Top Parental Control (aka Spy) Apps in 2026 (Android & iPhone)

Short on time? In 2026, the most reliable parental control (aka “spy”) apps for Android and iPhone are mSpy, uMobix and Eyezy for all-round monitoring, Bark and Parentaler for kid-friendly controls and screen time, plus Moniterro, Spynger and Scannero for more advanced tracking and location lookups.

Important: All the apps in this guide are meant to be used legally – on phones and devices you own or manage, or where you have clear permission (for example, your children’s phones or company-owned devices). Installing monitoring software on someone else’s phone without consent may be illegal in your country.

Quick Summary: The Best Parental Control & Spy Apps in 2026

If you just want a quick overview, this table shows our top picks for 2026.

App	Best For	Platforms	Key Highlights	Refund / Trial
mSpy	Best all-round parental control & spy app	Android & iPhone	Calls, SMS, social apps (WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram), GPS, keylogger	Money-back guarantee (see site)
uMobix	Best for live social media & Android tracking	Android & iPhone	Detailed social logs, screenshots, GPS, browser history	Refund policy (see site)
Eyezy	Best dashboard & social monitoring	Android & iPhone	Social Spotlight, GPS, web usage, activity overview	Money-back guarantee (see site)
Bark	Best for content alerts & younger kids	Android, iPhone & more	AI alerts, screen time, web filters	Free trial (see site)
Parentaler	Best simple app for non-techy parents	Android & iPhone	Basic monitoring, simple reports	Refund policy (see site)
Moniterro	Best for advanced GPS & activity tracking	Android & iPhone	Location history, calls, SMS, social apps	Refund policy (see site)
Spynger	Extra option for social-heavy spying	Android & iPhone	Major social apps, chats, media	Refund policy (see site)
Scannero	Best for finding a phone by number	Works via web	Reverse number lookup, lost phone location	Trial options (see site)

Want an even more detailed breakdown? See our full comparison: Parental Control & Spy Apps Comparison Table 2026.

How We Tested These Apps in 2026

We did not just repeat vendor marketing. To pick the best parental control and spy apps for 2026, we looked at:

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, tablets and sometimes laptops/browsers.
Real-world features: calls, SMS, chat apps, social media, GPS, web filters, screen time and more.
Ease of setup: can a non-technical parent install and configure it without breaking the phone?
Stability: sync frequency, reliability and impact on battery life.
Pricing & plans: monthly vs yearly cost, and how many devices are included.
Legal use cases: whether the app clearly explains how to use it on devices you own or manage.

We mainly focus on parents and families, but some of these tools are also used on company-owned phones in small businesses. If you’re more interested in work devices, see our guide to the best employee monitoring apps (legal & ethical).

The Best Parental Control & Spy Apps in 2026 (Detailed Reviews)

mSpy – Best Overall Parental Control & Spy App in 2026

mSpy has been one of the most popular monitoring tools for years, and in 2026 it still offers one of the best balances between classic parental control features and more advanced “spy-style” tracking. It is a strong fit for parents who want to see what’s happening on their kids’ phones and for people who need to monitor devices they legally own or manage.

Key features:

Call and SMS logs with contact names and timestamps.
Monitoring for major chat and social apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and more.
GPS location tracking and location history.
Keylogger to see typed text, including some messages and searches.
Web history and bookmarks to spot risky or inappropriate sites.

PROS

Mature, well-designed dashboard that is relatively easy to navigate.
Very good mix of communication, social media and GPS features in one place.
Clear documentation that explains what is possible on Android vs iPhone.
Works on both platforms with different installation options.

CONS

Some advanced features may require extra steps depending on device and OS.
No completely free plan – you need a paid subscription.
As with any monitoring app, you must be careful not to overstep legal or ethical limits.

Ready to explore mSpy? Check the latest plans and supported features on the official mSpy website, and for a deep dive read our dedicated reviews for Android and iPhone.

uMobix – Best for Live Social Media & Android Monitoring

uMobix is a great choice when your main concern is social media and chat apps, especially on Android. It emphasises live updates and detailed logging, which is useful for parents of teens who spend most of their time in WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and similar apps.

Key features:

Extensive coverage of popular social platforms.
Call and SMS history with contact details.
GPS location tracking and route history.
Browser history and bookmarks.
Screenshots and activity logs on supported devices.

PROS

Very strong social media monitoring capabilities.
Frequent syncing of events on supported apps.
Solid support for modern Android devices.

CONS

As usual, iOS is more limited than Android due to Apple’s restrictions.
Some features may require more technical setup depending on the device.

Want to see uMobix in action? Start with the official uMobix site and, if you use Android, read our in-depth testing on modern phones.

Eyezy – Best Dashboard & Social Media Monitoring

Eyezy focuses on making monitoring more visual and user-friendly. Its dashboard is built around conversations and social activity, so you can quickly see who your child is talking to and what kind of content appears on their phone.

