Qustodio Parental Control Review: Features, Pricing, and Limitations!

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Qustodio is a parental control app available for computers, tablets, and smartphones. It allows parents to monitor their children’s screen time and restrict access to inappropriate content. Through customizable filters and time limits for websites and apps, Qustodio gives parents control over their kids’ device usage.

Highlights of Qustodio
Qustodio was awarded as the most customizable parental control app in our first-ever Kids Safety Awards.

Pros

  • Easy to install and operate
  • Supports multiple devices
  • Includes bonus features like location monitoring and a panic button

Cons

  • Conflicts with antivirus software
  • Limited compatibility with iOS devices
  • Lacks uninstall protection
Qustodio is slightly more expensive than other top-rated parental control apps, yet it offers additional features, such as SMS monitoring and a panic button, which are especially useful for preventing cyberbullying. Parents can view text messages, block specific contacts, and enjoy a user-friendly interface with location tracking and geofencing. However, it lacks a tamper-alert feature.

Qustodio Pricing and Plans

  • Basic Plan: $54.95 per year for five devices; no phone support or setup assistance
  • Complete Plan: $99.95 per year for unlimited devices; includes phone support and onboarding help through Care Plus

Qustodio Features

Qustodio works across a variety of devices:
  • Android
  • Mac OSX
  • iOS
  • Chromebook
  • Kindle
  • Windows computers (excluding Windows phones)
Each Qustodio plan provides the following:
  • Internet and app monitoring
  • Web filtering
  • Ability to pause internet access
  • Device blocking routines
  • Daily time limits
  • Online reporting dashboard
  • 30-day activity reports
  • Panic button (exclusive to Android)
The free version of Qustodio provides basic protection. However, families with multiple children and devices may prefer the Complete plan for comprehensive monitoring. The Complete plan adds the following features:
  • Web activity and blocked website alerts
  • Custom rules for apps and websites
  • Time limits for games and apps
  • Alerts for app downloads
  • YouTube monitoring
  • Call and message monitoring
  • Alerts for saved places
  • Care Plus support (upon request)
Due to privacy restrictions, some features may not be available on certain devices. This limitation is standard across most parental control apps.

Qustodio Usability and Alerts

The Qustodio interface is easy to navigate, making it accessible for parents who may not be tech-savvy. Its Activity Timeline feature provides a minute-by-minute breakdown of all app and website activity on the child’s device. Additionally, the app can notify parents if their child accesses certain types of websites, such as file-sharing or chat sites. This allows parents to monitor activities on sites that, while potentially risky, may not be strictly harmful.

Potential Limitations of Qustodio

Although Qustodio is effective for security, it does not alert parents if their child attempts to modify the app’s settings. Additionally, Qustodio may be incompatible with older devices often passed down to children. For details on device compatibility, refer to the Qustodio website.

When installing Qustodio on a Mac, we encountered incompatibility messages from antivirus software. Qustodio suggests uninstalling antivirus software during installation and reinstalling it afterward.

Parental Control App Pricing Comparison

  • Bark: Best overall, $6.00/month, unlimited devices, 7-day trial, no free version
  • MMGuardian: Best contact management, $4.99/month, five devices, 14-day trial, no free version
  • Qustodio: Best free version, $4.58/month, 15 devices, 3-day trial, no free version
  • FamilyTime: Best management tools, $2.41/month, 15 devices, 3-day trial, no free version
  • SentryPC: Best for full device access, $5.83/month, surcharge for extra devices, no trial, no free version

Final Thoughts

Qustodio is a suitable choice for parents seeking a tool that goes beyond basic content filtering, offering additional features to combat cyberbullying. Its time limit controls also help manage screen addiction, making it ideal for high-tech households. While Qustodio is slightly pricier than some alternatives, it’s a valuable tool, although it may not function optimally on iOS devices.

How We Reviewed Qustodio

To review Qustodio, we downloaded and tested the software ourselves, evaluated customer feedback, and compared it to other similar products. The free Qustodio app provides an instant three-day Premium trial without needing credit card information, so there’s no obligation to cancel afterward. We would recommend a seven-day trial to better accommodate the varying device activities of children.

For customers needing frequent tech support, upgrading to the Complete plan or adding the Care Plus package may be beneficial for faster assistance.

Qustodio FAQs

What are the differences between Net Nanny and Qustodio?
Both apps include web filtering, time limits, and activity monitoring. However, Net Nanny has language and image censoring, which Qustodio lacks, while Qustodio includes a panic button. Net Nanny is slightly less expensive.

How does Qustodio Premium differ from the free version?
The Basic version of Qustodio covers up to five devices, while the Complete plan supports unlimited devices. Both paid versions include app and game blocking, daily time limits, and web filtering.

Is Qustodio compatible with any device?
Yes, Qustodio works with Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS, and Kindle devices.

Can Qustodio read Facebook chat conversations?
No, Qustodio cannot currently monitor Facebook chat.

Do I need my child’s Facebook account credentials to monitor Facebook activity?
Yes, Facebook monitoring requires logging in to the account on the child’s device and allowing Qustodio to access it. Monitoring starts shortly after setup, typically within an hour.

Is it possible for a child to uninstall Qustodio?
Yes, children can uninstall Qustodio. However, the following parental control apps include uninstall protection:
  • OurPact
  • Net Nanny
  • Boomerang
  • Family Time

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