Parental control apps have become increasingly popular as smartphones and internet access expose children to more potential dangers online. Apps like KidsGuard Pro and mSpy allow parents to monitor their kids’ activities on phones and tablets, block inappropriate apps and websites, and track locations. But which parental control app is better in 2024 – KidsGuard or mSpy?
This comprehensive KidsGuard versus mSpy comparison reviews the key features, capabilities, pricing, and user experience of both parental monitoring apps. Read on for our full analysis of KidsGuard Pro vs mSpy.
Comparison of Key Features
The ability to control and restrict apps, track location history, filter web content, and monitor social media are some of the most important features of parental control apps. Here is how KidsGuard and mSpy stack up in these key categories:
App Control and Blocking
Both KidsGuard and mSpy enable parents to block apps, set time limits for app usage, and restrict phone functionality based on schedules.
KidsGuard allows for app blocking on Android. On iOS devices, KidsGuard lacks app blocking but provides detailed reporting insights on app use. Parents may also want to compare KidGuard Pro vs Bark for iOS control.
mSpy offers robust app control and scheduling for both Android and iOS. Parents can fully restrict app usage on kids’ iOS and Android phones.
Overall, mSpy provides superior app blocking and time limit capabilities on both mobile operating systems.
Location Tracking
To keep tabs on their kids’ whereabouts, parents rely on location tracking features.
KidsGuard tracks location every 5 minutes with decent accuracy. It also compiles location history reports.
mSpy locates an iOS or Android device every 5 to 15 minutes depending on package. An interactive map makes it easy for parents to check location history and geofences.
For frequent location check-ins and interactive maps, mSpy is preferable for parents wanting the best location tracking.
Web Filtering and Monitoring
Both KidsGuard and mSpy let parents block inappropriate websites and filter content categories.
KidsGuard’s web filter for Android allows blocking of website categories like social media, adult content, or violence. On iOS, it lacks web blocking but provides web activity reports.
mSpy also filters websites into categories, but goes beyond KidsGuard in offering real-time web monitoring. This instant filtering shows which sites kids access.
Social Media Monitoring
Since social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat are kids’ favorites, the ability to monitor messages and posts is key.
KidsGuard provides social media monitoring for Android apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok. For iOS it only offers after-the-fact reporting.
mSpy delivers robust social media monitoring across both Android and iOS, including call logs and messages for WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and more.
Time Schedules and Restrictions
The ability to set time limits for app use helps parents ensure kids don’t spend too much time glued to the phone screen.
Both KidsGuard and mSpy provide time restrictions to limit daily or weekly phone and app use.
mSpy offers more customizable scheduling and time limits based on specific apps or categories. It also integrates Apple’s built-in Screen Time feature for iOS devices.
Pricing and Plans
KidsGuard Pro and mSpy both offer monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscription plans. Here is an overview of their pricing:
| Plan Duration | KidsGuard Pricing (per month) | mSpy Pricing Range (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $49.99 | $29.99 to $199.99 |
| Quarterly | $27.99 | $19.99 to $149.99 |
| Yearly | $17.99 | $11.66 to $83.33 |
mSpy offers four pricing tiers (Basic, Premium, Family, and Business) depending on the number of devices covered and monitoring features. It can be more affordable than KidsGuard for parents who need multi-device support and advanced features.
Ease of Use
When it comes to accessing parental insights and setting controls, the user experience is very important.
Both mSpy and KidsGuard offer user-friendly dashboard interfaces. mSpy provides slightly more intuitive navigation and organization of data logs.
In terms of notifications, KidsGuard’s real-time alerts are decent but basic. mSpy sends more customizable instant notifications when specified activities occur.
For setting restrictions, mSpy makes the process straightforward for parents within the central dashboard and app.
Customer Support and Reliability
Solid customer support and stability are vital when entrusting an app to monitor your children.
In terms of reliability, both KidsGuard and mSpy are proven stable apps that don’t tend to have many glitches or bugs.
For customer support, mSpy edges out KidsGuard with more responsive 24/7 live chat and ticket support when parents need assistance.
Verdict: Which Parental Control App is Better?
When comparing the capabilities of KidsGuard versus mSpy, mSpy comes out ahead for its consistent feature set across iOS and Android, real-time monitoring, location accuracy, social media tracking, and pricing options.
The areas where mSpy parental control shines compared to KidsGuard include:
- App blocking for both iOS and Android devices
- Real-time web monitoring instead of just reporting
- Interactive location history maps
- Expansive social media monitoring including messages
- More customizable time schedules and restrictions
- Lower pricing, especially for multi-device families
- Superior customer support via 24/7 live chat
KidsGuard does offer decent functionality like web filtering for Android and basic time schedules and restrictions. However, the gaps in its iOS monitoring and support mean mSpy is the better all-around parental control value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test mSpy or KidsGuard before buying a subscription?
mSpy offers a worry-free 2-day trial on iOS devices so parents can test it out. KidsGuard currently does not offer a free trial period.
What forms of payment do the apps accept?
Both mSpy and KidsGuard accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. mSpy also accepts cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
How long is the subscription period?
Subscriptions can be monthly, quarterly, or yearly for both mSpy and KidsGuard. Longer 1 or 2 year commitments offer the best savings.
Can I use KidsGuard or mSpy with my child’s computer?
At this time, both apps only monitor mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. They do not cover computers or laptops.
Is it worth paying more for premium features?
The premium packages of mSpy are recommended since they provide access to the full breadth of monitoring features. Start with Premium or Family plans rather than Basic.
Which app is easier to set up and use?
mSpy and KidsGuard both offer pretty straightforward setup processes. However, mSpy provides the most intuitive parental dashboard and controls overall.
Can my child detect the app?
As long as you follow the installation instructions properly, neither app is detectable. The apps run silently in the background without obvious traces.
What if my child has an iPhone and Android phone?
mSpy supports monitoring of both iPhone and Android devices under one subscription. With KidsGuard you’d need two separate subscriptions.
Which app has better customer support?
mSpy offers readily available 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, phone, and ticketing for any issues. KidsGuard’s support options are more limited.
In summary, while both KidsGuard and mSpy offer helpful parental monitoring tools, mSpy provides the most complete set of robust features optimized for both iOS and Android monitoring.
For worried parents wanting to keep a close eye on their kids’ digital behaviors and relationships, mSpy can provide greater transparency and peace of mind. Parents may also find it useful to compare mSpy vs Bark and mSpy vs Teensafe.
