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Parenting · head to head

Qustodio vs What to Expect

Qustodio logo

Qustodio

Parenting

The best parental control app for families

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: Qustodio monitoring requires installing a separate Kids App on each child device in addition to the parent app; 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: Qustodio covers Web filtering & blocking, 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 Qustodio and What to Expect actually diverge.

Attributes where Qustodio and What to Expect differ
AttributeQustodioWhat to Expect
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, KindleWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20122000

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 Qustodio

  • Web filtering & blocking
  • Screen time limits
  • App blocking & control
  • Location tracking
  • Calls & SMS monitoring
  • Social media monitoring
  • YouTube monitoring
  • Panic button

Only in What to Expect

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

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Qustodio

  • Blocking apps and inappropriate web content on a child's devicenot What to Expect
  • Setting screen time limits and screen-free periods for childrennot What to Expect
  • Tracking a child's location and getting arrival and departure alertsnot What to Expect

What to Expect

  • Pregnancy trackingnot Qustodio
  • Parenting guidancenot Qustodio
  • Community supportnot Qustodio
  • Health informationnot Qustodio

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

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

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

What to Expect

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 Qustodio or What to Expect better?
Neither clearly leads. Qustodio 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, Qustodio or What to Expect?
Qustodio starts at Free and What to Expect at Free.
Does Qustodio or What to Expect run on more platforms?
Qustodio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle. What to Expect runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Qustodio for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Qustodio best used for?
Qustodio is most often used for blocking apps and inappropriate web content on a child's device, setting screen time limits and screen-free periods for children, tracking a child's location and getting arrival and departure alerts. Of those, blocking apps and inappropriate web content on a child's device and setting screen time limits and screen-free periods for children are not what What to Expect is typically brought in for.
What can Qustodio do that What to Expect cannot?
Qustodio covers Web filtering & blocking, Screen time limits, App blocking & control, Location tracking. What to Expect covers Pregnancy tracking, Weekly updates, Symptom tracker, Parenting tips. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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