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 premium features available between MMGuardian and WebWatcher for Androids and iPhones.
Note: The features available depend on the child’s device. The parent’s device does not make a difference.
MMGuardian
WebWatcher (Per Device, Not Listed On Website)
1 Month – $39.95
3 Months – $59.95
12 Months – $129.95
MMGuardian offers a 14 day free trial, and WebWatcher offers a 7 day free trial. We highly recommend checking out both apps to see which works best for you!
Android– Both apps allow parents to view all of their child’s SMS text messages, but only MMGuardian offers this ability from the app available on the Play Store. WebWatcher is not available on the Play Store. MMGuardian also allows parents to view sent/received chat messages from popular social media messaging apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, and more. WebWatcher offers parents the ability to view only received messages on a smaller number of apps including Instagram and Facebook Messenger, along with notifications about inbound messages on some other apps.
iPhone– Both apps allows parents to view all of their child’s SMS and iMessage text messages, as well as chat messages from some popular social media messaging apps.
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. WebWatcher will provide alerts about similar concerning topics, but as they are not AI-powered, it does not take context into account and is more likely to miss concerning messages (for example, kids using “code words”). MMGuardian also offers a large number of other alerts (such as apps being downloaded, adding new contacts, contacts being changed, the device being powered off, etc).
WebWatcher also allows parents to view all taken and saved pictures as well as screenshots of the phone’s activity. However, users should be aware that to view pictures remotely (from your parent app or computer), they will need to be stored in a database. MMGuardian scans all sent/received MMS pictures and pictures saved on the phone with AI. If any are detected as being inappropriate, you’ll receive an alert and be able to view a copy in the MMGuardian app on your child’s device. While this doesn’t allow you to view images in your parent app, it offers maximum privacy for your child and protects against potential legal issues surrounding the transmission of illegal images.
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. WebWatcher will provide alerts about similar concerning topics, but as they are not AI-powered, it does not take context into account and is more likely to miss concerning messages (for example, kids using “code words”).
WebWatcher also allows parents to view all taken and saved pictures as well as screenshots of the phone’s activity. However, users should be aware that to view pictures remotely (from your parent app or computer), they will need to be stored in a database. MMGuardian scans all pictures saved on the phone with AI. If any are detected as being inappropriate, you’ll receive an alert and be able to view a copy in the MMGuardian app on your child’s device. While this doesn’t allow you to view images in your parent app, it offers maximum privacy for your child and protects against potential legal issues surrounding the transmission of illegal images.
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. Parents can also download a version of MMGuardian directly from the company instead of the Play Store which can even block the child from using safe mode to bypass or remove the app (click here to learn more). WebWatcher is meant to be a discrete app that you can hide from your children, but anti-tampering capabilities are limited, and there is no way to stop children from using safe mode to get around the app. It’s worth mentioning that child psychologists strongly advise against spying on your children. If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your child while respecting their privacy, you might enjoy our video on the subject: WATCH NOW
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 MMGuardian, although parents could monitor their child’s messages without installing any app on their child’s device. WebWatcher uses this same method to monitor messages, but both apps require the child’s device to be connected to the same WiFi as the computer which the app is installed on, leading to vulnerabilities for both apps.
Android– Both apps allow parents to view their child’s browsing history. MMGuardian allows parents to block or allow websites based on categories or specific URLs. They can also both monitor most browsers, including incognito modes.
iPhone– MMGuardian requires the parent to install the MMGuardian 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. WebWatcher allows parents to view browsing history in Safari only. MMGuardian allow parents to view browsing history and to block websites individually or based on categories.
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to retrieve their child’s location on demand. Both apps allow parents to view their current and past locations on a map. MMGuardian also allows parents to create schedules during which their child’s location will be retrieved automatically.
iPhone– Only MMGuardian provides on demand location retrieval for parents. Both apps allow parents to view their child’s location history.
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to block or allow specific apps and view their child’s app usage statistics. It 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. Additionally, MMGuardian provides parents with the ability to set any apps that are downloaded (from any source) to be blocked automatically so that their child can’t use them until the parent manually unblocks them. WebWatcher does not offer any app blocking functions, but it does provide app usage stats.
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. WebWatcher does not offer any app blocking functions, but it will show you the apps installed on the device.
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. WebWatcher does not provide any phone locking functions.
iPhone– Neither app offers a way to completely lock the phone down due to Apple’s restrictions.
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. Blocking calls will depend on the operating system on the child’s device. If it’s Android 9, you’ll need to download the app directly from us to block calls instead of the Play Store (click here for more details). For Android 10+ phones, only incoming calls can be blocked. WebWatcher does not provide any contact blocking functions.
iPhone– Due to Apple’s restrictions, neither app offers contact blocking features.
