Nowadays, parents are always worried about their kid’s safety on online platforms. Children use smartphones, tablets, and computers for educational and entertainment purposes. Still, beyond this, they can expose themselves to toxic content, spend too much time on screens, or interact with strangers. Hence, many parental control apps help parents monitor their child’s online activity.
Here are the 10 best parental control apps of 2025-26 for parents in the USA to keep their kids safe online.
Bark
This is one of the most trusted parental control apps in the USA that monitors text messages, emails, YouTube, and social media apps to check for warning signs of cyberbullying and online predation, depression, or other issues.
Key Features:
- Monitors over 30 social media platforms
- Sends alerts about harmful content
- Manage screen time
- Website Filtering
- Works on iOS, Android, and computers
Pricing: From $14/month
Qustodio
Qustodio is a powerful yet one of the best and easiest parental control apps with advanced monitoring features. It helps parents implement screen time limits and block harmful websites.
Key Features:
- Web filtering and time management
- Location tracking
- Monitoring calls and messages (Android)
- Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
Pricing: A free version is available; Premium version starts at $54.95/year
Net Nanny
Net Nanny has a great reputation for its technologies of content filtering. This software allows parents to supervise their child’s digital behavior and block inappropriate content.
Its chief features entail:
- Adult content is blocked with explicit websites.
- It permits app time management and screen time management.
- Real-time location tracking.
- Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Price: $39.99/year and above.
Norton Family
From the trusted Norton brand, Norton Family provides an extensive suite of parental control features that make it suitable for families with numerous devices.
Its key features include:
- Web filtering and online activity tracking.
- Time limitation on the usage of devices.
- Monitors the search terms used by kids.
- Works on Windows, iOS, and Android.
Price: $49.99/year and above.
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids is a reasonable and one of the best parental control apps for parents who want to keep an eye on their children’s online activities and device usage.
Its key features include:
- Web filtering and app control.
- GPS location tracking.
- Screen time management.
- Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Price: Free version; Premium at $14.99/year.
FamilyTime
FamilyTime is a feature-rich app that allows parents to keep track of online activities for their children, including limits on screen time.
Its chief features are:
- Geofencing and real-time location tracking.
- App blocker and screen time control.
- Monitors call and SMS.
- Works for iOS and Android.
Price: Starting at $27/year.
OurPact
OurPact is well-known for its simple screen time scheduling and app-blocking features for managing children’s screen habits.
Key features:
- Blocking apps and websites.
- Screen time scheduling.
- GPS tracking.
- Works on iOS and Android.
Price: Free plan; Premium from $6.99/month.
MMGuardian
MMGuardian – one of the parental control apps that is aptly designed for the monitoring of activities of children by parents and keeping them away from harmful content and online dangers.
Key Features:
- Monitor text, calls
- Web filtering and app control
- Location tracking
- Compatible with Android and iOS
Price: Starting at $49.99/year
Screen Time
Screen Time is just the right tool if you are a responsible parent willing to set limits to their child’s screen time and teach them how to use their devices responsibly.
Key Features:
- Daily screen time limits
- App usage reports
- Remote locking-device
- Compatible with iOS and Android
Price: Free but premium starts from $6.99/month
Google Family Link
Google Family Link is a free and one of the best useful parental control apps that is most favorable for younger kids using Android devices.
Key Features:
- Screen time limits and app approvals
- Location tracking
- Monitors app for usage and web searches
- Compatible with Android and iOS
Price: Free
The right parental control apps depend on your needs and your child’s online habits. For serious social media monitoring, Bark is a viable option. For screen-time management, OurPact or Screen Time would work well. If you are looking for something cost-effective, both Google Family Link and Kaspersky Safe Kids have reasonably good free features.
Regardless of the app you choose, have candid conversations with your children about internet safety. Parental control apps are indeed a great helping hand, but educating your children about responsible digital behavior is the primary concern for their online safety.
