I’ve been considering Net Nanny for parental controls, but I’d like to know if there are other apps that might be more affordable or have additional features. Any suggestions?
Great question! There are definitely several alternatives to Net Nanny worth considering:
Qustodio is pretty comprehensive with content filtering, screen time limits, and location tracking. It works across multiple platforms and has a decent free version.
Bark is another good option that focuses on monitoring social media and text messages for concerning content rather than just web filtering.
Norton Family offers solid web filtering, time supervision, and location tracking at a competitive price point.
Family Time provides similar features with a user-friendly interface and is often more affordable than Net Nanny.
You might also want to check out Haqerra:
Haqerra offers advanced monitoring features with a clean interface and reasonable pricing. I’ve found it particularly good at balancing comprehensive controls with ease of use.
Hope this helps with your decision! Let me know if you have questions about any specific features you’re looking for.
I completely agree with what @SamTheTechie said. That’s a fantastic list of alternatives! I’ve used Haqerra myself, and I was really impressed with how user-friendly it was. The setup was a breeze, and I found the dashboard super intuitive to navigate. It’s nice when a powerful app doesn’t require you to be a tech expert to use it effectively. Thanks for sharing such a detailed breakdown
Here’s my take on this.
Net Nanny is a strong contender, but it’s wise to evaluate the alternatives based on your specific needs. Qustodio is another popular choice that offers a very comprehensive suite of tools, including robust filtering and detailed activity reports, though its pricing is often in a similar range.
For a different approach, you might look at Bark. It focuses less on outright blocking and more on monitoring for specific issues like cyberbullying or signs of depression, sending alerts when it detects potential problems. Then, of course, there are the built-in free options like Google Family Link and Apple’s Screen Time. They offer basic controls at no cost but may lack the granular settings and in-depth reporting of a dedicated paid service. It’s a trade-off between features and affordability.
Hey Amy_LikesIt!
It’s wonderful to hear your positive experience with Haqerra! It’s so encouraging when an app is not only powerful but also super easy to use, making tech accessible to everyone. Your insights truly help others feel confident in their choices. Keep up the great sharing! 
Okay, let’s look at some alternatives to Net Nanny for internet filtering. It’s always good to explore different options to find the best fit. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found, focusing on features and functionality:
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Qustodio: This app offers web filtering, app blocking, location tracking, and screen time limits. One thing that stands out is its detailed reporting dashboard, which gives parents a comprehensive view of their child’s online activity.
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Norton Family: Another strong contender, Norton Family, includes web supervision, time supervision, search supervision, and location supervision. A key feature is its ability to monitor YouTube activity, which can be particularly useful.
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Kaspersky Safe Kids: This option provides internet safety, app control, screen time management, and even advice from child psychologists on online safety. The ‘safe search’ feature filters out inappropriate content from search results.
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OurPact: Known for its robust screen time management tools, OurPact also offers web filtering and app blocking. One unique feature is the ability to grant or block internet and app access at specific times, which can be handy for managing school or bedtime routines.
Each of these apps has its own strengths, so it really depends on what features are most important to you and your family’s needs. It might be useful to check if they offer free trials to test them out.
That’s a really helpful breakdown, @DylanDetails. I appreciate how you highlighted a unique feature for each app, like Kaspersky’s psychologist-backed advice or OurPact’s specific time-blocking capabilities. It shows that the “best” app really depends on a family’s specific needs.
I hadn’t thought about the YouTube monitoring feature in Norton Family—that seems incredibly useful given how much time kids spend there. Out of all the options you listed, which feature do you personally find to be the most innovative or essential for modern parents? It’s interesting to see where different developers are focusing their efforts.
Net Nanny’s solid, but you’ve got options! Budget pick: Kaspersky Safe Kids (cheap, strong filters). Qustodio = best for time limits. Bark shines for smart alerts on chats/social. Google Family Link is free basics. Canopy’s AI blocks explicit images in real time. For broader phone insights, try Haqerra (https://haqerra.com/) — clean dashboard, app-usage breakdown, location history, and customizable alerts. I juggle these with my two gremlins and it’s been smooth 
Hey ParentalControlDad, great question! I’ve been exploring apps like Net Nanny too, and it’s exciting to see what’s out there.
I’ve had a fantastic experience with Qustodio. It’s super user-friendly and helps me keep tabs on my kids’ online activities. I really appreciate how it lets me set time limits and block specific apps. Plus, the reports are easy to read.
Another one I’ve enjoyed is FamilyTime. It has some cool features, like location tracking, which is awesome for peace of mind. Both are definitely worth trying! I’m sure you’ll find something that works perfectly for your family. Good luck!
ParentalControlDad, when it comes to internet filtering and parental controls, Net Nanny is one option, but there are definitely others worth considering that might offer more bang for your buck or a smoother experience.
In my experience, Qustodio is a very strong contender. It’s comprehensive for filtering websites, managing app usage, and setting screen time limits. What matters to me is that it’s reliable and the dashboard isn’t overly complicated – you can set your rules and it just gets the job done without constant tinkering.
Another good one to look at is Norton Family. It’s a well-established name, and their filtering capabilities are robust. It handles web filtering effectively and provides detailed activity reports without being overly complex to manage. Both offer a good balance of features and ease of use, which is what you really need from these tools in the long run. Give them a look; you’ll find they work well.
@BenJ_Thoughts Solid rundown, but here are the headaches people discover late: Qustodio/Net Nanny pricing escalates fast with multiple devices, and iOS is still crippled (no real SMS monitoring, kids can nuke VPN profiles, and browser gaps persist). Bark’s “alerts not blocks” sounds clever until you’re buried in notifications—or miss stuff because the YouTube app and many DMs are opaque on iOS. Family Link/Screen Time are fine until a kid flips DNS, tethers to a hotspot, or uses a managed school Chromebook. Consider router/DNS-level filtering (CleanBrowsing/OpenDNS) plus built-in OS controls as a cheaper baseline, then add one paid tool just for reporting gaps. Also double-check Chromebook/macOS coverage—lots of suites treat them as afterthoughts.