In today’s hyperconnected world, Parental control apps are essential for kids growing up with smartphones, tablets, and the internet as essential parts of their daily lives. While technology offers incredible learning opportunities and entertainment, it also opens the door to serious online risks. From inappropriate content and cyberbullying to privacy breaches and screen addiction. As a parent, staying informed and involved in your child’s digital life is no longer optional—it’s essential.

That’s where smart parental control tools come in. These modern monitoring solutions help families manage, supervise, and guide their children’s online experiences in a safe and age-appropriate way. With features like screen time limits, app blocking, web filtering, location tracking, and even AI-powered alerts for suspicious behavior, these tools empower parents to set healthy digital boundaries without hovering or invading privacy.

But not all parental control apps are created equal. Some are full-scale digital safety platforms, while others focus on social media alerts, educational time management, or collaborative screen use. Whether your child is just starting with a tablet or already navigating social media and online games, choosing the right parental control tool can make all the difference in keeping them safe and building digital responsibility.

In this guide, Savings24x7 walk you through the top 5 most popular and effective parental control tools available today. We’ve compared features, compatibility, ease of use, pricing, and audience so you can find the one best suited for you.

Top 10 Tools for Digital Parenting

In today’s hyper-connected world, children are growing up with smartphones, tablets, and social media as part of daily life. While the internet offers immense learning and entertainment opportunities, it also exposes kids to risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predators, and excessive screen time. That’s where digital parenting tools come in. These smart monitoring apps help parents stay informed about their child’s online behavior—without being overly intrusive.

From tracking screen time to filtering harmful websites, modern parental control apps offer a wide range of features. These features are designed to protect kids in a digital environment. Whether you’re a tech-savvy parent or just getting started, these tools make it easier to guide your child’s digital journey with confidence. Below, we’ve handpicked the top 10 parental control solutions that strike the perfect balance between safety, and ease of use.

1. Bark

Bark prioritizes alert‑based monitoring over full surveillance, making it an excellent choice for parents focused on digital wellbeing and safety. It scans over 30 social platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and TikTok on Android (and a more limited set on iOS), detecting warning signs like cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, sexual content, predators, and violent threats using advanced AI. Bark delivers these alerts through real-time push notifications, email, or SMS, with timely recommendations on how to address sensitive topics based on child psychologist insights.

The app includes practical controls like customizable web filtering, screen time scheduling, and location check-ins with geofencing—alerting parents when children enter or leave specified areas. However, it’s not without flaws: it cannot block offline apps and lacks full browser histories, opting instead for monitored alerts. Additionally, iOS support is more limited, with fewer apps monitored (only 15 vs. 27 on Android), and there’s no Windows/Mac child support beyond Chrome/Edge.

Specs & Pricing

• Bark Jr: $5/mo or $49/yr — screen time, web/app filtering, location tracking, and check-ins.
• Bark Premium: $14/mo or $99/yr — adds social media, text, email, YouTube monitoring, and expert alerts.
• All plans provide unlimited devices and kids, plus a 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Optional hardware: Bark Phone ($39/mo), Bark Home router ($6/mo), and Bark Watch ($15/mo) with bundled subscription access.

Who It’s For

Bark is ideal for parents and guardians who prefer an alert-centric, trust-based monitoring approach—not full-time surveillance—combined with insights into online risks across social media and messaging. It works best for families needing strong Android support and unlimited device coverage. However, those seeking detailed browsing logs, offline app blocking, or full iOS/desktop support might need to consider complementary tools or other platforms.

2. Qustodio

Qustodio stands out as a trusted and comprehensive parental control solution. It is popular among families across the globe. The platform consistently ranks among the best digital parenting tools.
Its interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Qustodio offers web filtering, app blocking, and screen time scheduling. Parents can also monitor YouTube activity and track device location. The app supports Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Kindle devices.

Qustodio is made for parents who want deep insights into their children’s online activities. It includes AI-powered alerts and customizable routines. The Complete plan enables social media tracking on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Line. Parents can view call and SMS logs on Android and iOS devices. Some monitoring features require pairing with a Mac or Windows computer. Android users get geofencing and continuous GPS location tracking. A built-in panic button lets kids send emergency location updates to trusted contacts.

