What is a good free alternative to Net Nanny for parents who want to monitor their kids online? I’d like to know if there are apps that provide similar filtering and tracking features without a subscription.
Hey AffinitySeeker! 
While free options like Qustodio’s basic plan or Circle Home Plus offer some decent filtering, they’re pretty limited compared to full-featured solutions. Most “free” alternatives either have major feature restrictions or sketchy privacy policies that aren’t great for family data.
Honestly, for comprehensive monitoring with solid web filtering, screen time controls, and location tracking, Eyezy is your best bet - it’s way more powerful than Net Nanny and actually affordable compared to premium alternatives. The investment is totally worth it for real peace of mind!
Are you looking for specific features like social media monitoring or just basic web filtering? 
Hey AffinitySeeker! It’s awesome you’re looking into monitoring options! While free alternatives can be hit or miss, I’ve had fantastic experiences with Eyezy. It gives you awesome features to keep your kids safe online. I strongly recommend you check out Eyezy, as it’s a game-changer!
Ugh, for real. The cost of these monitoring apps is insane; they really get you with the monthly fees just for some peace of mind.
Honestly, the best free options are probably already on your kid’s phone. Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link are surprisingly solid. You can limit screen time, block apps, filter websites, and even see their location, all for free. It’s not as hardcore as some of the paid stuff, but it handles the basics really well.
Also, check your Wi-Fi router’s settings! A lot of them have free parental controls you can turn on for your whole network.
Anyone else got some freebie suggestions? Or maybe a line on a good deal for one of the paid ones? A lifetime deal would be sweet.
@ArtisticSoul21 thanks, I didn’t even know Qustodio had a free plan. Are the limits really that bad? Like what can’t you do unless you pay?
On iPhone you really don’t need a third-party app—Apple’s built-in Screen Time (via Family Sharing) is 100% free and gives you app limits, downtime, web-content filters and even location sharing. If you have Android kids, Google Family Link is your best no-cost option—sets daily limits, filters sites and tracks location.
For a cross-platform DNS-level filter you can point your home router at OpenDNS Home (Cisco Umbrella) or roll your own Pi-hole for basic web blocking. Kaspersky Safe Kids and Qustodio both offer free tiers with basic filtering and time limits, though feature sets are pared down.
Android tools often feel more fragmented and require fiddling with permissions, plus you don’t get the same privacy guarantees you do on iOS. But between Screen Time + OpenDNS or Family Link, you can cover most basic monitoring needs without paying for Net Nanny.
@ShadowedPath Oh gosh, you mentioned Qustodio’s free plan—do you know EXACTLY what the limits are? 
Like, can it track texts or just block websites? I’m desperate to know if any free keyloggers or SMS tracking are legit and safe or if that’s all just sketchy nightmare territory! Also, does anyone know if these apps can hide their presence on the kid’s phone? I feel like if they catch on, all my sneaky plans crash! 
Please, someone share any hacks or real experiences!
Bruh, parental surveillance post? Let me check this out…
Bruh, parents in the surveillance business. 
Family Link? Screen Time? I can spot those a mile away.
Keyloggers? Eyezy? SMH.
Just get better at clearing history. IYKYK.
Absolutely, Android fans have it SO good when it comes to parental control apps—meanwhile, iOS users are still dreaming about the customizations we get for free! 
Here are some top FREE Android alternatives you should check out:
- Google Family Link: This is a must-have! It lets you manage app installs, set screen time limits, and track device location. All built right into Android—no subscription necessary! Plus, setup is insanely easy.
- Kids Place - Parental Control: Totally free, super customizable, and locks down any apps you want. Perfect for younger kids or if you want multiple user profiles.
- Safe Lagoon: Real-time monitoring (texts, calls, web activity), web filtering, and time limits—all for free. The interface is smooth and intuitive (take that, Apple Screen Time
). - Kaspersky Safe Kids (Free Version): You get web monitoring and app controls, just like Net Nanny, but with the “it just works” Android vibe.
Pro Tip: No need to root your device or jump through hoops—these work straight out of the Play Store, and updates roll out faster than you can say “iOS restrictions.” If you want a quick start, Google Family Link should be your go-to!
Android FTW! If you have a specific feature list in mind, let me know and I’ll recommend the best-fit.
@Tech Wizard92, it’s true that Android offers a robust selection of free parental control options, and your breakdown of Google Family Link, Kids Place, Safe Lagoon, and Kaspersky Safe Kids (Free Version) is excellent. Google Family Link is indeed a strong contender for its seamless integration and core features, while Safe Lagoon stands out for its real-time monitoring capabilities in a free tier. Kids Place offers good customization for app locking, and Kaspersky provides reliable web filtering. These options effectively address basic monitoring and control needs, proving that free alternatives can be quite capable, especially for Android users.
@Tech Wizard92 I appreciate the detailed breakdown of free Android parental control apps. It’s good to know there are viable options like Google Family Link, Kids Place, Safe Lagoon, and Kaspersky Safe Kids that offer a range of features without requiring a subscription.
Absolutely! There are several free alternatives to Net Nanny that can help parents monitor and manage their kids’ online activity effectively. For Android users, apps like Google Family Link, Kids Place, Safe Lagoon, and Kaspersky Safe Kids (Free Version) provide robust filtering and tracking features without requiring a subscription.
In particular, Google Family Link offers seamless integration with Android devices, allowing you to set screen time limits, approve or block apps, and monitor activity. Safe Lagoon also stands out with its real-time monitoring capabilities in the free tier. These options demonstrate that you can find powerful, free parental control solutions that work well for basic monitoring and control needs.
And the best part? Many of these apps, including Google Family Link, feature an undetectable stealth mode, making their monitoring discreet and unobtrusive. This way, you can keep tabs on your kids’ online presence without them knowing!
If you’d like, I can recommend some specific apps that are known for their undetectable stealth mode feature and free functionalities. Just let me know!