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Parenting · head to head

Google Family Link vs What to Expect

Google Family Link logo

Google Family Link

Parenting

Google's free family device management and controls

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
What to Expect logo

What to Expect

Parenting

Pregnancy and parenting guidance from conception to toddler

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; What to Expect what to Expect is a free, ad-supported consumer content site with no reader subscription tier, per the 31 Dec 2022 archive capture
  • They diverge on capability: Google Family Link covers Screen time management, What to Expect covers Pregnancy tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Family Link and What to Expect actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Family Link and What to Expect differ
AttributeGoogle Family LinkWhat to Expect
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsAndroid, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20192000

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
  • Location tracking
  • Settings management
  • Password controls
  • Google Play filtering
  • Account monitoring

Only in What to Expect

  • Pregnancy tracking
  • Weekly updates
  • Symptom tracker
  • Parenting tips
  • Community forums
  • Expert articles
  • Baby names database
  • Milestone tracking

Both cover

  • Data privacy
  • 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 What to Expect
  • Creating and managing a Google Account for a child under 13not What to Expect
  • Seeing which apps a child uses and where their device isnot What to Expect

What to Expect

  • Pregnancy trackingnot Google Family Link
  • Parenting guidancenot Google Family Link
  • Community supportnot Google Family Link
  • Health informationnot 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

What to Expect

  • What to Expect is a free, ad-supported consumer content site with no reader subscription tier, per the 31 Dec 2022 archive capture

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Family Link

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

What to Expect

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weekly pregnancy updates
    • Parenting tips
    • Symptom tracker

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 What to Expect if

  • You need pregnancy tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want weekly updates.
What to Expect review

Questions people ask

Is Google Family Link or What to Expect better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Family Link starts at Free and What to Expect at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Family Link or What to Expect?
Google Family Link starts at Free and What to Expect at Free.
Does Google Family Link or What to Expect run on more platforms?
Google Family Link runs on Android, Web. What to Expect runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 What to Expect is typically brought in for.
What can Google Family Link do that What to Expect cannot?
Google Family Link covers Screen time management, App approval system, Device locking, Location tracking. What to Expect covers Pregnancy tracking, Weekly updates, Symptom tracker, Parenting tips. Both handle Data privacy, Cloud deployment, Android support, Web 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
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
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Related pages

More on Google Family Link

More on What to Expect

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