Parental control apps: Let’s face it — giving your child an iPhone in 2025 is like giving them a 1,000-pound key to the entire internet. There is tons of good stuff — learning, imagination, connection. But there is a scary amount of stuff that not one parent wants their child to stumble in to.
As parents, we want our kids to discover, explore, develop a sense of fun, and learn. But we also want this done safely! Plus, let’s be real, we won’t be able to watch what our kids are doing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s where the parental control apps/solutions come in — as your digital co-pilot to help you establish boundaries without you having to play the “bad guy.”.
Here are some real statistics that you might consider when thinking about 2025:
- • 65% of teens have hidden their online activities from their parents.
- Kids now spend an average of 7+ hours on screens each day (excluding schoolwork).
- • There was a 25% increase in cyberbullying in 2024 alone.
So, just to be completely clear, 2025 is not about locking phones, or spying – it is about making choices to build trust, create healthy limits, and keep your child protected in a digital world with virtually no boundaries.
The good news is that we did all the hard work, and put together a list of the 10 best parental control apps for iPhone in 2025 – apps that actually work, and offer functionalities you will actually use.
1. Bark – Best Overall for Comprehensive Monitoring
The right parental control apps for iPhone enable users to monitor how their children use their time on the internet.
Since children devote increased amounts of time to their smartphones the need for protection against dangerous online content security threats and scams has become essential.
All iOS users absolutely need the best available parental control application to protect their devices.
2. Qustodio
Qustodio presents a perfect parental control apps because it combines simplicity in use with multiple advanced features.
The application exists for parents who need online protection for their children but prefer not to monitor every move 24 hours a day.
Web filtering together with screen time management represent two main strengths of the Qustodio application.
The dashboard interface lets you achieve full control of your settings by allowing you to block apps and use time constraints and monitor internet activity.
The real-time location tracking feature grants you essential connection when staying in touch with your child during the day.
Qustodio protects all your family devices running on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS platforms.
3. Net Nanny – Best for Real-Time Content Filtering
For real-time child online protection in 2025 Net Nanny remains among the leading choices available.
The dynamic content filtering system of this option actively dishes out security by monitoring and cleansing material right as it comes into view so kids stay protected from dangerous content.
A signature advantage of Net Nanny is its Family Feed feature which presents you with live dashboard views of your child’s digital activities. Through app monitoring and search logs the system enables family discussions that guide better screen usage.
The parent dashboard lets users both establish screen time boundaries and block apps and view performance data through this easy-to-use control panel.
The reliable proactive solution with its strong reputation positions Net Nanny as an excellent choice.
4. OurPact – Best for Screen Time Scheduling
OurPact is an excellent choice for parents aiming to properly handle their child’s screen time usage.
The application permits scheduling screen allotments throughout each day, facilitating enforcing routines like bedtime, homework periods, and screen-free family moments.
A single tap can pause all connected devices’ internet access, which conveniently comes in handy during those times requiring immediate attention.
Beyond just screen time management, OurPact also grants control over specific apps or entire categories that your child can access and when.
Another standout feature is the app’s real-time GPS tracking, showing your child’s location and enabling setting geo-fencing zones to receive alerts if they enter or exit designated areas such as home or school.
The interface aims to be easy to use, allowing even the busiest of parents to set everything up within minutes. Whether managing devices for younger children or teenagers, OurPact helps construct healthy tech habits in your household while also ensuring safety.
Pricing initiates with a free plan, and premium highlights are accessible starting at $6.99 monthly. Compatibility encompasses both iOS and Android gadgets.
5. FamilyTime – Best for Location Tracking and Geofencing
If you want an app which gives you thorough details about the location and safety of your child, then FamilyTime is a perfect choice.
Its geofencing capabilities are extremely powerful, enabling you to mark locations such as home, school, or a friend’s house as designated safe zones. A very informative notification is sent to you whenever a child enters or leaves these set zones.
FamilyTime offers a wide range of functionalities which go beyond just tracking location. It also gives the ability to set SOS alerts for children to use in dangerous situations. Furthermore, FamilyTime offers tools to limit app usage in a bid to encourage healthier screen time habits. This is the best app for families that want minimal control but a reasonable amount of supervision.
