Google Family Link vs KidsNanny

Google Family Link helps parents guide a child’s online experience and build digital habits. Parents can set daily screen-time limits and School Time or Downtime schedules, set individual app limits, allow unlimited time for selected apps, or block apps. Controls cover Chrome, Google Play, YouTube, and Search, including site blocking and app approval. Activity reports and location tools add visibility: a child’s location appears when the device is powered on, recently active, and connected to the internet. Family Link can alert parents when a child arrives at or leaves a location, ring devices, and show remaining battery life. Parents can install the app on Android or iOS, and some settings are available on the web. Child supervision supports Android 6.0 or later, Chromebook with Chrome OS 71 or later, and compatible Fitbit devices. It cannot supervise iPhones, iPads, or computers other than Chromebooks, and it cannot manage Google Workspace for Education accounts. Purchase approvals apply only to purchases through Google Play billing. The service is free; some features require a compatible device.

KidsNanny is a parental control app for managing children’s screen time, apps, websites, YouTube access, location and digital safety. Parents can schedule screen time, filter content, block apps, review activity reports and manage web access by domain or category. YouTube controls allow or block channels, and supported browsing history can be reviewed. Screen Scanner checks a child’s screen periodically for configured safety risks and can alert parents. WhatsApp Shield can flag risky messages or media and remove configured harmful content; Camera Shield detects potentially inappropriate visuals during supported camera or video-call activity and can take protective action. Location tools include live tracking, history, geofences, entry and exit alerts, and child Check-In. Parents can assign tasks and let children exchange earned points for extra screen time. KidsNanny supports Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac and a parent web dashboard, though features vary by platform. A Basic free version is available; paid plans include a 7-day trial, then cost $5.00 per month or $35.00 per year.