SpyX parental controls review: The most innovative parental control app in 2024

We must pay attention to our family's online safety, especially that of children and teens. For that reason, I've worked with the Cybernews research team to evaluate SpyX, a popular parental control app designed to monitor kids' and teens' online and offline activities.

Quick overview of SpyX parental control app

SpyX is a newly launched service that positions itself as a competitive parental control app designed to let you manage and oversee your children's online and offline activities. Below, I've outlined some of SpyX's key features.

🌐 Web & app filtering	No
🕓 Screen time limits	No
📍 Location tracking	Yes (Real-time GPS)
🖥️ Supported platforms	Android, iOS (no desktop support)
📲 Number of devices	1 device per subscription
✂️ Free plan	No
⌛ Trial period	No (visual demo available)
💵 Price	From $11.66/month (cheapest plan, annual)

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What Is SpyX?

SpyX was designed to help parents discreetly track their children's online and offline activities. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

The company behind SpyX is London-based UK GBYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., LIMITED. SpyX, launched in 2024, claims to address online safety concerns, such as potential exposure to inappropriate content and privacy risks.

Its features are accessible via an online dashboard, which parents can log into. Once SpyX is installed on a child's device, parents can monitor 15+ social media platforms, calls, and texts, track location with GPS (and SIM card tracking), and access browsing history via the app’s dashboard. SpyX also tracks the Wi-Fi networks your child’s device connects to (time and location).

Unlike its competitors, SpyX offers a unique Google Cloud solution for monitoring Android devices. It monitors one of the broadest array of platforms I've seen and is designed to operate stealthily without leaving a trace. The company emphasizes that it puts security first.

Note: SpyX has no known breaches to date. There's no information on SOC 3 reports or ISO27001 compliance. SpyX is certified for PCI DSS but is not part of any bug bounty program. Also, when installed on your child's device, SpyX can activate the microphone without their knowledge.

How does SpyX work?

SpyX monitors online and offline activities as discreetly as possible on your child’s or teen's device. Competitors like uMobix do not offer a Google Cloud monitoring method, but SpyX does.

You don't need to "root" or "jailbreak" your child’s device to install SpyX. This makes it easy for parents to set it up. For iOS devices, parents need their child's iCloud credentials. And, for Android, you’ll need your child’s Google Account details.

Once set up, SpyX attempts to run invisibly and collect data from the device. On the SpyX dashboard, parents or caregivers can access their child’s social media messages, real-time locations, app usage, call logs, and text messages, among other things. This data is extracted from the child’s Google Cloud account and is always up-to-date.

However, VPN usage can bypass some of SpyX's tracking features since it may not detect encrypted traffic.

Key SpyX features

I've divided SpyX's main features into easily digestible portions. This way, you can see the app's features at a glance and read more about them.

Here's a detailed look at SpyX’s capabilities:

Social media monitoring

SpyX monitors various social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, Skype, and Instagram. Parents can access screenshots of these apps in use. It also captures deleted messages, posts, and interactions.

Call and SMS tracking

SpyX logs all incoming and outgoing calls on your child’s device. It provides details like call duration, time stamps, and contact information. You also see SMS messages and set up keyword alerts to flag messages with harmful content. I like this feature as it offers extra protection.

GPS location tracking

SpyX can also track offline activities, such as GPS location. You can follow your child or teen in real-time and see a record of their movements.

Web browsing history monitoring

You can also track and record web browsing activity with SpyX, such as visited websites and search history. However, it can't track browsing history in private or incognito mode.

App and device usage monitoring

SpyX monitors your child’s app usage, meaning you can see which apps are installed. We were surprised to find that it allows audio recording and screenshots. Additionally, SpyX allows you to block specific apps and websites.

Remotely-controlled features

SpyX does not provide capabilities like remote locking, remotely restricting apps, or remote data wiping, which may be disappointing for parents seeking direct control over their children’s devices.

Email monitoring

You can see sent and received emails on your child’s device, including timestamps and contact details. This is crucial because children can be exposed to phishing attempts, scams, and cyberbullying via email.

Keylogging

SpyX’s keylogging technology allows you to access messages, forms, search queries, and login details on your child’s device. It organizes data by app. This is impressive since you can see practically everything your child types.

Alerts and notifications

SpyX does not provide real-time activity, geofence, or app usage alerts because it lacks geofencing and app restriction features.

Data backup and export

Unfortunately, SpyX does not allow data export and backup. This would have been useful for parents and caregivers to view data later in different formats.

SpyX’s cost: How much Is SpyX?

