Google Family Link vs Microsoft Family Safety
Google Family Link
families.google.comMicrosoft Family Safety
microsoft.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Family Link | Microsoft Family Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $10.83/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Parental control apps | 8.7 (#10) | 8.4 (#21) |
| Activity reports | Yes | Family members can view activity summaries and weekly activity reporting after devices are connected to the family group. |
| App blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Content filtering | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Location tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy | Google says personalized advertising is prohibited for minors, though children may see contextual ads and ads from non-Google providers. | Microsoft says people may access, modify, or delete their data, and that it will not use data without agreement. |
| Purpose | Family Link helps parents guide their child’s online experience and build digital habits. | Microsoft Family Safety provides digital family safety features, including content filtering and screen time limits. |
| Screen time | Parents can set daily screen time limits and School Time or Downtime schedules. | Screen time limits can apply to apps and games on Windows, Xbox, and Android, and to devices on Windows and Xbox. |
| Screen-time schedules | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Google directs parents to its Help Center and offers feedback through the Family Link app, email, or phone. | For technical support, Microsoft directs users to Contact Microsoft Support, enter the problem, select Get Help, and then Contact Support if needed. |
Plans
Microsoft Family Safety
- Microsoft 365 Family$12.99 a month
- Microsoft 365 Family$129.99 a year
In their own words
Google Family Link
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.
Microsoft Family Safety
Microsoft Family Safety has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.