mSPy
$16.66
Pros
- Remote installation available on iOS
- Keylogger available
- Can read Whats chats
- Supports popular social platforms monitoring
- Geofencing alerts
Cons
- Keylogger is not available on Basic version
- Some advanced features need root or jailbreak
Technology has shrunk the world. With inventions like the internet, we can connect with others whenever we want, wherever we are. A limitless catalogue of information is accessible right at our fingertips. Chances are, you can find whatever you are looking for with a simple search query and you can get dozens of answers for a single question.
However, with this convenience comes a lot of risks. There are always two sides to every story, and though technology has provided us with many great benefits, there are many dangers that have come forth because of it. For every safe website there is online, there are just as many dangerous ones. For every familiar contact in your address book, there are thousands of clever individuals who are looking to do harm. The world is a dangerous place, and the digital space is the same.
When parents decide the pull the trigger on getting their kids a smartphone, they do so with the best intentions. They usually do so in order to keep in touch with their kids when they inevitably have to let them out of the house. Understandably though, some parents who give their kids this freedom and power grow anxious because of what they can do with it. Once they get their hands on a smartphone, they are glued to it. They are on it hours on end, looking up who knows what and talking to who knows who. Thankfully, there is a way for parents to have that peace of mind that they are looking for when it comes to the security of their kids online. The solution is simple: a parental control app. We advice you to choose best iPhone tracking apps & Best Spy App For iPhone
Table of Contents
Parental control
Parental control apps are used to monitor the activity on a smartphone or device to ensure the user’s security and safety. These apps track a number of things on the phone, from location and calls, to messages and screen time. However, there are many parental control apps out there that claim outright that they can monitor the activity of a phone even though they cannot. What is worse is that they will charge you first before you can find this out for yourself and make it impossible for you to get your money back. This guide will help you navigate through the different applications available on the market to tell you which ones actually work and which overall is the best parental control app.
mSpy is compatible with most Android and iOS devices. Though people will assume that this is simply an iphone parental control app, it actually provides ipad parental controls as well. mSpy even works on non-jailbroken iOS devices. The installation process is easy and simple, taking only a few minutes to complete. Once installed, mSpy collects data every five minutes and displays it in the Control Panel which is accessible on both mobile and desktop browsers. mSpy is a fully featured solution letting you manage calls and track text messages. It also allows parents to track the location of the phone through GPS, view the applications installed on the target device and block unwanted ones, see pictures, emails, contacts, and calendar events. What makes mSpy stand out is the fact that it can also monitor several third-party messaging applications including Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Line, Skype, Snapchat, Telegram, Viber, and WhatsApp. Pros & Cons Pros
mSpy undercuts similarly featured parental control software by hundreds of dollars, making it very good value for money. Even with just the basic plan, you get more than enough data to comb through in terms of monitoring your child’s digital activity. The premium plan has the added bonus of monitoring activity on third-party applications for still an affordable price. mSpy is fully featured. Whatever data you want to monitor, chances are it can be tracked with mSpy. Compared with other parental control apps, mSpy can even monitor keystrokes and setup geofences. It can do all this and yet still be completely undetectable to the person using the device. Most importantly, mSpy is reliable and does not crash, meaning you will continuously be getting the data you want and need without the risk of losing any of it. mSpy makes parental control easy.The installation process itself takes only a few minutes. The step-by-step installation guide makes installing the mSpy parental control app easy for even the most technologically challenged. Once the parental control software is installed, the data can be accessed through a smartly designed and easy to navigate Control Panel. mSpy users rave about their 24/7 customer support. They cater to 8 different languages and are well-versed with the software. Free support has very good technical service and will provide the best help that they can. They reply quickly but are patient, and they will help guide you through your concern no matter how long it takes to resolve the issue.
Cons
If you are a parent with multiple kids, you will be sad to hear that mSpy only lets you monitor one device at a time per subscription. If you want to monitor the phones and tablets of all of your kids, you will have to pay for a new subscription for each device you wish to monitor. Though mSpy provides functionality for phones that are not jailbroken or rooted, the most powerful features are only accessible once the device is jailbroke or rooted. mSpy has a great set of features and has the best technical support in the parental control app market. However, to make the most out of mSpy, you have to pay extra. Though you can get free chat support, you have to pay $12.99 for phone support and $37.99 for premium mAssistance. You also have to pay double the basic plan for the premium plan and the non-jailbroken version of the application.
