Software · head to head
Apple Screen Time vs Norton Family
Apple Screen Time
Software
Apple's built-in parental controls for iOS and Mac
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Norton Family
Software
Comprehensive parental control from Norton Security
- From
- $49.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Apple Screen Time has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Apple Screen Time parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone; Norton Family norton Family can only be installed on a child's Windows PC, iOS or Android device, with no macOS support
- They diverge on capability: Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, Norton Family covers Antivirus protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Screen Time and Norton Family actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Screen Time | Norton Family |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $49.99/year |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Ios, Ipados, Macos | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Founded | 2016 | 1991 |
Identical on both: 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
- Content filtering
- App restrictions
- Communication limits
- Purchase controls
- Family Sharing management
Only in Norton Family
- Antivirus protection
- Web monitoring
- App blocking
- Screen time management
- Location tracking
- Activity reports
- Social media monitoring
- Custom alerts
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Ios support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Screen Time
- Screen time managementnot Norton Family
- Content filteringnot Norton Family
- Device controlnot Norton Family
- Family safetynot Norton Family
Norton Family
- Blocking unsuitable websites and reporting which sites a child visitsnot Apple Screen Time
- Scheduling screen time limits and a School Time focus modenot Apple Screen Time
- Tracking a child's device location with 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
Norton Family
- Norton Family can only be installed on a child's Windows PC, iOS or Android device, with no macOS support
- Windows 10 in S mode is explicitly excluded
- Not all features are available on all supported platforms
- Location Supervision is not available in all countries and must be activated before use
- Video Supervision covers only videos watched on YouTube.com and does not track YouTube videos embedded in other sites or blogs
- Mobile App Supervision shows and controls apps only on Android devices
- The Android app relies on the AccessibilityService API to see websites viewed and to stop the child removing permissions
- Features require the child's device to have an internet or data plan and to be turned on
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Screen Time
Free- Included with iOS/macOSFree
- Screen time limits
- App restrictions
- Content filtering
Norton Family
$49.99/year- Norton 360 Deluxe$49.99/year
- Antivirus protection
- Parental controls
- Screen time limits
- Norton 360 Premium$99.99/year
- Everything in Deluxe
- Location tracking
- Advanced monitoring
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 Norton Family if
- You need antivirus protection.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- You also want web monitoring.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Screen Time or Norton Family better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Screen Time starts at Free and Norton Family at $49.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Screen Time or Norton Family?
- Apple Screen Time has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Screen Time and $49.99/year for Norton Family.
- Does Apple Screen Time or Norton Family run on more platforms?
- Apple Screen Time runs on Ios, Ipados, Macos. Norton Family runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- Can I use Apple Screen Time for free?
- Yes. Apple Screen Time has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton Family starts at $49.99/year.
- 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 Norton Family is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Screen Time do that Norton Family cannot?
- Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, App limits, Downtime scheduling, Content filtering. Norton Family covers Antivirus protection, Web monitoring, App blocking, Screen time management. Both handle Cloud deployment, Ios support, English language support.