However, Qustodio is not without its drawbacks. The iOS version has more limited functionality, missing some of the advanced monitoring available on Android. Additionally, reports from users indicate that some tech-savvy children can bypass restrictions—such as killing Qustodio processes, manipulating VPNs, or uninstalling the app under certain conditions. Others have noted occasional sluggish performance and data usage that impacts device behavior, calling into question reliability in high-demand situations.

Specs & Pricing

• Free plan: Basic filters, time controls, YouTube monitoring, 1 device, 7-day activity history.
• Basic Plan – $54.95/year (up to 5 devices): Core controls including app blocking, screen time limits, web filtering, pause internet access, and location monitoring. Care Plus option available for extra support (~$12.99/yr).
• Complete Plan – $99.95/year (unlimited devices): Includes all Basic features + AI alerts, social monitoring, calls & messages logging, game limits, app insights, YouTube management, and priority support via Care Plus included.
• India pricing: Basic ~₹2,070/yr; Complete ~₹3,680/yr.
• Compatibility: Android 7+, iOS 12+, Windows 10+, macOS 10.13+, Chromebooks, Kindle Fire supported. Feature availability varies by platform.

Who It’s For

Qustodio is ideal for parents seeking cross-platform monitoring with centralized access to behavior reports, location tracking, screen time control, and advanced filtering. It’s especially effective for families with Android and desktop devices. However, those using iOS primarily or whose children are tech-savvy may find some limitations, and parents should be aware of potential circumvention by determined users.

3. Boomerang

Boomerang is a budget-friendly parental control app tuned for Android devices, offering a deep dive into screen time habits, web usage, and messaging oversight. It features a proprietary SPIN Safe Browser that enforces strict safe search and blocks access to other browsers, making web filtering seamless. With granular controls, parents can set daily screen-time schedules, define per-app limits, and even designate “encouraged” educational apps that stay accessible during locked periods.

On Android, Boomerang delivers robust call and SMS monitoring: parents can view call history, block unknown numbers, log text conversations, and trigger alerts on offensive keywords—all without installing additional apps. You’ll also find solid geofencing with location history (up to 30 days) and customizable time-out options so you can pause or extend device use as needed.

Specs & Pricing

• 14‑day free trial available.
• Single‑device license – $15.99/year.
• Family Pack (up to 10 devices) – $30.99/year
• Compatibility: Android 5+ (full feature set), iOS 12+ (limited parent controls), no desktop support.

Who It’s For:

Boomerang is ideal for parents of younger kids with Android devices who want strong screen-time rules, web safety, and SMS monitoring at a low cost. It’s not suited for families needing extensive social media supervision, iOS control, or real-time alerts—those might opt for more advanced tools like Bark or Qustodio as their children grow.

4. Aura

Aura is an all-in-one digital safety platform that goes beyond parental controls. It includes identity theft protection, antivirus, VPN access, and more. As of 2025, experts rank it as the top parental control solution, thanks to its clean design and gaming safety. It also scans voice communications for signs of cyberbullying or predator behavior using AI-powered tools like Safe Gaming. Its intuitive dashboard makes setting up web filters, app blocking, and screen time limits straightforward, ideal for parents looking for usability without sacrificing protection.

Aura offers many features but lacks some key tools like location tracking or geofencing.
It also doesn’t monitor texts, emails, or social media conversations. Kids can uninstall the app without triggering real-time alerts on the parent dashboard. This can be a concern for parents of older or tech-savvy children. On the positive side, Aura sends helpful usage reports and alerts. These include warnings about online gameplay risks and blocked content attempts. They provide meaningful moments for parental engagement and open conversations.

Specs & Pricing

• Kids Plan – $10/month (≈ ₹830/mo billed annually); $13/month billed monthly: Includes web & app filtering, screen time management with scheduling and pause-internet, AI-driven cyberbullying alerts (Safe Gaming) across Windows, Android, and iOS. Covers unlimited children/devices.
• Family Plan – $32/month (≈ ₹2,650/mo billed annually); $50/month billed monthly: Adds full identity theft protection ($5M insurance per adult, 3-bureau credit monitoring), antivirus, VPN, password manager, and local sex-offender alerts—plus everything from the Kids plan.
• Free trial & guarantee: 14‑day free trial and 60-day money-back guarantee provide risk-free testing.
• Compatibility: Works across Android (phones/tablets), iOS devices, and Windows desktops—but no true geofencing or location features for mobile devices.

