FamilyTime is a popular parental control app designed to help monitor and manage kids’ digital activities across their smartphones and tablets. With features ranging from screen time limits to location tracking, FamilyTime aims to give parents visibility and control over their children’s mobile usage.
But how does it actually stack up? In this ultimate guide, we’ll dive into real FamilyTime reviews to highlight the pros, cons, features, pricing, and more. Whether you’re considering FamilyTime for your own family or just curious what other parents think, read on for the full scoop.
An Overview of FamilyTime’s Capabilities
Let’s start with a quick rundown of what FamilyTime offers:
- Screen time scheduling – Set daily or weekly limits on overall device use or individual apps
- App blocking – Remotely block access to specific apps right from the parent dashboard
- Web filtering – Block websites across 3 categories like pornography, drugs, abortion
- Location tracking – View real-time location and location history of your child’s device
- Geofencing – Get notified when your kid enters or leaves a set geographic area
- Panic button – Kid can send SOS alert to notify parent of emergency
- Text message monitoring – Read your kid’s SMS messages and see contacts
- YouTube/TikTok monitoring – Get visibility into kids’ activities on these platforms
- Driving safety – Receive alerts when teen is speeding (iPhone only currently)
- Remote locking – Temporarily lock child’s device during dinner, school, etc.
That covers a broad overview of FamilyTime’s monitoring and restriction capabilities for parents. Now let’s get into real user reviews across the web to see how FamilyTime stacks up in families’ hands.
Review Roundup: What Real Users Are Saying
I analyzed dozens of FamilyTime reviews across app stores, forums, blogs, and parenting sites to curate a comprehensive look at actual user experiences. Here are the key themes that emerged:
Pros
- Easy to set up and intuitive UI – Most reviewers said FamilyTime is straightforward to install and simple for parents to navigate
- Reliable app/internet blocking – Blocking and scheduling features generally work as advertised to restrict kids’ access
- Helpful time management tools – Parents like the granular time limits for apps and ability to incentivize good behavior
- Accurate location tracking – FamilyTime’s location monitoring provides real-time updates on kids’ whereabouts
- Reasonable pricing – For the features provided, most find FamilyTime reasonably affordable
Cons
- Limited platform support – FamilyTime only works on iOS and Android devices currently
- Can be detected – Savvy kids may realize FamilyTime is installed and try to uninstall it
- No email/social media monitoring – Unlike competitors, FamilyTime does not monitor emails or social media
- Short free trial – The 3-day free trial does not provide full access to test all features
- Must pay annually – FamilyTime only offers annual subscription plans rather than month-to-month
In general, reviewers agree that FamilyTime provides robust parental controls and is easy to use, though it lacks monitoring capabilities on some platforms and communications channels.
Next, let’s take a deeper look at FamilyTime’s features versus the competition.
How FamilyTime Compares on Features
FamilyTime covers core parental control functionality like screen time limits, location tracking, and web filtering. But how does it stack up to competitors on specific feature sets? Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Screen Time Limits
- FamilyTime: Allows parents to set daily or weekly limits on overall device use or individual apps. Time limits can also be scheduled for specific times/days.
- Qustodio: Similarly offers daily schedules and time limits per app or category. Also includes a distraction-free “Study Time” mode.
- Bark: Bark has daily usage limits and the ability to block apps entirely. But less flexibility than FamilyTime for granular time restrictions.
Winner: FamilyTime narrowly wins for the most flexible and customizable screen time restrictions.
Web Filtering
- FamilyTime: Web filter has only 3 categories (pornography, drugs/abortion, dating/gambling). No custom site blocking.
- Qustodio: Robust web filter with over 14 categories plus ability to block specific sites. Different profiles for each kid.
- Bark: Uses AI to detect and block inappropriate sites across a wide range of categories. Also blocks by keyword.
Winner: Qustodio’s vastly superior web filtering capabilities make it the winner.
Social Media Monitoring
- FamilyTime: Can view usage time but no monitoring capabilities for social media content.
- Qustodio: Tracks time on social apps and blocks inappropriate content based on keywords/AI.
- Bark: 24/7 monitoring of texts, YouTube, email, and 30+ social apps. Detects threats like cyberbullying.
Winner: Bark offers the most social media tracking and analysis making it the winner.
Location Tracking
- FamilyTime: Real-time GPS tracking and location history available. Geofencing alerts.
- Qustodio: Live location tracking with custom places and arrival/departure alerts. Location history.
- Bark: Monitors location and movements with detailed history and mapping. Geofence creation.
Winner: All 3 provide extensive location monitoring with FamilyTime being the most full-featured.
Remote Management
- FamilyTime: Parent dashboard allows changing restrictions and viewing usage remotely. Can also pause devices.
- Qustodio: Robust parent dashboard to adjust settings and restrictions on the fly. Advanced device management.
- Bark: Allows parents to update settings and enables remote device locking. Decent controls.
Winner: Qustodio’s extremely powerful dashboard tools make it the winner.
Based on these key categories, you can see that FamilyTime holds its own on core features like time management and location tracking. But competitors like Qustodio and Bark outperform FamilyTime in areas like web filtering and social media oversight.
Now let’s move onto FamilyTime’s pricing and plans.
FamilyTime Pricing Breakdown
FamilyTime offers several subscription tiers depending on the number of devices you want to monitor:
Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Devices Covered |
---|---|---|---|
MyFamily | $2.25 | $27 | 1 device |
MyFamily 2 | $2.92 | $35 | 2 devices |
MyFamily 3 | $3.75 | $45 | 3 devices |
MyFamily 5 | $5.75 | $69 | 5 devices |
- All plans include the full feature set
- Must pay annually rather than monthly installments
- 3 day free trial (with credit card required)
Compared to competitors like Qustodio and Bark, FamilyTime delivers robust parental controls at a very reasonable price point. The annual subscription ensures you get the lowest rates.