Note: The features available depend on the child’s device. The parent’s device does not make a difference.
Pricing
MMGuardian
WebWatcher (Per Device, Not Listed On Website)
1 Month – $39.95
3 Months – $59.95
12 Months – $129.95
MMGuardian offers a 14 day free trial, and WebWatcher offers a 7 day free trial. We highly recommend checking out both apps to see which works best for you!
Message monitoring
Android– Both apps allow parents to view all of their child’s SMS text messages, but only MMGuardian offers this ability from the app available on the Play Store. WebWatcher is not available on the Play Store. MMGuardian also allows parents to view sent/received chat messages from popular social media messaging apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, and more. WebWatcher offers parents the ability to view only received messages on a smaller number of apps including Instagram and Facebook Messenger, along with notifications about inbound messages on some other apps.
iPhone– Both apps allows parents to view all of their child’s SMS and iMessage text messages, as well as chat messages from some popular social media messaging apps.
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. WebWatcher will provide alerts about similar concerning topics, but as they are not AI-powered, it does not take context into account and is more likely to miss concerning messages (for example, kids using “code words”). MMGuardian also offers a large number of other alerts (such as apps being downloaded, adding new contacts, contacts being changed, the device being powered off, etc).
WebWatcher also allows parents to view all taken and saved pictures as well as screenshots of the phone’s activity. However, users should be aware that to view pictures remotely (from your parent app or computer), they will need to be stored in a database. MMGuardian scans all sent/received MMS pictures and pictures saved on the phone with AI. If any are detected as being inappropriate, you’ll receive an alert and be able to view a copy in the MMGuardian app on your child’s device. While this doesn’t allow you to view images in your parent app, it offers maximum privacy for your child and protects against potential legal issues surrounding the transmission of illegal images.
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. WebWatcher will provide alerts about similar concerning topics, but as they are not AI-powered, it does not take context into account and is more likely to miss concerning messages (for example, kids using “code words”).
WebWatcher also allows parents to view all taken and saved pictures as well as screenshots of the phone’s activity. However, users should be aware that to view pictures remotely (from your parent app or computer), they will need to be stored in a database. MMGuardian scans all pictures saved on the phone with AI. If any are detected as being inappropriate, you’ll receive an alert and be able to view a copy in the MMGuardian app on your child’s device. While this doesn’t allow you to view images in your parent app, it offers maximum privacy for your child and protects against potential legal issues surrounding the transmission of illegal images.
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. Parents can also download a version of MMGuardian directly from the company instead of the Play Store which can even block the child from using safe mode to bypass or remove the app (click here to learn more). WebWatcher is meant to be a discrete app that you can hide from your children, but anti-tampering capabilities are limited, and there is no way to stop children from using safe mode to get around the app. It’s worth mentioning that child psychologists strongly advise against spying on your children. If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your child while respecting their privacy, you might enjoy our video on the subject: WATCH NOW
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 MMGuardian, although parents could monitor their child’s messages without installing any app on their child’s device. WebWatcher uses this same method to monitor messages, but both apps require the child’s device to be connected to the same WiFi as the computer which the app is installed on, leading to vulnerabilities for both apps.
Web Filter
Android– Both apps allow parents to view their child’s browsing history. MMGuardian allows parents to block or allow websites based on categories or specific URLs. They can also both monitor most browsers, including incognito modes.
iPhone– MMGuardian requires the parent to install the MMGuardian 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. WebWatcher allows parents to view browsing history in Safari only. MMGuardian allow parents to view browsing history and to block websites individually or based on categories.
Location
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to retrieve their child’s location on demand. Both apps allow parents to view their current and past locations on a map. MMGuardian also allows parents to create schedules during which their child’s location will be retrieved automatically.
iPhone– Only MMGuardian provides on demand location retrieval for parents. Both apps allow parents to view their child’s location history.
App Blocking
Android– MMGuardian allows parents to block or allow specific apps and view their child’s app usage statistics. It 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. Additionally, MMGuardian provides parents with the ability to set any apps that are downloaded (from any source) to be blocked automatically so that their child can’t use them until the parent manually unblocks them. WebWatcher does not offer any app blocking functions, but it does provide app usage stats.
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. WebWatcher does not offer any app blocking functions, but it will show you the apps installed on the device.
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. WebWatcher does not provide any phone locking functions.
iPhone– Neither app offers a way to completely lock the phone down due to Apple’s restrictions.
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. Blocking calls will depend on the operating system on the child’s device. If it’s Android 9, you’ll need to download the app directly from us to block calls instead of the Play Store (click here for more details). For Android 10+ phones, only incoming calls can be blocked. WebWatcher does not provide any contact blocking functions.
iPhone– Due to Apple’s restrictions, neither app offers contact blocking features.