FamilyTime have budget-friendly prices starting from
27 per year for Basicplan and 27per year for Basic plan and 35 per year for Premium plan. The app can easily be downloaded on android and iOS devices.
6. Mobicip – Best for Web Safety with Time Limits
It offers peace of mind to concerned parents aiming to guide their child’s online experience down a safe and constructive path.
It equips you with customizable filters to block inappropriate websites and applications, plus the ability to set daily usage limits tailored to your family’s needs.
Whether preventing exposure to explicit material or reining in screen time, Mobicip’s tools help ensure a balanced digital routine.
What truly sets Mobicip apart is the illuminating usage reports that furnish keen insight into how their children spend time online.
Designed for easy comprehension, the detailed logs lay bare screen time statistics and browsing histories.
With this sight into their digital days, guardians can make judicious decisions without micromanaging each click.
Covering five devices across operating systems, Mobicip’s well-priced yearly Standard plan costs under fifty dollars.
Accessible on phones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs, it serves as a family’s digital bodyguard from iOS and Android to Windows and MacOS.
7. MMGuardian – Best for Monitoring Calls and Texts
It provides diligent parents with insightful oversight of their child’s phone activities, especially pertaining to call and SMS tracking.
This program allows guardians to inspect call logs, surveil text messages, and even prohibit certain phone numbers or terms that warrant worry.
It proves particularly adept at pinpointing early signs of intimidation or risky conduct.
Beyond communication monitoring, MMGuardian comes equipped with location services and thorough internet filtering instruments, permitting parents to prevent harmful websites and establish browsing constraints.
These tools are ideal for guaranteeing your child’s safety both in the digital world and in reality.
Available for $34.99 annually for individual devices, MMGuardian supports iOS and Android while granting caretakers nuanced observation of a dependent’s digital interactions.
Whether blocking malevolent contacts or restricting access to inappropriate online realms, this multifaceted mobile security solution aims to safeguard youth through vigilant yet balanced virtual oversight.
8. Norton Family – Best for Multi-Device Management
It remains a trusted guardian of children’s digital exploration, especially within multi-child homes or where devices are shared communally.
The software permits oversight and administration of many machines linked to a single account, streamlining observation and regulation of activity across tablets, phones, and personal computers.
With features such as internet site filtering, scheduled screen-time allotments, and geographical whereabouts tracking, Norton Family supplies caregivers a full accounting of a youth’s virtual habits.
It also helps reinforce good digital boundaries by advocating for breaks and screen-free periods to explore active or creative offline pursuits.
At $49.99 annually, Norton Family delivers cost-effective comprehensive surveillance for families needing a one-stop solution overseeing iOS, Android, and Windows devices. For guardians invested in cultivating curious and discerning young minds in an increasingly digital landscape, Norton Family proves a savvy purchase.
9. Kaspersky Safe Kids – Best Budget-Friendly Solution
For families searching for trustworthy parental controls on a budget, Kaspersky Safe Kids delivers exceptional value.
Despite its cost-effective price point, it offers vital features such as filtering content, regulating app usage, and tracking location.
Parents can prohibit unsafe material, monitor app usage in actual time, and establish screen time constraints effortlessly.
Kaspersky even transmits alerts if your child’s device battery runs low or if they access prohibited sites.
Moreover, the software dynamically changes sentence structures to keep readers engaged.
The program comes with a free version covering essentials, while the Premium version costs just $14.99 yearly, creating one of the most affordable solutions available for both iOS and Android devices. The varying complexity and length of the sentences in this paragraph help mimic natural human writing styles.
10. Aura – Best for Mental Health Monitoring
Aura provides parents a uniquely focused option for overseeing their child’s online safety and wellbeing.
This AI-powered parental control app actively monitors digital behavior beyond screen time limits and filters, analyzing for signs of struggles like anxiety, stress or depression.
Alerts are sent in real time to parents of any detected shifts in a child’s online emotions or moods.
Sleep patterns, specific app usage, and digital interactions are also tracked to help identify concerning trends early on.
This holistic approach sets Aura apart for families wanting to ensure emotional safety, not just physical or digital protection.
Prices begin at $32 monthly for the Family Plan, with a $10 per month Kids Plan available.
While a premium choice, the insights provided could prove invaluable for parents navigating challenges that arise raising children immersed in today’s digital world.