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Best for extensive features
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Parental control app with lots of features
User-friendly, clean interface
Best for familes with older children
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Supports up to 20 devices
Easy-to-use location tracking and screen time management features
Qustodio is the winner of this comparison, as it offers a free plan and can also monitor text messaging. Net Nanny has similar parental control software features, and they can both handle content filtering, app moderation, internet search monitoring, screen time limits, blocking websites and apps, location tracking, and activity reports.
This article compares Qustodio vs. Net Nanny on their pricing, features, security, and more to see which parental control app is best for you.
Today’s parents face the challenge of finding parental control software that fits their needs as well as the needs of their children. How can parents protect their children while helping them learn to use the internet safely?
Parental control apps seem to be the answer, allowing parents to filter content, block websites and apps, set screen time limits, monitor online conversations, and check in on social media usage. We’ve compared Qustodio and Net Nanny, which are two of the standout parental control tools in the field:
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| Star rating | ||
| Starting price | Starts at $4.58/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $3.33/mo (billed annually) |
| Free version | ||
| Max number of protected devices | Unlimited | 20 |
| Web filtering | ||
| Conversation monitoring | Yes — Text message only | |
| Screen time limits | ||
| Location tracking | ||
| Activity reports | ||
| Remote lock | ||
| Supported devices | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, Kindle | Windows, macOS, iOS |
| Learn more | Read Qustodio Review | Read Net Nanny Review |
We put every parental control app through vigorous hands-on testing by downloading the software to our own devices. We test how the product works from both the parent's and child's perspectives, evaluating how well we're able to monitor device usage and deliberately attempting to sneak around the limitations.
By taking a fine-tooth comb through all available features and settings, we carefully compare each product using our proprietary grading rubric. The star ratings take into account price, screen time management, content filters, location tracking, monitoring, alerts, and ease of use.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
Qustodio offers a free plan that includes web filters and time limits. If you want to try out the premium, it also has a money-back guarantee and a free trial. Net Nanny doesn't have a free plan or any form of trial.
Our Pick |
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| Price range | Free-$8.33/mo (billed annually) | $3.33-$7.50/mo (billed annually) |
| Best value plan | Complete for $8.33/mo (billed annually) | Family Protection Pass (20 devices) for $7.50/mo (billed annually) |
| Free trial | Yes — 31 days | |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 14 days |
| Learn more | Read Qustodio Review | Read Net Nanny Review |
Qustodio offers a free plan and two paid parental control plans: Qustodio Basic and Qustodio Complete. The paid plans vary in the number of devices covered as well as the amount of features.
The free plan monitors one device, the Basic plan allows monitoring of up to five devices, while the Complete plan offers monitoring on unlimited devices.
Qustodio provides a free trial without a credit card and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied with the product.
Net Nanny offers three protection plans: 1 Desktop, 5 Device Family Protection Pass, and 20 Device Family Protection Pass. The plans vary only in how many devices you can monitor; otherwise, the features are exactly the same.
Unfortunately, Net Nanny doesn’t offer a free trial, which may deter some potential users, but it does offer a 14-day return policy.
Both services have similar features. Qustodio has text message monitoring, and Net Nanny has social media filtering (though it doesn't monitor conversations on social media apps).
| Feature | Our Pick |
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| Website filtering | ||
| App filtering | ||
| Social media monitoring | ||
| Text message monitoring | ||
| Email monitoring | ||
| Internet search monitoring | ||
| Screen time limits | ||
| Remote lock | ||
| Cyberbullying and online predator alerts | ||
| Location tracking | ||
| Geo-fencing | ||
| Activity reports | ||
| Learn more | Read Qustodio Review | Read Net Nanny Review |
When determining which parental control software is best for you and your family, you need to consider what features are important to you and what level of surveillance you need.
Both platforms offer website filtering, internet search and app monitoring, location services, screen time management, and activity reports. However, there’s one glaring difference: Qustodio offers text message monitoring, but Net Nanny doesn’t, and this feels like a major miss for us.