SpyX's pricing structure is similar to that of its competitors. Longer plans offer better savings. Also, Android users get the full range of SpyX features, but its features are limited on iOS.

Plan duration	Monthly price	Key features
1 month	$49.98	All features are available on Android; limited features on iOS
3 months	$28.32	All features are available on Android; limited features on iOS
12 months	$11.66	All features are available on Android; limited features on iOS

The annual plan offers the biggest savings at $139.92 (billed annually). This means you're paying for less than 3 months at the monthly rate but receiving a full year of service.

SpyX does not offer a free trial, but its website offers a demo. Its refund policy is limited to 14 days, and there's no money-back guarantee. SpyX accepts payments via credit/debit cards, Google Pay, and cryptocurrencies.

Remember, SpyX’s features on iOS are limited due to Apple's restrictions. While Android users will get the full suite of features, iOS users lack the following:

• GPS tracking
• Keylogger
• App & browser monitoring
• App filtering and blocking
• Call and message controls

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SpyX setup and installation process

Installing SpyX is easier than installing some parental control apps. You can set up the app via the cloud on Android and iOS devices.

SpyX Android installation

Here's how to install SpyX on an Android device:

1. Sign up for SpyX: Visit the SpyX website, create an account, and get a subscription plan. Choose Android as the device.
2. Prepare Google Account credentials: You need your child’s email and password to access their device.
3. Log in to Spyx: Access your dashboard via the SpyX website.
4. Authorize account access: Enter the Google Account credentials in your SpyX dashboard to authorize access.
5. Begin monitoring: The service will sync data from your child’s device to your dashboard.

SpyX iOS installation

Here's how to install the SpyX app on iOS devices:

1. Sign up for SpyX: Visit the SpyX website, create an account, and get a subscription plan. Choose iOS as the device.
2. Prepare iCloud credentials: Get your child’s iCloud username and password. Ensure iCloud Backup is enabled on their device.
3. Log into SpyX: Go to your SpyX dashboard on the website.
4. Enter iCloud info: Enter your child’s iCloud credentials on the SpyX website.
5. Verify the device: If two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled, enter the codes sent to your child’s device or the trusted number.
6. Start monitoring: SpyX will begin iCloud syncing. This may take a long time.

You can also opt for manual installation on Android when signing up. However, this method takes more time. It involves downloading a setup file on your child’s device and adjusting some settings.

SpyX reviews

The user feedback on SpyX reflects various experiences. On the platforms that I looked at, SpyX customer support responded to several users' questions and concerns.

On the bright side, people praised SpyX for its ease of use and monitoring abilities. On the other hand, users had some concerning experiences with the service. One user said they believe the positive reviews are fabricated.

Let's start with the positives. People like the fact that SpyX tracks so many apps. Many also find the web browsing history feature useful for keeping children away from harmful or inappropriate content.

However, several users expressed frustration. Some said the app didn't work as advertised, noting that features like real-time updates and social media monitoring didn't work properly.

Some also reported dissatisfaction with SpyX’s customer service, issues getting refunds, and the app’s refund policy. Some users complained that they were only eligible for partial refunds.

Overall, I like that SpyX’s customer support team tried to respond to these issues. This is a sign that the company wants to improve.

Visit SpyX

SpyX parental control app vs. competitors

SpyX faces strong competition in the parental control app market, going head-to-head with apps like mSpy, Qustodio, and Eyezy. Below, I've highlighted some differences I observed between these apps.

• mSpy vs. SpyX: mSpy has the edge with additional features like geofencing and a better keylogger. However, SpyX is the more budget-friendly option.
• Qustodio vs. SpyX: Qustodio eclipses SpyX in content filtering, screen time management, and app-blocking capabilities. On the other hand, SpyX provides deeper access to messages and social media interactions.
• Eyezy vs. SpyX: Eyezy is unique due to its AI-driven keyword alert systems and geofencing. However, both offer real-time monitoring and access to messages on social media platforms.

Qustodio is the most budget-friendly option (it has a free version), especially for multiple devices. Its top-tier plan offers unlimited device monitoring. Eyezy, in my opinion, strikes the best balance between price and features. It is the only one with advanced AI-powered features, which is a big plus.

Overall, I believe it's important for parents and caregivers to choose a well-balanced and reputable parental control app. I recommend looking at services like Bark and Norton Family. Check out our Aura vs. Bark and Qustodio vs. Bark reviews to see how these parental control apps compare.

Conclusion: Is SpyX the right choice for your family?

SpyX offers essential monitoring features for parents and caregivers at an affordable price.

After thorough testing and evaluation, however, I think SpyX is an average parental control app that, given the competition, needs to be improved a lot.

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