Why choose
Qustodio over Bark?

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Why choose Qustodio over Bark?

Putting parental control solutions to the test

As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult to decide which parental control solution to use. We’ve researched two of today’s most popular options–Qustodio and Bark–to see how they can help with your concerns. Whether you’re looking for the latest features or are more budget-conscious, in this guide you’ll find all the information you need to make the right choice in keeping your kids safe online.

Qustodio vs Bark

Qustodio

Bark

Time limits

Qustodio and Bark both allow parents to set time limits. Qustodio, however, gives you more flexibility with daily and weekly scheduling while Bark focuses on daily scheduling.

Block apps

Qustodio and Bark allow parents to decide which apps they want their children to be able to use and to block any they deem inappropriate. Qustodio is the only option that allows parents to set time limits for specific apps.

Social media monitoring

Qustodio offers parents an overview and control of social media activity while Bark only monitors for risky or dangerous content.

Pause the internet

Qustodio allows you to instantly disable internet access on your children’s devices – at the touch of a button.

Location monitoring

Both Qustodio and Bark offer geolocation services, which means you can keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts and know they’re safe. Qustodio provides this information in real time. Bark does not.

Calls and text monitoring

Qustodio’s calls & messages feature lets you see who your child is exchanging calls and messages with, and lets you read the full content of text messages. Qustodio can block incoming and outgoing calls and messages while Bark cannot.

Web filtering

Qustodio allows you to block unsafe or inappropriate websites, allow specific kinds of sites, or receive alerts when your child tries to access certain websites. Qustodio currently lets you filter 29 different kinds of websites, whereas Bark only offers 17 web categories.

YouTube monitoring

With Qustodio, you can automatically view which videos your child watches and what they search for on Android, Mac, and Windows. Bark requires a specific Chrome extension in order to do this.

Cross-platform solution

Qustodio covers all of the most popular platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle, and Chromebook devices. Bark only covers iOS, Android, and Amazon devices.

Activity reports and alerts

Qustodio provides parents a full overview by sending an email outlining their child’s online activity and behavior. Parents can choose to receive this report daily or weekly. Bark only sends alerts rather than providing full visibility of kids’ activity.

Free account

Qustodio offers parents full access to all Premium features for 3 days, with a permanent free option as well–no credit card required. Bark only allows a 7-day trial without the option of a free account.

Geofencing

Qustodio allows you to define safe areas on the map that your child frequently visits, such as school and home. When your child leaves or arrives at these locations, you’ll receive an alert. Bark only allows you to monitor specific addresses.

Panic button

If children find themselves in a dangerous situation and need help, Qustodio’s panic button offers them a quick way to alert a trusted parent or relative. Bark does not offer this feature.

Additional parent

Qustodio allows two parents or guardians to supervise one family on Qustodio, without having to share their login details. Bark requires hardware or a joint email account.

Price

$54.95

10 features

$49

3 features

Qustodio’s Premium plans start at $54.95 which include up to 7 more parental control features than the basic premium option for Bark.

Multilingual support

8

languages

2

languages

Qustodio is the most global of the two apps and is available in 8 different languages–English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Chinese and Japanese. Bark is available in only English and Spanish.

Qustodio vs Bark

Qustodio

Bark

Time limits

Qustodio and Bark both allow parents to set time limits. Qustodio, however, gives you more flexibility with daily and weekly scheduling while Bark focuses on daily scheduling.

Block apps

Qustodio and Bark allow parents to decide which apps they want their children to be able to use and to block any they deem inappropriate. Qustodio is the only option that allows parents to set time limits for specific apps.

Social media monitoring

Qustodio offers parents an overview and control of social media activity while Bark only monitors for risky or dangerous content.

Location monitoring

Both Qustodio and Bark offer geolocation services, which means you can keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts and know they’re safe. Qustodio provides this information in real time. Bark does not.

Pause the internet

Qustodio allows you to instantly disable internet access on your children’s devices – at the touch of a button.

Calls and text monitoring

Qustodio’s calls & messages feature lets you see who your child is exchanging calls and messages with, and lets you read the full content of text messages. Qustodio can block incoming and outgoing calls and messages while Bark cannot.

Web filtering

Qustodio allows you to block unsafe or inappropriate websites, allow specific kinds of sites, or receive alerts when your child tries to access certain websites. Qustodio currently lets you filter 29 different kinds of websites, whereas Bark only offers 17 web categories.