Who It’s For

Aura is ideal for families seeking a holistic digital security solution—including robust screen-time controls and gaming safety—alongside identity protection and internet security tools. Those who primarily want parental monitoring without extras may find the cost high, and families needing location tracking or messaging supervision may need to supplement it with another tool like Qustodio or Bark. Nonetheless, it’s a strong choice for ease of use and comprehensive protection.

5. Net Nanny

Net Nanny is a well-known parental control software trusted for its real-time content filtering. It uses dynamic content analysis instead of static blocklists to filter inappropriate websites as they load. This helps block harmful material even on HTTPS or proxy-based pages. Parents can track YouTube viewing history and monitor search activity. You can also set screen time limits and track your child’s device location. Alerts notify parents about potentially risky or harmful online behavior. The dashboard is easy to navigate, making it suitable for non-tech-savvy users.

The platform supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire. It allows for custom scheduling, app blocking, and social media insights, although these are limited to select apps. One standout feature is its profanity masking, which censors offensive language rather than blocking entire pages, allowing children to learn from safe contexts without full restriction. However, Net Nanny lacks call and SMS monitoring, and geofencing is limited to location history without zone-based alerts.

Specs & Pricing

• Single Desktop Plan – $39.99/year: Covers one Windows or macOS computer.
• Family Protection Pass (5 Devices) – $54.99/year: Includes full features across up to 5 devices—Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Kindle.
• Family Protection Pass (20 Devices) – $89.99/year: Ideal for large families, supporting up to 20 devices.
• Free Trial: 3-day free trial available with a 14 to 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Compatibility:
  • Windows 10/11, macOS 10.13+: Full support with all features.
  • iOS 11+, Android 6.0+, Kindle Fire: Most features available, including web filtering and screen time control.
  • Chromebooks: Limited support via browser extensions.

Who It’s For

Net Nanny is ideal for parents looking for powerful, real-time web filtering and cross-platform screen time management. It’s a strong choice for households using desktops and iOS devices, where social media and YouTube tracking are a priority. However, families seeking call/text monitoring, custom geofencing, or deeper Android integrations may find more comprehensive options with Bark or Qustodio.

6. Norton Family

Norton Family, part of the Norton 360 suite by NortonLifeLock, is a comprehensive parental control solution—particularly well-suited for families seeking device-wide monitoring and structured online habits. Through its easy-to-use portal, parents can oversee web browsing, YouTube viewing, search terms, and set screen time limits. The tool also lets you manage app usage on Android devices and enforce School Time, which restricts access to non-educational sites during study hours.

Norton Family supports location tracking with geofencing, featuring a generous 3,200 m radius—one of the widest in parenting tools. Children can also initiate manual check-ins to report their location. Though iOS and Android offer full functionality, MacOS and Chromebook devices aren’t supported for monitoring. Importantly, Norton Family does not monitor calls, SMS, or social media posts, and its web filtering can be bypassed using unsupported browsers—though parents will be alerted if a user bypasses protections.

Specs & Pricing

• Annual Plan – $49.99/year: Standalone parental control for unlimited children/devices (Windows, Android, iOS); 45‑category web filtering, screen time scheduling, app supervision, device location tracking, YouTube/video monitoring, School Time feature, and alerts. Includes a 7‑day or 30‑day trial depending on region, plus a 60‑day money-back guarantee.
• Bundled with Norton 360 Deluxe or Premium: Same Norton Family features included, combined with antivirus, VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring, and identity protection. Bundles start at $49.99/year (first year) and renew around $119.99/year.
• India-specific Pricing: ₹1,749/year for Norton Family standalone plan with 30-day trial. Renewal pricing may vary.
• Platform Compatibility: Windows 10/11, Android, iOS (feature depth varies by platform); not supported on MacOS or Chromebook for child devices.

Who It’s For

Norton Family is ideal for parents needing an affordable, easy-to-use parental control app. It works on Android, iOS, and Windows devices. The app includes strong web filtering and custom screen time schedules. Parents can also track their child’s location in real time. It suits families with younger kids or those limiting digital distractions. However, it lacks SMS or call monitoring features. It also doesn’t support social media tracking or work on Macs and Chromebooks. Apps like Bark or Qustodio may offer those additional features.

7. Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a free parental control app for Android and Chromebook users. It works on Chromebooks with Chrome OS version 71 or higher. Parents can set daily screen time limits for their children. The app allows content filtering on Google Search, Chrome, and YouTube. You can approve or block app downloads remotely from your device. Parents can also lock devices remotely to enforce offline time. There are no subscriptions or ads, making it a simple, cost-free solution.

