Google Family Link lets parents set screen time limits, approve app downloads, track location, and monitor Google activity on children's Android devices.
Each app below addresses a specific gap in Google Family Link's offering. We picked them based on real user review patterns and feature differentiation.
Apple Screen Time is built into iOS and macOS, offering app limits, downtime scheduling, content restrictions, and communication limits. Family Sharing lets parents manage all children's devices from one place without a separate app.
Explore Apple Screen Time data →Bark monitors texts, emails, and social media for signs of bullying, self-harm, explicit content, and danger rather than locking devices down. It alerts parents to concerning content without reading every message.
Explore Bark data →Qustodio provides screen time limits, app blocking, content filtering, location tracking, and detailed usage reports across Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. Its cross-platform consistency makes it strong for mixed-device families.
Explore Qustodio data →Circle attaches to home network infrastructure to filter content and set screen time limits for every connected device — including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and laptops. A separate Circle Go app extends control to mobile networks.
Explore Circle data →OurPact offers granular app blocking, scheduled screen time, and location tracking. Parents can grant or remove device access in real time from their own phone. It works on iOS and Android.
Explore OurPact data →Kaspersky Safe Kids provides website and app filtering, screen time scheduling, location tracking, and social media monitoring across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It is bundled with Kaspersky antivirus subscriptions.
Explore Kaspersky Safe Kids data →Family Link is built into Android and required for creating supervised Google accounts for children under 13 in the US.
No, Google Family Link only works on Android devices, Chromebooks, and the Chrome browser. For iPhones and iPads, Apple Screen Time is the built-in alternative.
Family Link can be bypassed if a child factory resets the device, which removes the supervision, or by accessing content via a different browser or account. No parental control is completely bypass-proof.
Family Link is designed for children under 13 to create supervised Google accounts, but parents can supervise teen accounts as well. Teens can request to unsupervise themselves, which requires parental approval.
App Vulture tracks parental control apps by platform coverage and feature depth. Qustodio is the strongest cross-platform option; see our full comparison for the best fit for your family.
Time Tracking alternatives.
Productivity alternatives.
Meal Kit Delivery alternatives.
Video Streaming and Content alternatives.