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Microsoft Family Safety alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll parental control apps

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Microsoft Family Safety: web filtering only works in Microsoft Edge, and other browsers get blocked, and little control over a child's iPhone. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft Family Safety, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Family Link currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Family Link logoGoogle Family LinkFree—NoAndroid, iOS, Web4 of 468.8
2Net Nanny logoNet NannyPaid$39.99 a year for 1 desktop (list $49.99)NoWindows, macOS, iOS +18 of 864.8
3KaKaspersky Safe KidsPaid—NoWindows, macOS, Android +14 of 461.8
4Apple Screen Time logoApple Screen TimeFree—NoiOS, macOS5 of 557.5
5Norton Family logoNorton FamilyPaid—NoWindows, iOS, Android +15 of 555.9
6Aura logoAuraPaid$12/month billed annually (Individual)NoWeb, Windows, macOS +28 of 851.2
  1. Net Nanny logo

    2. Net Nanny

    Best for: Parents who want strong real-time web filtering on family PCs, Macs and iPhones

    PaidWindows, macOS, iOS, Web

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Family Safety

    Paid filter that works in any browser and also covers Macs and iPhones.

    Pros

    • Real-time content filtering of each page as it loads
    • Family Feed shows searches and blocked sites at a glance
    • Plans cover up to 20 devices
    • Long track record in parental controls

    Cons

    • No free plan
    • Android isn't listed among supported devices
    • App blocking and location tracking are limited to iOS
    • Yearly subscription only
    Visit Net Nanny Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Net Nanny a good Microsoft Family Safety alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, iOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plans
    1, 5 or 20 devices per year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    In use since
    1994
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    App blocking
    100+ apps on iOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    SafeToNet
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $39.99 a year for 1 desktop (list $49.99)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    5 Devices plan
    $54.99 a year (list $79.99)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
    20 Devices plan
    $89.99 a year (list $129.99)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netnanny.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Ka

    3. Kaspersky Safe Kids

    Best for: Families with a mix of Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac devices who want one set of rules

    PaidWindows, macOS, Android, iOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Family Safety

    Cross-platform rules including iPhone, with GPS tracking and YouTube safe search.

    Pros

    • Works on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS
    • Age-based presets for content and app rules
    • GPS locator and YouTube safe search
    • Included with Kaspersky Premium

    Cons

    • Not available in every country
    • Paid subscription for the full feature set
    • Features vary between Android and iOS
    Visit Kaspersky Safe Kids Compare with Microsoft Family SafetyDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kaspersky Safe Kids a good Microsoft Family Safety alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kaspersky.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    1 million+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kaspersky.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund policy
    30-day money-back guarantee
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kaspersky.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Included with Kaspersky Premium
    1 year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kaspersky.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Apple Screen Time logo

    4. Apple Screen Time

    Best for: All-Apple families who want free parental controls without installing a third-party app.

    FreeiOS, macOS

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Family Safety

    Free and built in on Apple devices, with downtime, app limits and contact approval for kids in Family Sharing.

    Pros

    • Free and built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS with nothing to install
    • Parents approve new contacts in Messages, FaceTime and Phone
    • Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse route requests to a parent's device
    • Schedules can differ for school days and weekends

    Cons

    • Works only on Apple devices, not Android phones or Windows PCs
    • Requires Family Sharing and a separate Child Account for each child
    • Newest controls need every family device on the latest OS version
    • No web dashboard; rules are managed only from an Apple device
    Visit Apple Screen Time Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Apple Screen Time a good Microsoft Family Safety alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Requires
    Family Sharing and a Child Account
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web filter default
    Ask to Browse on for under 13s
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Contact approval
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Purchase approval
    Ask to Buy
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Norton Family logo

    5. Norton Family

    Best for: Families already using Norton 360 who want web, time and location supervision in one account.

    PaidWindows, iOS, Android, Web

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Family Safety

    Dedicated parental-control service with web supervision and location history for Windows, Android and iOS kids.

    Pros

    • School Time mode limits a child's device to school-approved sites
    • Location history covers 30 days with geofence arrival alerts
    • Shows search terms and watched YouTube videos on the web
    • Included with some Norton 360 security plans

    Cons

    • Macs and Windows in S mode can't be supervised as child devices
    • Search and video supervision on phones needs Norton's in-app browser
    • Video supervision does not cover the YouTube app
    Visit Norton Family Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Norton Family a good Microsoft Family Safety alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026family.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Child devices
    Windows PC, iOS, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026family.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac support
    Not supported
    Checked Nov 8, 2026family.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Location history
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026family.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Gen Digital
    Checked Nov 8, 2026family.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Aura logo

    6. Aura

    Best for: US households wanting identity, credit and device protection in one family subscription

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    51.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Family Safety

    Adds screen-time scheduling and content filtering to an identity and device protection plan for the whole family.

    Pros

    • Three-bureau credit monitoring and instant Experian credit lock
    • Antivirus, VPN and password manager included in plans
    • Data broker removal included
    • Family plan covers up to five adults and unlimited kids

    Cons

    • US only
    • No free tier, and the best prices need annual billing
    • Bundled antivirus and VPN are less configurable than standalone tools
    Visit Aura Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Aura a good Microsoft Family Safety alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $12/month billed annually (Individual)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Identity theft insurance
    $1M per adult
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Data removal
    425+ data brokers and sites
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2017
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Couple plan
    $22/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family plan
    $32/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    60 days on annual plans
    Checked Nov 8, 2026aura.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Family Link logo

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for most people

Google Family Link

Free like Microsoft's tool, but built for Android phones and Chromebooks.

Apple Screen Time logo

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for a free option

Apple Screen Time

Free and built in on Apple devices, with downtime, app limits and contact approval for kids in Family Sharing.

Net Nanny logo

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for Mac

Net Nanny

Paid filter that works in any browser and also covers Macs and iPhones.

Ka

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for Windows

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Cross-platform rules including iPhone, with GPS tracking and YouTube safe search.

Norton Family logo

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for iPhone and Android

Norton Family

Dedicated parental-control service with web supervision and location history for Windows, Android and iOS kids.

Aura logo

Best Microsoft Family Safety alternative for working in the browser

Aura

Adds screen-time scheduling and content filtering to an identity and device protection plan for the whole family.

Microsoft Family Safety alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?

Google Family Link ranks first right now. Free like Microsoft's tool, but built for Android phones and Chromebooks. Net Nanny and Kaspersky Safe Kids follow it in our ranking.

Microsoft Family Safety vs Google Family Link: what's the difference?

Both Microsoft Family Safety and Google Family Link are free to use. Only Microsoft Family Safety runs on Windows.

Is Microsoft Family Safety free?

Microsoft Family Safety is free to use.

How much do Microsoft Family Safety alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Microsoft Family Safety alternatives: Net Nanny, $39.99 a year for 1 desktop (list $49.99); Aura, $12/month billed annually (Individual). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?

Yes. Google Family Link (free) and Apple Screen Time (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Family Safety?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Microsoft Family Safety?

The complaints we hear most: web filtering only works in Microsoft Edge, and other browsers get blocked; little control over a child's iPhone; device-wide screen time limits cover only Windows and Xbox.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft Family Safety, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.