The interface has recently been improved with a new Screen Time tab and more intuitive School Time settings for Android devices, making it easy to schedule learning or bedtime restrictions. Parents can also approve or block contacts for calls and texting on Android phones (running Android 14+), and receive notifications when children try to contact unapproved numbers.

However, Family Link does come with limitations. It lacks SMS/call monitoring, social media tracking, and geofencing. While location tracking is available on Android and Chromebooks via GPS, there are no custom-zone alerts. Some users have reported that features can be bypassed on certain Android skins (e.g., Xiaomi’s Dual App) or restricted devices like Android TVs and non-Chromebook Chromebooks.

Specs & Pricing

• Price: Completely free for all core features—no paid upgrades required.
• Platform Compatibility:
  • Child Devices: Android 5.0+ (full supervision; v7+ preferred), Chromebooks with Chrome OS 71+, limited iOS support (primarily account supervision without device controls).
  • Parent Devices: Android 5.0+ and iOS 11+ for final controls.
• Family Limit: Up to six family members per group; each child must have a supervised Google Account.

Who It’s For

Google Family Link is ideal for parents seeking a free, simple solution to moderate young kids’ screen time, filter content, and manage app usage—especially within the Google ecosystem. Its clean interface and budget‑friendly nature make it particularly appealing for Android and Chromebook households. But families needing advanced features like social media oversight, call/text monitoring, geofencing, or full iOS/Mac support should consider pairing it with a more specialized tool like Bark or Qustodio.

8. Mobicip

Mobicip is a full-featured parental control app designed for families seeking comprehensive cross‑platform protection across Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and Kindle Fire devices. Parents benefit from powerful real-time web filtering (even in incognito/private browser modes), app blocking, screen time scheduling, and family location tracking with geofencing—all managed through a sleek, cloud-based dashboard. Additional features include activity reports, YouTube monitoring, social media detection (limited to Snapchat and Facebook), and tools like Vacation Mode and Lock All Devices for quick screen‑time control.

While Mobicip excels in scheduling and content filtering, it lacks granular control over individual apps (app limits apply by category rather than app-specific timers), and only supports monitoring for Facebook and Snapchat—making its social media oversight less powerful compared to Bark or Qustodio. On the upside, its geofence zones reach up to 1,000 m, offering one of the broader geotracking ranges among parental control tools.

Specs & Pricing

• Free Basic plan: Covers up to 2 devices, with limited versions of web filtering, screen time scheduling, activity reports, and device lock.
• Lite – $2.99/month (billed annually): Supports up to 5 devices; includes app blocking, daily screen time limits, activity schedules, family locator, remote device lock, basic YouTube monitoring, and website filtering.
• Standard – $4.99/month (billed annually): Adds support for up to 10 devices and includes the same features as Lite.
• Premium – $7.99/month (billed annually): Covers up to 20 devices, and unlocks social media monitoring (Snapchat & Facebook), app use timers, expert parenting tips, uninstall protection, and priority support.
• All paid plans include: 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Platform compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and Kindle Fire devices—all feature screen time control, filtering, and location services (feature set may vary by OS).

Who It’s For

Mobicip is ideal for parents who value robust scheduling and content filtering, broad device support, and powerful location supervision across platforms. It’s particularly well-suited for households using a mix of PCs, tablets, and smartphones. However, families needing detailed social media or messaging monitoring, call/SMS tracking, or individual app timers might prefer tools like Bark or Qustodio for deeper oversight.

9. Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety is a reliable tool for parents who use Windows and Xbox devices. It allows families to set healthy boundaries around screen time, app usage, and digital activity through a clean, easy-to-navigate interface. The app integrates smoothly across Microsoft services, making it simple to manage kids’ access to content and monitor their location. You can even receive driving safety reports if you upgrade to the premium version included in Microsoft 365 Family.

However, Microsoft Family Safety falls short in several areas. It only filters web content through Microsoft Edge and Bing, offering little protection on other browsers. It also lacks social media, call, or SMS monitoring—features found in more comprehensive parental control tools. While available on iOS and Android, the experience is significantly better on Windows and Microsoft devices.

