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Net Nanny alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

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

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Net Nanny: no free plan, and android isn't listed among supported devices. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Net Nanny, 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
2Microsoft Family Safety logoMicrosoft Family SafetyFree—NoWindows, Android, iOS +13 of 364.8
3KaKaspersky Safe KidsPaid—NoWindows, macOS, Android +14 of 461.8
4Norton Family logoNorton FamilyPaid—NoWindows, iOS, Android +15 of 559.4
5Mobicip logoMobicipFree plan + paid$2.99/month billed annually (Lite, 5 devices)NoiOS, Android, Windows +15 of 557.5
6Apple Screen Time logoApple Screen TimeFree—NoiOS, macOS5 of 555.9
  1. Microsoft Family Safety logo

    2. Microsoft Family Safety

    Best for: Families whose kids use Windows PCs and Xbox consoles

    FreeWindows, Android, iOS, Web

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Net Nanny

    Free screen time limits and Edge web filters across Windows, Xbox and Android.

    Pros

    • Free with a Microsoft account
    • Screen time limits for Windows, Xbox and Android
    • Children can request more time and parents approve it
    • Activity summaries for each child

    Cons

    • 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
    Visit Microsoft Family Safety 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 Microsoft Family Safety a good Net Nanny alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Screen time limits
    Windows, Xbox and Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Parent app
    Android and iOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web filtering
    Microsoft Edge only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026microsoft.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 Net Nanny

    Adds Android support plus GPS tracking and YouTube safe search, and comes with Kaspersky Premium.

    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 Details 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 Net Nanny 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. Norton Family logo

    4. Norton Family

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

    PaidWindows, iOS, Android, Web

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Net Nanny

    Web, search and time supervision for kids from a big security brand, often bundled with Norton 360 plans.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Net Nanny 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)
  4. Mobicip logo

    5. Mobicip

    Best for: Families with a mix of iPhones, Android, PCs, Macs and Chromebooks wanting one set of rules

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Windows, macOS

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Net Nanny

    Content filtering, app blocking and screen-time schedules across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Chromebook.

    Pros

    • Covers iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook and Kindle Fire from one account
    • Free Basic plan for two devices
    • All paid tiers include the full feature set; they differ only by device count
    • Co-parents and guardians can share management

    Cons

    • Paid plans are billed annually on the website, with no monthly option there
    • Social media monitoring covers only a few apps
    • Online payment needs a credit card; debit and prepaid cards aren't accepted
    Visit Mobicip 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 Mobicip a good Net Nanny alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    $2.99/month billed annually (Lite, 5 devices)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobicip.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Basic, 2 devices
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobicip.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobicip.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle Fire
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobicip.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobicip.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Apple Screen Time logo

    6. Apple Screen Time

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

    FreeiOS, macOS

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Net Nanny

    Free and built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, with app limits, downtime and content restrictions via 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 ×0.357
    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 Apple Screen Time a good Net Nanny 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)

The best Net Nanny alternative for…

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

Google Family Link logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for most people

Google Family Link

Free from Google, with screen time limits, app approvals and location for Android kids.

Microsoft Family Safety logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for a free option

Microsoft Family Safety

Free screen time limits and Edge web filters across Windows, Xbox and Android.

Mobicip logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Mobicip

Content filtering, app blocking and screen-time schedules across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Chromebook.

Ka

Best Net Nanny alternative for Mac

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Adds Android support plus GPS tracking and YouTube safe search, and comes with Kaspersky Premium.

Norton Family logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for Windows

Norton Family

Web, search and time supervision for kids from a big security brand, often bundled with Norton 360 plans.

Google Family Link logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Family Link

Free from Google, with screen time limits, app approvals and location for Android kids.

Google Family Link logo

Best Net Nanny alternative for working in the browser

Google Family Link

Free from Google, with screen time limits, app approvals and location for Android kids.

Net Nanny alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Net Nanny?

Google Family Link ranks first right now. Free from Google, with screen time limits, app approvals and location for Android kids. Microsoft Family Safety and Kaspersky Safe Kids follow it in our ranking.

Net Nanny vs Google Family Link: what's the difference?

Net Nanny is a paid product; Google Family Link is free to use. Only Net Nanny runs on Windows and macOS. Only Google Family Link runs on Android.

Is Net Nanny free?

Net Nanny is a paid product. Plans: 1, 5 or 20 devices per year; Starting price: $39.99 a year for 1 desktop (list $49.99); 5 Devices plan: $54.99 a year (list $79.99); 20 Devices plan: $89.99 a year (list $129.99). Checked on Net Nanny's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Net Nanny?

Yes. Google Family Link (free), Microsoft Family Safety (free), Mobicip (free plan + paid) 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 Net Nanny?

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

Why do people switch from Net Nanny?

The complaints we hear most: no free plan; android isn't listed among supported devices; app blocking and location tracking are limited to iOS.

How is this list ranked?

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