Some key takeaways on FamilyTime’s pricing options:
- Provides full features at the lowest “MyFamily” tier
- Very affordable compared to competitors
- Lack of monthly billing may be inconvenient for some
- Free trial useful but short at just 3 days
Up next, let’s go over the installation and setup process.
Getting Set Up with FamilyTime
The overall setup process for FamilyTime is relatively straightforward, though does require downloading the app directly rather than just using the app store. Here are the steps:
- Purchase a FamilyTime subscription on their website
- Download the FamilyTime app from their website (not the app store)
- Create a parent account and profiles for your kids
- Install app on your kid’s device
- Accept all the needed permissions like location, notifications, etc.
- Set a strong PIN code to prevent uninstall
- Adjust restrictions and monitoring settings as desired
Many reviewers mentioned that downloading directly from the FamilyTime site rather than the app store ensured full functionality. The installation wizard clearly guides parents through the necessary permissions and device administration settings.
However, some users noted that the setup steps could be simpler, and that the process took 15-20 minutes total. But overall, most found it easy enough for even non-technical parents to get up and running.
Now let’s discuss parents’ experiences using FamilyTime on an ongoing basis.
Real-World Usage Impressions
While features and pricing are important, how does FamilyTime fare in actual long-term use? Here are some of the most common themes from parents’ hands-on experiences:
- The time limits and scheduling features work reliably to restrict kids’ access once set up properly. Attempts to access apps during blocked times are consistently blocked.
- The location tracking provides an accurate view of kids’ whereabouts in real-time. Location history also provides details on past movements and places visited.
- The web filtering blocks prohibited sites successfully, though lacks more granular categories or custom site blocking compared to competitors.
- While effective on Android and iOS, FamilyTime lacks any desktop or computer support currently.
- The mobile parent app provides a convenient way to remotely monitor usage and adjust restrictions from anywhere.
- Certain features like social media monitoring, email tracking, and usage analytics are not as detailed as some competing services.
- Customer support via live chat and email is very responsive in resolving account issues.
- Uninstall prevention works well as long as the device PIN code remains secret. Device cannot be used normally if app is deleted.
- For maximum effectiveness, FamilyTime requires full disclosure and cooperation from kids to function smoothly long-term.
The overall consensus from hands-on use reveals FamilyTime’s strengths around time management and location tracking, while noting gaps in analytical capabilities versus rivals. Open communication with kids is also key for sustained success.
Key Takeaways
After diving into numerous FamilyTime parental control app reviews, a few core themes and recommendations emerge:
- For Complete Visibility: FamilyTime lacks monitoring of social media, email, and desktop activity. Rivals like Bark provide fuller oversight.
- For Flexible Time Controls: No service matches the breadth of FamilyTime’s scheduling and time limit tools. Great for managing device addiction.
- For Unbreakable Restrictions: Savvy kids can work around FamilyTime’s protections if not implemented properly. Discuss rules openly.
- For Travel Safety: FamilyTime’s location tracking provides assurance when kids are away from home or commuting independently.
- For Budget-Conscious Parents: At under $5/month, FamilyTime delivers excellent value for cost-conscious families.
- For iOS/Android Only: Unlike competitors, FamilyTime does not work on computers or support Windows/MacOS.
As with any parental control app, FamilyTime works best as part of an overall strategy incorporating open communication with kids and proper device management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions from parents considering FamilyTime:
Does FamilyTime work on iPads or other tablets?
Yes, FamilyTime works across iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. You can monitor unlimited mobile devices on the premium plan.
Can kids remove or get around FamilyTime restrictions?
Kids cannot uninstall FamilyTime without the PIN code. However, tech-savvy kids could potentially find workarounds if they have device access. Set rules openly with kids to prevent this.
Is the FamilyTime dashboard web-based or an app?
The parent dashboard can be accessed via web browser or using the FamilyTime parental app for iOS and Android.
Does FamilyTime monitor texts or social media activity?
FamilyTime shows who your child is texting and their call logs, but does not capture text message content. It also does not monitor social media activity.
Can I pause my kids’ devices whenever needed?
Yes, parents can instantly pause devices at any time to temporarily block access. Useful for emergencies or enforcing breaks.
Does FamilyTime work outside the home?
Yes, FamilyTime functions anywhere on cellular data or WiFi networks, enabling location tracking and device restrictions remotely.
What forms of payment does FamilyTime accept?
FamilyTime accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Payment is required upfront for annual subscription plans.
Can I try FamilyTime for free before paying?
FamilyTime offers a free 3-day trial that provides full access to all premium features. Requires credit card info.
What age range is FamilyTime designed for?
FamilyTime is intended for children approximately 5 years old through the late teens. Contract requires parental consent for kids under 13.
Is there a money-back guarantee if unsatisfied?
All payments are non-refundable according to the FamilyTime terms, so there is no money-back guarantee. Check trial first.
Final Thoughts
FamilyTime provides comprehensive parental controls focused primarily on managing kids’ screen time and location. For families concerned with device addiction and online safety, FamilyTime delivers robust tracking and blocking capabilities at affordable pricing tiers.
While it lacks the deeper analytical insights or cross-platform support seen with some competitors, overall reviews suggest FamilyTime satisfies most parents’ core requirements with flexible time management tools and always-on location visibility.
Bolstered by responsive customer support, FamilyTime represents an easy-to-use and budget-friendly option for monitoring children’s mobile usage and whereabouts. Just be sure to openly discuss rules with your kids and take advantage of the free trial period to confirm it aligns with your family’s needs.