Price mSpy offers two packages: mSpy Basic and mSpy Premium. The basic plan starts at $29.99 per month while the premium plan and no-jailbreak variants start at $69.99 per month or $199.99 per year. They also offer a Family Kit which lets you monitor three kids for six months at $359.97 or $479.97 for one year. mSpy is compatible with Android devices running Android 4+. Jailbroken iOS devices must be running iOS 7 – 8.4; 9.0 – 9.1. All non-jailbroken iOS devices are compatible with mSpy without Jailbreak, no matter which version of iOS they are running. Unfortunately, mSpy is not compatible with Windows phones. If you want to double-check if your device is compatible, you can input your device type in the mSpy website and get immediate feedback on whether or not you can install mSpy. Requirements mSpy Requirements for iOS mSpy with Jailbreak Supported Features: mSpy without Jailbreak Supported Features: mSpy Requirements for Android Smartphones and Tablets Supported Features: Rating & Conclusion With the ability to install mSpy on a non-jailbroken iPhone, mSpy has no competition when it comes to being the best parental control app for iphone. But, it also has a case for being the best parental control app for android and the best parental control software overall. mSpy offers a truly expansive list of features, more than enough for parents looking to monitor their kids. Instead of charging one fixed price, mSpy is flexible in that it gives parents several options so that they can find the right set of features and price for their purpose and budget. However, given its price for either the basic or premium plan, mSpy offers great value no matter which tier you decide to avail of. Lets not forget they also have comprehensive customer support. mSpy
mSpy is a mobile phone monitoring app for parental control and is unmatched when it comes to iphone parental controls. mSpy lets parents monitor phone calls, messages, location, social media activity, web browsing activity, and more. Even more impressive is that mSpy is a completely discrete means of parental control as it runs in the background and is virtually invisible. PLAN COST Basic 1 month $29.99/mo 3 months $19.99/mo 12 months $8.33/mo Premium 1 month $69.99/mo 3 months $39.99/mo 12 months $16.66/mo No-Jailbreak 1 month $69.99/mo 3 months $39.99/mo 12 months $16.66/mo Family Kit 1 year $479.97/yr
Compatibility
(4.9 / 5)
FlexiSpy is a powerful parental control app, but it requires you to jailbreak the target phone. If you are comfortable with doing so, the robustness of FlexiSPY becomes immediately evident. But, despite its full suite of features, it is still quite intuitive to use. Its display interface is user friendly and everything is clearly labeled. Going through the different functions available and setting up notifications is streamlined and browsing the media on the target phone is quick and easy. FlexiSPY’s flagship features are call interception, call recording, and ambient noise recording. Call interception allows you to listen in on both incoming and outgoing calls as it happens by initiating a 3-way call between the target phone, their contact, and your phone, without either participant knowing that you are listening in. Call recording with FlexiSPY work with phone calls coming to or from the target phone. You can choose to record specific contacts or all incoming and outgoing calls. The calls are uploaded to the dashboard for convenience and recordings can even be downloaded. FlexiSPY also allows you to activate the target phone’s microphone and listen to its surroundings. You can select a time for the ambient monitoring to be activated, and it can last anywhere between five minutes to one hour. FlexiSPY also provides great product support. For installing the parental control software, FlexiSPY provides a helpful installation wizard that gives you a step-by-step guide on everything you need to do to setup the program. They also provide 24/6 customer support via call or chat. If you are looking for a simple solution to a problem, they also have a database of learnings on their website including a community forum. Read More about gps phone tracker device Pros & Cons Pros No other parental control software offers call interception, and call and ambient noise recording. You can listen in on any active calls that go through the device, record the calls and download them later on, and schedule when to record ambient noise. Not only did FlexiSPY include the feature, but they also did it well. FlexiSPY gives the user immense control of the experience but in a package that is easy to utilize and understand. The support provided by FlexiSPY is just as good as those provided by the other parental control apps. What makes them stand out is the comprehensive database of information they have available on their website for anyone to access. Chances are, if you have a concern or question that you encounter, someone else has as well, and you can find ways to fix the problem or troubleshoot without having to contact support. However, the chat support and phone support are always there if you need professional assistance. Their support is also free.
