Review of Free Parental Control Apps for iPhone [Test and Comparison, 2023]

Are you afraid of what your kids are doing on their phones? Want to protect them from online threats? You are not alone in this intention, and that’s why parental control apps were created for. These apps provide parents with the tools and features necessary to monitor and manage their children’s online activities, ensuring their safety in the digital world.

Living in a technologically advanced society, children have access to a vast array of information and online platforms, exposing them to various risks. Issues such as cyberbullying, explicit content, online predators, and excessive screen time have become major concerns for parents in safeguarding their children’s online safety.

In fact, research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that approximately 20% of students aged 12-18 in the United States have reported being victims of cyberbullying. The American Academy of Pediatrics also reveals that 1 in 5 children has encountered unwanted explicit material online, emphasizing the urgent requirement for effective parental control solutions.

In light of these challenges, our review will focus on examining and comparing the best free parental control apps available for iPhones in 2023. These apps aim to empower parents with the necessary tools to shield their children from online threats and foster a secure digital environment.

Table Of Free iPhone Parental Control Apps

A free parental control app is a parent’s dream, but let’s be honest: we pay for all quality things. And when it comes to the safety of your children, you definitely can’t skimp here. Nevertheless, the parental control apps we reviewed have free or trial versions, but their full functionality costs some money, albeit small.

You may have noticed that these free apps don’t work in stealth mode. For that purpose, use parental apps from our Top Pick above.

Services reviewed – 22

Services selected – 11

We took some resources from the top reviews of the best, and almost all of them were awful. So trust only verified sources of information or blogs of specialized services related to telecommunications. For example, like our HeyLocate blog.

How We Tested Free Parental Apps for iPhone

Let’s take a closer look at the features of free iPhone apps for parental control:

Net Nanny

Net Nanny is a popular parental control software that helps parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities. Net Nanny has amassed a substantial user base and maintains a strong presence on multiple platforms on social media like Facebook and Twitter. The software has received an average rating of 2.2 /5 stars rating on trusted review sites like Trustpilot.

Features:

• web filtering;
• app blocking;
• time management;
• profanity masking;
• reporting and alerts;
• safe search;
• social media site monitoring.

Compatibility:

iOS 12.0 or later.

User Experience:

The app effectively controlled and monitored my child’s online activities. One unique feature that I liked was the web blocking and filtering feature. It allowed me to customize the internet access for my child by blocking specific websites or categories of content that I deemed inappropriate.

Furthermore, I had the ability to monitor social media time usage, block apps, and receive detailed alerts regarding my child’s online behavior. However, I did notice that Net Nanny lacks real-time updates, causing delays in features like location tracking updates.

Another aspect to consider is that Net Nanny operates in a visible mode, meaning my child can be aware of the monitoring, which might limit its effectiveness. In contrast, paid apps like uMobix often offer stealth mode for discreet monitoring, making them a more effective choice in terms of monitoring capabilities.

Try Net Nanny

Qustodio Parental Control App

Qustodio is a recognized parental app for iPhone that assists families in managing and safeguarding their kid’s digital experiences. With an impressive following of 11,000 on Facebook and 2,260 on Twitter, Qustodio has established a significant presence on social media platforms. Its reliability and functionality have received positive reviews, earning it a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Features:

• screen time controls;
• web filtering;
• social media monitoring;
• call and SMS monitoring;
• location tracking;
• app blocking.

Compatible:

iOS 11.0 or later.

User Experience:

As a parent using Qustodio to monitor my kid’s iPhone, I found several features of the app to be useful, but one unique feature that stood out to me was the customizable controls and time limits it offered.

Qustodio allowed me to set specific time limits for my child’s device usage. I could easily establish a schedule for when they were allowed to use their iPhones, such as during certain hours of the day or for a limited duration.

In addition to time limits, the app also offered location tracking, which was particularly useful for ensuring my child’s safety. I could view their current location in real-time or check their location history.

Qustodio can be set up in stealth mode, which means that it operates discreetly on the child’s device without them knowing. However, this feature is available only in the paid version of the app.

Try Qustodio

Norton Family

This is a popular parental control service with a large customer base and a strong social media presence on Twitter with 153,100 followers and on Facebook with 1,287,392 followers. This tool has also received 3.9/5 stars on the App Store.

Features:

• web monitoring;
• time supervision;
• location tracking;
• app supervision;
• social network monitoring;
• instant lock.

Compatible:

iOS 13.0 or later.

User Experience:

Norton Family introduced me to an impressive feature called “instant lock”. This feature allowed me to remotely and instantly lock my child’s device with just a few clicks. It proved to be incredibly useful, for instance, during, study periods, or family activities, I could effortlessly lock their device, ensuring their full attention and promoting a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.

