Best Parental Control Apps
in India (2026)
Eight free and paid apps compared for Indian families: what each one actually does, what it costs in rupees, and which one fits your child’s age.
Last updated: November 2026 · 9 min read
Quick Picks
Best free app
Google Family Link
Screen time, app approvals, filters and location, all free
Best for knowing they reached safely
Raksha
Arrival alerts and SOS for kids, teens and parents
Best web filtering and reports
Qustodio
Detailed category filters and weekly activity reports
Best lower-cost paid app
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Premium covers all of a child’s devices
Best for young kids
Kids Place
Locks the phone to approved apps only
Nothing to install
Digital Wellbeing
App timers and bedtime mode, already on Android
What "Parental Control" Actually Means
The phrase covers very different things. Some apps limit screen time. Some block apps or websites. Some share a child’s location. Some do all three. Before picking an app, decide what you’re actually trying to solve.
I want to know where my child is
Location sharing (Raksha, Google Family Link)
I want to limit phone usage time
Screen time controls (Google Family Link, Qustodio)
I want to block specific apps or websites
Content filtering (Family Link, Qustodio, Norton Family)
I want an SOS if something goes wrong
Family circle with alerts (Raksha)
I want to see messages and calls
Monitoring software. Talk to your child first, and check the law before monitoring anyone over 18
App-by-App Comparison
Prices checked in November 2026 from each app’s Indian store or website. They change often, so check the store before you buy.
Google Family Link
FreeBest for: Under-13s with a supervised Google account
WHAT IT DOES
- Daily screen time and per-app limits
- Approve or block app downloads
- Content filters for Google Play and Chrome
- School time and bedtime schedules
- Location of the child’s Android phone
LIMITATIONS
- Needs a supervised Google account for the child
- At 13 the child can choose to manage their own account
- No SOS feature
- Location only for the child’s Android phone
Raksha
Free to start, Premium availableBest for: Knowing everyone reached school, college or home, at every age
WHAT IT DOES
- Live location for the whole family, from kids to grandparents
- Alert the moment someone reaches or leaves a place
- SOS: one tap sends location to the family
- Ring, flash or lock a lost phone remotely
- Works for teens and adults, no supervised account needed
- Android and iPhone
LIMITATIONS
- No screen time limits or app blocking
- Each family member installs the app
- Some features need Premium
Qustodio
Free (1 device) / paid from about ₹2,000 a yearBest for: Detailed web filtering and activity reports
WHAT IT DOES
- Web filtering by category
- Screen time limits and schedules
- Block individual apps
- Daily and weekly activity reports
- Location on paid plans
LIMITATIONS
- Free plan covers one device with basic features
- Paid plans are yearly only
- No SOS for adults or older family members
Norton Family
About ₹1,749 a year (first year)Best for: Web supervision and search monitoring
WHAT IT DOES
- Web filtering by category
- Time supervision with daily limits
- Search and video supervision
- Location supervision
- Included in Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium
LIMITATIONS
- Paid only
- Renewal price can be higher than the first year
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Free basic / Premium about ₹1,400 a yearBest for: A lower-cost paid option covering all of one child’s devices
WHAT IT DOES
- Web filtering and app control
- Screen time limits
- Location and safe areas on Premium
- One Premium account covers the child’s devices
LIMITATIONS
- Location needs Premium
- Reseller keys online are cheaper but may differ in terms
AirDroid Parental Control
$59.99 a year (about ₹5,000)Best for: Parents who want to see the child’s screen and notifications
WHAT IT DOES
- View the child’s screen remotely
- Notification sync from the child’s phone
- App limits and schedules
- Location and geofences
LIMITATIONS
- Priced in US dollars
- Very detailed monitoring can feel invasive for older children
Kids Place
Free, with paid upgrades in the appBest for: Young children on a shared or hand-me-down phone
WHAT IT DOES
- Locks the phone to approved apps only
- Prevents accidental calls and purchases
- PIN needed to exit
LIMITATIONS
- No location
- No SOS
- Meant for young children, not teens
Digital Wellbeing (built into Android)
Free, already on the phoneBest for: Teens setting their own limits, with nothing to install
WHAT IT DOES
- App timers
- Bedtime mode
- Focus mode to pause distracting apps
LIMITATIONS
- Set on the child’s own phone; parents can’t manage it remotely without Family Link
- Easy to turn off
Looking for Microsoft Family Safety? Microsoft removed its location and driving features in late 2024. It still covers screen time and content filters, mainly for Windows and Xbox.
