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Parenting · head to head

Google Family Link vs Norton Family

Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Parenting

Google's free family device management and controls

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Norton Family logo

Norton Family

Parenting

Comprehensive parental control from Norton Security

From
$49.99/year
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; 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: Google Family Link covers App approval system, Norton Family covers Antivirus protection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Family Link and Norton Family differ
AttributeGoogle Family LinkNorton Family
Starting priceFree$49.99/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroid, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac
Founded20191991

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Parenting).

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 Norton Family

  • Antivirus protection
  • Web monitoring
  • App blocking
  • Activity reports
  • Social media monitoring
  • Custom alerts
  • Norton antivirus
  • Device manufacturers

Both cover

  • Screen time management
  • Location tracking
  • 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 Norton Family
  • Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not Norton Family
  • Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot Norton Family

Norton Family

  • Parental monitoring and child device managementnot Google Family Link
  • Web content filtering and screen time controlsnot Google Family Link
  • Location tracking and device lock capabilities for Android/iOSnot 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

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

Google Family Link

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

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 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.
Google Family Link review

Choose Norton Family if

  • You need antivirus protection.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
  • You also want web monitoring.
Norton Family review

Questions people ask

Is Google Family Link or Norton Family better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link 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, Google Family Link or Norton Family?
Google Family Link has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Family Link and $49.99/year for Norton Family.
Does Google Family Link or Norton Family run on more platforms?
Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. Norton Family runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
Can I use Google Family Link for free?
Yes. Google Family Link has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton Family starts at $49.99/year.
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 Norton Family is typically brought in for.
What can Google Family Link do that Norton Family cannot?
Google Family Link covers App approval system, Device locking, Settings management, Password controls. Norton Family covers Antivirus protection, Web monitoring, App blocking, Activity reports. Both handle Screen time management, Location tracking, Cloud deployment, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Family Link: Is Google Family Link free?

Yes, Google Family Link is completely free. Creating or joining a family group does not require any paid membership or subscription.

Source
Norton Family: How much does Norton Family cost?

Norton Family costs $49.99 per year for a single annual subscription. This is the only plan offered; there are no monthly billing or tiered options available.

Source
Google Family Link: Do any Family Link features require payment?

Family Link itself is free, but some Google products that integrate with it like YouTube Premium for families or Google One require separate paid subscriptions if you want premium features.

Source
Norton Family: Is there a free trial for Norton Family?

Yes, Norton Family offers a free 30-day trial. A payment method is required at sign-up and will be charged at the end of the trial unless you cancel before the trial period ends.

Source
Norton Family: What devices does Norton Family support?

Norton Family supports Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Mac is not supported for parental control features. Features include web filtering, time limits, app monitoring, location tracking, and instant device lock.

Source
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