Why Choose Qustodio over Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time?

A comparison of leading parental control apps

Parents understand the importance of protecting their children online and helping them to build healthy digital habits, but knowing the best tool to help them achieve this can be challenging. We want to help make your choice simpler by comparing Qustodios features against Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time features, to help you find what works best for you and your family.

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Qustodio vs Google Family Link & Apple Screen Time

Qustodio

Google Family Link

Apple Screen Time

Cross-platform solution

Qustodio works seamlessly across a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, Android devices, iPhones, iPads, and Kindles, making it ideal for families using different device types. Apple Screen Time’s device monitoring is specific to iOS devices, and Google Family Link’s device monitoring is specific to Android. Qustodio is the best solution for a mixed-device household.

Time limits

Qustodio, Google Family Link, and Apple Screen Time all offer tools to manage screen time, such as daily app limits and scheduled offline periods. You can also grant additional time once limits are reached. What makes Qustodio unique is it’s approach to routines: parents can choose from both built-in options like bedtime schedules that promote healthy sleep habits, or to create fully customised routines. This flexibility ensures screen time rules align closely with your family’s lifestyle and evolving needs.

Filter and block websites and apps

With Qustodio, parents can ensure safer browsing by automatically filtering or restricting access to apps, games, and websites that aren’t age-appropriate. You can block entire content categories, like social media or gaming, just like you can with Apple Screen Time. While Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time also let you block individual apps, Google’s system mostly depends on age-based ratings. What sets Qustodio apart is the proactive instant alert you receive if your child tries to access something restricted.

Social media monitoring

Qustodio understands parents increasing concerns related to social media. Social monitoring helps parents stay informed by flagging any risky or inappropiate messages on your childs social media. Parents receive both a push notification and an email that includes a small overview of the conversation, giving immediate context. This feature currently monitors WhatsApp, Instagram messages (Android only), and Line. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time do not provide social media monitoring capabilities.

AI-powered search alerts

Qustodio’s AI-powered search alerts notify you instantly whenever your child searches for anything concerning. This feature helps you stay informed and take action if your child needs support. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time do not provide real-time alerts for search activity concerns.

Activity reports and alerts

Stay informed with Qustodio’s detailed activity reports, available via your dashboard or email on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of how your child spends time online, which sites they visit, and the apps they interact with most. You’ll also receive instant alerts the moment your child attempts to access blocked content or engages in potentially risky behavior online. Even though both Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time also provide activity reports, Qustodio offers the most frequent and comprehensive monitoring insights.

Custom routines

Establishing healthy screen habits is easy with Qustodio’s routines feature. Parents can create custom routines that align with both their child’s schedule and their family needs, from quiet time in the evening to focused hours during the school day. Whether you want to pause access during dinner or limit gaming before bedtime, Qustodio gives you the ability to set recurring rules that fit your family’s lifestyle. Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time don’t offer this level of personlized scheduling.

YouTube monitoring

With Qustodio’s YouTube monitoring tool, you gain full visibility into your child’s video activity, letting you see what they’ve searched for and which videos they’ve watched across both the YouTube app and website. Available on both iOS and Android, it also allows you to block unwanted content and set screen time limits specifically for YouTube. While Google Family Link offers a restricted mode to help filter mature videos, it is not as specialized to YouTube as this Qustodio feature. Apple Screen Time doesn’t include any YouTube monitoring features.

Location tracking

Qustodio’s location tracking makes it easy to stay connected to your child’s whereabouts. View their current location, check location history, and save most visited places like home or school for quick reference. You can use Qustodio’s geofencing tool that automatically alerts if your child enters or leaves safe areas defined by you the parent. Google Family Link offers only real-time location for Android users and lacks both geofencing and location history. Apple Screen Time doesn’t include tracking at all; it relies on the separate Find My app for location sharing.

Panic button

In emergencies, Qustodio’s panic button feature allows your child to instantly send an alert to trusted contacts with just one tap. This function is currently available on Android devices only. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time don’t include any built-in panic alert or emergency messaging tools.

Calls and text monitoring

Qustodio provides a call and text monitoring tool that helps parents stay informed about who their child is communicating with. You can review incoming and outgoing messages, check call logs, and block specific phone numbers to prevent unwanted contact. This feature is exclusive to Qustodio, neither Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time offer any form of SMS or call tracking.

App insights

With Qustodio’s App Insights, you get a clear overview of the apps your child uses, its age-appropriate alternatives, and any possible safety concerns. You’ll also receive encouraging conversation starters, developed by psychologists, to help initiate meaningful discussions about your child’s digital activity. This tool is exclusive to Qustodio and isn’t available in Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link.

Pause the internet

Qustodio’s pause internet access function lets you cut off your child’s internet access instantly across all their devices. This feature is unique to Qustodio.

Care Plus support

Qustodio’s premium support service Care Plus is designed to provide personalized assistance whenever you need it. You will have access to expert help over the phone, whether it’s setting up the app, configuring screen time limits, or troubleshooting technical issues remotely. Regular follow-ups and step-by-step guidance ensure your family gets the most out of Qustodio. Neither Apple nor Google currently offer this kind of dedicated support for their parental control tools.

Additional parent

Qustodio gives families the flexibility to share monitoring responsibilities by allowing a second parent or guardian to join the account. This means both guardians can stay in the loop and work together to support their child’s digital wellbeing. Google Family Link also offers this option, while Apple Screen Time does not currently support multiple guardians.

Qustodio vs Google Family Link vs Apple Screen Time

Qustodio

Google Family Link

Apple Screen Time

Cross-platform solution

Qustodio works seamlessly across a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, Android devices, iPhones, iPads, and Kindles, making it ideal for families using different device types. Apple Screen Time’s device monitoring is specific to iOS devices, and Google Family Link’s device monitoring is specific to Android. Qustodio is the best solution for a mixed-device household.