Key features:

Social Spotlight for supported chat and social apps.
Location tracking and route viewing.
Web activity overview, including visited sites.
Screen time and device usage statistics on some plans.

PROS

Modern, visual interface that feels less overwhelming.
Strong focus on social media and conversations.
Covers both Android and iPhone with different setup options.

CONS

Not as “deep” as the most technical spy tools in some advanced areas.
Feature availability can vary a lot between devices and OS versions.

Interested in Eyezy? You can check current features and plans on the official Eyezy website.

Bark – Best for Content Alerts & Younger Kids

Bark is different from classic spy apps. Instead of logging every single message, it uses AI to scan supported platforms for potential problems – bullying, self-harm, violence, sexual content and more – then sends alerts to parents. It also includes screen time controls and web filters.

Key features:

AI-powered alerts for risky content in messages and social media.
Screen time scheduling and daily limits.
Web filtering and blocking for unsafe content.
Support for multiple platforms (phones, tablets, some computers and browsers).

PROS

Focuses on safety and wellbeing, not full surveillance.
Great match for younger kids and tweens.
Family plans can cover multiple devices at once.

CONS

Parents who want full message logs may find Bark too high-level.
AI alerts are powerful but not perfect – some events may be missed or mis-classified.

Looking for a safety-first solution? Start with the official Bark website and, for more context, see our guide The Safest Parental Control Apps for Kids Under 13.

Parentaler – Best Simple App for Non-Techy Parents

Parentaler is aimed at parents who want an easier, lighter monitoring app. It avoids the heaviest “spy” features and focuses on basic oversight with a clean interface.

Key features:

Basic monitoring of calls, messages and selected apps.
Location tracking and simple device overview.
Easy-to-read reports rather than raw logs.

PROS

Interface is simpler than many full spy suites.
Good fit if you mostly want high-level oversight, not every detail.
Pricing is usually more affordable than some heavy spy tools.

CONS

Power users may find the feature set limited.
App coverage can be narrower than mSpy or uMobix.

Prefer something simple? See current plans and features on the official Parentaler website.

Moniterro – Best for Advanced GPS & Activity Tracking

Moniterro positions itself as a more advanced tracking solution, combining detailed GPS location with calls, SMS and social app monitoring. It works for older kids, teens and sometimes work phones, as long as the use is clearly legal and transparent.

Key features:

Accurate GPS tracking and route history.
Call logs, SMS monitoring and some social apps.
Reports and dashboards to see patterns over time.

PROS

Strong focus on location and movement history.
Useful for older kids who travel more, or employees on the road.
Supports both Android and iOS devices.

CONS

Feature set may feel complex if you only need basic monitoring.
As with any monitoring on work phones, you must have a clear written policy.

Need detailed location tracking? Check the official Moniterro website for up-to-date device support and pricing.

Spynger – Extra Option for Social-Heavy Spying

Spynger is another player in the social-focused monitoring space. It aims to give you insight into who someone is talking to and what type of content they share.

Key features:

Monitoring for popular chat and social apps.
Call and SMS history.
Location tracking on supported devices.

PROS

Another option if you are comparing several social-heavy spy apps.
Supports both Android and iPhone.

CONS

Not as established as some of the bigger names, so the track record is shorter.
Feature set overlaps with mSpy and uMobix, so you may not need it if you already use one of those.

Curious about Spynger? Start with the official Spynger website and compare it with the other apps on this list.

Scannero – Best for Finding a Phone by Number

Scannero is different from the other tools on this list. Instead of running as a full app on the phone, it focuses on tracking a phone number via the web – useful for locating a lost phone or checking who might be behind a number.

Key features:

Reverse phone number lookup.
Location requests sent to a phone number via web.
Options for lost or stolen phone scenarios.

PROS

Very simple to start with – no deep configuration.
Works from a browser instead of requiring a full installed monitoring app.

CONS

Not a full parental control suite – it does not replace mSpy or Bark.
Results can depend on how the receiving user interacts with the request.

Only need location by number? Try the tools available on the official Scannero website and see if they match your use case.

Which App Is Best for Your Situation?

There is no universal “best” app – it depends on who you are monitoring, how old they are and what exactly worries you.

Parents of Younger Kids (Under 13)

If your child is under 13 and you mainly care about safety, not full surveillance, then:

Bark – excellent for content alerts, screen time and web filters.
Parentaler – simpler monitoring for calls, messages and basic app usage.

For a deeper safety-first overview, see The Safest Parental Control Apps for Kids Under 13.

Parents of Teens with Heavy Social Media Use

If your teenager lives in WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and similar apps, you probably want strong social coverage:

mSpy – very good balance of social, messaging and GPS.
uMobix – especially strong for Android and live social media tracking.
Eyezy – dashboard built around conversations and online activity.

