Top 5 Spy Software for Parental Control in 2025 – Tested & Reviewed

Even though internet safety measures are improving, it is still difficult to stop kids from accessing harmful content, chatting with strangers, or spending hours glued to their screens.

That’s why parental control apps are more important than ever in 2025. The best ones help you guide your child’s online experience, and block harmful content—all while respecting their privacy. So, if you want to protect them from online dangers or simply encourage better digital habits, you need to choose the right spy software.

We’ve tested and reviewed five of the best parental monitoring software in 2025 to help you choose the best option for your family.

Top 5 Spy Software for Parental Control in 2025 – Our Tested Reviews

We’ve tested and reviewed five of the best spy apps for parental control in 2025, focusing on their features, ease of use, and effectiveness. These apps stand out for their ability to help you monitor your child’s online activity without being intrusive.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the top 5 picks.

SpyX

SpyX is one of the most powerful and widely used parental control apps available today. SpyX gives you access to your child’s messages, call logs, and even real-time GPS tracking—all while running discreetly in the background.

Another great thing about SpyX is that you don’t need to install any app on your kid’s phone. Unlike some spy apps that require jailbreaking or rooting, SpyX offers a hassle-free setup process. It supports a wide range of social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and even lesser-known apps like Kik and WeChat.

Connection Methods and Features 

Pros and Cons of SpyX

Msafely

Msafely is another highly rated parental monitoring app designed to help you keep tabs on your child’s digital activities without needing direct access to their phone. It runs in complete stealth mode, meaning your child won’t even know it’s installed.

Msafely is perfect for parents who need real-time tracking and message recovery without going through the hassle of jailbreaking or rooting. You don’t need physical access to the target device to use Msafely.

One of Msafely’s biggest advantages is its continuous syncing feature, which ensures that all call logs, messages, and social media interactions are updated in real time. Even if your child deletes messages, Msafely can retrieve them. This makes it one of the best phone monitoring apps for tracking conversations and online behavior.

Connection Method and Features

Pros and Cons of Msafely

KidsGuard Pro

KidsGuard Pro (also known as ClevGuard) is a powerful parental control app designed for parents who want a detailed overview of their child’s online activity. You can use KidsGuard Pro to monitor your child’s call logs, browsing history, social media, and location. It can also serve as an internet filtering software.

KidsGuard Pro doesn’t require jailbreaking for basic features, but some advanced tracking tools require installation on the target device. While this might not be ideal for remote monitoring, it ensures full access to important data.

One of the best things about KidsGuard Pro is that it operates in stealth mode, so your child won’t know it’s running in the background. But you need physical access to the target device to use KidsGuard Pro.

Connection Methods and Features 

Pros and Cons of KidsGuard Pro

mSpy

mSpy is one of the most well-known spy apps for parents that offers powerful social media tracking, and stealth monitoring.

This app allows parents to monitor WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, and more while running completely undetected. mSpy provides full stealth mode, which makes it ideal for discreet supervision.

To unlock all features, mSpy offers three connection methods—iCloud sync (remote monitoring), USB extraction (manual data access), and jailbreak (full access to all features).

Connection Method and Features

Pros and Cons of mSpy

uMobix

uMobix is an efficient parental control app for monitoring your kid’s phone. uMobix is best for parents who need real-time location tracking and detailed browsing history monitoring.

uMobix doesn’t require jailbreaking, making it easier to set up. However, iPhone monitoring requires frequent iCloud logins for access.

It also includes hybrid tracking, meaning you can either install it directly or use iCloud credentials for remote access.

Connection Method and Features

Pros and Cons of uMobix

Key Factors When the Best Spy Software for Parental

Before committing to any parental control app, consider these seven essential factors to find the best fit for your family's needs.

Device Compatibility is Very Important

The first thing to check is whether the spy app is compatible with your child's device. Some apps work for both iOS and Android, while others might be limited to one platform.

Pricing

Parental control apps aren’t always free, and even those that offer a free version usually have limited features. If you’re serious about monitoring, expect to pay for a premium plan.

Consider Some Must-Have Features

Not all parental control apps offer the same features, so it’s important to identify which features align with your needs. 

Ease of Use

A parental control app needs to be user-friendly. If the setup process is difficult or the dashboard is cluttered, monitoring becomes frustrating rather than helpful.

The best spy software should have a straightforward installation process, clear settings, and an organized interface, this will allow parents to quickly access reports and alerts.

Privacy & Security

Since parental control apps collect sensitive data, choosing one with strong privacy protections is essential. A poorly secured app could expose personal information, making it vulnerable to hackers or third-party misuse.

Customer Support

Even the best parental spy apps can run into issues, it may be installation problems, slow synching, or missing data. This is why good customer support is critical. Good customer service can be a savior when debugging, especially for non-technical parents.

Prior to purchasing, determine whether the seller of the spy app offers 24/7 live chat, email support, or phone support.

Also make sure that you look for parental control apps with detailed guides, FAQs, and video tutorials to help with common setup and usage problems.

How to Use the Best Spy Software for Parental Control 

After reviewing five family tracking apps, SpyX stands out as the best choice. This is because it lets you track real-time locations, social media activity, call and text history, photos and videos, and more—all in one place. It also works smoothly on both Android and iPhone and runs in stealth mode, so the child you are monitoring won’t even know it’s there.

As a parent, you can easily set up and manage your child's online safety. SpyX also offers 24/7 customer support if you run into any trouble.

To start using SpyX, follow this simple step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create a SpyX Account

Go to the SpyX website and register with your email address. 

Step 2: Connect the Target Device

Log in to your SpyX account. Then select the type of device you want to monitor.

Step 3: Choose a Subscription Plan

You need to pick a plan that fits your monitoring needs, then complete the payment process to unlock full features.

Step 4: Start Monitoring

Once setup is complete, you can start tracking instantly from your dashboard. You can view location updates, call logs, social media activity, and more—all from one convenient control panel.

FAQs

Can I track my child’s phone without them knowing?

Yes! Apps like SpyX and mSpy run in hidden mode, so your child won’t know they’re being monitored.

Is parental control software legal?

Yes, if you’re monitoring your underage child’s phone with their safety in mind. Always check local laws before using.

What qualities should I search for in software for parental control?

Look for call logs, message tracking, GPS location, social media monitoring, and stealth mode for secret tracking.

Can I block apps and websites on my child’s phone?

Yes! Many spy apps, including SpyX, let you block apps, filter content, and set screen time limits.

Can I see my child’s deleted messages?

Yes! Spy apps like SpyX can recover deleted texts and chats from apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.

Conclusion

Keeping your child safe online is easy and the right parental control app can make a huge difference. After testing the five top options, SpyX stands out as the best. It is easy to set up, runs in stealth mode, and gives you real-time access to messages, calls, locations, and more.

So, if you’re worried about social media, screen time, or online safety, SpyX has you covered. With powerful features and 24/7 support, it’s the ultimate tool for modern parents.

SpX gives you peace of mind and lets your child explore the digital world safely, therefore SpyX is the best choice in 2025.