Parenting in the digital age is a challenge. The internet is a vast and wonderful resource, but it also contains dangers. From inappropriate content to cyberbullying, parents have a lot to worry about. That’s where a good parental-control app comes in. This parental-monitoring software can help you keep your children safe online and teach them healthy digital habits.
But with so many options available, what is the best parental control app for your family? In this guide, we will review the 12 best parental control apps of 2025. We’ll look at their features, pros and cons, pricing, and who they are best for. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right parental-control software for your needs.
Canopy is our top pick for the best parental control app of 2025. What sets Canopy apart from the competition is its advanced AI-powered content filtering technology. While other apps often rely on blocklists, Canopy’s AI analyzes images and videos in real time and blocks inappropriate content before it has a chance to load. This means your child is protected from nudity and other explicit content even on websites that are not on a blocklist.
Key Features:
Qustodio is a popular parental control app that offers a wide range of features. It is particularly good for parents who want to monitor their child’s online activity in detail. Qustodio can track calls and messages on Android devices, and it provides detailed reports on website and app usage.
Key Features:
What to Look for in a Parental Control App
Before we get into our list of the best apps for parental control, let’s talk about what you should look for when choosing one. Here are some key features to consider:- Content Filtering: This is one of the most important features of any parental-control app. It allows you to block access to inappropriate websites and content. The best parental-control software uses advanced technology like AI to filter content in real time.
- Screen-Time Management: This feature allows you to set limits on how much time your children spend on their devices. You can also schedule downtime to ensure they get a break from screens.
- App Blocking: This feature allows you to block access to specific apps that you don’t want your children to use.
- Location Tracking: This feature allows you to see your child’s location in real time. This can give you peace of mind when they are out with friends or at school.
- Monitoring: Some parental-control apps allow you to monitor your child’s text messages, social media activity, and call logs. This can be a controversial feature, and it is platform-limited with far more possible on Android than on iOS. Choose what aligns with your family’s values.
- Canopy
- Qustodio
- Bark
- Net Nanny
- Norton Family
- Google Family Link
- Apple Screen Time
- Mobicip
- MMGuardian
- OurPact
- Safe Lagoon
- FamilyTime
1. Canopy: Best for Blocking Inappropriate Content in Real Time
Canopy is our top pick for the best parental control app of 2025. What sets Canopy apart from the competition is its advanced AI-powered content filtering technology. While other apps often rely on blocklists, Canopy’s AI analyzes images and videos in real time and blocks inappropriate content before it has a chance to load. This means your child is protected from nudity and other explicit content even on websites that are not on a blocklist.
Key Features:
- Real-time AI Filtering: Blocks porn and nudity before it appears on the screen.
- App Blocking: Block specific apps that you don’t want your child to use.
- Screen-Time Control: Set daily screen-time limits and schedule downtime.
- Optional Accountability: Choose to receive alerts about blocked content or simply let the app do its job in the background.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
2. Qustodio: Best for Detailed Monitoring and Screen Time Control
Qustodio is a popular parental control app that offers a wide range of features. It is particularly good for parents who want to monitor their child’s online activity in detail. Qustodio can track calls and messages on Android devices, and it provides detailed reports on website and app usage.
Key Features:
- Call and SMS Monitoring (Android only): See who your child is talking to and what they are texting about.
- Website and App Usage Reports: Get detailed reports on how your child is using their devices.
- Screen-Time Control: Set daily screen-time limits and schedule downtime.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
3. Bark: Best for Social Media and Text Monitoring
Bark is a unique parental control app that focuses on monitoring social media and text messages for signs of cyberbullying, depression, and other potential problems. Instead of giving you access to all of your child’s messages, Bark uses AI to analyze them and alerts you only when it finds something concerning. Bark also offers filtering and screen-time tools, though its signature strength is risk-based alerts. Key Features:- Social Media Monitoring: Monitors over 30 social media platforms for signs of trouble.
- Text Message Monitoring: Analyzes text messages for concerning content.
- AI-Powered Alerts: Alerts you only when it finds something you need to know about.
- Screen-Time Management: Set daily screen-time limits and schedule downtime.
4. Net Nanny: Best for Real-Time Alerts and Screen Time Control
Net Nanny is another popular parental control app that offers a good balance of features. It has a powerful web filter that blocks inappropriate content in real time, and it also offers YouTube monitoring and detailed usage reports. Key Features:- Real-time Web Filter: Blocks inappropriate content as your child browses the web.
- YouTube Monitoring: See what your child is watching on YouTube and block specific channels or videos.
- Usage Reports: Get detailed reports on your child’s online activity.
- Screen-Time Control: Set daily screen-time limits and schedule downtime.
5. Norton Family: Best for Integration with Norton Security Suite
Norton Family is a good choice for parents who already use Norton’s security products. It offers strong web filtering and activity tracking features, and it is included for free with some Norton 360 subscriptions. Key Features:- Strong Web Filtering: Blocks inappropriate websites and content.
- Activity Tracking: See what your child is doing online.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
- Integration with Norton 360: Works seamlessly with other Norton security products.
