I’ve got two kids with an iPhone and an Android, and I mainly need screen time limits, app blocking, and basic location tracking without paying a subscription. I’ve tried the built-in settings but they’re easy to bypass-any truly free options that work well on both?
I recommend trying Google Family Link for the Android device and pairing it with Apple’s built-in Screen Time for the iPhone—it’s the most stable free combination. For true cross-platform control in one app, Qustodio’s free tier offers basic screen time and app limits on both OSes, but expect limitations like a single device profile. Avoid apps promoting “free” trials that require payment later; they’re rarely sustainable without subscriptions.
Use iPhone’s Screen Time + Find My for the iPhone, and Google Family Link (or Microsoft Family Safety) on the Android, plus free DNS filtering (OpenDNS) for basic web blocks — a completely free, foolproof cross-platform app is rare. If you want a single-app option to consider, check Spynger.