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CtrlKid VS Qustodio

Compare CtrlKid VS Qustodio and see what are their differences

CtrlKid

You pick the YouTube topics. Your child picks the video. When your child types a watchlist word, CtrlKid can erase it or alert your phone. Free to start.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $24.95 / One-off (Pro, 1 PC)
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Alternatives Is it good?
Qustodio

Free parental control software. Monitor and track your child's online activity. Block dangerous sites and protect kids from online bullying.

Rating
0 reviews
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KeptPDF
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Which is more popular?

Web Content Filter popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
11 vs 156

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

CtrlKid
Qustodio
Website ctrlkid.com qustodio.com
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $24.95 / One-off (Pro, 1 PC) Official pricing
—
Platforms
Windows Linux Google Chrome Firefox +1
—
Listed in
Parental Control Web Content Filter Profanity Filter Family Safety +1
Parental Control Web Filtering Software Security & Privacy Website Blocking Software +1

About CtrlKid and Qustodio

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

CtrlKid
Qustodio

CtrlKid is parental control for the family PC, made for parents of children aged about 4 to 11. It has two parts: a free YouTube extension for Chrome and Firefox, and a free desktop app for Windows and Linux. CtrlKid for YouTube (browser extension) You pick the YouTube topics and channels. Your...

Read more about CtrlKid

No description of Qustodio yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

CtrlKid 6 features
Qustodio 6 features
  • YouTube topic whitelist
    You pick the topics and channels; your child sees only videos on them
  • No Shorts or autoplay
    Removes Shorts, the homepage feed, Up next and autoplay
  • Keyword watchlist
    When your child types a word you chose: erase it, lock the screen, sound an alarm or log it
  • Phone alerts (Pro)
    Alert on Telegram, Discord, Slack or ntfy when a watchlist word is typed
  • Daily screen time limit
    Locks the screen when time is up; video watching counts
  • Runs on your PC
    No account, no cloud; nothing about your child is uploaded
  • Comprehensive Monitoring
    Qustodio offers extensive monitoring features that track online activity, including social media, web browsing, and app usage. This helps parents keep a close eye on their child's digital interactions.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The software supports multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Kindle, making it a versatile choice for families with varied devices.
  • Screen Time Management
    Qustodio allows parents to set time limits for device usage, helping children balance their online and offline activities effectively.
  • Content Filtering
    The service offers robust content filtering options, blocking inappropriate websites and apps to ensure a safer online environment for kids.
  • Activity Reports
    Qustodio provides detailed activity reports that give insights into the child's digital behaviors, helping parents make informed decisions.
  • Geolocation Tracking
    Qustodio includes a geolocation feature, allowing parents to track their child's real-time location, adding an extra layer of security.

Possible disadvantages

  • Premium Pricing
    The full range of features is only available in the premium version, which might be pricey for some families.
  • Requires Constant Management
    The software may require regular updates and adjustments to keep up with new apps and websites, which can be time-consuming.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Extensive monitoring might raise privacy issues, especially with older children who may feel their personal space is being invaded.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Qustodio is quite limited in terms of features and may not offer sufficient monitoring for families with specific needs.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lags or crashes, particularly on older devices, which can disrupt the monitoring experience.
  • Complex User Interface
    The user interface can be daunting for less tech-savvy parents, potentially making it difficult to navigate and customize settings.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

CtrlKid
Qustodio

No analysis of CtrlKid yet.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Qustodio is a reliable and effective tool for parents looking to monitor and manage their children's online activity. Its robust set of features helps ensure a safer online environment for kids. However, like any software, it may have occasional issues or limitations, such as cost considerations for premium features or some restrictions in app coverage on specific platforms. It remains a popular choice for those prioritizing digital safety and parental control.

Why this product is good

  • Qustodio is considered a good parental control and internet safety solution because it offers a comprehensive set of features to help parents manage and monitor their children's internet usage. It provides tools for web filtering, screen time management, app blocking, and real-time location tracking. Additionally, Qustodio offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for parents who may not be tech-savvy. It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Kindle, which adds to its versatility.

Recommended for

    Qustodio is recommended for parents and guardians who want to actively monitor and manage their children's internet and device usage. It is especially suited for families with multiple devices across various platforms, as well as those seeking detailed reports on online activities and flexible control over screen time and app usage.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

CtrlKid 0 videos + Add
Qustodio 3 videos + Add

No CtrlKid videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Qustodio review - does it really work?

More videos

  • - How to Protect Kids Online: Qustodio App Review
  • - Qustodio Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
CtrlKid
Qustodio
100% 100%
Web Content Filter
0% 0%
4% 4%
Parental Control
96% 96%
100% 100%
Profanity Filter
0% 0%
0% 0%
Time Tracking
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing CtrlKid and Qustodio.

What makes your product unique?

CtrlKid's answer

CtrlKid controls two things on a family PC: what your child watches on YouTube, and what your child types.

  • YouTube: you pick the topics and channels. Your child sees only videos on them. Shorts, autoplay, Up next and the homepage feed are removed.
  • Typing: you list words to watch for, such as your home address or words linked to bullying or adult content. When your child types one, CtrlKid does what you chose for that word: log it, send an alert to your phone, erase it, lock the screen, or sound an alarm.

Everything runs on your PC. There is no account to create, and nothing about your child is uploaded. Pro is a one-time payment, not a subscription.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

CtrlKid's answer

Most parental control apps, such as Qustodio, Net Nanny and Norton Family, charge a yearly subscription and send your child's activity to the company's servers. CtrlKid works differently:

  • One-time price: Pro costs $24.95 once for 1 PC, or $34.95 once for up to 5 PCs. There is no yearly fee.
  • Your child's data stays on your PC: there is no account and no cloud upload.
  • YouTube limited to what you pick: your child sees only videos on the topics and channels you chose, with no Shorts or autoplay.
  • You choose what happens for each word: log it quietly, alert your phone, erase it, lock the screen, or sound an alarm.
  • Free to start: the YouTube extension is free with 5 topics. Pro has a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

CtrlKid's answer

Parents of children aged about 4 to 11 who use a family computer running Windows or Linux.

These parents want two things:

  • to choose what their child watches on YouTube, instead of leaving it to YouTube's recommendations
  • to know when their child types something unsafe, such as personal details sent to a stranger in a game or chat app

CtrlKid is not built for teenagers or for phones.

What's the story behind your product?

CtrlKid's answer

CtrlKid was started by a parent who wanted two things from the family PC: YouTube time spent on videos the parent had picked, and a way to know when a child types something unsafe.

Most parental control apps charge a yearly subscription and send a child's activity to the company's servers. CtrlKid was built to run on the PC itself, with no account, no cloud upload and a one-time price.

The free YouTube extension came first and was approved on the Chrome Web Store and Firefox Add-ons. The desktop app for Windows and Linux added the keyword watchlist, phone alerts and screen time limits.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

CtrlKid's answer

  • Desktop app: Python, built for Windows (.exe) and Linux (.deb and AppImage)
  • Browser extension: JavaScript WebExtension for Chrome and Firefox
  • Website and licensing: WordPress
  • Builds and tests: GitHub Actions and Docker

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

CtrlKid no reviews yet
Qustodio no reviews yet

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Alternatives to CtrlKid and Qustodio

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