18 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 10.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid family plan", then to the name.
Parental control apps for families with children at home, managed from an app or web dashboard. Employee monitoring, school tools and stalkerware are left out. Feature lines count any plan for families. Price and device lines use the cheapest paid software plan for one family, billed yearly; phones, watches and routers sold by the vendor do not count. Windows is scored, not required.
Systems 18 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Windows PC
The vendor lists Windows as a supported system for the child's device, through an app or a built-in feature. A web page that only manages other devices does not count.
6
Other systems
The vendor lists the system as supported for the child's device. Chromebook counts as ChromeOS. Each one earns 3 points.
12
Controls 33 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Website filtering by category
You can block groups of websites, such as adult or gambling sites, and add your own allow or block entries.
8
Block apps and games
You can block or require approval for individual apps or games on at least one phone or tablet system.
6
Daily limits and schedules
You can set a daily time limit and a schedule of hours when the device is blocked (called bedtime, downtime, school time or a routine) for a child's device.
8
Time limits per app
You can set a separate time limit for one app, game or app category.
3
Pause or lock from the parent app
A parent can lock or pause the child's device or internet access right away from the parent app.
3
Removal protection
A vendor help or features page describes a way to stop the child from uninstalling the app or turning off its controls without the parent's approval.
3
YouTube controls
The vendor names YouTube and says the parent can restrict it (for example by enforcing restricted mode or blocking videos) or see what the child watches there.
2
Monitoring 19 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Live location
A parent can see the child's phone position on a map from the parent app.
6
Place alerts
The parent gets an alert when the child arrives at or leaves a saved place.
2
Social media and message alerts
The vendor names social media apps or text messages that it scans and says the parent gets alerts about risky content.
5
Activity reports
The parent app shows a history or report of the child's app use or websites visited.
3
Child requests
The child can ask for more time, an app or a blocked site from their device, and the parent answers in the parent app.
3
Terms 2 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Money-back period
The refund period in days for a new yearly purchase, as stated on the vendor's site or terms. 30 days or more earns 2 points, 14 days or more 1.
2
Price and plan 28 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free plan
The vendor's plan page names a free plan, not a trial, and says it includes at least one of website filtering, screen time limits or app blocking for a child's device. If the page does not name the free plan's features, record null.
8
Cheapest paid family plan
The cheapest paid software plan that covers at least 5 child devices and includes website filtering and screen time limits, in US dollars a month, billed yearly, at its regular price. If a page shows a struck-through list price beside a limited-time discount, use the list price. A fully free product counts as $0. $3 or less earns 12 points, $5 or less 9, $7 or less 6, $9 or less 3, $12 or less 1.
12
Devices on the priced plan
How many devices the plan used for the price line covers. If a vendor's pages disagree, use the plan comparison table. Unlimited devices or a fully free product with no stated cap counts as 100. 100 or more earns 8 points, 20 or more 6, 10 or more 4, 5 or more 2.