Best Parental Control Software Of 2024
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With the ever-growing forms of cyberbullying, harassment, and extortion that target kids, a parental control software can be an ideal choice to provide an extra layer of security to protect them from such dangers as well as prevent them from committing such an act.
This requires an intention to understand the kids’ online behavior, and the urgency to foster a safe online learning environment for your child. With that said, there are many parental control software available on the market, and finding the right one can be a cumbersome process.
So, Forbes Advisor India analyzed 59 of the best parental control software to bring you the list of the nine best parental control software in 2024.
- Featured Partner Offer
- What is Parental Control Software?
- Best Parental Control Software Of 2024
- Kaspersky Safe Kids
- Qustodio
- Wondershare FamiSafe
- Family Time
- Mobicip
- Eyezy
- Norton Family
- Canopy
- Screen Time
- Summary of the Best Parental Control Software in 2024
- Methodology: How We Test Parental Control Software
- Benefits of Using a Parental Control Software
- What Should I Look for in Parental Control Software?
- How Much Does Parental Control Software Cost?
- How to Setup a Parental Control Software on Your Kid’s Device?
- Are Parental Controls Safe to Use?
- Featured Partner Offer
Featured Partner Offer
1
SentryPC
Starting price
INR 6,053.83 annually
Keylogging
Yes
Stealth or visible mode
Both
What is Parental Control Software?
A parental control software helps parents or a family to protect their kids from cyberbullying, harassment and such dangers online. It tracks kids’ devices and monitors their every online activity, which otherwise can be age-inappropriate. Parents can block websites with explicit content, certain apps, set screen time limits, track locations, and some even allow monitoring call logs, messages, and social media accounts.
However, there are contradictory views on the usage of parental control software. Many say that these software is an invasion to kids’ online privacy and independence, and can fuel distrust between parent and child. Nonetheless, usages of such software should be personal and based on individual needs. It is a shared learning experience between kids and parents that foster an honorable usage of technology. Parents may also consider medical and health experts if they require one to monitor their child’s online behavior.
Best Parental Control Software Of 2024
- Kaspersky Safe Kids: Best Value
- Qustodio: Best customized parental control features
- Wondershare FamiSafe: Best parental control software for family and schools
- Family Time: Best parental control for prevention
- Mobicip: Best parental control to get personalized advice
- Eyezy: Best to keep an eye on all online activities
- Norton Family: Best balance between privacy and parental control
- Canopy: Best parental control software for all devices
- Screen Time: Best parental control software to try for free
BEST VALUE
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 83.25 per month
Maximum device
20
Free tria
30 days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 83.25 per month
Maximum device
20
Free tria
30 days
Forbes Advisor India’s pick for the best value in parental control software is Kaspersky Safe Kids. This program provides comprehensive age-appropriate customization for 3-5 years, 6-12 years, and 13-18 age groups. However, users will get more value for money when they opt for antivirus plus parental control protection at a reduced cost of INR 523 for a year, and renews at INR 845 per annum for one device.
Free Plan: NA
Essential Features
- Affordable plans
- Avail antivirus plus parental control protection at reduced cost
- Calls and messages monitoring
- Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Calls and text monitoring not available on iOS device
- Keyword filtering unavailable
BEST CUSTOMIZED PARENTAL CONTROL FEATURES
Qustodio
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 172.50 per month
Maximum devices
15 devices
Free trial
NA
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 172.50 per month
Maximum devices
15 devices
Free trial
NA
Qustodio is a great option for those parents who are not tech-savvy, but want security to protect their kid’s online activities. However, keep in mind that the basic plan comes with limited features while web filtering, block websites and apps, set screen time limits while the premium plan allows parents to monitor calls and messages, too. What’s more attractive about the premium plan is that it offers personalized guidance to help you resolve queries via online call.
Free Plan: NA
Essential Features
- Reliable customer service for premium members
- Members can book appointment for personalized guidance
- Only paid members can contact customer support team
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE FOR FAMILY AND SCHOOLS
Wondershare FamiSafe
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 416.24 ($5.08) per month
Maximum devices
Free trial
Seven days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 416.24 ($5.08) per month
Maximum devices
Free trial
Seven days
Wondershare’s FamiSafe is a great option for both parents and schools to prevent kids from viewing misleading content online while at school or at home. Both plans come bundled with strong preventive features like monitoring calls, messages, screen time, to name a few. Parental control plan for schools is pricier starting at INR 19,689.76 (239.98) per annum, but supports 11 to 20 devices per plan. This plan can be extended for up to 200 devices, and prices go up accordingly.
Free Plan: NA
Essential Features
- Separate plans available for personal and schools
- Block websites and apps
- Monitor calls and messages
- Location tracker
- School plan is pricier
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL FOR PREVENTION
Family Time
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 184.35 ($2.25) per month
Maximum devices
Five
Free trial
Three days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 184.35 ($2.25) per month
Maximum devices
Five
Free trial
Three days
Family Time is a strong option for those parents who want full-proof prevention-based security on their kids’ devices. It alerts parents when kids exceed their daily screen time limits, prevents them from viewing explicit website content as well as block apps. It also monitors with whom their kids are communicating over the phone or online calls, read messages exchanged via SMS or through social media messaging apps.
