Software · head to head
Norton Family vs BabyCenter
Norton Family
Software
Comprehensive parental control from Norton Security
- From
- $49.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only BabyCenter has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Norton Family norton Family can only be installed on a child's Windows PC, iOS or Android device, with no macOS support; BabyCenter babyCenter is free to use with no subscription tier of its own, monetising through advertising and partnerships rather than a user fee
- They diverge on capability: Norton Family covers Antivirus protection, BabyCenter covers Week-by-week pregnancy updates.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Norton Family and BabyCenter actually diverge.
| Attribute | Norton Family | BabyCenter |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49.99/year | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1991 | 1997 |
Identical on both: 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 Norton Family
- Antivirus protection
- Web monitoring
- App blocking
- Screen time management
- Location tracking
- Activity reports
- Social media monitoring
- Custom alerts
Only in BabyCenter
- Week-by-week pregnancy updates
- Baby development tracker
- Milestone tracking
- Parenting tips
- Expert articles
- Community forums
- Growth charts
- Vaccine schedules
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Norton Family
- Blocking unsuitable websites and reporting which sites a child visitsnot BabyCenter
- Scheduling screen time limits and a School Time focus modenot BabyCenter
- Tracking a child's device location with arrival and departure alertsnot BabyCenter
BabyCenter
- Pregnancy informationnot Norton Family
- Baby trackingnot Norton Family
- Community supportnot Norton Family
- Health informationnot Norton Family
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
BabyCenter
- BabyCenter is free to use with no subscription tier of its own, monetising through advertising and partnerships rather than a user fee
Pricing, plan by plan
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
BabyCenter
Free- FreeFree
- Week-by-week updates
- Baby tracker
- Community forums
Which should you pick?
Choose Norton Family if
- You need antivirus protection.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac.
- You also want web monitoring.
Choose BabyCenter if
- You need week-by-week pregnancy updates.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want baby development tracker.
Questions people ask
- Is Norton Family or BabyCenter better?
- Neither clearly leads. Norton Family starts at $49.99/year and BabyCenter at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Norton Family or BabyCenter?
- BabyCenter has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49.99/year for Norton Family and Free for BabyCenter.
- Does Norton Family or BabyCenter run on more platforms?
- Norton Family runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac. BabyCenter runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use BabyCenter for free?
- Yes. BabyCenter has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton Family starts at $49.99/year.
- What is Norton Family best used for?
- Norton Family is most often used for blocking unsuitable websites and reporting which sites a child visits, scheduling screen time limits and a school time focus mode, tracking a child's device location with arrival and departure alerts. Of those, blocking unsuitable websites and reporting which sites a child visits and scheduling screen time limits and a school time focus mode are not what BabyCenter is typically brought in for.
- What can Norton Family do that BabyCenter cannot?
- Norton Family covers Antivirus protection, Web monitoring, App blocking, Screen time management. BabyCenter covers Week-by-week pregnancy updates, Baby development tracker, Milestone tracking, Parenting tips. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, Ios support, Android support.