Google Family Link vs PapaTime
Google Family Link
families.google.comPapaTime
trypapatime.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Family Link | PapaTime |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Parental control apps | 8.7 (#10) | 8.3 (#26) |
| Activity reports | Yes | Yes |
| App blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Device platforms | android | ios |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Family Link controls settings for Google services including Chrome, Google Play, YouTube, YouTube Kids, and Search. | The product uses Telegram for the parent interface, Apple FamilyControls and DeviceActivity for device restrictions, Firebase for data, and Stripe for subscription billing. |
| Location tracking | Yes | No |
| Privacy | Google says personalized advertising is prohibited for minors, though children may see contextual ads and ads from non-Google providers. | PapaTime says it does not sell data, run advertising, or access the child’s browsing history, location, messages, microphone, or photo library. |
| Purpose | Family Link helps parents guide their child’s online experience and build digital habits. | PapaTime is an iPhone and iPad parental-control app where a child manages a screen-time budget set by a parent. |
| Screen-time schedules | Yes | Yes |
Plans
PapaTime
- Free on-deviceFree
- Managed backend monthly$4.99 a month
- Managed backend annual$39.99 a year
- Free on-device useFree
- Managed backend monthly$4.99 a month
- Managed backend yearly$39.99 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.