Free Plan: NA
Essential Features
- Blocks websites and applications
- Location, calls, messages tracker available
- Set screen time limit available
- Can’t monitor emails
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL TO GET PERSONALIZED ADVICE
Mobicip
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 244.98 ($2.99) per month
Maximum devices
20
Free trial
Seven days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 244.98 ($2.99) per month
Maximum devices
20
Free trial
Seven days
Mobicip prevents your kids’ devices from viewing explicit content, adult sites, apps, monitors social media viewing, as well as alerts family when they are exceeding their daily internet usage. What’s attractive about this feature is that its highest-tier plan offers parenting expert advice, which can be helpful for parents to decide between privacy and monitoring a kid’s online activities.
Free plan: NA
Essential Features
- Compatible with iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Chromebook, and Kindle
- Supports 20 devices
- Free trial available
- Calls, messages,monitoring not available
BEST TO KEEP AN EYE ON ALL ONLINE ACTIVITIES
Eyezy
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 439.20 per month
Maximum devices
Three
Free trial
NA
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 439.20 per month
Maximum devices
Three
Free trial
NA
Why We Picked It
Eyezy has an interactive centralized dashboard which parents can view as a demo, helpful for them to analyze and decide to monitor their kid’s online activities. The software is not designed for those parents who are looking for a balanced view between respecting their kid’s privacy and controlling their device. This app monitors everything from calls, emails, messages, websites, apps, locations, and even files and folders, including photos and videos on their device.
Free Plan: NA
Essential Features
- Call, messages, and location tracker available
- Block websites and apps
- Free trial not available
- Screen time scheduling, and app usage monitoring not available
- Toll free facility not available for Indian users
BEST BALANCE BETWEEN PRIVACY AND PARENTAL CONTROL
Norton Family
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 208.25 per month
Maximum devices
10
Free trial
30 days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 208.25 per month
Maximum devices
10
Free trial
30 days
Norton has a good reputation for its internet privacy. As part of its offering parental control software, it strikes a careful balance from invading kid’s privacy while allowing parents to monitor their online activities. Its plan does not include monitoring kid’s calls, messages, and email; however, parents can allow them to view only age-appropriate online content, set screen time limits, and locate them when they go missing or cross towns and cities.
Free plan: NA
Essential Features
- Affordable price plan
- Block websites and apps
- Calls and messaging monitoring not available
- Shabby phone support for Indian customers
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE FOR ALL DEVICES
Canopy
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 580.08 ($7.08) per month
Maximum devices
10
Free trial
Seven days
Standard annual plan
Starts from INR 580.08 ($7.08) per month
Maximum devices
10
Free trial
Seven days
Canopy is another well-known parental control software to secure kids’ devices while striking a careful balance not to invade their online privacy. The software excludes rigid parental control features such as monitoring calls, messages, and emails. Besides, it offers all helpful features to give parents a peace of mind, however, their plans are pricier than its competitors.
Free plan: NA
Essential Features
- Works on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Chromebook
- Block websites and applications
- Set screen time limits available
- Free trial available for seven days
- SMS, email, call tracker not available
- Live chat customer support not available
BEST PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE TO TRY FOR FREE
Screen Time
Standard annual plan
Free, starts from INR 572.71 ($6.99) per month
Maximum devices
Five
Free trial
Seven days
Standard annual plan
Free, starts from INR 572.71 ($6.99) per month
Maximum devices
Five
Free trial
Seven days
Screen Time is the only company in our list that offers a free parental control plan to parents for support up to one device. This way, the user can evaluate the features and decide to opt for a premium plan, and get additional monitoring features, such as monitoring conversation exchanged via SMS, or social media messaging apps, etc.
Free Plan: Yes, with basic features for one device.
Essential Features
- Messaging apps monitoring available
- Set screen time limit on kid’s devices available
- Location tracker available
- Messaging apps monitoring available for Android OS only
- Monitor calls not available
Summary of the Best Parental Control Software in 2024
Pricing and plans of parental control software providers are accurate as of June 22, 2023.
Methodology: How We Test Parental Control Software
Forbes Advisor India reviewed 59 parental control software providers on the market, and scored them across 16 parameters to rate them on a scale of 1 to 5. We’ve analyzed their premium plans, prices, device compatibility and support, and general features to come out with the final scores.
General Features (2%)
These are the most sought-for features that a parental control software should have including location tracker, websites and apps blocker, and screen time. Not all parental control software comes with calls, messages, and email monitoring features. We decided to give an extra scoring to these features.
Device support and compatibility (1%)
A good parental control software should be compatible with as many devices and operating systems. The number of devices supported was given an extra scoring.
Free Trial, Premium Pricing (1.5%)
Parental control software with free plan, and free trial period were given extra scoring. The price of a parental control software can vary as per subscription, so standard annual pricing was taken into consideration for this review.
User Reviews, Customer Support (0.5%)
User experiences were also taken into account as part of our scoring. Parental control software providers should resolve customers’ query via tutorials and FAQs. Scoring was based on availability of online chat, email, ticket, and phone support.