Cons In contrast to another parental control app which does not need you to jailbreak your device, mSpy, FlexiSPY actually requires you to jailbreak your device in order for it to run. The process of jailbreaking your device is risky in itself as it might brick your phone and permanently damage the software, but the other kicker is that jailbreaking your device automatically voids its warranty. If that is a risk you are willing to take, FlexiSPY will be able to give you a great feature set for parental controls. However, just remember that there are other options out there, such as mSpy, which does not risk damaging your phone or voids your warranty. We advice you to choose best iPhone tracking apps & Best Spy App For iPhone Though FlexiSPY does include a lot of great monitoring features, it comes at a price. Its cheaper plan, Premium FlexiSPY, costs $68 per month while the Extreme FlexiSPY plan costs $199 for three months. They recently launched a Lite plan for$29.95 a month, but its features are limited and lack the phone call recording and interception as well as tracking notes, emails, and third-party applications. You are taking a risk with FlexiSPY. Not only do you have to jailbreak your device in order to get it to run properly, its standout feature of intercepting calls, recording calls, and recording ambient noise is actually illegal as monitoring and recording of all audio streams is illegal according to US laws.
Price FlexiSPY offers three packages: FlexiSPY Lite, FlexiSPY Premium, and FlexiSPY Extreme. The lite plan starts at $29.95 per month while the premium plan is $68 per month and $149 for one year. The extreme plan is available for $193 for three months and $349 for twelve months. and no-jailbreak variants start at $69.99 per month or $199.99 per year. They also offer a Family Kit which lets you monitor three kids for six months at $359.97 or $479.97 for one year. FlexiSPY is compatible with Android, iOS, and even desktop operating systems. FlexiSPY works with Android devices running OS 4.0.3 -10. FlexiSPY for iPhone is compatible with all versions up to iOS 9.1, and supports tethered mode for iOS 9.2 – 13.x. The same goes for the iPad version of FlexiSPY. For computers running Windows, FlexiSPY is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. For computers running OS X, FlexiSPY is compatible with OS X Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, and Mojave. Requirements FlexiSPY Requirements for Android Smartphones and Tablets Features currently not supported FlexiSPY Requirements for iOS iPhones and iPads Features currently not supported FlexiSPY Requirements for Windows Computers Features currently not supported FlexiSPY Requirements for macOS Computers Rating & Conclusion There is no denying that FlexiSPY has probably the most comprehensive set of features out of all parental control apps but giving it the title of best parental control software is difficult because of the risks you take just to install the software on your kid’s device. First, you automatically have to void the warranty if this is the software you choose to use since you have to jailbreak the device. Second, there is a large gray area when it comes to monitoring and recording calls and ambient surroundings as it is not exactly legal. However, if you are willing to overlook these particular dangers and are looking for a fully-fledged parental control app with no compromises, FlexiSPY might just be the right software for you. Just be willing to pay the premium price to get access to everything. You may read more about Best Phone Tracker App Without PermissionFlexiSPY
FlexiSpy is an iPhone and Android parental control app that offers in-depth monitoring and reporting that is comparable to features offered by other parental control apps. However, FlexiSPY stands out in its ability to intercept calls, listen to calls, and record ambient noise. FlexiSPY can also be installed discretely and runs in the background, so the person using the phone will not be aware that they are being monitored. PLAN COST Lite 1 month $29.95 Premium 1 month $68 3 months $99 12 months $149 Extreme 3 months $193 12 months $349
Compatibility
(4.8 / 5)
Highster Mobile grants you full access to the device on which it is installed and allows you to track a wide variety of data including calls, texts, and GPS location. Importantly, Highster Mobile does offer a version does not require jail-breaking or rooting which includes tracking text messages, photos and videos emails, browsing history, and phone location. You can also block applications, view installed and running apps, and remote lock the device. Go through this one afvlso Best Cell Phone Spy Software Another strong point of Highster Mobile is its intuitive and easy to use online interface. Everything is displayed in the dashboard which is accessible on any mobile or desktop browser. You can see everything you need to see, and you can switch back and forth between multiple devices if you are monitoring more than one. Pros & Cons Pros Highster Mobile is the only parental control software that does not use a subscription payment scheme. You only have to pay once to get access to the software and its features for life. With that set price, the longer you use it, the more value you get out of it. Not only that, but the price itself is very reasonable and costs almost just as much as the monthly price of the other services.