Couples & Relationships

Monitoring a partner’s phone is a very sensitive topic. In many places, it is illegal to install any spy software on your partner’s phone without their explicit consent. If you ever consider using a monitoring tool in a relationship, it should be based on mutual agreement and clear boundaries, not secret spying.

In situations where both adults agree to some level of sharing:

mSpy or Eyezy are sometimes used because of their broad feature sets and clear dashboards.

However, always check local laws first – and consider whether better communication might solve the problem before installing any software.

Small Businesses & Work Phones

For company-owned phones used by employees, it can be legal to use monitoring apps if you have a clear written policy, inform employees and stick to legitimate business reasons (for example, protecting company data or tracking work routes).

Moniterro – strong location and movement history, detailed reports.
mSpy – flexible features that can be configured for work-only monitoring.

For more detail on policies and legal boundaries, see:

If You Only Need Location Tracking

If your main goal is simply to know where a phone is (for example, to check a child’s location or find a lost device), you may not need a full monitoring suite.

Scannero – for location-by-number and lost phone scenarios.
Moniterro – for continuous GPS tracking and route history.

Is It Legal to Use These Apps in 2026?

Legality is the most important part of this whole topic. Laws vary by country, but as a general guideline:

You can usually monitor devices you own or manage (for example, your child’s phone that you pay for) as long as you use the tools responsibly.
For children, parents or legal guardians often have the right to install parental control apps, but it is still wise to talk openly as the child gets older.
For employees, you typically must have a clear written policy and only monitor company-owned devices for legitimate business reasons.
Installing any monitoring app on another adult’s personal phone without consent is usually illegal and can lead to serious consequences.

For a deeper legal overview, read: Legal Phone Tracking in 2026: What’s Allowed and What’s Not.

If you are unsure, always check the laws in your country or talk to a qualified legal professional before installing any monitoring software.

Android vs iPhone: Which Is Easier to Monitor?

In 2026, there is still a clear difference between Android and iPhone in terms of monitoring:

Android is generally easier to monitor deeply. Many apps can access more data, and some advanced options exist if you are comfortable with technical steps.
iPhone is more locked down. Many apps rely on iCloud backups or more limited access, and they cannot see everything a rooted Android app might.

For platform-specific recommendations, see our dedicated guides:

Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Right App

Before you pick any parental control or spy app, ask yourself:

Is my main goal safety, guidance and communication, or full surveillance?
How old is the person whose device I want to monitor?
Do I actually own or manage the device, and is this legal where I live?
What is my monthly or yearly budget?

As a quick rule of thumb:

For balanced, all-round monitoring: start with mSpy or uMobix.
For a more visual dashboard and social focus: try Eyezy.
For younger kids with a safety-first approach: choose Bark or Parentaler.
For heavier GPS and activity tracking or business use: consider Moniterro.
For simple phone-number-based location: test Scannero.

Whichever app you choose, use it responsibly, legally and with respect for privacy – especially as children grow older and need more independence.

FAQ – Top Parental Control (aka Spy) Apps in 2026

Is it legal to use a spy app on someone’s phone?

It can be legal to use monitoring or “spy” apps on devices you own or manage, such as your child’s phone or company-owned work phones, as long as you follow local laws and use a clear policy. Installing any monitoring app on another adult’s personal phone without their explicit consent is usually illegal and can lead to serious consequences.

Do I need to root or jailbreak the phone?

Most modern parental control apps work without root or jailbreak, especially for basic features like call logs, some messages, GPS and web usage. However, some advanced options may require more technical steps on certain devices. Always check the app’s documentation and your device’s compatibility before you install anything.

Can my child see that the app is installed?

Some apps can run more discreetly, while others are clearly visible as parental control tools. Whether your child sees the app also depends on how you configure it. With older kids and teens, it is usually better to talk openly about monitoring instead of hiding everything.

Which app is best for very young kids?

For younger children, tools like Bark and Parentaler are often a better fit than heavy spy apps. They focus on content alerts, screen time limits and web filters rather than showing every single message or chat.

Which app should I choose if I mainly care about social media?

If your main concern is social media and chat apps, options like mSpy, uMobix and Eyezy usually offer the broadest coverage. They support many popular platforms, provide activity logs and sometimes screenshots, depending on the device and plan.

Can I monitor a phone with just a phone number?

Full monitoring is not possible with just a phone number, but services like Scannero can help you look up a number and request location information in certain scenarios. For continuous monitoring, you still need to install a proper app on the device you own or manage.

Will these apps slow down the phone or drain the battery?

Most reputable parental control and monitoring apps are designed to use resources efficiently, but any background app can have some impact on performance and battery life. On modern devices, tools like mSpy, uMobix and Eyezy are usually usable as long as the phone is not overloaded with other apps.