Benefits of Using a Parental Control Software
Choosing the right parental control software can be influenced by various factors. That said, there are pros and cons to using such software. Importantly, parents should evaluate their kids’ online behavior, and strike a balance between the privacy they would like to respect and others they would like to monitor.
Many consider monitoring kids’ online behavior to be an invasion to their sense of privacy and independence, and can fuel distrust between parent and child. However, age-appropriate parental control can be a helpful tool to reduce the risk of cyberbullying, access to harmful content, or get a location when they go missing, as well as prevent predators from trying to recruit kids for extremist purposes.
Hence, choosing the right parental control software is personal and should be based on the needs of an individual. These softwares only provide what online behavior of your child you want to monitor and control.
There are a number of personal usages for parental control software. Here is a list of popular ones.
- Prevent kids from contacting strangers. This will help reduce the risk of cyberbullying, and monitor whom your kids are communicating with online.
- Schedule screen time on your kids’ device. To encourage them to have real-human interaction as well as reduce the risk of kids becoming addicted to playing online games.
- Block explicit websites and apps. To prevent kids from accessing harmful content online, or allow them to view only age-appropriate content.
- Use location tracker, or geo fencing. Helpful when your kids go missing or stepping foot outside town, cities, or even when they misplaced their device.
These are just a few examples of how parental control software can help parents to protect their kids from accessing harmful content on their devices. There are plenty of other reasons why parents should use parental control software.
What Should I Look for in Parental Control Software?
Parental control software comes with a number of personal usages. The aforementioned list allows parents to view features these software provide, and you may tailor it as per your needs. Here is what to look for:
Device Support and Compatibility: Check if the software supports your kid’s smartphones or PCs and the OS version, and accordingly choose the number of devices you want to monitor. Software we’ve selected for this review supports both iOS and Android versions of phones and tablets. Only a handful of them support Windows and macOS, or both (like mentioned above).
Website and App Blocker: All parental control softwares that we’ve selected allows parents to block websites and apps to prevent their kids from accessing certain types of content on their device. Parents can also use keyword filters to control what kids search for online, and block them accordingly.
View Browser History: This feature allows parents an access to the type of website their kids view on the browser, as well as those content viewed on incognito mode. Remember, most parental control software does not monitor contents viewed on browsers such as Safari.
Schedule Screen Time Limit: This is the most popular feature in parental control software, which allows parents to schedule and set a screen time limit to prevent their kids from staying online after a certain duration. This is helpful to strike a balance between screen time and real-life human interaction.
Monitor Messages, Calls, and Emails: That said, parents won’t be able to listen to the phone call conversation in real-time using a parental control software, but can access the contact list with whom their kids are communicating. Some software also allows parents to read conversations exchanged via SMS, or social media messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and others.
Location Tracker/ Geo Fencing: This is another helpful feature in a parental control app to track the real-time location of their kid. Geofencing technology allows parents to get alerts when their kids set their foot outside of the town or city, per se.
Customer support: Parental control software providers that we’ve selected allow users to get some form of support from a customer support representative either via online chat, ticket support, and even phone calls (like mentioned above). They also have tutorials and extensive FAQs related to queries that a user may face.
How Much Does Parental Control Software Cost?
Parental control software that we’ve selected offers subscription-based plans and pricing. The ones that we’ve selected offer subscriptions starting from INR 999 to INR 6,963 per annum. The differences in price may occur due to support required for the number of devices as well as features. That said, parental control software costs less when users opt for higher billing cycle plans.
Free Plan
There are many free parental control software available on the market. Parents should read reviews from various sources before installing a free app on their device. Only Screen Time on our list has a free plan available as well as premium plan; however, the former plan offers only basic monitoring features.
Free Trial
Depending on the parental control software you choose to secure your kid’s device, they offer a free trial period from three to 30 days for users to try the service before committing to their premium plan. However, some providers in the list do not offer free trials to users.
Billing Frequency
Generally, parental control software providers have plans on the basis of monthly, six months, and a yearly billing cycle. Monthly plans are usually costlier than a billing cycle for a year.
How to Setup a Parental Control Software on Your Kid’s Device?
Parents don’t require to be tech-savvy to use parental control software. Such software generally requires two modes of installation, one on parents’ device to monitor and the other on kid’s device to track. Apps can be installed on mobile devices from PlayStore or AppStore depending on the type of device operating system, Android or iOS. For installation on PCs, software can be installed directly from the provider’s official website. Families can subscribe to their plan depending on their needs, and follow the self-explanatory installation process.
Are Parental Controls Safe to Use?
A parental control software does not protect your child’s device from malware attacks, phishing, or viruses that may harm the device and the personal data. To protect your device from such harm, it may require antivirus protection, which many in our aforementioned list provide one. If you require more protection from cyberattacks, you may consider getting a VPN, which will protect all devices from would-be hackers, government agencies, as well as your ISPs.
Featured Partner Offer
1
SentryPC
Starting price
INR 6,053.83 annually
Keylogging
Yes
Stealth or visible mode
Both
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
