The security battle between iOS and Android tightens each time an operating system update comes out. Apple has held the lead for years — and though the gap is expected to close with the 2020 release of Android 11 and its heightened privacy measures, iOS 14’s release will be right on its heels.
But one aspect of cyber safety remains Android’s turf: Cooperating with parental control apps.
These apps, which usually require access to a phone’s location, contacts, browsing history, and call and text history, are occasionally hindered by Apple’s more strict app restrictions (like a 2019 policy change that slashed functionality on a handful of apps). Many parental control apps that don’t play well with iOS (like Qustodio) have no problem running their full suite of features on Android’s flexible OS, giving families who prefer Samsung and Google phones over iPhones, or Fire Tablets and Galaxy Tabs over iPads, a more robust approach device monitoring. Read more…
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BEST GOOGLE PLAY REVIEWS
Screen Time
A hidden gem of an app that’s great for situation-based app blocking and runs smoothly.
- Free version: Yes
- Screen Time Premium: $6.99/month
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BEST FOR LOTS OF DEVICES
Qustodio
From Instagram and YouTube monitoring to a panic button for kids away from home, Qustodio covers just about everything.
- Free version: Yes
- Five devices: $54.95/year
- 10 devices: $96.95/year
- 15 devices: $137.95/year
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BEST FREE APP
Google Family Link
Set digital ground rules and use Google’s location tracking without committing to a monthly fee.
- Free version: Yes
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BEST FULL CYBERSECURITY SUITE
Norton Deluxe 360 + Family Premier
Establish cyber safety habits early with Norton’s combo of antivirus, dark web monitoring, and parental controls.
- Norton Family Premier (without antivirus): $49.99/year
- Five devices with Norton 360 Deluxe: $99.99/year
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BEST FOR TEXT MONITORING
Boomerang
Worried about kids and texting? This conversation surveillance feature lets you know if anything inappropriate is said.
- Free version: 14-day trial
- One device: $15.99/year
- Family pack (10 devices): $30.99/year
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MOST AFFORDABLE GEOFENCING
FamilyTime
Keep tabs on
Our parental control app lets you monitor and control your child’s mobile, tablet, or other Android devices remotely and securely. geofencing and emergency extra set of eyes on kids
- Free version: 3-day trial
- MyFamily (one device): $2.25/month per child
- MyFamily2 (two devices): $1.46/month per child
- MyFamily3 (three devices): $1.25/month per child
- MyFamily5 (five devices): $1.15/month per child
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BEST FOR WIFI-ONLY DEVICES
Circle with Disney
Instead of downloading software, Circle is a WiFi-based monitoring solution with a clean, color-coded app.
- Free version: Yes
- Circle subscription: $9.99/month
- Circle Home Plus (hardware device): $129
