Qustodio review: does it deserve the #1 spot on my list in 2025?

The internet is full of prying eyes. So, if you’re like me and want to ensure top-notch safety for your kids and family, you shouldn’t miss out on one of the best parental control apps – Qustodio.

After hours of testing, I found Qustodio to be very user-friendly and an all-around parental control app. More precisely, it offers powerful tools like app blocking, screen time limits, and detailed activity reports. So, keep reading my detailed Qustodio review to learn more.

Quick overview of Qustodio parental control

Before I move on with in-depth insights, I decided to show you why Qustodio is one of the best parental control apps. Below, you’ll find all of its crucial aspects:

🌐 Web & app filtering	Yes
🕓 Screen time limits	Yes
📍 Location tracking	Yes
🖥️ Supported platforms	Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Kindle, and Chromebook
📲 Number of devices	Up to 50
✂️ Free plan	Yes
⌛ Trial period	Three-day free trial of Premium features
💵 Price	From $4.58/month (billed annually)

Visit Qustodio

How we test parental control apps

In order to examine whether Qustodio is worth it, I teamed up with the Cybernews research team and mimicked real-life scenarios. This helped me test any feature that this parental control app has.

More precisely, I set up parent and kid profiles using iOS 18 and Windows 10 Pro devices. Then, I filtered content, managed screen time, and monitored activity from the parent profile. On the other hand, I used the child’s device for browsing to see whether Qustodio works as advertised.

I even checked whether all of the Qustodio tools work consistently across the supported platforms. To evaluate the effectiveness further, I investigated the real-time location accuracy, tried to access restricted content, and reviewed activity logs.

Last but not least, I also explored potential workarounds to see whether kids can bypass Qustodio’s controls. I tried to uninstall it, implemented a VPN, changed my browser, altered my DNS, and disabled network access.

But if you want to learn more about this process and its accuracy, I encourage you to check out Cybernews’ testing methodology of parental control apps.

What is Qustodio parental control?

Qustodio is a leading provider of internet safety solutions for families. This parental control app will help you protect your kids from online threats, such as inappropriate content, cyber bullies, and predators.

One of the best things about the Qustodio app is that it can play a significant role in helping you establish balanced digital habits for your children through the Routines, which is a positive element rather than just guarding against the worst-case scenarios.

Currently, Qustodio will provide you with a fully-equipped toolkit to control your childrens' content access or screen time management. Qustodio also delivers real-time monitoring of your kids' online activities. This real-time monitoring gives you valuable information so you can take more proactive action and address risks as they emerge and before they turn into a worst-case scenario.

The Qustodio parental control app is trusted by more than six million users worldwide, and it is available in eight language translation in over 180 countries. The Qustodio mission is to provide a safer digital environment for kids around the world.

Key features of Qustodio parental control

Qustodio is a robust and user-friendly parental control solution with numerous advanced features for detailed monitoring and control of your children’s online activities. The following sections will dig into the key features of Qustodio parental control.

Web and app filtering

Qustodio lets you block access to websites in ten undesirable categories, such as Drugs, Gambling, Pornography, Proxies/Loopholes, and Violence. There are a few other categories, including Social Network and File Sharing, if you want to customize web filtering. Basically, you’ll be able to block, allow, or be alerted about access to any of the categories.

This feature also blocks unsupported browsers and uncategorized websites by default. More precisely, the filtering works on major browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari but not on Brave, Opera, and Tor. It even implements safe searches on popular search engines and notifies you when it blocks a site. Still, Qustodio doesn’t block specific keywords or profanity.

However, the only specific feature I would like to see added in the future is an option for your kids to request access to blocked sites, such as the one of Norton Family.

Daily time limits

This addition is neat as Qustodio helps download users in implementing daily screen timer, all of which are super user-friendly and balance flexible settings with being to make an emergency call. In all, you can restrict how often your kids use the device every day and on certain days you can block their access altogether.

You decide what happens when your child hits their limit, whether it's locking the device or getting notifications. You can also narrow it down to specific times, including morning, afternoon, or evening.

Qustodio gives you a wide range of choices. You can impose no restrictions on your kids’ internet access, implement weekly screen time usage limits according to the day of the week, or completely block specific apps. These features are extremely useful if you want your child to have access to educational apps while limiting their time on social media.

Routines

Routines let you create various rule sets that can take effect at different times of day. Instead of one set of rules all the time, you can customize them in advance according to homework or bedtime activities. It also allows you to add separate rules for different types of websites & apps. Meanwhile, it provides the ability to lock up or even disable devices from accessing the internet.

