The 5 tools that actually work
I tried a lot of apps. These five are the ones I kept. You don't need all five — here's how they fit together at the bottom. Always check current prices on the official sites.
How to think about it (quick version)
- 1
Start free and built in
If your kids have Apple devices, turn on Apple Screen Time. If they're on Android, use Google Family Link. They're free, they're already there, and they cover the basics.
- 2
Add one all-rounder
For families with a mix of devices, or if you want one dashboard for everyone, Qustodio is the easiest to use. It works on almost everything and the reports actually make sense.
- 3
Add monitoring for older kids
Once kids hit the tween years, you need something smarter than a block list. Bark scans what they type and see across 30+ apps, and only alerts you when something looks genuinely concerning.
- 4
Clean up the whole internet
AdGuard strips ads, trackers, and adult content across browsers and apps. Think of it as cleaning the internet before your child even sees it — and it works on your devices too.
Qustodio
The all-rounder
Pop it on your child's device and, from your own phone, see what they're up to, set time limits, and block what you don't want them seeing. The dashboard is the easiest to read of any I tried.
- •Web filtering, daily limits & a one-tap "pause the internet"
- •App blocking, location, readable activity reports
Bark
The early-warning system
Instead of locking everything down, Bark watches what your child says and sees, and only pings you when something looks genuinely concerning. Less snooping, more heads-up.
- •Scans 30+ apps for bullying, predators, self-harm & explicit content
- •Blocking, screen-time schedules, GPS; adjustable alerts
AdGuard
The clean-up crew
Strips out the ads, pop-ups and trackers that follow kids around the internet — and can block adult sites too. Think of it as cleaning the internet before your kid even sees it.
- •System-wide ad & tracker blocking across apps and browsers
- •Adult-content filtering; blocks known scam sites
Apple Screen Time
Free & built in (Apple)
If your kids use Apple gear, you already own a great control system — it's just switched off. Built into the phone, so kids can't simply delete it. Manage it all from your own iPhone.
- •Downtime, per-app limits, content blocking by age
- •Communication limits, nude-image warnings, Find My location
Google Family Link
Free & built in (Android)
Google's free version of the same idea for Android phones, tablets and Chromebooks. Approve apps, set limits and check in from your own phone — iPhone or Android.
- •Screen-time limits, bedtime & School Time modes
- •App approval, content filtering, location, contact approval
You don't need all five
Here's the mix that makes sense for most families — start with the free ones, then add paid tools only if you need them.
All-Apple house
Apple Screen Time (free) for controls and limits, plus AdGuard to clean up ads and trackers across browsers.
Android house
Google Family Link (free) for the basics, plus AdGuard. Add Bark once the kids are tweens or teens.
Mixed house
Qustodio across everything for one dashboard, plus AdGuard. Keep the free built-in controls on as backup.