Software · head to head
Kidslox vs Apple Screen Time
Apple Screen Time
Software
Apple's built-in parental controls for iOS and Mac
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Kidslox one paid account controls up to 10 devices; Apple Screen Time parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone
- They diverge on capability: Kidslox covers Screen time management, Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kidslox and Apple Screen Time actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kidslox | Apple Screen Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac | Ios, Ipados, Macos |
| Founded | 2013 | 2016 |
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 Kidslox
- Screen time management
- App blocking
- Location tracking
- Website blocking
- Schedule management
- Usage reports
- Multiple device support
- Device manufacturers
Only in Apple Screen Time
- Screen time tracking
- App limits
- Downtime scheduling
- App restrictions
- Communication limits
- Purchase controls
- Family Sharing management
- iCloud
Both cover
- Content filtering
- Cloud deployment
- Ios support
- English language support
- Spanish language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kidslox
- Locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedulenot Apple Screen Time
- Blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific appsnot Apple Screen Time
- Tracking a child's location with geofenced arrival and departure alertsnot Apple Screen Time
Apple Screen Time
- Screen time managementnot Kidslox
- Content filteringnot Kidslox
- Device controlnot Kidslox
- Family safetynot Kidslox
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Apple Screen Time
- Parental controls require setting up Family Sharing and a Child Account rather than working standalone
Pricing, plan by plan
Kidslox
Free- FreeFree
- Screen time limits
- Basic app blocking
- Content filtering
- Premium$9.99/month
- Everything in Free
- Location tracking
- Advanced filtering
Apple Screen Time
Free- Included with iOS/macOSFree
- Screen time limits
- App restrictions
- Content filtering
Which should you pick?
Choose Kidslox if
- You need screen time management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- You also want app blocking.
Choose Apple Screen Time if
- You need screen time tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Ipados, Macos.
- You also want app limits.
Questions people ask
- Is Kidslox or Apple Screen Time better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kidslox starts at Free and Apple Screen Time at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kidslox or Apple Screen Time?
- Kidslox starts at Free and Apple Screen Time at Free.
- Does Kidslox or Apple Screen Time run on more platforms?
- Kidslox runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac. Apple Screen Time runs on Ios, Ipados, Macos.
- Can I use Kidslox for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Kidslox best used for?
- Kidslox is most often used for locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedule, blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific apps, tracking a child's location with geofenced arrival and departure alerts. Of those, locking a child's phone instantly or on a bedtime schedule and blocking adult content, in-app purchases and specific apps are not what Apple Screen Time is typically brought in for.
- What can Kidslox do that Apple Screen Time cannot?
- Kidslox covers Screen time management, App blocking, Location tracking, Website blocking. Apple Screen Time covers Screen time tracking, App limits, Downtime scheduling, App restrictions. Both handle Content filtering, Cloud deployment, Ios support, English language support.