Google Family Link vs Net Nanny
Google Family Link
families.google.com
Net Nanny
netnanny.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Family Link | Net Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Parental control apps | 8.7 (#10) | 8.6 (#15) |
| Activity reports | Yes | Yes |
| App blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Content filtering | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Location | Parents can see a child’s location on a map when the child is carrying a powered-on, recently active device connected to the internet. | Net Nanny says parents can view a child’s primary mobile-device location in real time. |
| Location tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Screen time | Parents can set daily screen time limits and School Time or Downtime schedules. | Parents can set daily internet-hour limits and schedules for when a child can access the internet. |
| Screen-time schedules | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Google directs parents to its Help Center and offers feedback through the Family Link app, email, or phone. | Support is available by live chat during service hours or by email, with email replies promised before the end of the next business day. |
Plans
Net Nanny
- 1 Desktop$39.99 a year
- 5 Devices Family Protection Pass$54.99 a year
- 20 Devices Family Protection Pass$89.99 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.