Software · head to head
Apple Screen Time vs Kidslox
Apple Screen Time
Software
Apple's built-in parental controls for iOS and Mac
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apple Screen Time parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone; Kidslox one paid account controls up to 10 devices
- They diverge on capability: Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, Kidslox covers Screen time management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Screen Time and Kidslox actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Screen Time | Kidslox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Ios, Ipados, Macos | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Founded | 2016 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Apple Screen Time
- Screen time tracking
- App limits
- Downtime scheduling
- App restrictions
- Communication limits
- Purchase controls
- Family Sharing management
- iCloud
Only in Kidslox
- Screen time management
- App blocking
- Location tracking
- Website blocking
- Schedule management
- Usage reports
- Multiple device support
- Device manufacturers
Both cover
- Content filtering
- Cloud deployment
- Ios support
- English language support
- Spanish language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Screen Time
- Screen time managementnot Kidslox
- Content filteringnot Kidslox
- Device controlnot Kidslox
- Family safetynot Kidslox
Kidslox
- Locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedulenot Apple Screen Time
- Blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific appsnot Apple Screen Time
- Tracking a child's location with geofenced arrival and departure alertsnot Apple Screen Time
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apple Screen Time
- Parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone
Kidslox
- One paid account controls up to 10 devices
- The free trial lasts only 3 days
- Kidslox must be installed on every device you want to control
- Kidslox requires an internet connection to operate at all
- The Android app requires Device Administrator, VPN, Accessibility and Location permissions to filter content, take screenshots and show location
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Screen Time
Free- Included with iOS/macOSFree
- Screen time limits
- App restrictions
- Content filtering
Kidslox
Free- FreeFree
- Screen time limits
- Basic app blocking
- Content filtering
- Premium$9.99/month
- Everything in Free
- Location tracking
- Advanced filtering
Which should you pick?
Choose Apple Screen Time if
- You need screen time tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Ipados, Macos.
- You also want app limits.
Choose Kidslox if
- You need screen time management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- You also want app blocking.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Screen Time or Kidslox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Screen Time starts at Free and Kidslox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Screen Time or Kidslox?
- Apple Screen Time starts at Free and Kidslox at Free.
- Does Apple Screen Time or Kidslox run on more platforms?
- Apple Screen Time runs on Ios, Ipados, Macos. Kidslox runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- Can I use Apple Screen Time for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Apple Screen Time best used for?
- Apple Screen Time is most often used for screen time management, content filtering, device control, family safety. Of those, screen time management and content filtering are not what Kidslox is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Screen Time do that Kidslox cannot?
- Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, App limits, Downtime scheduling, App restrictions. Kidslox covers Screen time management, App blocking, Location tracking, Website blocking. Both handle Content filtering, Cloud deployment, Ios support, English language support.