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Google Family Link vs Greenlight

Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Software

Google's free family device management and controls

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Greenlight logo

Greenlight

Software

The family finance app for modern families

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Family Link has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Family Link google documents that iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks cannot be supervised with Family Link; Greenlight family plan capped at five kids maximum; larger families require external solutions
  • They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers Screen time management, Greenlight covers Debit cards for kids.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Family Link and Greenlight actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Family Link and Greenlight differ
AttributeGoogle Family LinkGreenlight
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroid, WebiOS, Android
Founded20192014

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 Google Family Link

  • Screen time management
  • App approval system
  • Device locking
  • Location tracking
  • Settings management
  • Password controls
  • Google Play filtering
  • Account monitoring

Only in Greenlight

  • Debit cards for kids
  • Store-level spending controls
  • Chores & allowance
  • Automatic allowance
  • Savings goals with interest
  • Investing for kids
  • Real-time notifications
  • Financial education

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Android support
  • Web support
  • English 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 Greenlight
  • Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not Greenlight
  • Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot Greenlight

Greenlight

  • Families teaching financial literacy through automated allowance and chore trackingnot Google Family Link
  • Parents seeking real-time spending notifications and location safety for childrennot Google Family Link
  • Households wanting youth investment accounts with parent-directed stock picksnot 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

Greenlight

  • Family plan capped at five kids maximum; larger families require external solutions
  • Investment advisory through Greenlight Investment Advisors not FDIC-insured; subject to market risk
  • Safety features depend on 'sensory and motion data from cell phone'; requires always-on location tracking
  • Risk-free trial valid for new customers only and requires identity verification and minimum load requirements
  • Specific minimum age requirements not published on website; requires account creation to determine eligibility

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Family Link

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Screen time limits
    • App approval
    • Device locking

Greenlight

$5.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Greenlight review.

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.
Google Family Link review

Choose Greenlight if

  • You need debit cards for kids.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want store-level spending controls.
Greenlight review

Questions people ask

Is Google Family Link or Greenlight better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link starts at Free and Greenlight at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Family Link or Greenlight?
Google Family Link has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Family Link and $5.99/month for Greenlight.
Does Google Family Link or Greenlight run on more platforms?
Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. Greenlight runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Family Link for free?
Yes. Google Family Link has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Greenlight starts at $5.99/month.
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 Greenlight is typically brought in for.
What can Google Family Link do that Greenlight cannot?
Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Location tracking. Greenlight covers Debit cards for kids, Store-level spending controls, Chores & allowance, Automatic allowance. Both handle Cloud deployment, Android support, Web support, English language support.
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Related pages

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