For inquiring parents, caregivers, and adults seeking the best app to block porn, we’ve reviewed the 7 best porn blocker apps available in 2023:
- 1. Canopy
- 2. OurPact
- 3. FamiSafe
- 4. Norton Family Parental Control
- 5. Kidslox
- 6. Bark
- 7. Qustodio
This article will discuss the 7 best porn blocker apps that are the best software to block porn currently available on the market. We’ll explain why you and your kids might need these apps, review each porn blocker, name the best porn block app, and answer some FAQs related to using the best porn blocker apps.
7 Best Porn Blocker Apps to Protect Yourself or Your Kids
Here’s a review of the top porn blocker apps out there today with real user reviews. We’ve used every single one and tested them in our laboratory.
1. Canopy Porn Blocker (Works on All Devices)
Sarah from Family Tech reviewed Canopy’s parental control app beautifully below. Click the video play button to get an introduction to the benefits and features of Canopy:
Let’s recap:
Features
- Website blocking & smart-filtering within websites and apps
- Blocker removal prevention
- Custom URL, app & category blocking
- Sexting prevention through nudity detection & approval requests for taking images,
- Scheduled screen time & downtime
- Location alerts
Our favorite thing? Canopy blocks inappropriate content even from unexpected sources. For example, when visiting a clothing website, partial nudity from the lingerie section will be blocked instantly.
How it works
Parents set up their account with their child by downloading the parent app on their device and the kid version on the child’s device(s). The parent then controls settings and monitors the child’s device from the app on their device. The app can also be used with adults with one serving as an accountability partner, who can control the other devices via browser or the app.
Canopy is compatible with:
- Android devices (smartphones and tablets, Android 5.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 12 or later)
- Apple computers running a recent version of MacOS
- Any computer running a recent version of Windows OS
Relevant Reviews
Here directly from a parent why they chose Canopy:
Positive reviews mention the advanced filtering capability of Canopy over other apps, and negative reviews mention refund or payment issues or slowing of the child’s device.
Pros: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “…We have Canopy on all our devices because toddlers have a knack for finding things they shouldn’t. It has given us huge peace of mind…I like that you can outright block apps or websites that can’t be monitored, but you are still able to access content through the monitored web browser.:
Cons: One review mentioned that they found it challenging to install Canopy’s filtering capabilities. Our customer service team can help you with that if you get stuck!
Pricing
Canopy offers a 7-day free trial, and:
- $7.99/month to protect 3 devices
- $9.99/month or $99.99/year to protect 5 devices
- $15.99/month to protect up to 10 devices
Start your free trial of Canopy by clicking this link!
Or check out Canopy’s product in more depth here:
2. OurPact
Features
- Website & app blocking
- removal prevention,
- scheduled screen time & downtime,
- location tracking
- Random screenshots
- Texting & messaging prevention
How it works
Parents download the app on their own phone and set up their account, then go through a pairing process with their children’s devices. For iPhones or iPads, this process includes plugging the child’s device into a computer and following the prompts to trust the computer, create a profile for the child’s device, consenting to data & privacy settings, and completely restarting the child’s device.
Once the pairing is complete, the parent can use the control settings and monitor the child’s device remotely.
OurPact is compatible with:
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 12 or later)
- Android devices (Android 4.1 or later)
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews most frequently mention jumbling of apps on child device and difficult installation process. Positive reviews most frequently mention ease of use once installed and features working as advertised.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “… with the installation now behind us, we really like the design and function of the app. It gives us a new level of peace of mind by allowing us to limit our kids’ screen time, and to have pinpoint control over their Instagram/Snapchat/texting/Facebook/social media/Safari use.”
⭐ “…when you click the button to disable applications you trust that the action was completed. I would wake up the next morning and log back in just to find that it was never shut off and my son could have been up all night… there were two instances when I had to reinstall the application on my sons phone (repair) because it would freeze”
Pricing
OurPact offers a 14-day free trial and:
- $6.99/month or $69.99/year for Premium (less features than Premium+)
- $9.99/month or $99.99/year for Premium+
3. FamiSafe
Features
- Website blocking & specific search prevention
- custom URL, app & category blocking,
- scheduled screen time & downtime,
- location alerts
How it works
Parents download the app and set up their account on their phones, then use a QR code on the child’s device to download FamiSafe Jr. and input a code that pairs the two devices. The parent then goes through more set up procedures, after which they can control the settings and monitor their child’s devices through the app on their phone remotely.
