Parental control apps have become increasingly popular with the rise of social media and more time spent online. With so many options out there, it can be tough deciding between WebWatcher and Bark, two of the most well-known parental monitoring apps. This comprehensive comparison covers all the key factors to help you determine which platform is right for your family’s needs and budget.
Introduction
In today’s digital age, kids are exposed to content not meant for their age group more than ever before. From social media to search engines, the internet poses many risks.
Parental control apps like WebWatcher and Bark empower parents to protect and monitor their kids’ online activities. But how do you know which one to choose?
This in-depth WebWatcher vs Bark comparison will go through:
- Key features of each parental control app
- Pricing and value
- Pros and cons of both platforms
- Frequently asked questions
- Final recommendation based on use case
By the end, you’ll know exactly which parental monitoring software is the better fit for your family.
What is WebWatcher?
WebWatcher is a comprehensive parental monitoring app that tracks and logs your child’s phone, tablet and computer activities.
Some key features include:
- Social media monitoring – Records Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media conversations.
- Text message logging – Logs all SMS texts sent and received.
- Website and search tracking – Records web browsing history and search terms.
- Geofencing alerts – Get notifications when your child leaves or enters set locations.
- Screenshot capture – Take random screenshots to see phone activity.
- Invisible mode – App runs hidden in the background.
WebWatcher has four pricing plans ranging from $99.99 to $349.99 per year based on features. It’s available for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows devices. For a comparison to another top player, see Webwatcher vs mSpy.
Pros
- Comprehensive features and platform support
- Advanced social media and text monitoring
- Free 3-day trial
Cons
- Expensive compared to competitors
- No keyword alert blocking
- Mixed reviews on app reliability
Overall, WebWatcher offers robust surveillance capabilities for very protective parents. But the higher price and steeper learning curve may outweigh the extra features.
What is Bark?
Bark takes a more lightweight approach focused on safeguarding kids using AI and filtering.
Key features of Bark include:
- Content filtering – Blocks inappropriate apps, sites, search results.
- Alert word blocking – Get alerts for detecting concerning phrases.
- Activity reviews – Summary reports of your child’s activities.
- SMS and email alerts – Notifies you of issues in real-time.
- Web filter – Block categories like drugs, alcohol, explicit content.
Bark offers monthly plans from $9 to $99 based on number of kids monitored. It’s available on iOS, Android, Kindle, Chromebook and Windows.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Easy to set up and use
- Customizable alerts for concerning content
Cons
- Less robust than competitors
- Cannot monitor social media messages
- Mixed accuracy on alerts
Bark takes a lighter approach focused on protection rather than covert surveillance. It offers solid monitoring essentials at an affordable price point. But how do you know which one to choose? There are also competitors like Kidslox vs Bark and OurPact vs Bark to evaluate.
WebWatcher vs Bark: Key Feature Comparison
Let’s compare the monitoring and filtering capabilities of WebWatcher vs Bark head-to-head:
| Feature | WebWatcher | Bark |
|---|---|---|
| Platform availability | iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | iOS, Android, Kindle, Chromebook, Windows |
| Content filtering | Decent | Very good |
| Social media monitoring | Very good | None |
| Text message logging | Yes | No |
| Geofencing alerts | Yes | No |
| Alert word blocking | No | Yes |
| Data security | Lacking | Very good |
| Ease of use | Steep learning curve | Very easy |
From this overview, you can see:
- WebWatcher offers stronger social media and text monitoring but weaker security. It also has a steeper learning curve.
- Bark excels at content filtering and ease of use. But it lacks social media monitoring.
Overall, Bark focuses more on protection while WebWatcher takes a surveillance-based approach. Consider which aligns better with your goals.
WebWatcher vs Bark: Pricing Comparison
Pricing plays a key role in deciding between WebWatcher and Bark. Here’s an overview of their plans:
WebWatcher Pricing
- WebWatcher Basic: $99.99/year
- WebWatcher Premier: $149.99/year
- WebWatcher Ultimate: $199.99/year
- WebWatcher Pro: $349.99/year
The higher tiers add features like call logging, remote access, multiple device monitoring and more.
Bark Pricing
- Bark Junior: $9/month or $99/year
- Bark Teen: $14/month or $149/year
- Bark Family: $19/month or $199/year
Bark plans differ based on number of kids covered. Family covers up to 5 kids.
When evaluating cost, Bark clearly provides strong value. Its base plan is only $9 per month compared to $99.99 per year for WebWatcher’s cheapest option.
If budget is a top concern, Bark has a clear pricing advantage. But WebWatcher offers generous bundled plans if you want every feature.
Which is Better: WebWatcher or Bark?
So when all factors are considered, which parental control app comes out on top – WebWatcher or Bark?
Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons:
WebWatcher
- Pros: Very robust features, customizable alerts
- Cons: Expensive, reliability issues, steeper learning
Bark
- Pros: Budget friendly, very easy to use, solid content filtering
- Cons: No text or social media monitoring, some inaccurate alerts
Overall, Bark is the best choice for most families thanks to its affordable pricing and ease of use. WebWatcher offers more advanced capabilities but is overkill for many parents.
However, WebWatcher may be preferable in certain use cases:
- You want to closely monitor all texts and social media.
- Your child has a concerning online behavior or friends.
- Budget is not a major concern.
But for most parents looking for general online protection at a fair price, Bark has the advantage. It provides robust content filtering without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can WebWatcher or Bark monitor TikTok?
Unfortunately neither app can directly monitor TikTok messages or videos at this time. However, both can block and limit TikTok usage.
Do these apps work on iPhone?
Yes, WebWatcher and Bark both offer iOS support and work on iPhones. Setup may differ compared to Android.
What happens if my child deletes the app?
Both apps run undetectably in the background once installed. Deleting the main app icon will not disable monitoring.
Can Bark or WebWatcher recover deleted texts?
No, neither app can recover deleted texts or social media messages. They can only monitor existing data.
Conclusion
Protecting kids online is more important than ever in the digital age. Bark and WebWatcher both empower parents with robust monitoring tools.
For most families, Bark is the best option offering excellent content filtering at an affordable price. It’s easy to use out of the box.
But power users wanting maximum oversight into texts and social media may find WebWatcher worth the premium price.
Think carefully about your specific needs and budget. And consider using a free trial to test drive the apps firsthand. With the right parental control software in place, you can keep your child’s online experiences safe.
