How We Test, Rate, and Review Parental Control Software

It’s difficult to balance keeping your kids safe online and not outright spying on them. We understand that parental control apps can damage the trust between parents and children, so we want to ensure you’re getting a useful tool that your children also find valuable.

The features should be functional, work on various devices, and offer you more than just online monitoring. Here’s how we break down the most important features and weigh them by category:

Below, we show you how we test, rate, and evaluate parental controls apps and what you should look for in the best ones.

Screen time management (20%)

Technology is addictive, so many parents want to manage their kid’s screen time. This is one of parental control apps most requested features and extends beyond limiting overall time spent on a device.

Screen time restriction

What it is: Allows you to set how much screen time your child is allowed daily.

How we test it: We set different screen time limits and then try to use the device during those times.

How we rate it:

• Best: Lets you restrict use during certain times and adjust screen time by apps or categories.
• Worst: No screen time limits or a simple off-and-on toggle without scheduling capabilities.

App usage tracking

What it is: Allows you to see the time spent on each app and set time limits on each individual app.

How we test it: Once the parental control software is installed, we set limits and see how accurately app usage is tracked and what happens when we exceed the limits.

How we rate it:

• Best: Accurately tracks app usage and allows you to set limits for each individual app on the phone.
• Worst: No option for app usage tracking, isn’t compatible with your child’s device, or simply doesn’t work.

Routines and schedules

What it is: The ability to create usage routines and schedules that cover regularly recurring times. For example, not allowing app or browser usage during school, but texts and calls are still accessible.

How we test it: We locate the feature and create a routine, and then check to make sure our device is actually restricted the way we set it up.

How we rate it:

• Best: Allows for multiple routines and customizable usage, like still allowing a child to make calls or texts during school hours to approved contacts.
• Worst: Lack of customization options or the ability to set multiple schedules.

Content filters (20%)

We all know the internet is not a kid-friendly place, but spaces exist that can be beneficial for kids. Parental control software usually comes with general age content, but the best parental control apps also allow you to custom-filter content based on your own preferences.

Blocking inappropriate content

What it is: Allows you to block all inappropriate content from across the web.

How we test it: We activate this feature and then try to visit adult sites.

How we rate it:

• Best: It has general content blocking based on age and custom blocking options.
• Worst: General blocking without taking into account age and custom options.

Force safe search

What it is: A feature that lets you ensure all internet searches filter out harmful or inappropriate content.

How we test it: Once we activate the feature, we search for age-restricted content to see what’s allowed.

How we rate it:

• Best: A search that’s easy to install and use and filters everything we don’t want.
• Worst: Overly technical search that isn’t kid friendly or doesn’t work.

Location tracking (20%)

One of the benefits of giving your kid a phone is that you can see where they are whenever you want. Since most kids never leave their phones, you can feel confident that you have a pretty good idea of your child’s location when they’re away from you.

Live tracking

What it is: Tracks your child’s location in real time so you know where they are, whether it’s walking home from school or at practice for a hobby or sport.

How we test it: We activate the feature and then track where the phone or other device is on the map on our computer.

How we rate it:

• Best: Provides location in real time.
• Worst: No location tracking or doesn’t work in real time.

Geo-fencing

What it is: This feature lets you set an allowed area and alerts you if your child moves out of that radius. This is great for kids who want to go to dance class or soccer practice on their own but you want to make sure they’re safe.

How we test it: We activate the feature before testing the alerting system.

How we rate it:

• Best: Alerts you immediately when your child leaves the set area.
• Worst: Feature doesn’t exist, or the alerts aren’t immediately available.

Monitoring (20%)

This feature allows you to monitor your child’s phone and who they communicate with. Most monitoring features will send you alerts, so that inappropriate content or interactions don’t slip through the cracks.

Communication monitoring

What it is: Monitors texts and emails and may extend to cyberbullying protections with online games and messaging apps.

How we test it: We send content that should be flagged by the software while in messaging and gaming features.

How we rate it:

• Best: Monitors email, text, messaging apps, and gaming systems.
• Worst: Feature doesn’t exist or doesn’t cover all the categories.

Search monitoring

What it is: Makes sure that the content filters set are adhered to during online searches. This feature should send an alert if the device tries to access content that falls under any of the filters or if your child views a restricted site.

How we test it: We activate the feature and then go to adult sites.

How we rate it:

• Best: Catches and alerts us quickly to restricted access attempts.
• Worst: Doesn’t catch much or the alerts aren’t in real time.

Alerts

What it is: Alerts that appear in your dashboard letting you know about all of the controls you’ve put in place. They can include cyberbullying, search violations, time limit notifications, geo-fencing violations, and other ways to keep your child safe online.

How we test it: We see if alerts populate in our dashboard or are texted directly to us.

How we rate it:

• Best: Real-time alerts sent to your dashboard or texted to you.
• Worst: Delayed alerts that only populate in the dashboard.

Ease of use (10%)

Good parental controls need a lot of configuration so the features work correctly. If this isn’t easy to do or if it creates too many issues, you’re not likely to use the service. Once the software is installed, you should be able to navigate it smoothly and without issue.

User interface

What it is: How the software looks and works when you’re using it.

How we test it: We download the program and install it on multiple devices to see how easy it is to use.

How we rate it:

• Best: A smooth interface where everything is easily accessible and updated in real time.
• Worst: Dated software that glitches or makes you search for the features.

Customer service

What it is: The support offered by the software company.

How we test it: We love to get in touch with customer support to see how effective and efficient it is for anyone using the software.

How we rate it:

• Best: A live chat option with a real person who can quickly answer our questions and resolve issues.
• Worst: Online guides and no way to contact a real person.

Value (10%)

This refers to how much you’re getting for the price compared to competitors. Good software has a reasonable price, offers a lot, and comes with robust support.

Price and plans

What it is: The individual plans offered for your chosen parental controls software and how much each plan costs.

How we test it: We compare parental control software against its competitors to see who offers what for the best price.

How we rate it:

• Best: Low monthly cost of $2 or less with robust features like text monitoring, location tracking, and cyberbullying alerts.
• Worst: More than $15 a month and lacking many key features.

How we calculate our ratings

As you can see, individual categories hold a certain amount of weight. After we test the product, we enter a score for each category and the features within that category. It’s then calculated, and the average determines the star rating. The score is based on the factors we listed above.

Our star rating system allows us to compare products across our site to bring you the most affordable, reliable, robust, and usable products on the market. It can be confusing trying to purchase software, so we make it simple by showing you the best parental control software available.