Cons Understandably, when you compare the features of Highster Mobile with those of mSpy or FlexiSPY, it is lacking. There are features that you can only find on the other parental controls apps and not on Highster Mobile. That being said, you still get more than what you pay for with Highster Mobile. If you are looking for a full, comprehensive tracking solution, Highster Mobile probably is not for you. But, if you just need simple device monitoring and tracking, Highster Mobile is more than enough.
Price Highster Mobile is completely unique in that their payment model is not that of a subscription. You only have to pay one fee, and this applies for both the basic and pro pricing skews. If you plan on using the parental control app for a long period of time, this is a very attractive price point whose value will improve over time. Review this one Best Phone Monitoring Apps & Best Spy Phone App For Iphone And Android Undetectable For Android devices, the phone must run on android 3 and up. It works on all major Android brands including Samsung, LG, HTC, Google, Huawei, and Motorola and are supported in all countries. You can use it on Android devices that run on the latest Android operating systems. For Apple device, Highster Mobile supports iPhones 11, X, 8, 7, 6, 5 and all versions of iPad. All devices are supported in all countries and all versions of iOS (including iOS 13) are compatible as well. Requirements Highster Mobile Requirements for Android Device Monitoring Highster Mobile Requirements for iOS Device Monitoring Rating & Conclusion Highster Mobile will be the most appealing to many users out there because of its very affordable one-time purchase price. Though it lacks some of the more advanced capabilities found in the other available parental control apps, if you are not looking for those features specifically, Highster Mobile has more than enough functionality for you to be able to track a device thoroughly. Another thing to note though is that their support is not as comprehensive as what others offer since you simply submit your question on their site and wait for a response. If you want more instant assistance, you will need to avail of a telephone support package which costs just as much as the basic plan. Overall though, Highster Mobile is great value and is hard not to recommend.Highster Mobile
Highster Mobile is one of the most popular parental control apps available in the market, and part of its appeal is that it offers a one-time payment option. This is in stark contrast to all the other parental control software that require you to pay a monthly subscription. PLAN COST Basic One-Time Payment $29.99 Pro One-Time Payment $69.99
Compatibility
(4.4 / 5)
Spyzie is a product of SuperSoft Limited which was established in 2007. Spyzie is unique in its supposed ability to monitor social media activity across most major social media platforms. It includes location monitoring and geofencing and is compatible with Android and iOS devices. Another plus for Spyzie is that the setup process does not require installing a monitoring app on the target device or a jailbreak. The setup process takes place online and allows you to install the software by logging in to the iCloud account associated with the target device. However, on an Android device, you will need to install a monitoring app. We advice you to read more about best parental control apps Spyzie utilizes a control panel which can be viewed on your own phone or a PC. It includes many features you can find on other parental control software including monitoring call history, chat history and file access on third party social media apps, text messages, internet browsing history, keystroke logging, location tracking, photo and videos, contacts, and even SIM card change detection. Pros & Cons Pros The installation of Spyzie, particularly on iOS, is unmatched. There is no need to install a monitoring app on the device itself. Simply verify the iCloud ID of the device, and you will immediately be able to access data through the Spyzie control panel. However, you do need to install a monitoring application on Android devices. Unlike many other parental control apps, Spyzie does not require you to jailbreak or root the target device. This means that you do not have to risk losing your warranty or bricking your phone when going through the jailbreak process. This makes installing Spyzie itself a whole lot easier since you do not need to go through an additional step before installing the Spyzie software itself.
