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Circle vs Kidslox

Circle logo

Circle

Software

The all-in-one community platform

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kidslox logo

Kidslox

Software

Simple parental controls for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kidslox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Circle location tracking is basic and less granular than some competitors; Kidslox one paid account controls up to 10 devices
  • They diverge on capability: Circle covers Spaces, Kidslox covers Screen time management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Circle and Kidslox actually diverge.

Attributes where Circle and Kidslox differ
AttributeCircleKidslox
Starting price$49/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac
Founded20202013

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 Circle

  • Spaces
  • Events
  • Courses
  • Member Directory
  • Live Streams
  • Workflows
  • Zapier
  • Stripe

Only in Kidslox

  • Screen time management
  • App blocking
  • Content filtering
  • Location tracking
  • Website blocking
  • Schedule management
  • Usage reports
  • Multiple device support

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Circle

  • Running a branded online community with discussion spacesnot Kidslox
  • Selling and delivering courses to an audiencenot Kidslox
  • Hosting events and live streams for membersnot Kidslox
  • Operating paid memberships with checkout and paymentsnot Kidslox
  • Shipping a branded iOS and Android community appnot Kidslox

Kidslox

  • Locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedulenot Circle
  • Blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific appsnot Circle
  • Tracking a child's location with geofenced arrival and departure alertsnot Circle

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Circle

  • Location tracking is basic and less granular than some competitors
  • Does not monitor social media interactions or private messages
  • Requires Circle Home Plus hardware purchase for full home network control
  • Activity reports are limited and less comprehensive than competing platforms

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

Circle

$49/month
  • Basic$49/month
    • Community
    • Members
    • Spaces
  • Professional$89/month
    • Courses
    • Workflows
    • Analytics
  • Business$199/month
    • White Label
    • API Access
    • Custom Domain

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 Circle if

  • You need spaces.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want events.
Circle review

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.
Kidslox review

Questions people ask

Is Circle or Kidslox better?
Neither clearly leads. Circle starts at $49/month and Kidslox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Circle or Kidslox?
Kidslox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49/month for Circle and Free for Kidslox.
Does Circle or Kidslox run on more platforms?
Circle runs on Ios, Android, Web. Kidslox runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
Can I use Kidslox for free?
Yes. Kidslox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Circle starts at $49/month.
What is Circle best used for?
Circle is most often used for running a branded online community with discussion spaces, selling and delivering courses to an audience, hosting events and live streams for members, operating paid memberships with checkout and payments. Of those, running a branded online community with discussion spaces and selling and delivering courses to an audience are not what Kidslox is typically brought in for.
What can Circle do that Kidslox cannot?
Circle covers Spaces, Events, Courses, Member Directory. Kidslox covers Screen time management, App blocking, Content filtering, Location tracking. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Circle: How much does Circle cost?

Circle offers a 14-day free trial of the app with all premium features included. After the trial, subscriptions are 9.99 USD per month or 89.99 USD per year. The Circle Home Plus device costs 129 USD upfront and includes one year of free app access, after which the app subscription costs approximately 10 USD per month.

Source
Circle: What devices does Circle support?

Circle works on Android, Apple iOS, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, Xbox, PlayStation, Kindle, smart speakers, IoT devices, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and iPhones. An unlimited number of devices can be managed from a single Circle account.

Source
Circle: How does Circle Home Plus work?

Circle Home Plus is a router-adjacent device that connects to your home network via Ethernet (with Wi-Fi backup) and manages all connected devices on that network. The Circle app then connects to this device to enforce parental controls across web browsing, app usage, and screen time across all family members' devices.

Source
Circle: Does Circle monitor social media?

Circle does not directly monitor social media content, conversations, or private messages. However, it can restrict access to social media apps and websites, and manage time spent on those platforms through screen time controls.

Source
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Related pages

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