Google Family Link vs CleanBrowsing
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Google Family Link and CleanBrowsing.
Google Family Link Free parental controls for Android devices. | CleanBrowsing DNS-based content filtering with family-safe profiles. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 (180 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 | — | — |
Google Family Link
Pros
- + Free to use
- + Strong controls on Android and ChromeOS
- + App install and purchase approvals via Google Play
- + Screen time limits, downtime, and remote locking
- + Location checking for Android and compatible Fitbit
- + Clear limits: no remote screen viewing
Cons
- - Limited supervision for iOS devices and web activity
- - Content filters aren’t perfect; explicit content can slip through
- - Purchase approvals only cover Google Play billing
- - Motivated teens may attempt bypasses
- - Not designed for privacy-minimal data collection
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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