Cons Though Spyzie does work, there are reports of the app malfunctioning under certain conditions. For example, the application stops working after the phone software updates and the application stops reporting after the phone is rebooted. These are both things that can happen when using a phone day-to-day. Even if you could fix the problem by uninstalling and reinstalling the software, having to do so regularly on someone else’s device when you are trying to discretely monitor their activity is a nuisance. Feedback from people that use Spyzie say that they have some of the worst customer support out there. If you try and contact customer service, there is no guarantee that you will get in touch with them or that you will receive a prompt response. When you are already frustrated with something that is not working properly and you need help fast, it could be infuriating when your call for help is ignored. The last thing you want in a situation like that is to have to wait an unnecessary, prolonged period of time just to be told to reinstall the app.
Price Spyzie offers three different plans for Android devices, but only two for iOS devices. Users of either device can avail of either the Pro Version starting at $39.99 per month or the Ultimate Version which starts at $49.99. Android users can avail of the Basic Version which starts at just $29.99 a month but with an understandably limited feature set. Spyzie can be used to monitor iOS devices running iOS version 8.0 or later (including the latest iOS 12). The iOS devices that are compatible include iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, iPod Touch, etc. For Android devices, Spyzie can be used to monitor devices running Android version 4.0 and later. Brands such as Samsung and LG can also run Spyzie, but any other brand is compatible as well as long as the device is running Android 4.0 or later. It has many advantages compared to other spy apps & Best Free Phone Tracker App Requirements FlexiSPY Requirements for Android Device Monitoring Supported Features FlexiSPY Requirements for iOS iPhone Monitoring Supported Features Rating & Conclusion The benefits of Spyzie in terms of the ease of installation cannot be overstated. Being able to install a monitoring software without having to jailbreak or root the device is a big deal. It also has a pretty robust set of features despite not needing to jailbreak the device which again is impressive given how many other parental control apps require a jailbreak to get most if not all of its potential functionality. However, there are two big drawbacks which cannot be overlooked when it comes to using Spyzie. First, the fact that the software is unreliable and may suddenly just stop working kind of defeats its purpose. One of the most important things when it comes to parental control is being able to constantly track data without interruption. Even if the apps stops working for just one day, there is a lot that can happen over that period. Having to regain access to the device to reinstall the application is also an unnecessary hassle. This leads to the second big drawback of Spyzie which is their lackluster customer support. When you have an application that needs to be running 24/7 and something goes wrong, you need that 24/7 support in order to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. You do not get that with Spyzie, and it really is such a shame.Spyzie
A lot of parental control apps claim to offer the same features and make the same promises. Unfortunately, not all of them deliver. With the immense security programs installed on all modern smartphones, it is challenging for developers to bypass them and gain access to data the devices are actively trying to block you from. Some, like mSpy and FlexiSPY have successfully done so. However, Spyzie falls short and fails to fulfill many of its promises. PLAN COST Basic 1 month $29.99 3 months $49.99 6 months $89.99 Pro 1 month $39.99 3 months $69.99 6 months $99.99 Ultimate 1 month $49.99 3 months $79.99 6 months $119.99
Compatibility
(4.7 / 5)
iKeyMonitor can be installed discretely as it will run in the background, undetectable. Once it is loaded up and activated, the shortcuts and icons to the program will be deleted. You will have complete access to the data of the target device. You would need to get permission and access to the Android device in order to install it but monitoring on iOS does not require installing the app on the target device like Spyzie. Like Spyzie, you will need the iCloud ID and password and enable iCloud backups in order for it to work. iKeyMonitor allows parents to monitor text messages, calls, websites visited, current GPS location, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and others. iKeyMonitor helps you keep track of your child’s cellphone activities and protect them from cyberbullying and cyberstalkers, sexual predators, violent and dangerous website, as well as other online threats. For example, you can setup keyword alerts to get instant notifications via email whenever messages about cyberbullying are received on their phone. Pros & Cons Pros iKeyMonitor has all the features you have come to expect from a parental control app. Though you get more features from a jailbroken or rooted device, it can still function on non-jailbroken iPhones and non-rooted Android devices. Its standout feature is its keylogger. It records literally every single thing that happens on the phone, so if you are willing to go through the hundreds of logs, you really will not miss anything. iKeyMonitor lets you track a host of third-party applications which are not offered by all the other parental control apps. Other than the SMS messages on the app, iKeyMonitor can track WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook, Skype, Line, Kik, Viber, Hangouts, QQ, IMO, Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, BBM, Hike, Telegram, Odnkoklassniki, Gmail, KakaoTalk, and Zalo.