These features help make Qustodio a capable system for monitoring and controlling kids' screen time. They also enable you, as a parent, to retain some semblance of authority over your children's digital lives without constantly nagging or policing them.

But while you can decide whether to apply time limits to your routines, you can’t deactivate some of the already-set schedules, such as Web Filtering or SafeSearch.

Games & apps

The Games & Apps feature lets you allow, block, or set time limits on your child’s apps. You’ll be able to see any app your child accesses in the dashboard, and you can even turn on alerts for when your kid uses an app for the first time. As a result, you will establish a safe gaming and app usage environment.

However, a minor area for improvement is the enforcement of this feature, as there are some occasional delays.

YouTube monitoring

Qustodio lets you monitor your child’s activity on YouTube. However, the capabilities depend on the platform you’re using. For instance, on Windows, macOS, and Android devices, you can see what videos your kids watch and what they search for on YouTube both from a browser and the app.

On the other hand, for monitored iOS devices, you can only see searches and their viewing history on the mobile YouTube site.

Overall, Qustodio enables you to restrict usage of the YouTube app or website or set a time limit.

Location tracking and geo-fencing

Qustodio also allows you to know where your kids are at any time. More precisely, you can turn on the location tracking and see where your children are and where they’ve been. You can also save the most visited places, such as schools and your home, and receive a notification when they arrive at or leave those locations.

With Qustodio, you can select a place on the map, name it, and create a boundary around it (minimum of 350 feet).

However, I would love to see minor improvements with geofencing notifications, as the notifications are sometimes too delayed to be immediately useful to me.

Calls & messages

Qustodio provides a somewhat invasive yet effective monitoring and blocking approach to your kids’ calls and messages. You can precisely monitor their calls, SMS messages, and iMessages.

From the web portal, you can block or allow calls and messages. Calls and messages are updated automatically every hour, or you can manually refresh them. This will let you see who your kid is calling and messaging, the content of SMS and iMessages, and the timing of calls and messages.

However, to do all of this, you need to download a separate app that monitors calls and messages on your child’s devices. Also, keep in mind that Qustodio’s monitoring does not apply to third-party messaging apps like Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp.

Panic button

The Panic Button is a feature available only on Android. To use it, you need to define up to four trusted contacts with an email address or mobile phone number. If your child is lost or in trouble, they can click the SOS bubble from within the Qustodio app.

Once activated, you’ll receive your kid’s location, plus an alert. The app will continue to show the location every five minutes until the child turns off the panic mode. You can also end it by deactivating it via the web portal.

Activity reports

Last but not least, Qustodio comes with comprehensive and detailed activity reports. You’ll receive detailed daily, weekly, and monthly reports of your child’s online activity straight to your inbox.

Even better, there are real-time reports, so you can track your kids’ activity while they’re online.

Qustodio plans & pricing

After reviewing Qustodio’s features, it’s time to focus on its pricing plans. So, let me break down the price and the features you’ll get with the two premium offers:

	Basic	Complete
Price	$4.58/month	$8.33/month
Games and apps blocking	Yes	Yes
Daily time limits	Yes	Yes
Web filtering	Yes	Yes
Location monitoring	Yes	Yes
Pause internet access	Yes	Yes
AI-powered alerts	No	Yes
Social monitoring	No	Yes
Custom routines	No	Yes
App insights	No	Yes
Games and apps time limits	No	Yes
Calls and messages monitoring	No	Yes
Unlimited devices	No	Yes

Get Qustodio

As you can see above, I found that Qustodio includes numerous robust features in both its plans. However, if you’re just looking for basic protection of your kids, you might find the Basic tier more suitable and cost-efficient. Still, you can’t go wrong with the Complete plan, as you’ll get even more advanced functionalities for top-notch safety.

Qustodio parental controls app: our experience

If you look for a simple installation, just like me, then you shouldn’t worry about Qustodio. I found its installation and setup process effortless. Plus, when I heard that you can get it on Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Amazon Fire or Kindle platforms, I knew I must test it. And right away, it worked perfectly well.

Furthermore, Qustodio allowed me to use the same app for both the parent and the kid’s accounts, streamlining the setup process even more.

Now that you’re familiar, let’s get into more detail on the Qustodio parental control app, its user experience, and the setup process!