Time Limits

Qustodio, Google Family Link, and Apple Screen Time all offer tools to manage screen time, such as daily app limits and scheduled offline periods. You can also grant additional time once limits are reached. What makes Qustodio unique is it’s approach to routines: parents can choose from both built-in options like bedtime schedules that promote healthy sleep habits, or to create fully customised routines. This flexibility ensures screen time rules align closely with your family’s lifestyle and evolving needs.

Filter and block websites and apps

With Qustodio, parents can ensure safer browsing by automatically filtering or restricting access to apps, games, and websites that aren’t age-appropriate. You can block entire content categories, like social media or gaming, just like you can with Apple Screen Time. While Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time also let you block individual apps, Google’s system mostly depends on age-based ratings. What sets Qustodio apart is the proactive instant alert you receive if your child tries to access something restricted.

Social media monitoring

Qustodio understands parents increasing concerns related to social media. Social monitoring helps parents stay informed by flagging any risky or inappropriate messages on your child’s social media. Parents receive both a push notification and an email that includes a small overview of the conversation, giving immediate context. This feature currently monitors WhatsApp, Instagram messages (Android only), and Line. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time do not provide social media monitoring capabilities.

AI-powered search alerts

Qustodio’s AI-powered search alerts notify you instantly whenever your child searches for anything concerning. This feature helps you stay informed and take action if your child needs support. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time do not provide real-time alerts for search activity concerns.

Activity reports and alerts

Stay informed with Qustodio’s detailed activity reports, available via your dashboard or email on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of how your child spends time online, which sites they visit, and the apps they interact with most. You’ll also receive instant alerts the moment your child attempts to access blocked content or engages in potentially risky behavior online. Even though both Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time also provide activity reports, Qustodio offers the most frequent and comprehensive monitoring insights.

Custom routines

Establishing healthy screen habits is easy with Qustodio’s routines feature. Parents can create custom routines that align with both their child’s schedule and their family needs, from quiet time in the evening to focused hours during the school day. Whether you want to pause access during dinner or limit gaming before bedtime, Qustodio gives you the ability to set recurring rules that fit your family’s lifestyle. Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time don’t offer this level of personalised scheduling.

YouTube monitoring

With Qustodio’s YouTube monitoring tool, you gain full visibility into your child’s video activity, letting you see what they’ve searched for and which videos they’ve watched across both the YouTube app and website. Available on both iOS and Android, it also allows you to block unwanted content and set screen time limits specifically for YouTube. While Google Family Link offers a restricted mode to help filter mature videos, it is not as specialized to YouTube as this Qustodio feature. Apple Screen Time doesn’t include any YouTube monitoring features.

Location tracking

Qustodio’s location tracking makes it easy to stay connected to your child’s whereabouts. View their current location, check location history, and save most visited places like home or school for quick reference. You can use Qustodio’s geofencing tool that automatically alerts if your child enters or leaves safe areas defined by you the parent. Google Family Link offers only real-time location for Android users and lacks both geofencing and location history. Apple Screen Time doesn’t include tracking at all; it relies on the separate Find My app for location sharing.

Panic button

In emergencies, Qustodio’s panic button feature allows your child to instantly send an alert to trusted contacts with just one tap. This function is currently available on Android devices only. Unlike Qustodio, Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time don’t include any built-in panic alert or emergency messaging tools.

Calls and text monitoring

Qustodio provides a call and text monitoring tool that helps parents stay informed about who their child is communicating with. You can review incoming and outgoing messages, check call logs, and block specific phone numbers to prevent unwanted contact. This feature is exclusive to Qustodio, neither Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time offer any form of SMS or call tracking.

App insights

With Qustodio’s App Insights, you get a clear overview of the apps your child uses, its age-appropriate alternatives, and any possible safety concerns. You’ll also receive encouraging conversation starters, developed by psychologists, to help initiate meaningful discussions about your child’s digital activity. This tool is exclusive to Qustodio and isn’t available in Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link.

Pause the internet

Qustodio’s pause internet access function lets you cut off your child’s internet access instantly across all their devices. This feature is unique to Qustodio.

Care Plus support

Qustodio’s premium support service Care Plus is designed to provide personalised assistance whenever you need it. You will have access to expert help over the phone, whether it’s setting up the app, configuring screen time limits, or troubleshooting technical issues remotely. Regular follow-ups and step-by-step guidance ensure your family gets the most out of Qustodio. Neither Apple nor Google currently offer this kind of dedicated support for their parental control tools.

Additional parent

Qustodio gives families the flexibility to share monitoring responsibilities by allowing a second parent or guardian to join the account. This means both guardians can stay in the loop and work together to support their child’s digital wellbeing. Google Family Link also offers this option, while Apple Screen Time does not currently support multiple guardians.

Note: This table has been prepared on the basis of public information available as of 5 August, 2025 using information from the Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time websites and product testing under similar conditions. No claims, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, are made as to the quality, reliability and performance of any of the referenced products. All third-party trademarks are property of the respective owners and Qustodio’s use of these trademarks and brand names does not indicate any sponsorship, promotion, or endorsement between Qustodio and the owners of these brands. Reference to the trademarks is merely to identify the corresponding third-party products and services and shall be considered nominative fair and legitimate use under trademark and advertising laws. For any queries, or if you believe any of the information is inaccurate, please contact info@qustodio.com

Qustodio provides the most parental control features and extensive reporting for parents who want one app that does it all, across devices and operating systems. Qustodio can also be used in combination with Google Family Link.

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