Software · head to head
Google Family Link vs BabyCenter
Google Family Link
Software
Google's free family device management and controls
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Family Link google documents that iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link; BabyCenter babyCenter is free to use with no subscription tier of its own, monetising through advertising and partnerships rather than a user fee
- They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers Screen time management, BabyCenter covers Week-by-week pregnancy updates.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Family Link and BabyCenter actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Family Link | BabyCenter |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Android, Web | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2019 | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Google Family Link
- Screen time management
- App approval system
- Device locking
- Location tracking
- Settings management
- Password controls
- Google Play filtering
- Account monitoring
Only in BabyCenter
- Week-by-week pregnancy updates
- Baby development tracker
- Milestone tracking
- Parenting tips
- Expert articles
- Community forums
- Growth charts
- Vaccine schedules
Both cover
- Data privacy
- Cloud deployment
- Android support
- Web support
- English language support
- Spanish language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Family Link
- Setting screen time limits and app approvals on a child's Android devicenot BabyCenter
- Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not BabyCenter
- Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot BabyCenter
BabyCenter
- Pregnancy informationnot Google Family Link
- Baby trackingnot Google Family Link
- Community supportnot Google Family Link
- Health informationnot Google Family Link
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Family Link
- Google documents that iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link
- Supervision is built around a Google Account, so activity outside Google accounts and Android devices is not covered
- Parent controlled account creation applies to children under 13 or the applicable age in the country
BabyCenter
- BabyCenter is free to use with no subscription tier of its own, monetising through advertising and partnerships rather than a user fee
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Family Link
Free- FreeFree
- Screen time limits
- App approval
- Device locking
BabyCenter
Free- FreeFree
- Week-by-week updates
- Baby tracker
- Community forums
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Family Link if
- You need screen time management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Android, Web.
- You also want app approval system.
Choose BabyCenter if
- You need week-by-week pregnancy updates.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want baby development tracker.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Family Link or BabyCenter better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link starts at Free and BabyCenter at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Family Link or BabyCenter?
- Google Family Link starts at Free and BabyCenter at Free.
- Does Google Family Link or BabyCenter run on more platforms?
- Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. BabyCenter runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Google Family Link for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Google Family Link best used for?
- Google Family Link is most often used for setting screen time limits and app approvals on a child's android device, creating and managing a google account for a child under 13, seeing which apps a child uses and where their device is. Of those, setting screen time limits and app approvals on a child's android device and creating and managing a google account for a child under 13 are not what BabyCenter is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Family Link do that BabyCenter cannot?
- Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Location tracking. BabyCenter covers Week-by-week pregnancy updates, Baby development tracker, Milestone tracking, Parenting tips. Both handle Data privacy, Cloud deployment, Android support, Web support.