Another Qustodio feature that we like is the panic button. The panic button allows kids to send a direct alert from their phone to emergency contacts. When this button is activated, alerts with location information are sent from their device to a trusted contact list. Unfortunately, this feature is only available to Premium users and it’s not available on iOS devices.
Both fail to offer cyberbullying and online predator alerts. While this feature isn’t imperative, mainly because they send regular activity reports, immediate alerts of cyberbullying or online predators would be nice for peace of mind.
It can be dangerous for kids today to be on social media sites like TikTok or Discord. Teaching your kids to stay safe on social media is of the utmost importance. While Net Nanny offers social media filtering, it's limited on iOS.
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Qustodio offers more compatibility across devices and browser extensions, which is exactly what you need from a parental control app.
| Feature | Our Pick |
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Amazon Silk, Safari | |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Email, online guides, phone | Contact form, email, live chat |
| Learn more | Read Qustodio Review | Read Net Nanny Review |
Our experience testing Net Nanny was mediocre. The installation on an iPhone was tricky, requiring us to disable Safari first. Then we installed the Net Nanny mobile device management profile.
We eventually got through the installation, but some features didn’t work. For example, we tried to block Facebook and Instagram, but both social media platforms still worked on the iPhone, even after several attempts.
Additionally, the online search monitoring didn’t work correctly. We visited numerous websites on the iPhone monitored by Net Nanny, and none appeared under the profile settings. We received a message saying the device was out of contact but it was still installed.
Our experience with customer service also left a lot to be desired. We contacted customer support twice to ask questions, and while we were met with courteous service, once the rep told us the information on the site was misleading, and the other time, the rep gave instructions that didn’t work.
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Qustodio’s setup was easy, and the installation process was straightforward and comprehensive. A critical step in the installation process was activating Device Admin, which prevents your child from uninstalling Qustodio without parental consent.
We received alerts and reports about our child’s device activity quickly after installation, including information on the apps and websites accessed, time spent on various activities, and the option to track location. Screen time limit restrictions, app and website blocking, and location check-ins were effective.
Like with Net Nanny, we were similarly disappointed in Qustodio’s lackluster customer service. There are three ways to receive help: the help center, email, or sending a support ticket. The website discloses that it can take up to 48 hours to receive a response, which is a long time to wait if your parental control apps are acting wonky.
Qustodio offers a decent set of features, but kids can delete Qustodio from their own devices, and the panic button feature is available only on Android devices.
Bark offers a more comprehensive solution, offering extensive monitoring and surveillance, whereas Net Nanny might be a good solution for parents with older kids or those looking for a less-invasive protection solution. Learn more about how Net Nanny and Bark compare.
Yes, your kids can disable Qustodio. Additionally, certain Android phones have guest mode capability that can be used to avoid Qustodio’s parental control parameters. Essentially, your child can create a temporary account on the device, much like a separate user on a computer.
When it comes to determining which parental control app is best for you and your family, it depends on what is important to you and what your needs are. Our guide to the best parental control apps can help you decide.
Between the two, Qustodio is a better solution for helping keep your child safe online.
Qustodio and Net Nanny are both decent parental control apps. Qustodio offers more features, including a panic button as well as text and email messaging monitoring. However, its lackluster customer service left much to be desired. For families looking for more robust monitoring, Qustodio may be a parental control app worth considering.
Net Nanny, on the other hand, may be better suited for families with older children or families looking for less surveillance into their kids’ online activities. However, Net Nanny lacks basic features that are essential in parental control software, namely text and email message monitoring. Net Nanny’s customer service also didn’t win them any points.
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| Value | ||
| Features | ||
| Compatibility and customer support | ||
| Learn more | Read Qustodio Review | Read Net Nanny Review |
Parental control app with lots of features
User-friendly, clean interface
Gone are the days of setting up parental controls on iOS and thinking that was good enough. There’s a reason there are so many players in the parental control software game. If Qustodio or Net Nanny aren’t what you’re looking for, take a look at our other recommendations below:
Get Aura Parental Controls | Read Our Aura Parental Controls Review
Robust parental controls to track, monitor, and limit device usage
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