FamiSafe is compatible with:
- Android devices (Android 4.4-10)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 9-15)
- Kindle Fire OS (phones and tablets)
- Desktops and laptops running on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews frequently mention certain features not working due to lag time or glitching and issues with cancellations or refunds. Positive reviews frequently mention success or satisfaction with complete blocking of apps and/or all phone capabilities.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”This app has made tracking my child’s time and content use on their phone virtually worry free. The button that kills their ability to use their phone works amazingly well.”
⭐ ”…Location services are not accurate or reliable. Often shows the phone in the same place and just stays there for days on end.”
Pricing
FamiSafe offers a 3-day free trial and:
- $10.99/month, 60.99/year, or 20.99/quarter for all family plans (10 devices)
4. Norton Family
Features
- custom URL, app & category blocking,
- scheduled screen time & downtime,
- location alerts,
- Instant phone lock
- activity & download reports
How it works
Parents set up their accounts, follow processes for enrolling in two-factor authentication, add children to the account, then install Norton Family on the child’s device. For laptops or desktops, this process is just like installing a new software. For mobile devices it is through installing “Norton Family Companion App” on a child’s device from the app store. The parent then goes through more set up procedures, after which they can control the settings and monitor their child’s devices through the app on their phone remotely.
Norton Family is compatible with:
- Desktops or laptops running on Windows 11/10 (all versions except Windows 11/10 in S mode), Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 (all versions except Metro browser), Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) with Service Pack 1 (SP 1) or later
- Android mobile devices 8.0 or higher (text Message Monitoring and call blocking features are currently disabled on Android)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 14.8.1 and later)
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews frequently mention a high learning curve, glitches when attempting to use features like phone locking or time limits, and the rigidity of blocking entire websites or subjects. Positive reviews mention having much-desired control over children’s devices.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “You can monitor everything they do on their phone or computer and see their location. You can set bed times, and school times… It does take some practice to get used to, but once you do, the possibilities are endless!”
⭐⭐⭐ ”Once you get it set up and through the learning curve (about 6 months), it’s ok. It’s a bit too restrictive and sensitive at default ages/settings.”
Pricing
Norton offers a 14-day trial and:
- $49.99/year for Norton Family only
- $49.99/year (first year) then $109.99/year for Norton Deluxe*
- $99.99/year and then $179.99/year for Norton 360 with LifeLock*
*Norton Deluxe and Norton 360 with LifeLock are primarily antivirus and security software which include things like cloud backup, VPN, and dark web monitoring— both include all Norton Parental Control features.
5. Kidslox
Features
- Screen time limits & phone locking
- Reports of phone use & screenshots
- Scheduled screen time & downtime
- URL, app & category blocking
- Location alerts
How it works
Parents download the app and set up their account on their phones, then install Kidslox on a child’s device and click the option for “child’s device.” To pair the two devices, the parent should follow prompts on their own app and the app on the child’s phone to add a pin and continue the setup process. The parent then controls the settings and monitors their child’s devices through the app on their phone remotely.
Kidslox is compatible with:
- iOS devices (iOS 12 or later)
- Android devices (Android OS 8 or later)
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews mention issues with personal data and security when setting up the app and apps on their phone being deleted. Positive reviews mention the locking or time limit features.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”…It shuts off access if your child goes beyond their set time or if you don’t want them on at a certain time they won’t have access to apps then too. It filters out adult content when online… Being able to regulate phone usage and not having to be right next to him is so convenient…”
⭐ ”…it deleted all my apps and I was so confused at first and it took me a long time to get it back this happened continuously for 3 days!!!”
Pricing
Kidslox offers a 3-day free trial and:
- $79.99 for a lifetime subscription
- $4.29/month billed annually (~$52/year)
- $5.09/month billed every 6 months (~$31/6 months or ~$61/year)
- $6.79/month billed every 3 months (~20/3months or ~$82/year)
6. Bark
Features
- URL, app & category blocking,
- text, app, social media & web search monitoring
- scheduled screen time & downtime,
- Location alerts
How it works
Parents download the app and set up their account on their phones and add their child(ren)’s information, then set up the Bark kids app on their child’s device and allow screen time and web filtering on the device. After setting up the apps on the respective devices, parents control the settings and monitor their child’s devices through the app on their phone remotely.
Bark is compatible with:
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 11 or later)
- Android devices (Android 5 or later)
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews frequently mention app glitches due to specific circumstances and kids who have parents who use the app arguing that it hinders privacy. Positive reviews mention peace of mind due to the alerts for things like suicide or bullying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”…the app actually helps maintain a sense of privacy because it only alerts parents when there’s something wrong so parents don’t have to physically take the phone and read through all the typical teenage angst and rants.”
