Google Family Link vs ParentProof
Google Family Link
families.google.comParentProof
parentproof.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Family Link | ParentProof |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Parental control apps | 8.7 (#10) | 7.9 (#50) |
| Activity reports | Yes | Yes |
| App blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Content filtering | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Family Link controls settings for Google services including Chrome, Google Play, YouTube, YouTube Kids, and Search. | The privacy policy lists Cloudflare and AdGuard filtering options and an optional connection to the maker's Poopy Duck game. |
| 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. | The policy says ParentProof does not collect message content or location, and records blocked host denials from its own kid browser for 30 days. |
| Purpose | Family Link helps parents guide their child’s online experience and build digital habits. | ParentProof lets parents set screen-time limits, control accessible apps and websites, and manage supported child devices. |
| Screen time | Parents can set daily screen time limits and School Time or Downtime schedules. | Android supports schedules, per-app limits, and a whole-day budget; Windows supports scheduled pauses, while macOS supports all three. |
| Screen-time schedules | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Google directs parents to its Help Center and offers feedback through the Family Link app, email, or phone. | Users can email [email protected] or submit a report from the setup app or dashboard, with technical details attached only when opted in. |
Plans
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.
ParentProof
ParentProof has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.