Google Family Link vs OpenDNS FamilyShield
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Google Family Link and OpenDNS FamilyShield.
Google Family Link Free parental controls for Android devices. | OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS-level content filtering for families. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 (180 reviews) | 4.2 (344 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | free | free |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Best for parents protecting children online | Best for users wanting private and fast DNS resolution |
| 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
OpenDNS FamilyShield
Pros
- + Free DNS-based adult content filtering
- + Router-level setup covers all home devices
- + No account required for basic use
- + Works on virtually any DNS-configurable device
- + Cisco documentation clearly states limitations
Cons
- - No category customization or allowlists/denylists
- - Easy to bypass with VPN or DNS-over-HTTPS
- - Not a full parental control suite
- - DNS filtering is domain-level, not page-level
Stay in the loop
Get weekly updates on the best new privacy tools, deals, and comparisons.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.