6. Google Family Link: Best Free Parental Control for Android Devices
Google Family Link is a free parental control app from Google that is designed for Android devices. It offers basic features like screen-time limits and app approvals, which makes it a good choice for parents of young children. Parents can also manage from an iPhone or iPad using the Family Link parent app, but child iOS devices cannot be fully supervised the way Android devices can. Key Features:- Screen-Time Limits: Set daily screen-time limits for your child’s device.
- App Approvals: Approve or block apps that your child wants to download from the Google Play Store.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
7. Apple Screen Time: Best Built-in Tool for iPhones & iPads
Apple Screen Time is a free parental-control tool built into iPhones and iPads. It offers a variety of features, including app limits, content restrictions, and downtime scheduling. While it is not as powerful as some of the other apps on our list, it is a good starting point for parents who want to set basic limits on their child’s device usage. Key Features:- App Limits: Set daily time limits for specific apps.
- Content Restrictions: Block access to explicit content in music, movies, TV shows, and books.
- Downtime: Schedule a block of time when your child cannot use their device.
8. Mobicip: Best for Multiple Platform Support
Mobicip is a good choice for families with a mix of devices, since it supports a wide range of platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chromebook. It offers a good set of features, including screen-time management, app blocking, and web filtering. Key Features:- Multi-platform Support: Works on a wide range of devices.
- Screen-Time Management: Set daily screen-time limits and schedule downtime.
- App Blocker: Block specific apps that you don’t want your child to use.
- Web Filter: Block access to inappropriate websites and content.
9. MMGuardian: Best for SMS and Keyword Alerting (Android)
MMGuardian is a powerful parental control app that offers many granular monitoring options, particularly for Android devices. It can monitor SMS messages and alert you to specific keywords. Key Features:- SMS and Keyword Alerting (Android only): Get alerts when your child sends or receives messages containing specific keywords.
- Granular Monitoring Options: A wide range of options for monitoring your child’s activity.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
- Web Filtering: Block access to inappropriate websites and content.
10. OurPact: Best for Visual App Management
OurPact has a unique drag and drop interface that makes it easy to manage your child’s apps and schedules. It also has a View feature that provides on demand or automated screenshots and, on iOS, an optional live screen broadcast. This is useful for spot checks rather than continuous mirroring. Key Features:- Visual App Management: Easy to use drag and drop interface for managing apps and schedules.
- Screen Viewing: On demand or automated screenshots and optional live screen broadcast on iOS.
- App Rules: Set rules for when your child can use specific apps.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
11. Safe Lagoon: Good for Younger Children with Androids
Safe Lagoon is a good choice for parents of younger children who want a simple and easy to use parental control app. It offers basic monitoring tools for calls, apps, and screen time, and it has a simple and intuitive dashboard. It is primarily Android focused, and parents can manage via the web portal. iOS child-device support is limited compared with Android. Key Features:- Basic Monitoring Tools: Monitor calls, apps, and screen time.
- Simple Dashboard: Easy to see your child’s activity at a glance.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
- Web Filtering: Block access to inappropriate websites and content.
12. FamilyTime: Best for Geofencing & Location Tracking
FamilyTime is a great choice for parents who are concerned about their child’s physical safety. It offers advanced geofencing and location tracking features, as well as SOS and panic alerts. Key Features:- Geofencing: Get alerts when your child enters or leaves specific locations.
- Location Tracking: See your child’s location in real time.
- SOS and Panic Alerts: Your child can send you an alert if they are in trouble.
- Driving Safety: Speed limit notifications and basic driving safety alerts.
How to Choose the Right App for Your Family
With so many good parental-control apps to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your family? Here are a few things to consider:- Your Child’s Age and Maturity Level: The best parental-control app for a toddler is not necessarily the best for a teenager. Younger children need more protection from inappropriate content, while older children may benefit from a more collaborative approach.
- Your Family’s Values: Some families are comfortable with monitoring their child’s text messages, while others are not. Talk to your partner and your child about what you are comfortable with and choose an app that aligns with your family’s values.
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL APPS – FAQs
What is the best parental control app in 2025?
We believe that Canopy is the best parental control app in 2025. Its advanced AI-powered content filtering technology sets it apart from the competition, and it offers a good balance of features for a reasonable price.
What is the best free parental control app?
The best free parental control app depends on your needs. If you have an Android device, Google Family Link is a good choice. If you have an iPhone or iPad, Apple Screen Time is a good starting point.
Which parental control app works best for teens?
The best parental control app for a teenager is one that respects their privacy while still providing a layer of protection. Canopy will prevent your teen from seeing explicit content online.
Can I block porn with parental control apps?
Yes, you can block porn with parental-control apps. Most have web filters that can block access to pornographic websites. Canopy’s AI-powered filtering is particularly effective at blocking porn and other explicit content in real time.
Do parental control apps work on iPhones?
Yes, parental-control apps work on iPhones. However, they may not have all of the same features as they do on Android devices because Apple has stricter rules about what third party apps can do. Apple Screen Time provides baseline controls, and third party apps add capabilities within platform limits.