⭐ ”it is completely useless for older children who know how to delete an app… I did not get any notification until 30 minutes later… 30 mins is ample time to look up that photo or video that they’re dying to see that Bark would have blocked.”
Pricing
Bark offers a 7-day free trial and:
- $14/month or $99/year for Bark Premium
- $5/month or $49/year for Bark Jr.*
*Bark Jr. is for parents with younger kids – does not include text/email monitoring or alerts for issues like cyberbullying or suicide.
Read our guide: Canopy vs. Bark
7. Qustodio
Features
- URL, app & category blocking,
- Immediate alerts if they try accessing blocked content
- scheduled screen time & downtime,
- location alerts
- Activity reports sent to parents’ inbox
How it works
Parents download the app and set up their account on their phones and add their child(ren)’s information, then set up the Qustodio kids app on their child’s mobile device (or Chromebook) or install the Qustodio software from the website onto their desktop or laptop computer. After setting up the apps or software on child(ren)’s devices, parents can control the settings and monitor their child’s devices through the app on their phone remotely.
Qustodio is compatible with:
- Desktops and laptops (Windows 7 – SP1 or later, macOS Yosemite 10.11-macOS Ventura 13)
- Chromebooks
- Android devices (Android 6 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 12 or later)
Relevant reviews
Negative reviews frequently mention app glitches or rigid scheduling with screen time and a feeling that the features weren’t worth the investment. Positive reviews mention features working as they should.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”Qustodio keeps everything in hand in real time-all searches and sites logged, times tightly controlled, and as long as the machine is connected to the internet, I can make changes on the fly.”
⭐ ”I don’t feel like this has been worth the large sum of money I spent… You can’t specify different time limits for different apps…”
Pricing
Qustodio offers a 3-day free trial and:
- $4.58/month or $54.95/year for 5 devices (+$12.99 for “Care Plus” – extra customer service)
- $8.08/month or $96.95/year for 10 devices (Care Plus included)
- $11.50/month or $137.95/year for 15 devices (Care Plus included)
Which Porn Blocker App is the Best Overall for Android, iPhone and Desktop?
The best app to block porn has the most customizable features and is compatible with the most devices. So OurPact, Kidslox and Bark have great features, but some compatibility issues with desktops and laptops. Parents might see this as a definitive drawback.
Parents might also be interested in specific features.
Norton would be the best software to block porn for those concerned with personal data security. They offer packages with things like antivirus and dark web monitoring that also include Norton Family porn blocking features. For parents concerned with mental health or suicide ideation, Bark might be the best option.
But if you’re a parent or even an adult simply looking for the best porn block app out there, Canopy outpaces competitors because it has
- Superior technology in blocking nudity or partial nudity instead of entire websites
- Sexting prevention via image review
in addition to screen time limits and location alerts and other features many of the other parental control apps have. Instead of alerting you that a child accessed something or sending screenshots of a child’s activities on their phone, Canopy prevents access and exposure in the first place.
Starting blocking porn on all your devices with Canopy. Read our help centre article here to get setup.
FAQs About the Best Porn Blockers
Some commonly asked questions about the best porn blocker apps:
Why do you need a porn blocker app?
As a parent, you might worry that your kid will inevitably see porn. Or, you might be shocked to consider your precious child seeing explicit content. Either way, the reality is that kids today have access to (or personally own) at least one internet-connected device—and use it constantly.
This reality comes with a high risk of exposure to porn, and a need for the best app and software to block porn.
One study found teenagers spend more than seven hours a day on screens, not including time spent on school work (CNN). One study put the average age of first exposure to porn between 11.5 and 13, and another found that nearly all teen boys and over half of teen girls had seen porn (Sexuality & Culture, Journal of Health Communication).
The effects of porn are widespread and damaging, especially for kids. But porn can be harmful to everyone. Read on to learn about the best software out there to block porn:
Are there ways around software to block porn?
Older kids often can figure out ways to get around even the best software to block porn or the best apps to block porn. The best porn block apps take this into account. For example, Canopy lists removal prevention as one of its features.
I have a work phone and my company won’t allow me to add software to their devices. What now?
There are many device-specific parental control settings that can help prevent exposure to explicit content. It’s also important to keep in mind that any activity conducted on work phones can be tracked and accessed by the company.
Turning on all available protection settings, keeping in mind that it is not a private device, and using it for strictly work-related activities are all ways to avoid issues with explicit content on work phones.
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