Cons In terms of installing iKeyMonitor, it is a bit more complicated and technically involved in terms of the process as compared to the other spy apps. This might be a turnoff for those who are not too familiar with technology as they might struggle and grow frustrated with the installation, but it works quite reliably once the initial setup is complete. Though iKeyMonitor is competitive in terms of the features it offers, it is not competitively priced. You basically get the same set of features as the other parental control software out there, but it is $10 to $20 more expensive than they are. That price is hard to justify considering just how many other options there are out there that you can get for a lower cost. In terms of getting the best value, look elsewhere.
Price iKeyMonitor has an option which makes it a free parental control app. iKeyMonitor Free comes with the most basic features of call history, SMS messages, GPS locations and geo-fencing, contacts, calendars, notes, reminders, voice memos, and WiFi history. However, you have to pay an additional $9.99 every three days for addon features. For iKeyMonitor Full, you have to pay a steep $59.99 a month. iKeyMonitor supports iOS devices currently running iOS 9.x-12.4.x for the non-jailbroken solution. If the device is jailbroken, it is compatible with all devices. Non-rooted Android devices running OS 2.3 and above are supported. For rooted Android devices, iKeyMonitor is also compatible with OS 2.3 and above. Requirements iKeyMonitor Requirements for iOS Device Monitoring Non-Jailbroken Jailbroken iKeyMonitor Requirements for Android Device Monitoring Non-rooted Rooted Rating & Conclusion iKeyMonitor is a fully realized parental control app that has all the features you could ever need to safely monitor your child. If we put it head-to-head against any other parental control software, it could matchup quite well. However, it is hard to recommend this software because of one important number: its price. There are other options out there that have the same if not more features than iKeyMonitor, but they cost 20% to 25% less. They are also more user-friendly and easier to install. It is hard to justify buying iKeyMonitor when there are obviously better options out there for you to consider. The ironic thing is that they do offer a Free version unlike the others which is arguable the best free parental control app.iKeyMonitor
iKeyMonitor is a tracking program produced by Los Angeles-based Awosoft Technology. Introduced in 2012, iKeyMonitor was originally made for just iOS devices, but an Android version was made available in 2014. Much like the other parental control apps, the iKeyMonitor needs to be loaded onto the target device and activated. To be able to access the full potential of the functionality of iKeyMonitor, you will need to root or jailbreak the target device. However, doing so will give you access to powerful monitoring tools such as the keylogger. PLAN COST Free - Free 3 days of Addons $9.99 Full 1 month $59.99 12 months $349.92
Compatibility
(4.3 / 5)
Much like the other parental control apps, Hoverwatch has the features you would come to expect from such software. These include phone call monitoring, social meda chat app tracking, text message monitoring, browser history and internet management, keystroke logging, location tracking, contact monitoring, photos and screenshots, and SIM card change detection. For Windows and Mac, Hoverwatch enables you to register all the pressed keys and typed messaged on the keyboard of the monitored device. We have some very good suggestion for you like Best Spy App for Android Pros & Cons Pros
A quite appealing feature of Hoverwatch is the ability to monitor multiple devices simultaneously. Though other parental control software let you track multiple devices if you pay a subscription for each of them, they are not as seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. You can tell that the other programs are focused on tracking a singular device while Hoverwatch was built with multiple devices in mind. There are two big things to mention when it comes to the pricing of Hoverwatch. First, it is one if not the cheapest out of all the parental control apps reviewed. Not only that, but there are no pricing skews that block off premium features. For a set price, you get all the monitoring functions available. Better yet, you can get a discount per month per device if you choose to track multiple devices at once. For a big family, this is a no-brainer.