Free Parental Control Apps for Android
You don’t have to pay to get useful controls. These are free:
- Google Family Link: the most complete free option. Screen time, app approvals, filters and location.
- Digital Wellbeing: already on most Android phones. Good for teens who agree to limits.
- Kids Place: free kiosk mode for young children.
- Qustodio and Kaspersky Safe Kids: free versions with basic features, upgrading to paid for more.
- Raksha: free to start for family location and arrival alerts.
A common free setup: Family Link for screen time, plus Raksha so the whole family knows when everyone reaches home. See how to use Family Link and Raksha together.
Is Google Family Link Available in India?
Yes, and it’s free. You create a supervised Google account for your child, sign in on their Android phone, and manage everything from the Family Link app on your own phone (Android or iPhone). When your child turns 13, Google lets them choose whether to keep supervision or manage their own account, which is why many parents of teens pair it with an app that doesn’t depend on supervision. More in our Google Family Link guide for India.
Which App for Which Age?
Age Under 8: Google Family Link + Kids Place
Lock the phone to safe apps. Family Link handles screen time and filters, and Kids Place prevents accidental changes.
Age 8 to 12: Google Family Link
A supervised Google account lets you approve app downloads, set daily screen time, and see the phone’s location.
Age 13 to 17: Raksha, with Family Link if they agree
Teens can leave Family Link supervision. Raksha works without a supervised account: your teen joins the family circle, you get an alert when they reach, and they have SOS if they need it.
Age 18+: Raksha
Adults share location by choice inside a family circle. Useful for college students, late commutes, and parents living alone.
What Parental Control Apps Can’t Do
- They can’t control a second phone or a friend’s phone your child borrows.
- Location needs the phone switched on and connected. A switched-off phone shows only its last known place.
- A determined teen can often find a way around screen time limits.
- Hidden monitoring tends to backfire once it’s discovered, and it usually is.
The Battery Problem in India
Most Indian families use Xiaomi, Motorola, Samsung, Realme or OnePlus phones. All of them aggressively close background apps to save battery, which can stop any parental control or location app from updating.
After installing one, do this on every family member’s phone:
Xiaomi / MIUI
Settings → Apps → Manage apps → [App] → Battery saver → No restrictions
Samsung
Settings → Apps → [App] → Battery → Unrestricted
OnePlus / OxygenOS
Settings → Apps → [App] → Battery → Allow background activity
Realme / ColorOS
Settings → App Management → [App] → Battery → Allow background activities
Motorola
Settings → Apps → [App] → Battery → Unrestricted
See the full guide: Why Tracking Apps Stop Working on Indian Android Phones
The Conversation Matters More Than the App
Hidden monitoring breeds resentment, especially with teenagers. What works better is being open: tell your child what you’ve installed, why, and what you can see. A teen who knows the family can see their location is also more likely to press SOS when something actually goes wrong.
A useful way to put it: "This is so I know you’re safe, not so I can check on you every minute." Then follow through, and don’t use it to police ordinary plans.
For a script and common questions: How to Talk to Your Child About Phone Monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free parental control app in India?
Google Family Link. It is free, made by Google, and works on any Android phone. It covers screen time limits, app approvals, content filters and the child’s phone location. For more detailed web filtering you need a paid app like Qustodio or Norton Family.
Is Google Family Link available in India?
Yes. Family Link is available in India and is free. You set up a supervised Google account for your child, then manage it from the Family Link app on your own phone, which can be Android or iPhone.
Is Google Family Link free?
Yes, Family Link is completely free. There is no paid tier.
Which parental control app shows my child’s location?
Google Family Link shows the location of a child’s Android phone. Qustodio, Norton Family and Kaspersky Safe Kids include location on their paid plans. Raksha is built around location for the whole family, with alerts when someone reaches school or home and an SOS button, and works on Android and iPhone.