Parental control apps have become increasingly popular as more parents look to monitor and restrict their kids’ screen time and online activities. Two of the top options on the market today are Kidslox and Qustodio. But how do you decide which one is right for your family?
This comprehensive Kidslox vs Qustodio comparison reviews the key features, pricing, ease of use, and other factors to help you determine the best parental control app. See how Kidslox compares to Kidslox vs Bark and Kidslox vs OurPact.
What is Kidslox?
Kidslox is a parental control app that enables parents to set time limits, block apps and websites, track location, and more. Some of the main features include:
- App Blocking: Prevent access to specific apps like social media, games, etc.
- Web Filtering: Block websites by category or blacklist specific URLs.
- Time Limits: Set daily or weekly screen time allowances that automatically shut off device access.
- Location Tracking: See where your child’s device is in real-time and receive alerts when they arrive or leave key locations.
- Usage Reports: Review reports on app usage, websites visited, and total daily screen time.
Kidslox pricing starts at $7.99 per month for up to 5 devices. It’s available for both Android and iOS.
Overall, Kidslox provides robust parental controls in an easy-to-use interface. The time limits and location tracking features are particularly useful.
What is Qustodio?
Qustodio is another leading parental control app that offers similar functionality to monitor kids’ online activities. Key Qustodio features include:
- Social Media Monitoring: View social media activity across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.
- Web Filtering: Block website access by category or add specific sites to a blacklist.
- Time Management: Enforce daily time limits and set schedules to restrict access during certain hours.
- Location Tracking: Locate your child’s device on a map in real-time or set up geofenced areas.
- Panic Button: Kids can press emergency button to instantly call parents if needed.
Qustodio has free and premium versions. The premium plan costs $54.95 per year for up to 15 devices. It’s available for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Kindle.
Qustodio is great for its social media monitoring capabilities and extensive platform support. The panic button also adds an extra level of security.
Kidslox vs Qustodio: Feature Comparison
Now let’s compare the key features of Kidslox and Qustodio head-to-head:
App Blocking
- Kidslox: Block access to any apps. Manually add them or use preset categories like social media, games, etc.
- Qustodio: Similarly allows blocking apps by manually adding them or using categories. Overall app blocking capabilities are very close between the two.
Website Blocking
- Kidslox: Block websites by category or add specific URLs to blacklist. Supports Google SafeSearch.
- Qustodio: Also filters websites by category and allows custom URL blocking. Slightly more website categories to choose from.
Time Limits & Schedules
- Kidslox: Set daily or weekly time limits that cut off access when reached. Also schedule specific access times.
- Qustodio: Provides the same daily/weekly time limits and customizable schedules and access hours. Both apps are identical in this regard.
Location Tracking
- Kidslox: Real-time location tracking on a map. Create geofences and get alerts when child arrives or leaves an area.
- Qustodio: Very similar real-time location tracking and geofencing capabilities. Slight advantage to Qustodio for having a panic button feature.
Social Media Monitoring
- Kidslox: Can block social media apps but no monitoring of activity within them.
- Qustodio: Big advantage here. It monitors social media activity across many platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more.
Usage Reports & Notifications
- Kidslox: Parents can review reports on apps used, websites visited, location history, time spent, and more. Email summaries also available.
- Qustodio: Provides the same detailed usage reports and email summaries for parents. Both are equal here.
In terms of core features, Qustodio comes out slightly ahead with the addition of robust social media monitoring. But Kidslox nearly matches it in most other parental control capabilities.
Ease of Use
When it comes to how easy these tools are to use, both Kidslox and Qustodio score well:
- Onboarding: The setup process is quick and simple for both apps with step-by-step instructions. Qustodio may take slightly longer given the additional social media linking.
- User Interface: Kidslox and Qustodio have clean, modern interfaces. Options are clearly labeled and menus are easy to navigate.
- Ongoing Use: With both apps, parents can easily adjust settings and restrictions as needed on the fly. The Dashboards provide quick access to all controls.
Overall, Kidslox may have a marginal advantage for faster onboarding. But the day-to-day parental controls are extremely intuitive on both platforms.
