Here at MMGuardian, we believe our app is by far the best parental control app available to parents who want to protect their children and have peace of mind. In this review, we will provide you with an honest comparison of the features available between MMGuardian and Norton Family for Androids and iPhones.
Note: The features available depend on the child’s device. The parent’s device makes no difference.
Message monitoring
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to view all of their child’s SMS text messages, as well as chat messages from popular social media messaging apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. Norton Family does not offer message monitoring of any kind.
iPhone– MMGuardian allows parents to view all of their child’s SMS and iMessage text messages, as well as chat messages from popular social media messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Norton Family does not offer message monitoring of any kind.
Contact blocking
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to control who their child is able to communicate with. Parents can create a list of contacts to either allow (and all others will be blocked) or block (and all others will be allowed). All texts to and from blocked contacts will be blocked. Norton Family does not offer contact blocking of any kind.
iPhone– Due to Apple’s restrictions, MMGuardian does not offer contact blocking features. Norton Family does not offer contact blocking of any kind.
Alerts
Android– MMGuardian provides AI-powered alerts about concerning topics detected in the child’s messages and internet browsing such as contact with predators, cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, inappropriate pictures, and much more. MMGuardian also provides alerts for other activities like downloading apps, adding new contacts, contacts being changed, the device being powered off, etc. Norton Family does not utilize artificial intelligence and offers basic alerts such as the phone being unlocked and attempts to visit blocked websites.
iPhone– MMGuardian provides AI-powered alerts about concerning topics detected in the child’s messages and internet browsing such as contact with predators, cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, inappropriate pictures, and much more. Norton Family does not utilize artificial intelligence and offers basic alerts such as the phone being unlocked and attempts to visit blocked websites.
Anti-tamper
Android– MMGuardian has patented anti-tamper technology to prevent children from bypassing it. The developers frequently release updates to address any new loopholes that are introduced from phone updates. Norton Family has basic removal prevention such as requiring a password to uninstall the app, but parents will have to keep a careful eye out for more advanced methods of tampering.
iPhone– Due to Apple’s restrictions, parents will need to use the iPhone’s native Screen Time controls (found in the child’s phone’s Settings) to prevent the child from uninstalling both MMGuardian and Norton Family.
Web Filter
Android– Both apps allow parents to view their child’s browsing history and block or allow websites based on categories or specific URLs.
iPhone– Both apps require the parent to install the app which will act as a web browser. Parents will need to be sure no other browsers are installed and can disable disable the App Store and Safari on the child’s device to ensure they do not have access to another browser. Both apps also allow parents to view browsing history and to block websites based on categories or specific URLs.
Location
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to retrieve their child’s location on demand and allows parents view their child’s current and past locations on a map, as well as create schedules during which their child’s location will be retrieved automatically. Norton Family offers geo-location and geo-zone alerts.
iPhone– MMGuardian provides on demand location retrieval for parents at any time and allows parents to view their child’s location history. Norton Family only provides on-demand location if the Norton app is open on the child’s phone.
App Blocking
Android– Both apps allow parents to block or allow specific apps and view their child’s app usage statistics. MMGuardian will alert parents to new app downloads and allow parents to view the install/uninstall history of apps. MMGuardian also allows parents to create groups of apps that they can assign daily time limits or block schedules, offering a lot of flexibility. For additional security, MMGuardian provides parents with the ability to set any apps that are downloaded to be blocked automatically so that their child can’t use them until the parent manually unblocks them.
iPhone– MMGuardian allows parents to disable all downloaded apps, either according to a schedule or on demand. You are not able to disable apps individually. You can also set restrictions on apps based on age. Norton Family allows parents to disable internet access to apps, but children will still be able to open and use them without internet.
Phone locking
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to lock the phone completely, only allowing the child to contact the admins or emergency contacts. This can be done manually for a set amount of time or according to schedules. Norton Family offers an instant lock feature but can’t block users from making calls or using most of the apps via a block screen, making it easier for children to bypass. Norton also doesn’t allow text messages to be sent to parents when the phone is locked like MMGuardian does.
iPhone– Neither app offers a way to completely lock the phone down due to Apple’s restrictions. Norton Family lets parents disable the internet on the phone, restricting communications and app usage.
Pricing
MMGuardian offers a 14 day free trial for both Android and iPhone, and Norton Family offers a 7 day free trial if purchased through Norton 360.
MMGuardian
Single Device: $4.99/month or $49.98/year
Family Plan: $9.99/month or $99.98/year
Norton Family
$49.99/year for all devices
