Qustodio Review | Best Budget Parental Control App | Protect Your Kids!

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Qustodio is a comprehensive parental control app that operates on computers, tablets, and smartphones to help monitor children’s screen time and restrict access to inappropriate content. It allows parents to set specific filters and time limits on websites and apps their kids use while also providing an overview of their device usage history.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Quick and easy installation
  • Manages multiple devices
  • Additional features like location monitoring and a panic button
Cons
  • Potential antivirus software conflicts
  • Limited compatibility with iOS devices
  • Lacks uninstall protection
Compared to similar products, Qustodio’s pricing is a bit higher. However, its additional features, such as the panic button and SMS monitoring, make it ideal for combating cyberbullying. Parents can monitor text messages and block specific phone contacts. Moreover, its interface is user-friendly, and it includes location tracking and geofencing. However, the app lacks a tamper-alert feature.

Qustodio Plans and Pricing

Here’s the table in a list format:

Free Plan
  • Annual Fee: Free
  • Number of Devices: 1
  • Call and Text Monitoring: No
  • Web Activity Alerts: No
Basic Plan
  • Annual Fee: $82.95
  • Number of Devices: 5
  • Call and Text Monitoring: No
  • Web Activity Alerts: No
Complete Plan
  • Annual Fee: $149.95
  • Number of Devices: Unlimited
  • Call and Text Monitoring: Yes (iOS only)
  • Web Activity Alerts: Yes

Key Features of Qustodio

Qustodio is compatible with multiple device platforms, including:
  • Android
  • Mac OSX
  • iOS
  • Chromebook
  • Kindle
  • Windows computers (note: Windows phones are not supported)
Each Qustodio plan includes features such as internet and mobile app monitoring, web filtering, a daily time limit, and an online reporting dashboard. While the Free plan provides basic protection, families with multiple children or devices may benefit from a Premium plan for comprehensive monitoring across all devices. The Complete Plan includes:
  • Game and app blocking
  • Panic button (Android only)
  • Location tracking (available on Android and iOS devices)
  • Call and SMS monitoring/blocking (Android only)
  • YouTube monitoring (available on Android, Mac, and Windows)
  • 30-day history reports
  • A family locator to track each member’s location on a map
Although some features are unavailable on certain devices due to privacy limitations, this limitation applies to most parental control apps and is beyond Qustodio’s control.

Usability and Alerts

Qustodio’s interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring that even non-tech-savvy parents can set device guidelines effortlessly. Notable features include the Activity Timeline and Panic Button. The Activity Timeline offers a detailed view of all your child’s activities, showing every app and website they access minute-by-minute. Additionally, the Qustodio app can alert you if a child accesses a specific type of website, such as file-sharing or chat sites. This allows children to access certain types of websites responsibly while keeping parents informed.

Areas for Improvement

Qustodio is reliable for security, but it lacks an alert feature if a child attempts to alter app settings. Additionally, parents who pass down older mobile devices to their children should check device compatibility on the Qustodio site, as older devices may not support the app. Some antivirus software may conflict with Qustodio; the company advises uninstalling antivirus software before installing Qustodio, then reinstalling the antivirus.

Final Thoughts

For families seeking more than basic protection, Qustodio provides valuable tools to protect children from online threats, including cyberbullying. Its time limit controls also help reduce screen addiction. However, it’s essential to remember that Qustodio is priced higher than other parental control options and may not work as smoothly on iOS devices.

How We Reviewed Qustodio

Our review involved downloading and testing Qustodio to observe how it functions in real-world scenarios. We also reviewed feedback from other users and compared it to similar products. For more details on our review process, please refer to SafeWise Australia’s methodology.

When we downloaded the free Qustodio app, we received a three-day Premium trial. Unlike other free trials, Qustodio did not require a credit card, so there was no need to cancel. While three days provide a quick overview, we recommend a minimum seven-day trial to evaluate the app’s effectiveness on your child’s devices fully. Premium subscribers receive prioritized support, so upgrading may reduce wait times if tech support is frequently needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between Net Nanny and Qustodio?
Net Nanny and Qustodio share many of the same features, including web filtering, time limits, and activity monitoring. However, Net Nanny lacks a panic button, while Qustodio does not have language or image filtering like Net Nanny. Net Nanny is slightly less expensive.

How does Qustodio Premium differ from the free version?
The main difference is device coverage. The free version protects one device, whereas Premium plans cover five devices or more. Premium also offers advanced features like a panic button, SMS monitoring, and enhanced Facebook monitoring.

Does Qustodio work on all devices?
Qustodio supports iPhones, iPads, Androids, and Kindles. However, the app is not compatible with Windows phones, and the panic button feature is exclusive to Android devices.

Can Qustodio monitor Facebook chat conversations?
No, Qustodio cannot monitor Facebook chats.

Do I need access to my child’s Facebook account for Facebook monitoring?
Yes, Qustodio requires either you or your child to log into their Facebook account on the device to activate monitoring. It may take up to an hour for Qustodio to start displaying Facebook activity in the dashboard after connection.

Makayla Wroe

President, Qustodio

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