Systems18 of 18
Controls33 of 33
Monitoring13 of 19
Terms0 of 2
Price and plan11 of 28
parental control app · Bark Technologies
Bark
Parental control app that scans texts, social media and email for risks, for phones, tablets and Chromebooks.
In short
- The Bark App costs $14 a month or $99 a year ($8.25 a month)1,2.
- One subscription covers every child and device, with no account or device limit2.
- Alerts cover 29 types of danger across texts, email, YouTube and 30+ social apps2,6.
- Screen time and filtering work on iOS, Android, Fire tablets and Chromebooks; Windows PCs and Macs get web monitoring only2,7.
- Bark has no free plan, only a 7-day free trial1.
Bark suits parents who mainly want warnings about what their children say and see on phones. One $99 yearly subscription covers all children and devices2. The catch: Windows PCs get only browser monitoring, per-app time limits are limited to the Bark Phone, and there is no free plan1,2,3.
Best for: Parents of phone-owning kids who want alerts about messages and social media.
Where the points come from
Systems 18 of 18 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | YesSupport article: Bark monitors Chrome and Edge on a child's Windows computer through extensions; no screen time or filtering there7. | 6 / 6 |
| Other systems | macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOSSupport article lists Macs and Chromebooks, with Chrome or Edge monitoring on Mac7. Screen time works on iOS, Android and Chromebooks2. | 12 / 12 |
Controls 33 of 33 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Website filtering by category | YesBlocks 19 curated categories, lets you add specific sites, and supports exceptions4. | 8 / 8 |
| Block apps and games | YesWebsite and app blocking is listed for the Bark App on iOS and Android1,4. | 6 / 6 |
| Daily limits and schedules | YesCustom schedules in the Bark App; daily screen time limits are listed as a Bark Phone feature1,2. | 8 / 8 |
| Time limits per app | YesTime limits per app or category are a Bark Phone feature only3. | 3 / 3 |
| Pause or lock from the parent app | YesPause the internet anytime with one tap3. | 3 / 3 |
| Removal protection | YesFAQ says companion apps can be protected from uninstall on iOS and Android, and parents are alerted if one is removed2. | 3 / 3 |
| YouTube controls | YesBark monitors YouTube, and screen time rules can turn off YouTube access2,3. | 2 / 2 |
Monitoring 13 of 19 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Live location | YesLocation tracking is included with the Bark App1,2. | 6 / 6 |
| Place alerts | YesLocation alerts can be set for frequently visited places5. | 2 / 2 |
| Social media and message alerts | YesScans texts, email and 30+ social apps, sending alerts for 29 types of danger2,6. | 5 / 5 |
| Activity reports | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pricing, FAQ or features pages; they describe alerts, not an activity history1,2,3. | 0 / 3 |
| Child requests | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pricing or FAQ pages; they describe parent-side approvals only1,2. | 0 / 3 |
Terms 0 of 2 points
Price and plan 11 of 28 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | NoPricing page lists no free plan; the Bark App has a 7-day free trial1. | 0 / 8 |
| Cheapest paid family plan | $8.25/moBark App, $99 a year billed yearly; covers every child and device with filtering and schedules1,2. | 3 / 12 |
| Devices on the priced plan | 100FAQ: one subscription covers every child and device, with no limit on accounts, devices or kids2. | 8 / 8 |
The rule behind each line: how we score parental control apps.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bark AppWhole family, all devices | $99/year1,2 | $8.25 | Also $14 a month; 7-day free trial |
| Bark PhoneWhole family | From $29/month plus device1 | – | Phone sold by Bark; device paid over 24 months; adds app and contact approvals |
| Bark WatchWhole family | $15/month plus device1,2 | – | Watch sold by Bark; device paid monthly over 24 months |
The Bark App is $14 a month or $99 a year. Bark Home, a router-connected device, is $6 a month or $79 once and is not counted1,2.
Strengths
- One subscription covers unlimited children and devices2.
- Monitors texts, email, YouTube and 30+ social apps and sends alerts for 29 danger types2,6.
- Location alerts for frequently visited places5.
- FAQ says the child app can be protected from uninstall on iOS and Android, and alerts the parent if it is removed2.
Limits
- The app plan is $14 a month, or $99 a year if paid up front1,2.
- Screen time and filtering do not run on Windows or Mac; only Chrome and Edge extensions monitor web use2,7.
- Per-app time limits, daily limits and app approvals are Bark Phone features, not in the Bark App2,3.
- No free plan; only a 7-day trial1.
What Bark Technologies says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Bark says its alerts cover 29 different types of dangers6.
Other parental control apps
- 1Kaspersky Safe KidsFamilies who want a low-cost yearly plan with a free tier to start89/100$2.42/mocheapest paid family plan
- 2
MobicipFamilies who want low-priced controls on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android and iOS83/100$2.99/mocheapest paid family plan - 3
FamiSafeFamilies who want one yearly plan for phones, tablets and computers83/100$4.99/mocheapest paid family plan - 4
Google Family LinkFamilies whose children use Android phones or Chromebooks81/100$0cheapest paid family plan
Sources
- Bark pricing, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Bark FAQs, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Manage screen time with parental controls, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Block websites and apps, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Location sharing, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Monitor content, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- How to set up Bark on computers, Bark. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.bark.us · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Bark Technologies.