YouTube monitoring

With Qustodio, you can automatically view which videos your child watches and what they search for on Android, Mac, and Windows. Bark requires a specific Chrome extension in order to do this.

Cross-platform solution

Qustodio covers all of the most popular platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle, and Chromebook devices. Bark only covers iOS, Android, and Amazon devices.

Activity reports and alerts

Qustodio provides parents a full overview by sending an email outlining their child’s online activity and behavior. Parents can choose to receive this report daily or weekly. Bark only sends alerts rather than providing full visibility of kids’ activity.

Free account

Qustodio offers parents full access to all Premium features for 3 days, with a permanent free option as well–no credit card required. Bark only allows a 7-day trial without the option of a free account.

Geofencing

Qustodio allows you to define safe areas on the map that your child frequently visits, such as school and home. When your child leaves or arrives at these locations, you’ll receive an alert. Bark only allows you to monitor specific addresses.

Panic button

If children find themselves in a dangerous situation and need help, Qustodio’s panic button offers them a quick way to alert a trusted parent or relative. Bark does not offer this feature.

Additional parent

Qustodio allows two parents or guardians to supervise one family on Qustodio, without having to share their login details. Bark requires hardware or a joint email account.

Price

Qustodio’s Premium plans start at $54.95 which include up to 7 more parental control features than the basic premium option for Bark.

$54.95

10 features

$49

3 features

Multilingual support

Qustodio is the most global of the two apps and is available in 8 different languages–English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Chinese and Japanese. Bark is available in only English and Spanish.

8

languages

2

languages

Note: This table has been prepared on the basis of public information available as of 8 February, 2021 using information from Bark websites and product testing under similar conditions. No claims, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, are made as to the quality, reliability and performance of any of the referenced products. All third-party trademarks are property of the respective owners and Qustodio’s use of these trademarks and brand names does not indicate any sponsorship, promotion, or endorsement between Qustodio and the owners of these brands. Reference to the trademarks is merely to identify the corresponding third-party products and services and shall be considered nominative fair and legitimate use under trademark and advertising laws. For any queries, or if you believe any of the information is inaccurate, please contact info@qustodio.com

What makes Qustodio the better option for you?

After reviewing all the features that Qustodio and Bark have to offer, we’re confident there are three main areas in which Qustodio stands out, making it the best option for your family.

Qustodio offers a wider range of features and coverage

While Bark only works on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices, Qustodio can monitor iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Kindle devices. It provides in-depth reports on all types of digital activity, while also giving you better control over the content your child accesses. From the Family locator to Calls and SMS monitoring, Qustodio’s powerful features provide more detailed and accurate information when comparing the basic plans of Qustodio and Bark.

Qustodio offers a wider range of features and coverage

While Bark only works on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices, Qustodio can monitor iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Kindle devices. It provides in-depth reports on all types of digital activity, while also giving you better control over the content your child accesses. From the Family locator to Calls and SMS monitoring, Qustodio’s powerful features provide more detailed and accurate information when comparing the basic plans of Qustodio and Bark.

Qustodio has a more user-friendly interface

Qustodio has an easy setup process that allows you to start receiving data from your kids’ devices immediately. Qustodio’s dashboard is easy to navigate, with well-organized features and visual representations of activity that give you the information you want at a glance and all in real time, without the need for external hardware nor additions, as is required in many circumstances for Bark to work.

Qustodio has a more user-friendly interface

Qustodio has an easy setup process that allows you to start receiving data from your kids’ devices immediately. Qustodio’s dashboard is easy to navigate, with well-organized features and visual representations of activity that give you the information you want at a glance and all in real time, without the need for external hardware nor additions, as is required in many circumstances for Bark to work.

Qustodio provides a more complete and customized experience

Qustodio offers more customization options for parents to create individual digital safety rules. With everything from setting screen time limits for each day of the week, to pausing the internet instantly and blocking inappropriate apps and websites, Qustodio gives you more personalized control options when it comes to managing your family’s digital safety in exactly the way you want.

Qustodio provides a more complete and customized experience

Qustodio offers more customization options for parents to create individual digital safety rules. With everything from setting screen time limits for each day of the week, to pausing the internet instantly and blocking inappropriate apps and websites, Qustodio gives you more personalized control options when it comes to managing your family’s digital safety in exactly the way you want.

“We’re a highly digital family but we really value screen-free time—Qustodio helps us get that balance.”

Theresa

Qustodio in numbers

Top-rated app

Threats averted

Families protected

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Create your FREE account now

And enjoy a trial of our Premium features