Mobile & Desktop Access
It’s important to consider how broadly available each parental control system is across different devices:
- Kidslox: Available as mobile apps for iOS and Android. But no desktop support for Mac, Windows, etc.
- Qustodio: Offers apps for iOS, Android, Kindle. Also has desktop clients for Mac, Windows, Chromebook.
- Cross-Platform: Kidslox does not allow simultaneous access on multiple devices. Qustodio has better cross-device support.
Qustodio is the winner when it comes to supporting more platforms. Parents who want parental controls across mobile, desktop, laptop, and tablet will have better luck with Qustodio.
Customer Support
Reliable customer service is important when issues inevitably come up. Here’s how Kidslox and Qustodio compare:
- Kidslox: Provides 24/7 live chat and email support. Parents report relatively fast response times.
- Qustodio: Offers phone, email, and chat support with longer hours. But some parents complain of slow and poor customer service.
- Resources: Both have comprehensive FAQs and knowledge bases to find help articles. Kidslox has fewer how-to videos.
Overall, Kidslox appears to offer slightly better and more responsive customer service. But Qustodio provides multiple support channels, giving parents more options to get help.
Privacy & Security
For any parental control app, privacy and security should be top priorities.
- Kidslox: Uses data encryption, VPNs, and other measures to protect user data. Does not sell or share data with third parties.
- Qustodio: Also uses encryption and security protocols to safeguard user info. Explicitly states data is not sold.
- Potential Risks: Some concerns over Qustodio’s access to social media passwords. But overall these apps are equally secure.
Kidslox and Qustodio both take appropriate steps to protect user data and avoid privacy violations. Parents can feel safe with either platform in this regard.
The Verdict: Which Parental Control App is Best?
Based on this comprehensive comparison, a few key takeaways emerge:
- Features: Qustodio edges out Kidslox with social media monitoring and broader platform support. Both offer robust app blocking, web filters, time limits, etc.
- Ease of Use: Very similar here, though Kidslox has a simpler initial setup process.
- Customer Support: Slight win for Kidslox based on parent feedback, but Qustodio does provide more contact options.
- Price: Kidslox is more affordable at $7.99 per month vs $54.95 annually for Qustodio.
Overall, Qustodio is the best parental control app option for parents who want social media monitoring and access across all devices. However, Kidslox offers the core parental control features for a lower monthly price. It’s a great alternative for families on a budget primarily needing app and web blocking on mobile devices.
Both Kidslox and Qustodio offer user-friendly interfaces, great platform support, and comprehensive activity reporting. There’s no universally “best” pick. Evaluate your priorities to decide which solution fits your family’s needs.
FAQs About Kidslox and Qustodio
Does Kidslox work on Chromebook?
No, Kidslox does not currently have an app or extension that works on Chromebooks. It only supports iOS and Android mobile devices.
Can multiple parents use Qustodio to manage one child?
Yes, Qustodio allows multiple parent accounts to be set up so both parents can oversee controls for the child through the same app.
Do these apps slow down my child’s device?
In most cases, Kidslox and Qustodio do not significantly impact device performance or speed during normal use. The on-device VPN use may modestly slow downloads and videos.
Can Kidslox monitor calls and SMS messages?
No. Kidslox does not have any call or text monitoring functionality, unlike some other parental control apps. It focuses solely on restricting app and web access.
Does Qustodio block YouTube?
Qustodio can block the entire YouTube app if parents choose. But it cannot selectively filter or monitor YouTube content within the app once unblocked.
Conclusion
Kidslox and Qustodio both provide powerful parental controls to restrict app usage, filter web content, monitor location, and manage screen time. Qustodio outperforms in social media oversight and cross-platform availability. But Kidslox provides robust mobile-first parental controls for a lower price.
Carefully assess which features are essential for your family before deciding between these two options. See how OurPact vs Bark compare as alternatives. The optimal balance of protection, flexibility, and value differs for each household. With kids spending more and more time on devices, parental control apps like Kidslox and Qustodio remain useful tools for overseeing online safety.
