation and security.
Get started with Eyezy.
6. FlexiSPY – Best for Extreme Monitoring & Call Recording
Overview
Unlike most parental control apps, FlexiSPY specializes in deep monitoring, including phone call recording, environment listening, and even camera activation, making it one of the most powerful tracking tools available.
Key Features
- Call recording & call interception so parents can review conversations.
- Live ambient listening & camera access.
- Social media and IM tracking for WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
- Location tracking & geofencing to monitor movements.
- Keystroke logging for capturing everything typed.
- Activity reports with detailed tracking data.
- Pre-installed phone option (FlexiSPY Express) for hassle-free setup.
User Experience
FlexiSPY requires physical installation on the target device, but once set up, parents can monitor activities remotely with advanced surveillance tools not available in most other parental control apps.
Pricing
- Lite Plan: $49.95/month (Basic features)
- Premium Plan: $79/month, $119 (3 months), $179 (yearly) (Most Popular)
- Extreme Plan: $119/month, $239 (3 months), $419 (yearly) (Includes call recording)
Pros & Cons
✔ World-class monitoring tools unmatched by most competitors.
✔ Call recording & ambient listening provides unique insights.
✔ Works on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices.
✔ Pre-installed phone service eliminates setup complexities.
✘ Requires physical access for installation.
✘ High pricing compared to competitors.
Best For
Parents needing full-spectrum surveillance, including call and audio data logging.
Expert Opinion: If you need deep insight into your child's communication and surroundings, FlexiSPY’s advanced tracking tools go beyond standard parental control apps.
Get started with FlexiSPY.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Bark | ClevGuard | mSpy | uMobix | Eyezy | FlexiSPY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Monitoring | ✓ (30+ platforms) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Screen Time Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Location Tracking | ✓ | ✓ (Geofencing) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| App Blocking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ |
| Stealth Mode | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI-Powered Alerts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Call Recording | ✖ | ✓ (KidsGuard Pro) | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Audio Monitoring | ✖ | ✓ (KidsGuard Pro) | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ |
Conclusion: Choose the Best Parental Control App for Your Needs
Protecting your child's digital well-being is an ongoing process. Pairing these apps with a parental control router can further enhance security.
With digital safety concerns growing, parental control apps provide much-needed oversight without compromising privacy.
Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:
- For AI-driven content alerts, choose Bark.
- For social media tracking, go with ClevGuard.
- For stealth monitoring, mSpy is the best choice.
- For real-time updates & live tracking, uMobix leads.
- For AI-powered risk detection, Eyezy is ideal.
- For extreme monitoring & call recording, FlexiSPY is unmatched.
By investing in the right parental control software, you can ensure your child’s safety across digital landscapes, promoting both security and responsible online behavior.
