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Free Net Nanny alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

4 of the 6 Net Nanny alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Google Family Link, Microsoft Family Safety and Mobicip rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

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
3Mobicip logoMobicipFree plan + paid$2.99/month billed annually (Lite, 5 devices)NoiOS, Android, Windows +15 of 557.5
4Apple 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. Mobicip logo

    3. 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)
  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

    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)