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Parenting · head to head

Google Family Link vs OurFamilyWizard

Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Parenting

Google's free family device management and controls

From
Free
Rated
-
OurFamilyWizard logo

OurFamilyWizard

Parenting

Co-parenting made easier

From
$9.17/month
Rated
-

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; OurFamilyWizard each co-parent needs a separate paid subscription, so a two parent household pays twice
  • They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers Screen time management, OurFamilyWizard covers Shared parenting calendar.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Family Link and OurFamilyWizard differ
AttributeGoogle Family LinkOurFamilyWizard
Starting priceFree$9.17/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroid, WebIos, Android, Web
Founded20192001

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

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

Only in OurFamilyWizard

  • Shared parenting calendar
  • Secure messaging
  • Expense tracking
  • Payment requests
  • Info bank
  • Journal entries
  • ToneMeter
  • Court-admissible records

Both cover

  • 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 OurFamilyWizard
  • Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not OurFamilyWizard
  • Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot OurFamilyWizard

OurFamilyWizard

  • Documenting communication between separated or divorced co-parentsnot Google Family Link
  • Sharing a custody schedule, expenses and child information in one recordnot Google Family Link
  • Producing court admissible records of messages and parenting timenot 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

OurFamilyWizard

  • Each co-parent needs a separate paid subscription, so a two parent household pays twice
  • Subscriptions are sold in one year and two year terms rather than month to month
  • The Basic plan at $110 a year is receive only for calls and includes just 1 GB of storage
  • Essentials caps calling at 45 minutes a month and expense payments at 24
  • Call recording and transcription require the Max plan at $299.88 a year
  • Unlimited storage and unlimited certified records require the Premium plan or higher

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Family Link

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

OurFamilyWizard

$9.17/month
  • Basic$9.17/month
    • 1 GB storage
    • Receive-only calls
  • Essentials$12.5/month
    • 45 minutes/month video/audio calls
    • Writing assistant
    • Schedule coordination
  • Premium$18/month
    • Unlimited calls
    • Unlimited storage
    • Unlimited certified records
  • Max$24.99/month
    • Call recordings
    • Transcriptions
    • Secure recording storage

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 OurFamilyWizard if

  • You need shared parenting calendar.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want secure messaging.

Questions people ask

Is Google Family Link or OurFamilyWizard better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link starts at Free and OurFamilyWizard at $9.17/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Family Link or OurFamilyWizard?
Google Family Link has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Family Link and $9.17/month for OurFamilyWizard.
Does Google Family Link or OurFamilyWizard run on more platforms?
Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. OurFamilyWizard runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Google Family Link for free?
Yes. Google Family Link has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OurFamilyWizard starts at $9.17/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 OurFamilyWizard is typically brought in for.
What can Google Family Link do that OurFamilyWizard cannot?
Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Location tracking. OurFamilyWizard covers Shared parenting calendar, Secure messaging, Expense tracking, Payment requests. Both handle Cloud deployment, Android support, Web support, English language 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
OurFamilyWizard: Is there a free trial for OurFamilyWizard?

OurFamilyWizard offers a 30-day money-back guarantee when subscribing through their website, allowing users to try and request a full refund if unsatisfied.

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
OurFamilyWizard: What is the difference between OurFamilyWizard's Essentials and Premium plans?

Essentials ($12.50/month) includes 45 minutes/month of calls and up to 24 OFWpay reimbursements, while Premium ($18/month) offers unlimited calls, unlimited OFWpay payments, unlimited storage, and unlimited certified records.

Source
OurFamilyWizard: Does OurFamilyWizard offer discounts?

Yes, OurFamilyWizard offers fee waiver programs for qualifying families, military family discounts, and allows annual billing with reduced per-month rates compared to monthly subscription.

Source
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