Specs & Pricing

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Xbox, Android, iOS (limited features)
• Features: App and screen time limits, content filtering via Edge, location tracking, driving safety (premium only)
• Price: Free basic version; premium features included with Microsoft 365 Family at ₹8,199/year (up to 6 users)
• Notable Limitations: Limited filtering (Edge only), no social media or call/text monitoring

Who It’s For

This tool is ideal for families already embedded in Microsoft’s ecosystem. If your kids use Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, or Android phones, and you’re looking for a clean, minimalistic solution to manage screen time and monitor location, Microsoft Family Safety is a sensible choice. However, those needing deeper monitoring—like SMS tracking or social media insights—may need to consider other options.

10.Bitdefender Family Pack

Bitdefender Family Pack is a full-feature antivirus suite with built-in parental control features, designed to protect up to 15 devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Beyond malware and ransomware protection, it offers web filtering, screen time routines, location tracking, and AI‑powered monitoring of conversations for cyberbullying or predatory behavior—delivered through the Bitdefender Central dashboard. It’s an all‑in‑one solution combining device security and child supervision in one package.

The parental controls include preset routines like focus time, bedtime, and family time to schedule online access or total internet cutoff at defined hours. Custom filters allow blocking or allowing website categories and specific apps across platforms. Bitdefender’s app lock feature adds PIN protection and Smart Unlock when connected to trusted Wi‑Fi. Android users benefit from additional tools like location tracking and scam alerts, while AI scanning monitors messaging for inappropriate content, though this is English-only and may operate with delays of up to two hours.

However, it’s not without drawbacks. Support feedback highlights unreliable parental controls, failure to accurately track usage or block internet access, and difficulty in child monitoring if DNS settings bypass Bitdefender filters. Some users cite inconsistent feature performance, especially on Windows and routers using AdGuard DNS, making it less reliable than standalone parental control apps.

Specs & Pricing

• Device coverage: Protects up to 15 devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) per household
• Parental Control features:
  • Web filtering, daily internet time limits, routines (Focus, Bedtime, Family time)
  • PIN‑protected app lock and Smart Unlock
  • Location tracking (Android/iOS), AI‑driven scans of chat content for bullying/predator behavior
• Pricing: Approximately $70/year (first‑year promotional rate); renewals often around $120/year (watch for pricing discrepancies at checkout).
• System requirements: Android 6.0+, iOS 11.2+; Windows 7 SP1+, macOS 10.10+; latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera supported for filtering.

Who It’s For

Bitdefender Family Pack is best for families seeking comprehensive antivirus protection with built-in parental controls on a budget-friendly multi-device solution. It’s a sensible pick if you want device security and basic child monitoring in one subscription. That said, those needing reliable real-time screen time enforcement, robust messaging/social monitoring, or a standalone parental control experience may find more consistency in dedicated tools like Bark or Qustodio.

Top 10 Digital Parenting Apps Comparison Table (2025)

App Name	Platforms Supported	Web Filtering	Screen Time Control	Location Tracking	Call/SMS Monitoring	Social Media Monitoring	Pricing (Starts From)
Qustodio	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Kindle, Chromebook	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Instagram, WhatsApp etc.	$54.95/year (5 devices)
Bark	Android, iOS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Geofencing	✅ Yes (Android only)	✅ 30+ platforms	$14/month (Bark Jr), $99/year
Boomerang	Android (iOS limited)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Android only)	❌ No	$19.99/year (1 device)
Aura Parental Controls	Android, iOS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	Included with Aura plan
Net Nanny	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Kindle	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	$54.99/year (5 devices)
Norton Family	Android, iOS, Windows	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	$49.99/year (unlimited)
Google Family Link	Android, Chromebook	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	Free
Mobicip	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebook	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Limited	$2.99/month (Basic)
Microsoft Family Safety	Windows, Android, iOS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Premium)	❌ No	❌ No	Free / $9.99/mo (M365)
Bitdefender Family Pack	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	$64.99/year (15 devices)

Conclusion

Navigating your child’s online safety can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right parental control tool, you can strike a healthy balance between freedom and supervision. Whether you need screen time scheduling, location tracking, or smart alerts for harmful content, today’s best tools offer flexible, tech-savvy solutions for modern families.

From comprehensive apps like Qustodio and Bark to platform-integrated options like Google Family Link or Microsoft Family Safety, each solution brings unique strengths. Your choice depends on your child’s age, device usage, and your parenting style. Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to block threats—it’s to build trust, promote responsible digital habits, and help your kids thrive safely in the online world.

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