However, one aspect that left me somewhat disappointed was the lack of support for monitoring social media apps specifically on iOS devices.

In terms of anonymity, Norton Family does not have this stealth mode feature. If anonymity is a concern, consider exploring paid apps.

Try Norton Family

Mobicip Parental Control

Mobicip Parental Control is a highly regarded parental control service. The tool has a strong social media presence, with a significant number of followers on platforms such as Facebook with 5.5 K followers. Mobicip Parental Control has also received reviews and an average star rating of 2.7/ 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Features:

• time limits;
• parental reports;
• safe search;
• web filtering;
• child locator;
• social media monitoring.

Compatible:

iOS 14.0 or later.

User Experience:

The screen time tool feature was the standout aspect of my experience with Mobicip Parental Control. It allowed me to set specific time limits for my kid’s device usage.

Furthermore, Mobicip offered comprehensive reports and insights into my child’s device usage. I could access detailed information about their screen time, including the duration spent on different apps, websites visited, and overall device usage patterns.

Unfortunately, I did notice that Mobicip Parental Control lacks a stealth mode feature. This means that when the app is installed on your child’s device, they will be aware of its presence and that their online activities are being monitored and restricted.

Try Mobicip

OurPact – Parental Control App

OurPact is another popular parental control app with a strong following on social media platforms like Facebook with 116K followers and on Twitter with 3,113 followers. The app has received positive reviews, consistently earning high review stars of 3.8/5 on Trustpilot for its effectiveness in empowering parents to establish healthy digital boundaries for their children.

Features:

• app blocking feature;
• screen time schedules;
• website filtering;
• block texting and calling;
• monitor app usage;
• SOS button;
• family locator.

Compatible:

iOS 14.0 or later.

User Experience:

When I tried using OurPact, a free parental control app for iPhone, to monitor my kid’s iPhone, one of the most valuable aspects was the level of control and monitoring it provided. The app allowed managing multiple devices, which is very useful for families with many kids or when your kid use iPhone and iPad.

With OurPact, I could track their app usage, view browsing history, and set restrictions across all connected devices.

Moreover, OurPact offered a location tracking feature. Although there were occasional delays in the location updates, this feature provided valuable insights into my child’s whereabouts.

However, it’s worth noting that OurPact does not offer an anonymous mode, where the child remains unaware of the app’s presence. For those seeking enhanced stealth and discretion, there are paid apps available such as uMobix that offer a stealth mode feature.

Try OurPact

Bark

Bark is a parental control service with millions of users and a strong following on social media platforms like Twitter with 3,675 followers and Facebook with 132,478 followers. The service has received positive reviews, earning high review stars of 4/5 stars on platforms such as the App Store.

Features:

• alerts and notifications;
• screen time management;
• YouTube monitoring;
• block inappropriate websites;
• social media monitoring;
• text and chat monitoring.

Compatible:

iOS 11.0 or later.

User Experience:

One of the standout features of Bark is its comprehensive social media monitoring capabilities. This feature allowed me to monitor my child’s interactions and activities across various social media platforms.

With Bark, I could connect my child’s social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter, to the app. This integration enabled Bark to scan their social media activity for potential risks, including cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.

The feature also provided me with real-time alerts whenever Bark detected concerning content or potential dangers. These alerts allowed me to be proactive in addressing any issues promptly and initiating conversations with my child about responsible online behavior.

Additionally, Bark is not designed to be completely anonymous without the child’s knowledge. It operates on the principle of open communication and trust between parents and children.

Try Bark

Famisafe

Famisafe, is an advanced parental control app that also has a large following on social media apps such as Facebook with 159k followers. Famisafe has also received positive reviews and has achieved high review ratings of 4.5 stars on the Apple Store.

Features:

• screen time limits;
• app and content controls;
• drive safety;
• remote device locking;
• location tracking;
• activity monitoring;
• safe search.

Compatible:

iOS 9.0 or later.

User Experience:

One of the key features that I truly appreciate about Famisafe, apart from content monitoring, is its location services functionality. This feature has proven to be incredibly valuable in helping me stay informed about the whereabouts of my loved ones and ensure their safety and security.

The Location Services feature of Famisafe goes beyond just tracking locations. It also allows me to set geo-fences or virtual boundaries on the map. This means that I can define specific areas, such as home, school, or other important locations, and receive notifications whenever my family members enter or exit those zones.

With content safety, I could ensure that my kid is accessing age-appropriate and safe content online. Famisafe allows me to set filters and restrictions on websites and block access to harmful content.

