saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

parental control app · Google

Google Family Link

Free Google app for screen time, app and location controls on children's Android devices and Chromebooks.

81/100

#4 of 10 parental control apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Family Link suits families whose children use Android phones or Chromebooks and want free limits, app approvals and location1,2,6. It also lets parents restrict YouTube and Chrome1,5. The catch: a Windows PC, Mac or iPhone cannot be supervised, and site filtering runs only in Chrome4,5.

Best for: Families whose children use Android phones or Chromebooks.

Where the points come from

Systems6 of 18
Controls33 of 33
Monitoring14 of 19
Terms0 of 2
Price and plan28 of 28

Systems 6 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Windows PCNoGoogle's help page says computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link4. Chrome settings can be bypassed on computers5.0 / 6
Other systemsAndroid, ChromeOSSupervision runs on Android 7.0 or higher and Chrome OS 71 or higher; iPhones and iPads cannot be supervised2,4.6 / 12

Controls 33 of 33 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Website filtering by categoryYesChrome can try to block explicit sites, and parents add approved or blocked sites. Counted as one adult category plus custom entries5.8 / 8
Block apps and gamesYesParents block or allow apps on a child's Android devices and Chromebooks, and approve new downloads4.6 / 6
Daily limits and schedulesYesParents set a daily limit per weekday and a bedtime on supervised devices4.8 / 8
Time limits per appYesThe overview lists individual app time limits, including unlimited time for chosen apps1.3 / 3
Pause or lock from the parent appYesThe Google Play listing says a parent can remotely lock a supervised device6.3 / 3
Removal protectionYesTeens need parental approval to stop supervision; changing limits on the child's device needs parent sign-in or a Parent Access Code3,4.3 / 3
YouTube controlsYesThe overview lists YouTube among Google services with parental controls, under tools for parents, kids and teens1.2 / 2

Monitoring 14 of 19 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Live locationYesGoogle says parents can locate children on one map, and find the child's Android device in the Family Link app1,4.6 / 6
Place alertsYesParents can turn on Arrives and Leaves alerts for each family place8; the overview also lists arrival and leave notifications1.2 / 2
Social media and message alertsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's overview, FAQ or help page1,3,4.0 / 5
Activity reportsYesActivity reports show time on apps, in daily, weekly or monthly views6.3 / 3
Child requestsYesA child can ask to visit a blocked site, and the parent approves or denies it in the Family Link app5.3 / 3

Terms 0 of 2 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Money-back periodNot publishedNot published; the app is listed at a price of 06.0 / 2

Price and plan 28 of 28 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free planYesNo plan page exists. Google Play lists the app at a price of 0, with screen time, app and site controls6,4.8 / 8
Cheapest paid family plan$0Google Play lists the app at a price of 0; no paid plan found. Counted as a fully free product6.12 / 12
Devices on the priced plan100No device cap appears on Google's pages; counted as a free product with no stated cap1,6.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score parental control apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
FreeFamily groupFree6$0Google Play lists the app at a price of 0

Google lists no device cap and no paid tier. The $0 price and the 100-device value rest on the free Google Play listing6.

Strengths

  • Free on Google Play, with a listed price of 06.
  • Daily limits, bedtime and per-app limits for supervised devices1,4.
  • Parents can remotely lock a supervised device6.
  • Children can ask to visit a blocked site, and parents answer in the Family Link app5.
  • Teens need parental approval to stop supervision3.

Limits

  • Windows, Mac and iPhone cannot be supervised; only Android and Chromebook2,4.
  • Website filtering applies only in Chrome, and other browsers are not covered5.
  • Google says the filters are not perfect and some explicit content gets through3.
  • Google's pages do not list scanning of social media or text messages for risky content1,3.

Concerns on record

  • Privacy Guides reported on 2026-05-29 that a researcher described attackers using Family Link to lock account owners out after a password theft; the article does not report a Google statement7.

Other parental control apps

  1. 1
    Kaspersky Safe KidsFamilies who want a low-cost yearly plan with a free tier to start
    89/100
    $2.42/mocheapest paid family plan
  2. 2
    MobicipFamilies who want low-priced controls on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android and iOS
    83/100
    $2.99/mocheapest paid family plan
  3. 3
    FamiSafeFamilies who want one yearly plan for phones, tablets and computers
    83/100
    $4.99/mocheapest paid family plan
  4. 5
    QustodioFamilies who want one app across Windows PCs, Chromebooks and phones
    77/100
    $5/mocheapest paid family plan

All 10 parental control apps

Sources

  1. Family Link from Google, Google. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Check your device compatibility, Google. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, Google. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Get started with Family Link, Google For Families Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Chrome & your child's Google Account, Google For Families Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Family Link parental controls, Google Play. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Google Family Link Exploit Enables Account Lockout and Surveillance, Privacy Guides. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Find & manage your child's location, Google For Families Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: families.google/familylink · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Google.