Cons
When compared to other parental control apps, Hoverwatch is cheaper, but it also lacks features the others have. For example, the third-party app support of Hoverwatch is limited to Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Viber. Though these are some of the most common and popular social media apps, a lot are missing, and if you want to get a full picture of the activity on the device, this would be a problem. The biggest drawback for Hoverwatch is that it is not compatible with iPhone or iPad. Its functionality is limited to Android devices which is a real shame considering how well-priced it is.
Price Hoverwatch is one of the most affordable parental control apps on the market. They offer three packages which vary in terms of the number of devices you can track. The more months you avail of and the more devices you choose to track simultaneously, the cheaper the monthly cost per device becomes. Personal tracks one device starting at $24.95 per month. Professional tracks five devices starting at $49.95 per month, an equivalent of $9.99 per month per device. Business tracks 25 devices starting at $149.95 per month which is approximately $6.00 per month per device. Compatibility Hoverwatch is compatible with Android devices, Windows PCs and Macs. It is compatible with Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, and 10.15 Catalina. Its been updated to monitor Android 9.0 and Windows 10. Requirements Hoverwatch Requirements for Android Device Monitoring Rating & Conclusion Hoverwatch is great for someone who is looking to monitor multiple Android devices simultaneously. It is reasonably priced and has more than enough features to track your target device well, but the glaring omission is the compatibility with iOS. There are so many iPhone users out there, and the fact that this is not compatible with any of their devices is a real shame because that automatically puts Hoverwatch out of consideration. For Android users though, you get great value with Hoverwatch. Though it is missing features that are available on its more expensive competitors, it still has more than enough for you to be able to properly monitor your kid’s activity.Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch is a parental control software that was created by Refog. The software was first released in 2002 with frequent updates providing added functionality and bug fixes. Hoverwatch is compatible with most Android as well as Windows and Mac systems that were released after 2003, but its functionality may vary across the platforms. You can monitor multiple devices simultaneously, giving you access to all relevant data regardless of the device that is being used. PLAN COST Personal (1 Device) 1 month $24.95 3 months $59.95 12 months $99.95 Professional (5 Devices) 1 month $49.95 3 months $99.95 12 months @199.95 Business (25 Devices) 1 month $149.95 3 months $299.95 12 months $499.95
(4.5 / 5)
How to Choose Spy apps for Android or iPhone
When choosing the right application to use for monitoring your kids, there are many things to consider. There’s the price of the application, the functionality, but most importantly, the compatibility with your device. Remember to look at the fine print to see what exactly you are getting and do your research to figure out which is the best one to use for you use case. But before anything else, make sure the parental control software can run on the device in the first place.
The best parental control app for iphone is not necessarily the best parental control app for android. Though a lot of the applications package both versions similarly, each operating system has their weaknesses and limitations. You can maximize functionality of tracking and monitoring by rooting or jailbreaking the target device, but this comes with its own risks (you void your device’s warranty).
iOS devices have the advantage of having iCloud backups which conveniently keep all the data stored in the cloud automatically, but Android device do not have an equivalent of that. You will need to have physical access to the device, and you will most likely need to root it.
So, consider just how much information you need. If you really need a full suite of features, you will most likely have to jailbreak or root the device. If you want a more convenient, non-intrusive way to access data, consider using an iOS device. If you are not willing to void the warranty on your phone, understand that you will only get limited functionality from whichever spying app you choose.
Key Features of Spying Apps
The different spy apps have their own unique functionalities and features, but many of what they offer overlap. This is because they understand these features are really the must-haves when it comes to device monitoring, and they need to include them in their package. Here are some of the features you must look for when looking for the right parental control app.
- GPS Phone Tracking
Arguably the most important feature for parental control is GPS tracking. If your child is not home by curfew, you can get that peace of mind by unobtrusively checking where they are. It is up to you to discipline them afterwards for being late.
The best spying apps offer more than just a live location though. Some let you track location over time and others let you set geofences. For example, you can set a geofence around your child’s school to get an alert every time they leave. For security reasons, being able to track location is one of the most important abilities to have.
- Message Monitoring
The most common way people communicate nowadays is through messaging, either text or online. As such, being able to monitor that form of communication is vital in keeping track of the interactions your child is having. For all you know, your child might be getting cyberbullied or manipulated by a predator, so there are a lot of uses for being able to monitor messages. You can even keep track of if your child is being the bully and do something about it.
