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SPECIFICTION
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OpenParental

github.com

Free plan AndroidSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.2 #35 of 107 in Parental control apps

What it is

OpenParental is free, open-source parental-control software for Android, built around visible, consent-based supervision for parents and teenagers. A parent creates a short pairing code, which the child app claims before receiving a scoped device token. Parents can remotely lock or ping a device, set app blocklists, configure per-app daily limits, and create schedules. The parent dashboard or alert feed can receive periodic location, daily per-app usage, newly installed apps, and tamper events. Alerts can cover tampering, a device going dark, new apps, and unblock requests. Live screen viewing uses a setup-time MediaProjection grant and sends JPEG frames through Socket.IO. The project excludes covert audio, camera, ambient recording, covert screen capture, server-side storage of minors’ photos, Device Owner, and device wipe. The backend is self-hosted with Node 20+, Docker, PostgreSQL 16, and Redis 7. The child app is a sideloaded Kotlin Android APK; the parent app is Flutter with a Play Store track.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OpenParental is consent-first, open-source parental-control software for Android.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment
The README describes a self-hosted backend using Node 20+, Docker, PostgreSQL 16, and Redis 7.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
Firebase Cloud Messaging is an optional integration for push notifications; without Firebase, devices poll every 60 seconds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed and credits Suhaib, © 2026.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Activity reports
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Alerts
Alerts cover tampering, a device going dark, new apps, and unblock requests.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
App blocking
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
App controls
Parents can set app blocklists, per-app daily limits, and schedules.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Apps
The child app is a sideloaded Kotlin Android app and the parent app is Flutter, described as having a Play Store track.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Architecture
The repository describes a NestJS backend with PostgreSQL, Redis, and FCM, a Kotlin Android child app, and a Flutter parent app.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bypass behavior
The project says the child can turn the app off, but bypasses such as disabling accessibility or force-stopping should trigger a parent alert within minutes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bypass limitation
The project says the child app can be disabled, but bypass actions are intended to trigger parent alerts within minutes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Consent
The child app has a visible interface that explains what it does and shows what it reports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Content filtering
The documented DNS content filter uses Android VpnService and says it does not inspect traffic or use a man-in-the-middle.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Controls
The parent can remotely lock or ping a device and configure app blocklists, per-app daily limits, and schedules.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Device platforms
androidRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Distribution
The child app is described as a sideloaded APK, while the parent app is described as being on a Play Store track.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License and maker
The repository lists an MIT license and credits Suhaib with copyright in 2026.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Live screen
The README describes live screen viewing using a setup-time MediaProjection grant and JPEG frames sent over Socket.IO.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Location tracking
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Monitoring
The child app reports periodic location, daily per-app usage, newly installed apps, and tamper events to the parent dashboard or alert feed.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Pairing
A parent creates a short pairing code that the child app claims, and the device receives its own scoped token.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Privacy limits
The project says it does not use covert audio, camera, ambient recording, covert screen capture, server-side storage of minors’ photos, Device Owner, or device wipe.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Screen-time schedules
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The security policy asks researchers to report vulnerabilities privately through GitHub Security Advisories and says acknowledgment can be expected within a few days.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security support
Vulnerabilities should be reported privately through GitHub Security Advisories, with acknowledgment expected within a few days.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Setup requirements
The quick start lists Node 20+ and Docker for the backend, JDK 17 and Android Studio for the child app, and Flutter 3.22+ for the parent app.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Target users
The project describes its approach as supervision for parents and teenagers that is overt and consent-based.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

OpenParental Free Open-source parental controls for Android · MIT licensed Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every OpenParental plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Consent-based visible child interface
  • App blocklists, limits, and schedules
  • Usage, location, and tamper reporting
  • Remote lock and device ping
  • MIT-licensed open source

Limits

  • Content filtering is not provided
  • Child app is sideloaded
  • Child can disable the app
  • Self-hosted setup requires several components

Who it suits

OpenParental suits families seeking overt, consent-based Android supervision with app controls, schedules, usage reports, location updates, and tamper alerts. Its self-hosted architecture fits operators able to run the listed backend components.

Verdict

OpenParental focuses on transparent Android supervision rather than covert monitoring or content filtering. Buyers should account for sideloading, self-hosted infrastructure, and the stated bypass behavior.

Where Specifiction places it

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