Installation & Setup (Parental App + Kids App)

1. I first opened the official Qustodio website and pressed the “Sign up” button in the top-right corner.
2. I was transferred to the sign-up page. All I needed to do was create an account by sharing my name, email address, and password, and click on “Create an account.”
3. Then, I installed Qustodio on my other device, which was a breeze.
4. Afterward, I just followed the installation prompts and logged in with my parent account credentials.
5. When I opened the dashboard, I ran across Add a child. So, I just clicked on the plus icon and filled out the required details.
6. Next, I selected the type of device that the child is using.
7. Then, Qustodio gave me two choices. I could either follow the steps on the screen or select “I want to protect this device.”
8. The next screen, where the process took me, was where I needed to enable the features I’d like to use. This is done through the child’s account, and it’s a breeze.
9. If you want to activate the Web Filtering, for example, you just need to click on it. I just toggled the “Apply filters” button and selected the content I wanted to block.
10. That’s it! I just completed a few easy steps, and Qustodio was up and running, ensuring ultimate online safety.

Ease of Use:

Qustodio is a very user-friendly platform. In fact, it displays similar ease of use across both its mobile and web platforms. I was surprised by how easy it is to navigate and access all of its features, regardless of whether I used the parent or the child app. Overall, Qustodio’s apps are feature-rich and easy to use, with only minor limitations to consider. So, let’s learn a bit more about them.

• Mobile & Tablets: I must note that the Qustodio mobile app is fully functional and has a minimalistic design, although the iOS app lacks the Panic Button. More precisely, I encountered a well-organized, modern, and easy-to-use Parent app. Also, I could see all of my kids’ accounts and set up another user profile from this screen via the Add a Child button at the bottom center. Plus, I was able to delete child profiles and reassign which device is assigned to which kid. Ultimately, I managed to access all the sections in the left-hand menu. The app has no significant limitations here, as the mobile and tablet apps completely control all the rules categories.
• Desktop: As soon as I saw how easy it is to navigate Qustodio from a mobile, I switched to the web app. If you appreciate a simple interface, quick feature access, and security measures, then you won’t have an issue. I found Qustodio’s web app pretty similar to the mobile one. As a Windows user, I got access to the Panic Button, and again, the menu is on the left side of the screen. From here, I effortlessly accessed the My Family, Devices, and Account sections.

Customer Support

I can’t leave out Qustodio's excellent customer service. If you have any issues, you can visit its comprehensive support library.

You will find a responsive ticketing system and the US-only premium Care Plus service. What you need to know about Qustodio Care Plus is that you’ll receive priority help through all available channels. Aside from this, you can find what you need in the knowledge base or the FAQ section.

Qustodio doesn’t have a live chat, which is a potential area for improvement. Still, my overall evaluation of customer support is positive. Ultimately, Qustodio’s customer service is deservedly known for its detailed support and responsive assistance.

Alternatives to Qustodio: what are your options?

If you think Qustodio won’t meet your needs, I’ve prepared a few alternatives to Qustodio with the Cybernews research team to help you choose the best solution.

• Aura. This is a smart and straightforward online safety parental control app powered by AI for the whole family. Aura is an all-in-one protection from identity theft, scams, and online threats. It also works across devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android phones. You can activate features like Identity Theft Protection, Identity Theft Insurance, Financial Fraud Protection, VPN & Online Privacy, Antivirus, Password Manager & Vault, Parental Controls & Safe Gaming, and Spam Call Protection. Its prices start at $10 per month.
• Bark. Bark protects your children by scanning their text messages, 30+ social media apps, web browsers, emails, and other online activity, keeping you informed and your child protected. This parental control app also goes beyond basic device monitoring, using advanced AI to scan texts, social media, images, videos, and audio for threats like cyberbullying and pornography, ensuring unparalleled safety for your child. Currently, you can get this app for $14/month.
• Norton Family. Norton Family provides insights you need to help keep your kids safe and focused when online. It lets you see your child’s search terms and viewed videos, monitor for age-appropriate content, set screen limits, and more. This app is best known for its user-friendly interface and real-time alerts, with flexible pricing plans catering to different monitoring objectives. You can purchase it for $49/year.

Conclusion: Is Qustodio the right choice for your family?

After thoroughly testing Qustodio, I can say it’s one of the best parental control apps you can get. Powerful features, user-friendly design, and strong performance are just some of the things that make it stand out from its competitors. While no single app can suit all families, Qustodio has a sweet spot between functionality, user-friendliness, and reliability, so you won’t be mistaken. Still, you can always compare Qustodio with another service like Bark to make the right decision.

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