However, it’s important to note that Famisafe does not offer a completely anonymous mode.

Try Famisafe

FamilyTime

FamilyTime is a popular free parental control app for iPhone that has garnered a significant following on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook with 6.7K followers. FamilyTime has also received positive reviews, with high review ratings of 4.5 /5 on platforms like the Trustpilot and App Store.

Features:

• app and website blocking;
• screen time controls;
• location tracking and geofencing;
• SOS/panic button;
• web history monitoring;
• app usage reports.

Compatible:

iOS 11.1 or later.

User Experience:

The ability to block specific apps and websites gave me control over what my child can access, ensuring a safe online environment. I could set screen time limits, helping to balance their device usage with other activities. The real-time location tracking feature also allowed me to track my child’s whereabouts, providing peace of mind.

Additionally, FamilyTime provided me with insights into web history, call logs, and text messages, allowing me to stay informed about my child’s communication. It’s worth noting that FamilyTime operates transparently, meaning the child is aware of the monitoring.

Try FamilyTime

Kidslox parental control

Kidslox is a decent parental control app that has garnered a strong following across various social media platforms, like on Facebook with 11K followers and on Twitter. The service has received reviews and an average 2.6 /5-star rating on reputable websites like Trustpilot.

Features:

• app blocking feature;
• screen time management;
• website and content filtering;
• social media accounts monitoring;
• geolocation tracking.

Compatible:

 iOS 12.0 or later.

User Experience:

During my experience with the Kidslox app, one feature that stood out to me was its content filtering functionality. The app allowed me to customize the filters based on the age and preferences of my child, ensuring that they only had access to content that was suitable for their developmental stage.

Another aspect of Kidslox that I found valuable was its ability to provide usage reports and insights. The app allowed me to monitor my child’s device activity, including the amount of time spent on different apps or websites.

In terms of location tracking, Kidslox did not offer real-time geolocation updates, the updates were slow and did not give the precise location of the child’s iPhone.

Unfortunately, Kidslox does not have a stealth mode in its free version. However, if the need for a stealth mode arises, you can consider exploring paid apps such as uMobix that offer such features.

Try Kidslox

SecureTeen

SecureTeen is a highly regarded parental app for iPhone that has also established a significant following on social media platforms such as Facebook with 6.9K followers and Twitter with 3065 followers.

Additionally, Secure Teen has received a numerous positive reviews and an average star rating of 3.2 /5-star rating on popular review sites like Trustpilot.

Features:

• web filtering;
• app monitoring;
• child screen time control;
• location tracking;
• instant alerts;
• social media monitoring.

Compatible:

iOS 9.0 or later.

User Experience:

Based on my experience with SecureTeen, one of the standout features for me was its Web Filtering functionality. I had the ability to customize and control the websites that my child could access. The app provided a comprehensive database of categorized websites, allowing me to block specific categories or individual websites that I believed inappropriate.

In addition, SecureTeen also allowed me to monitor my child’s browsing history, search queries, and social media interactions. It also offered a location tracking feature, which allowed me to view the real-time location of my child’s device.

In terms of anonymity, SecureTeen offers a stealth mode in its paid version, ensuring that the child is unaware of the app’s presence on their device.

Try SecureTeen

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Kaspersky Safe Kids is one of the highly regarded parental monitoring apps. The service has garnered a substantial following on social media platforms like Facebook, where it boasts over 3 million followers. Similarly, on Twitter, Kaspersky Safe Kids has gained 321.8K followers.

Additionally, the app has received an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store.

Features:

• content filtering;
• internet and app usage control;
• social network monitoring;
• location tracking;
• safe search;
• device and screen time management.

Compatible:

iOS 12.0 or later.

User Experience:

In my experience using Kaspersky Safe Kids, one feature that I truly appreciated is the internet and Game Control functionality. I had the ability to set time limits for internet and game usage. I could also specify the maximum duration they could spend on apps and games, fostering responsible digital habits.

In terms of location tracking, while Kaspersky Safe Kids does offer updates on my child’s iPhone location, they are not provided in real-time.

It is important to note that Kaspersky Safe Kids does not have a stealth mode, meaning that my child is aware of the monitoring.

Try Kaspersky Safe Kids

Comparison of Paid and Free iPhone Parental Control

So, to pay or not to pay?

Conclusion

Now you see all the pros and cons of free apps. To get the most of them, you still need to get Premium version. So, they only seem free.

Based on our research, the top iPhone parental control apps are uMobix, Parentaler and mLite. Yes, they are paid but reliable and provide excellent value for money for parents that choose kid’s safety over several dollars per month.

Read more about them in our article: