Systems9 of 18
Controls28 of 33
Monitoring6 of 19
Terms0 of 2
Price and plan28 of 28
parental control app · Microsoft
Microsoft Family Safety
Free Microsoft app for screen time limits and content filters on Windows, Xbox and Android devices.
Microsoft removed the Drive Safety and Location Tracking features in the iPhone app's 2.0.0 update, dated December 5, 20246.
In short
- The iPhone app is listed as free, with no in-app purchases shown, and no paid plan appears on Microsoft's pages6.
- Device time limits work on Windows and Xbox; app and game limits also cover Android1.
- Web and search filters work only in Microsoft Edge, and other browsers are blocked1,3.
- Parents get activity reports covering apps, websites and Bing searches5.
- Location tracking was removed from the app in December 20246.
Family Safety suits families with Windows PCs or Xbox consoles who want free screen time limits and filters1,6. Parents set daily hours2 and are notified when a child asks for more time1,6. The catch: filtering needs Edge, phone limits cover Android only, and location tracking was removed1,2,6.
Best for: Families whose children use Windows PCs or Xbox consoles.
Where the points come from
Systems 9 of 18 points
Controls 28 of 33 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Website filtering by category | YesMature sites are blocked by default, with allowed and blocked site lists. Counted as one adult category plus custom entries (Edge only)3. | 8 / 8 |
| Block apps and games | YesParents block an app or game per platform, including Mobile; content filters cover apps and games on Android4,1. | 6 / 6 |
| Daily limits and schedules | YesParents set allowed hours and time ranges for each day, plus a total daily limit, on Windows and Xbox2. | 8 / 8 |
| Time limits per app | YesApp and game screen time limits are listed for Windows, Xbox and Android1. | 3 / 3 |
| Pause or lock from the parent app | YesApp Store release notes say parents can lock and resume a child's Xbox and Windows 11 devices, and 2.0.0 (Dec 5, 2024) restored the Lock Device feature6. | 3 / 3 |
| Removal protection | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features or support pages1,2. | 0 / 3 |
| YouTube controls | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features page1. | 0 / 2 |
Monitoring 6 of 19 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Live location | NoThe app's version 2.0.0 notes (December 5, 2024) say Drive Safety and Location Tracking features have been removed6. | 0 / 6 |
| Place alerts | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features page; location features were removed1,6. | 0 / 2 |
| Social media and message alerts | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's features page1. | 0 / 5 |
| Activity reports | YesActivity reports show app and game use, websites visited, Bing searches and screen time5. | 3 / 3 |
| Child requests | YesThe features page lists screen time requests and content filter requests; the App Store says parents are notified when a child asks for more time1,6. | 3 / 3 |
Terms 0 of 2 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Money-back period | Not publishedNot published; the app is listed as free6. | 0 / 2 |
Price and plan 28 of 28 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesNo plan page exists. The App Store lists the app as free, with screen time limits and content filters6. Reading chosen for a free product. | 8 / 8 |
| Cheapest paid family plan | $0App Store lists the app as free; no paid plan found. Counted as a fully free product6. | 12 / 12 |
| Devices on the priced plan | 100No device cap appears on Microsoft's pages; counted as a free product with no stated cap1,6. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeFamily group | Free6 | $0 | App Store lists the app as free; no paid plan found |
Microsoft's pages give no device cap and no paid tier. The $0 price and 100-device value rest on the free App Store listing6.
Strengths
- Windows 10 and 11 are supported for device time limits and filters1.
- Children can send screen time requests, and parents are notified when a child asks for more time1,6.
- Activity reports list apps, websites and Bing searches5.
- Parents can block individual apps and games for each platform4.
- Parents can lock a child's device from the app, per the App Store release notes6.
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
- Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Set screen time limits across devices, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Filter websites and searches using Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Block or unblock apps with Microsoft Family Safety, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- View device and app use with Family Safety activity reporting, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Microsoft Family Safety on the App Store, Microsoft Corporation (Apple App Store). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft.