Alternatives to Qustodio
Qustodio is built around web filtering, screen time limits and activity reports, across many device types. The right alternative depends on which problem you are trying to solve. SafeCircle detects risks in conversations and is one option among several.
Note
At a glance
Qustodio is strong on filtering, time limits and device coverage. SafeCircle is for detecting risks in a child’s conversations on Android, and it does not filter websites or set time limits yet. Many families find the two answer different questions.
SafeCircle and Qustodio side by side
| Feature | SafeCircle | Qustodio |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Detect grooming, bullying and other risks in conversations | Web filtering, screen time, app blocking and location, with call and message monitoring |
| Where analysis happens | On the child’s phone | Not stated on their site |
| What parents receive | Category, severity and a short written reason for each alert | Activity reports, usage summaries and alerts about concerning messages |
| Platforms | Android child app today, iOS on the waitlist, plus a web dashboard | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook |
| Time limits | Coming soon | Yes |
| Price | Free for one child and one device. Family plan €4.99 a month or €39.99 a year | A free plan with limits, and paid plans. Check their site |
| Open models | Model weights published on Hugging Face | Not open source |
| Schools | Invoiced school plans, priced by number of students | Check their site |
Last reviewed: November 2026. Based on each company’s public website. Check their site for current features and prices.
Who needs what
You want web filtering and time limits today
Qustodio is built around those tools. Net Nanny and Norton Family also focus on them. SafeCircle does not filter websites or set time limits yet.
Your child uses an Android phone and you worry about conversations
SafeCircle is designed for this. It detects risks such as grooming, bullying and threats on the phone, and it tells you the category and a short reason.
Your child has an iPhone
Qustodio works on iOS, and SafeCircle does not yet. Apple’s Screen Time is built in and covers limits.
Your household uses several kinds of device
Qustodio lists Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook. If you use Windows or Mac computers, check which tool covers those before you decide.
Where Qustodio is ahead
- 01
Broad device coverage
Qustodio names Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook, which covers most household devices.
- 02
Web filtering and time limits
It filters websites, sets daily time limits, and offers scheduled breaks and internet pauses.
- 03
Location
It shows family members’ locations and sends alerts when they arrive at or leave saved places.
- 04
Calls and messages
Premium plans let parents view calls and messages and block specific contacts. On iPhone, some call and message monitoring needs a Windows or Mac computer.
Where SafeCircle differs
- 01
Analysis on the phone
The child app reads on-screen text on the child’s phone, and Horizon, our model, classifies it there. Only a short alert leaves the device, and message text is never sent.
- 02
Risks, not only activity
SafeCircle is built to flag risks in conversations, and each alert gives a category and a short reason so you know what to look at.
- 03
Open models
Horizon’s model weights are published on Hugging Face, so anyone can inspect them.
- 04
What we do not do yet
SafeCircle does not filter websites or set time limits yet. Time limits are coming soon. iOS is on the waitlist.
- 05
Detection is not perfect
Our published tests show Horizon catches about 94% of risky chats similar to its training data, and about 63 to 68% of text from models it never saw. Treat an alert as a reason to talk, not as proof.
Which should you choose
Choose Qustodio if you mainly want to filter the web, set time limits and see activity today, across several device types. Choose SafeCircle if your child uses Android and you want to know when they may be at risk in their conversations.
Some families use a filter and a risk tool together. Whatever you choose, check each product’s current price after any trial. You can see all our comparisons.
Questions about alternatives to Qustodio
Does SafeCircle replace Qustodio’s web filter?
Not today. SafeCircle does not filter websites. Filtering is one of the areas where Qustodio is more complete.
Is there a free option?
Qustodio has a free plan with limits, and its paid plans cover more devices and features. SafeCircle has a free tier for one child and one device on Android. Check each site for current terms.
Can I use SafeCircle and Qustodio together?
Some families do. Keep the number of tools to what you can manage, and tell your child what each one does.
Try SafeCircle with your family
Setup takes a few minutes on an Android phone. iOS is on the waitlist.
If your child is in dangerGet help now