Top Alternatives to Bark: Discover the Best Parental Control Apps

Why Consider Bark Alternatives. Is Bark Worth It?

While Bark has gained popularity as a parental control app, what Bark can see is limited. Let's dive into why you might consider other options and whether Bark is truly worth it.

Geographical limitations of Bark

Bark is currently restricted to the US, Australia, and South Africa. This can be frustrating for families in other countries seeking comprehensive online safety solutions. Additionally, even within the US, certain features like Bark Phone and Bark Home are unavailable in territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.

Need for more comprehensive features

While Bark offers some useful monitoring capabilities, it lacks certain features that you might find essential for your family's online safety needs. For instance:

Limited screen time management: Bark doesn't allow you to set strict time limits for specific apps or track how long your child uses each app.

Incomplete activity reporting: Unlike some competitors, Bark doesn't provide a full browser or app history.

Weak location tracking: Some users have reported issues with Bark's location tracking feature, finding it unreliable or inaccurate.

Limited offline app control: Bark can't block offline apps, which could be a concern if you want to restrict certain games or applications that don't require internet access.

Bark's limited oversight

Some parents find Bark's philosophy of limited parental access to be restrictive. Unlike apps that provide a detailed view of online activities, Bark only alerts parents to potentially concerning situations. This might not offer the level of oversight desired by all parents.

Additionally, Bark's alerts are not real-time, which can hinder immediate intervention. While Bark offers valuable features, it's crucial to consider its limitations and explore other options that might better align with your family's specific needs and values.

Top 6 Bark Alternatives Overview

When looking for apps like Bark, several options stand out as strong bark competitors. Let's explore some of the top alternatives to Bark that offer comprehensive online safety features for families.

Qustodio

Qustodio is a powerful bark alternative that provides exceptional web filtering and location tracking. It offers a wide range of features to protect children from online dangers, including web and app filtering, screen time management, and location tracking. You can choose which site categories or specific sites your children can access and set time limits for apps.

Key features:

• App blocking: Block specific apps and games on their children's devices
• Daily time limits: Allow parents to set daily screen time limits and track overall device usage
• Location tracking: Provide real-time location tracking and location history
• YouTube monitoring: Track the videos children watch and the search terms they use on YouTube
• Browser monitoring: Monitor search queries made by children on various search engines and block harmful results

Why choose it: Qustodio offers a simple, clean interface with robust filtering options over Bark.

Ideal for: parents who prioritize screen time management and safe browsing over direct social media monitoring.

Related Read: Bark VS Qustodio: How to Choose the Best Parenting App

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Kaspersky Safe Kids offers a robust set of parental control features at an affordable price point. It allows you to create multiple child profiles and monitor numerous devices, regardless of platform.

• App control: Manage and monitor app usage across devices
• Search filter: Block inappropriate content from search results and customize the filter settings
• Social network monitoring: Track interactions on various social media platforms
• Activity reports: Generate detailed reports of children's online activities, app usage, and location history

Why choose it: Kaspersky offers budget-friendly options with extensive internet and app monitoring.

Ideal for: parents looking for a cost-effective app that still covers internet safety and usage insights.

KidsGuard Pro

KidsGuard Pro is a powerful parental monitoring app that works discreetly on target devices. It offers features such as call tracking, message monitoring, and browser history tracking. The app also includes a keylogger function, which can record keystrokes within seconds and categorize them by app for easier review.

• Call & text monitoring: Record incoming and outgoing calls and texts
• Remote screen recording: Record and take screenshots of the child’s device screen remotely
• Gallery monitoring: Monitor photos and videos saved on the child’s device including hidden ones
• Social app tracking: Keep tabs on the conversation history and exchanged multi-media content on popular social apps

Why choose it: intuitive interface, remote access capabilities, and extensive monitoring for social media apps.

Ideal for: parents looking for comprehensive and stealth monitoring on the target phone.

