Software · head to head
Google Family Link vs Kidslox
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; Kidslox one paid account controls up to 10 devices
- They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers App approval system, Kidslox covers App blocking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Family Link and Kidslox actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Family Link | Kidslox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Android, Web | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Founded | 2019 | 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 Google Family Link
- App approval system
- Device locking
- Settings management
- Password controls
- Google Play filtering
- Account monitoring
- Google services
- Google Play
Only in Kidslox
- App blocking
- Content filtering
- Website blocking
- Schedule management
- Usage reports
- Multiple device support
- Device manufacturers
- Cloud services
Both cover
- Screen time management
- Location tracking
- 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 Kidslox
- Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not Kidslox
- Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot Kidslox
Kidslox
- Locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedulenot Google Family Link
- Blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific appsnot Google Family Link
- Tracking a child's location with geofenced arrival and departure alertsnot 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
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
Google Family Link
Free- FreeFree
- Screen time limits
- App approval
- Device locking
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 Google Family Link if
- You need app approval system.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Android, Web.
- You also want device locking.
Choose Kidslox if
- You need app blocking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- You also want content filtering.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Family Link or Kidslox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link 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, Google Family Link or Kidslox?
- Google Family Link starts at Free and Kidslox at Free.
- Does Google Family Link or Kidslox run on more platforms?
- Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. Kidslox runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- 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 Kidslox is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Family Link do that Kidslox cannot?
- Google Family Link covers App approval system, Device locking, Settings management, Password controls. Kidslox covers App blocking, Content filtering, Website blocking, Schedule management. Both handle Screen time management, Location tracking, Cloud deployment, Android support.