Softwr

Parenting · head to head

Google Family Link vs Qustodio

Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Parenting

Google's free family device management and controls

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Qustodio logo

Qustodio

Parenting

The best parental control app for families

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Qustodio monitoring requires installing a separate Kids App on each child device in addition to the parent app
  • They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers Screen time management, Qustodio covers Web filtering & blocking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Family Link and Qustodio differ
AttributeGoogle Family LinkQustodio
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsAndroid, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle
Founded20192012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Settings management
  • Password controls
  • Google Play filtering
  • Account monitoring
  • Google services

Only in Qustodio

  • Web filtering & blocking
  • Screen time limits
  • App blocking & control
  • Calls & SMS monitoring
  • Social media monitoring
  • YouTube monitoring
  • Panic button
  • All major browsers

Both cover

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

Qustodio

  • Blocking apps and inappropriate web content on a child's devicenot Google Family Link
  • Setting screen time limits and screen-free periods for childrennot Google Family Link
  • Tracking a child's location and getting 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

Qustodio

  • Monitoring requires installing a separate Kids App on each child device in addition to the parent app
  • The Android kids app requires Device Administrator, Accessibility and VPN permissions to filter content and prevent uninstall
  • Web content filtering works by running a VPN service on the child's device
  • On Huawei devices battery-saving mode must be disabled for Qustodio to work
  • The product is available in only eight languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese and Chinese
  • Coverage is limited to Windows, Mac, iOS, Kindle and Android devices

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Family Link

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

Qustodio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 device
    • Basic web filtering
    • Daily activity reports
  • Small Plan$54.95/year
    • 5 devices
    • Advanced web filtering
    • App controls
  • Medium Plan$96.95/year
    • 10 devices
    • All Small features
    • Family locator
  • Large Plan$137.95/year
    • 15 devices
    • All Medium features
    • Priority support

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 Qustodio if

  • You need web filtering & blocking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle.
  • You also want screen time limits.
Qustodio review

Questions people ask

Is Google Family Link or Qustodio better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link starts at Free and Qustodio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Family Link or Qustodio?
Google Family Link starts at Free and Qustodio at Free.
Does Google Family Link or Qustodio run on more platforms?
Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. Qustodio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle.
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 Qustodio is typically brought in for.
What can Google Family Link do that Qustodio cannot?
Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Settings management. Qustodio covers Web filtering & blocking, Screen time limits, App blocking & control, Calls & SMS monitoring. Both handle Location tracking, YouTube, 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
Qustodio: How much does Qustodio cost?

Qustodio Basic Plan costs $59.95/year (approximately $5/month) for up to 5 devices. Complete Plan costs $104.95/year (approximately $8.75/month) for unlimited devices.

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
Qustodio: Does Qustodio offer a free version?

Yes, Qustodio offers a free version that protects a single device with basic protection features. A free trial of premium features is also available with no credit card required.

Source
Qustodio: What is the difference between Qustodio Basic and Complete plans?

Basic plan ($59.95/year) protects up to 5 devices with core features like blocking, time limits, and monitoring. Complete plan ($104.95/year) adds unlimited devices, YouTube monitoring, and custom rules. Both include 30-day money-back guarantee.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Google Family Link

More on Qustodio

Keep looking

Other head to heads