FamilyTime

FamilyTime is a mobile-focused parental control app that excels in location tracking and app management. It offers features such as geofencing, which allows you to set up virtual boundaries and receive alerts when your child enters or leaves designated areas.

• Panic button: Provides an emergency panic button to alert guardians in dangerous situations
• PickMeUp alerts: Send notifications to parents when their child arrives at or leaves a designated location
• App usage: Track the time spent on various apps and usage frequency
• Safe driving mode: Monitor the driving behavior of teenages

Why choose it: FamilyTime focuses on app and phone usage insights with a highly customizable interface but lacks extensive social media monitoring.

Ideal for: parents looking for detailed insights into app usage and safe driving support for teens.

Norton Family

Norton Family is another excellent bark alternative, especially suitable for larger families or those with multiple devices. It offers unlimited device monitoring, making it a cost-effective choice for households with numerous gadgets.

• School time: Set up specific web filtering and time management rules during school hours
• Video supervision: Monitor your child's searches and watch history on YouTube and Hulu
• Remote lock: Allow parents to lock the screen remotely and block all access except for emergency contacts
• Customizable alerts: Sends notifications if children attempt to access blocked content or engage in restricted activities

Why choose it: Norton Family provides strong web and location tracking features with customizable settings but is primarily designed for Windows and Android, limiting some features on iOS.

Ideal for: parents looking for in-depth web monitoring and screen time control, especially for families using Android or Windows devices.

Mobicip

Mobicip offers a comprehensive suite of parental control features, including flexible scheduling and effective content blocking. Its geofencing features are particularly impressive, allowing you to keep track of your child's location with precision.

• Screen time: Monitor and control how much time their kids spend on phones
• Web filtering: Block inappropriate websites and content and customize filters based on categories
• App blocking: Block specific apps and prevent access to potentially harmful or distracting apps
• Location tracking: Offer real-time GPS location tracking of the child's device

Why choose it: Mobicip offers robust web filtering and app blocking across multiple devices but lacks the detailed social media monitoring found in some other parental control apps.

Ideal for: families seeking comprehensive control over device usage, with a focus on web filtering and screen time management across various platforms.

How to Choose the Right Bark Alternative for Your Family

Selecting the ideal bark alternative for your family requires careful consideration of several factors. Let's explore the key aspects to keep in mind when making this important decision.

Age of children

Age is key in selecting the right parental control app. For younger kids, focus on apps with strong filtering and monitoring. As they grow, look for options that balance protection and privacy, allowing more independence.

By age 11, half of US children have smartphones, marking a shift in online management. Tweens and teens may need apps that allow for flexibility and gradual independence.

Types of devices in use

Consider your family’s devices, as some apps work better on specific platforms. For Android users, many apps offer full features, while iOS families may benefit from Apple’s Screen Time or apps optimized for iOS.

Some apps, like Circle Home Plus, can control any device on your home Wi-Fi, ideal for mixed-device households.

Monitoring focus

Identify your main concerns and choose apps that target those areas. For social media, select apps with extensive tracking, including platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. For screen time, look for detailed usage reports and scheduling options. Prioritizing safe browsing? Focus on apps with strong web filtering and site-blocking features.

Budget and subscription preferences

Parental control apps vary in cost, from free versions with basic features to comprehensive plans around $100 per year. Family plans covering multiple devices may offer better value for larger families.

Choosing the right Bark alternative means considering your children’s ages, device types, monitoring needs, and budget. Remember, parental control apps are tools to support safety, not a replacement for ongoing conversations about responsible online behavior.

Conclusion

In the end, choosing the right online safety app for your family boils down to understanding your unique needs and concerns. The market offers a variety of tools that have a significant impact on children's digital well-being, each with its own strengths. From Qustodio's robust web filtering to KidsGuard Pro’s comprehensive monitoring capabilities, these alternatives to Bark provide diverse options to keep kids safe in the digital world.

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