- Phone Contacts
Keeping track of your child’s network is a way to ensure that they are not hanging with the wrong crowd. You can also monitor if the people your child is interacting with is of the right age group for them to ensure their well-being and safety.
- Web Browsing History
The ability to see your child’s browser history gives you an insight into what they are interested in. More importantly, if they end up on dangerous websites or search things related to depression or suicide, you will be able to address them before it is too late.
- Call History
Just like with monitoring messages, viewing the call logs and call history can help you monitor your child’s interactions. Knowing who and when they get in touch can say a lot about the kind of relationship they have and if you need to do something about it.
Buying Guide
When choosing the right parental control app, take into account the price, compatibility, and the feature set. If you need a full suite of features, be willing to spend a bit more to gain access to them. If you are on a budget, there are several options available that still give you a good set of features for a fraction of the price of the others.
In terms of compatibility, make sure the software you are getting can run on the device you want to monitor. More importantly, choose if you want your device to be jailbroken or rooted to be able to gain access to the most robust features. There are those that offer non-jailbroken solutions but be aware that their functionalities are limited. We recommend you to go with spybubble, spyera, Thetruthspy & mobistealth
Once you take into account how much you are willing to spend and the compatibility of your device, do your research to determine which set of features best suits you and your child. If you know that they utilize a lot of third-party apps, consider the jailbroken, premium solutions. If you want to record calls, there are only specific applications that can do that. If you just want to track messages and location, go for the more budget-friendly options.
Also, do not be afraid to spend cash on these services. There may be those that advertise themselves as the best free parental control app for iphone and Android, but the bargain might just end up being a nightmare for you. More often than not, you get what you pay for, and since we are talking about the safety and security of your child, do not be frugal. You may also know that How To Track A Phone Without Them Knowing
Spy App FAQ
Do Spying Apps Really work?
Yes, spy apps do work and can give you access to dozens of data points on the target phone. Usually, these apps work in the background and completely discrete, so the person using the device will not even be aware that they are being monitored. However, there are many applications out there which are scams, so tread carefully and do your research beforehand.
What apps work without access to the target phone?
Some apps, like mSpy, can be installed remotely even if they are not jailbroken. You only gain access to a handful of features since it uses iCloud data, but you will still be able to monitor data like location, messages, and contacts.
Can you track the location of a phone through the spy apps?
Yes. Most if not all tracking apps have some form of location tracking. mSpy and FlexiSPY even let you keep track of a device’s location even if it is not connected to the internet.
How do spy apps work?
After downloading and installing the monitoring app on the target device, the data is transferred through the cloud to the control panel or dashboard which is accessible by the user. Sometimes, the installed app itself will be the one to access the data of the phone and does the delivery itself. Other times, the application accesses an existing database such as iCloud in order to gather data.
Are spy apps legal?
Spy apps are loaded with tracking and monitoring features, but some admittedly enter a gray area of legality. For example, audio recording is usually illegal, so understand the repercussions you may face if you utilize such a feature. If you want to be sure about being in the clear, purchase the device you wish to monitor yourself as you can install whatever software you want on the device that you own.
Conclusion
After going through the different parental control apps for this review, two apps stand out above the rest. In terms of the available features, FlexiSPY stands out and is arguably the best parental control app for android because it has the most comprehensive set of features, unmatched by anything else out there. However, you need to jailbreak your iOS device in order to get it to work properly on your iPhone. That is where mSpy comes in.
mSpy has almost all the features that FlexiSPY has but with the added option of tracking a non-jailbroken device. It is only missing call and ambient sound recording, but those are features which are basically illegal in the US. mSpy, on the other hand, is perfectly legal and provides all the other features its competitors offer. With all the data it can track on iPhone, be it jailbroken or non-jailbroken, mSpy is clearly the best parental control app for iphone.
If you are looking for a solution suitable for a variety of devices, it is hard to go wrong with mSpy. Though all of the options reviewed here have competent sets of features and are reasonable priced, as a whole package, if we had to pick one over the rest, it would be mSpy.
