Information and privacy are everything in this digital age, but sadly, most people are unaware of how to protect their data. This is especially true for teenagers and pre-teens who don’t give any mind to what they share online. Luckily, parents can step up here to protect their children with a free Android spy app. These applications help guardians and parents see everything their child does on their phones. So, you’ll be able to track everything from your child’s location to their text messages and even more! The following article will further underscore the significance of such apps and how you can find the best option for your family.
What’s the Android spy app?
Android spy app is a tool that you can install on your child’s phone to monitor and track their digital activities. Each app will offer a different set of features, from location and message tracking to real-time hardware access. You can test these features on any Android spy app for a free trial and then commit to it by subscribing to their paid plans. Here are some reasons why people invest in a spy app.
- Parental controls: The majority of users will rely on spy apps to track their teens and to keep them safe. Parents will rely on restrictive features like screen time limits and app blockers to keep their children away from harmful stuff online. Moreover, these spy apps also offer keyword tracking that can alert parents when their child gets curious about mature content.
- Corporate usage: A lot of entrepreneurs have started using spy apps to monitor their sales teams. These apps will give meaningful location data about the performance of their sales team to business owners.
- Personal security: People also rely on spy apps as a backup to track their stolen or lost devices. Moreover, if you have more than one phone, you can use these apps to monitor and regulate your own digital habits.
Are there any free spy apps for Android?
You can find some free spyware apps for Android on the internet, but most of them are just useless. You will be wasting your time and won’t get any performance from such apps. Still, I understand that the majority of people want to avoid financial commitments when trying out different spyware tools. Luckily, most of the “premium” tracking apps offer a free trial, which helps users make the final purchase decision. So, instead of wasting your time looking for a free option, I’d suggest that you stick to paid options with a free trial. That way, you’ll avoid the financial commitment until you’re completely sure of which app you want to use for your family’s safety. The following list of top Android spy apps will further expand your perspective.
10 top Android spy apps
1. FlashGet Kids
FlashGet Kids is a one-stop parental control solution. It excels in offering real-time tracking data to parents.
Pros
- Comprehensive monitoring features.
- Simple interface.
- Affordable.
Cons
- The battery will drain slightly faster on the target device.
2. Spyera
Sypyera excels in call and message logging. This free phone spy app is especially useful for corporate users who wish to track sales calls and messages.
Pros
- Stealth mode is pretty decent.
- Complete call history and messaging chains are available.
Cons
- The installation is complex and requires support from an IT expert.
3. Cocospy
Cocospy has long been a staple in the market, especially when you’re talking about a spy app with app restrictions and screen time controls. It helps parents keep their kids in discipline.
Pros
- Reliable app tracking.
- Detailed usage reports and analytics.
Cons
- The customer support experience can be a bit underwhelming.
4. Qustodio
Qustodio focuses especially on content filtering and making sure that your kid doesn’t get addicted to mature content. Moreover, the parental controls from this app are next to impossible to bypass.
Pros
- Easy to set up for technically illiterate people.
- The alerts are fairly quick.
Cons
- The target device can slow down quite a bit.
5. Norton Family Premier
Norton Family Premier works with a ton of devices, so you will not have to worry about any compatibility issues. This location spy app with a free trial works exceptionally well with older devices.
Pros
- Decent customer support.
- Customizable alerts.
Cons
- The activity reports lack extensive details.
6. Mobile Spy
Mobile Spy is the best spyware app for tracking multiple devices under a single subscription. It can be pretty budget-friendly for larger firms and big families.
Pros
- The activity logs are pretty detailed.
- Remote access to restrictive features.
Cons
- Screen time limits can often bug out.
7. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch is a tool that is best suited for startups. This application isn’t that expensive, even when you have to track multiple employees.
Pros
- SIM change alerts.
- Message tracking.
Cons
- The stealth mode isn’t that great.
8. Spyzie
If you want to avoid the hassle of rooting the Android device, then going with Spyzie is a good idea. This app offers extensive options for data export and sharing.
Pros
- Frequent updates to address minor bugs.
- Performs well in tracking social media.
Cons
- Missing advanced features like call recording.
9. mSpy
It is a corporate-grade spy tool that will give you remote access to everything on a target device. This app is slightly complex when it comes to initial installation.
Pros
- It offers even the most advanced tracking features like screen mirroring.
- The activity details are beyond exceptional.
Cons
- The monthly price point is too high.
10. TheTruthSpy
If you need a tracking app to safeguard your other devices, then the TruthSpy is the best pick. This application offers report control features like wiping the target device or locking it up temporarily.
Pros
- Extensive monitoring features like remote listening.
- Decent location tracking accuracy.
Cons
- The customer support reputation isn’t that great.
Comparison of top free Android spy apps
When comparing a free spy app with any paid option, you need to look primarily at its reviews. There is no point in downloading a tool that is free but inconsistent. So, focus on doing some research before you commit to any spy app for your family or business. Here is a comparison table to put things into perspective further regarding the apps listed above.
| App name | Price | Devices tracked | Compatibility | Free version | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlashGet Kids | $8.99/mo | Up to 10 devices | iOS & Android | √ | √ |
| Spyera | $90/mo | One | iOS & Android | – | – |
| Cocospy | $39.99/mo | Up to three devices | iOS & Android | √ | √ |
| Qustodio | $8.33/mo | Up to 10 devices | iOS & Android | √ | √ |
| Norton Family Premier | $7.99/mo | Up to 10 devices | iOS & Android | – | √ |
| Mobile Spy | $9.99/mo | One | Android | – | – |
| Hoverwatch | $29.95/mo | Up to 25 devices | iOS & Android | – | √ |
| Spyzie | $9.99/mo | Up to three devices | iOS & Android | – | √ |
| mSpy | $48.99/mo | One | iOS & Android | – | – |
| TheTruthSpy | $21.99/mo | Up to three devices | iOS & Android | √ | √ |
How do free Android spy apps work?
Free Android spy apps like FlashGet Kids work by extracting data from the target device and sending it to the parental control app. Once this app is installed on the target device, it will always remain engaged in the background. It collects and extracts all the tracking data, like app usage, GPS coordinates, hardware usage, and everything in between. This data is then sent to an online portal where the parent or any guardian can analyze the detailed report. Moreover, the extensive hardware control permissions allowed to FlashGet Kids enable parents to remotely restrict some features on the target device. The parental control app dictates all controlsp and the target is unable to remove the app directly from their device.
One great thing about FlashGet Kids is its stealth mode, which keeps the app processes hidden in the background. This situation makes it impossible for the target to infer that they are getting tracked. Still, the impact on the target device’s battery is notable. So, if your kids are mischievous and mess with this app, you can easily engage in stealth mode.
Conclusion
There is a lot of appeal behind a free Android spy app. However, nine times out of ten, these free apps are just scams. You’re much better off with a paid spyware tool that can deliver on its promises with a guarantee. I’ve listed a lot of options above, including free trial and free versions. Each app offers a unique set of features to track and monitor any target device. Once you’re satisfied with the performance of any app, you can make a financial commitment by subscribing to their paid plan.
Spending a couple of bucks each month won’t have that significant of an impact on your budget, but it will surely save your kid’s digital life. So, don’t get stuck at budget issues when looking for an Android spy app. If you’re unsure about where to start, I’d recommend FlashGet Kids. It is pretty affordable, and offers decent features like screen mirroring and remote hardware control.
