Parental control internet filtering software free

Although it's dubbed parental control software, the free version of Spyrix really a monitoring program; it doesn't stop the kids getting up to no good, but it does let you see exactly what they've done.

If you want content blocking too, premium subscriptions aren't expensive. The absence of filtering means Spyrix might not be the best choice for younger kids' computers, but it may be useful for older children if you suspect online bullying or other unpleasantness. The free edition includes a blacklist that prevents your kids seeing inappropriate content online, plus app controls that let you manage app use by time used, age restrictions, and category if you don't want your kids playing games on a school night, for example.

There's also a screen time management tool to help you control overall device use,. The paid version adds more mobile-specific features, including a battery tracker so you can see if your kid's phone is about to go flat, leaving them without a way to contact you. You can also keep an eye on their location with GPS tracking, manage their social media use, and receive real-time alerts if they visit websites they shouldn't or leave a pre-defined 'safe' area.

We found that it took longer than usual to log into a Windows account when Kaspersky Safe Kids was running on a Windows 10 PC, so this is worth bearing in mind if your kids' PC is a little on the slow side already. A premium parental control app for mobile devices, Famisafe can be installed on up to 30 devices per account.

It features all the usual tools for keeping kids safe, including setting time limits and blocking inappropriate content, but can also detect potentially inappropriate photos and text messages, block games, and monitor your kids' whereabouts with GPS and geofencing.

Web Content Filter Software Best Free Web Filtering Software The best free parental control software should make it straightforward to keep tabs on your family's access to the internet, giving you peace of mind that your children will stay safe online. WFilter Internet Content Filter. Windows software for business internet monitoring and filtering. Recommended for pass-by deployment, with ZERO influence to existing network.

WFilter NG Firewall. A linux-based next generation firewall. Powerful internet filter, bandwidth shaper, access control, VPN and intrusion prevention.

Up to 10 devices. Best for budgets. Kaspersky Safe Kids. Some social media monitoring. No text message monitoring.

Best for iOS families. Up to 5 devices. Best reporting dashboard. By Cathy Habas. September 21, Share Article. A note about monitoring Android vs. Best parental control apps Bark.

Compare parental control app prices. Family Time. Parental control app similarities. Compare parental control app features. Best parental control app reviews. Bark: Best overall. View on Bark. Computer monitoring. Email monitoring. Social media monitoring.

Text and email alerts. No location tracking or geofencing. Expensive choice for just one child. Relatively short trial period. Expensive but unique. The installation walkthrough was incredibly easy. No GPS function. We have more to say.

Boomerang: Best for younger kids. Starting from. View on Boomerang. Affordable price. Parents must approve new apps. Geofencing and location tracking. History logs for apps, calls, and texts. Great screen-time management.

Only works on mobile devices. No social media or email monitoring. Very limited iOS functionality. Confusing setup. Potentially confusing setup. All in all, our tester thought the minute setup process was confusing.

I don't think you need to be really tech-savvy, but you need either intuition or a willingness to try, try again.

Kaspersky Safe Kids: Best for budgets. View on Kaspersky. Location tracking and geofencing. Screen-time management. Web and app filter. YouTube search monitoring. No email monitoring. No uninstall protection. Limited iOS features. Our testing experience. We tested the free Kaspersky Safe Kids app, which offers these features: Web-content filter App blocker YouTube safe search Screen-time management warnings only. Not suitable for iOS users.

Android users can enjoy all features, and some are also available for Windows. FamilyTime: Best for iOS families. View on FamilyTime. Detailed history reports. Text and call monitoring. Web filtering and blocking. More iOS features than competitors. Only monitors 5 devices. Good functionality for iPhones. Limited free version available. Qustodio: Best reporting dashboard.

View on Qustodio. Excellent cloud-based parent dashboard. Web filter. Location history. Panic button. Expensive plans. Blockers can also be used to block certain web pages to limit distractions. For example, during focus time, you can use a web blocker to only allow kids to access their schoolwork. You can control your internet usage at home in a couple by using passwords or a router. Through your router, you can set your internet to turn off at a certain time each day, block certain websites, and stop Wi-Fi usage on specific devices.

You can use these apps to limit screen time, filter what content your children see, and customize what reports you get. Some filters also notify you as soon as suspicious or concerning activity occurs. CovenantEyes is a screen accountability software that monitors onscreen content for offensive or inappropriate material.

This allows it to monitor YouTube videos, while most other filters cannot. In addition to being an accountability software, CovenantEyes has options for filtering and blocking content. There are different levels of filters you can use. The adult screening blocks all pornography sites and enables safesearch. The family settings are more secure, have stricter filters for websites, turn on safesearch, and enable YouTube restricted mode.

Netsanity works for iPhone, iPad, and Samsung mobile devices. They have around 30 preset categories you can choose from. You can also set parental controls about time spent on the device and when their apps will time out.

With their family plan, you can add up to 25 devices. Cost: The free version that blocks porn, includes 2 devices with safesearch and logs the last hour of activity. They also offer a day free trial on premium accounts. Open DNS is a free internet filter with customizable filter settings and basic protection against malicious content. There are over 50 customizable filtering categories to help parents control what their kids can access on the internet.

It also means that guest devices connected to your Wi-Fi have the same restrictions. Qustodio includes web filters, app blocking, and social media monitoring. The web design is easy to figure out, and their app is easy to use as well. For their web filters, you can block any unwanted categories and make sure your kids use safesearch when searching on Google and Bing. Their time restrictions are also great if you want to manage when your kids can be on the internet and for how long.

Accountable2You works best if you are only looking for an accountability software. This program will monitor your internet browsing, device activity, apps, and more.

When someone accesses a site with trigger words on it, the accountability partner will be notified immediately. Another great thing about Accountable2You is that they do not send images or URLs to the person seeing the report. Hiding images and URLs is important for the partner so that they are not tempted themselves.