Apple Screen Time vs CleanBrowsing
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Apple Screen Time and CleanBrowsing.
Apple Screen Time Built-in parental controls for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. | CleanBrowsing DNS-based content filtering with family-safe profiles. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 (127 reviews) | 4.3 (94 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | free | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for parents protecting children online | Best for parents protecting children online |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
Apple Screen Time
Pros
- + Free, built into Apple operating systems
- + Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse approvals
- + Controls communication in Messages, FaceTime, Phone
- + Age-based defaults for kids and teens
- + Documented Screen Time analytics scope when enabled
- + Works with Family Sharing remote management
Cons
- - Apple-only ecosystem; not cross-platform
- - Mixed OS versions can break the new experience
- - Parents report usability issues and loopholes
- - Not a VPN; no network-level anonymity
CleanBrowsing
Pros
- + Free forever DNS filters with no signup
- + Supports DoH, DoT, and DNSCrypt
- + Family filter enforces SafeSearch on major platforms
- + Paid plans include profiles and category controls
- + “Total Privacy” mode disables DNS log storage
- + Published pricing for monthly and yearly plans
Cons
- - US (Delaware) jurisdiction may deter privacy purists
- - No self-serve trial for paid plans
- - Terms state fees are nonrefundable for unused time
- - DNS filtering can’t inspect pages inside allowed domains
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