Google Family Link is a good free baseline for screen-time and app approvals. Parents usually look for a Family Link alternative when they want stronger content filtering, a real porn blocker, or the ability to actually see what's on their child's screen — features Family Link doesn't offer.
What Family Link does well
- It's free and made by Google, so it's well-integrated with Android
- Basic daily screen-time limits and a bedtime schedule
- App approval and the ability to see installed apps
- Device location
Where Family Link falls short
- Weak content filtering — it relies on SafeSearch and store ratings; it isn't a dedicated porn blocker, and determined kids get around it.
- No live screen view — you can't see what your child is actually doing right now.
- Limited for older teens — some controls loosen once a child turns 13.
- No content alerts — it won't flag concerning searches for you.
What to look for in an alternative
The best parental control app to replace or supplement Family Link should give you, in one place:
- A real porn blocker that filters adult & unsafe sites across the whole phone
- Genuine screen-time management (daily and per-app limits, bedtime)
- Live screen view for real peace of mind
- Alerts when something concerning happens
- Fair, transparent pricing
Fledgely — a Family Link alternative with live screen view
Fledgely is built for parents who've outgrown Family Link's basics. It keeps the essentials — screen-time limits, location — and adds the things Family Link is missing: a strong porn blocker, phone-wide safe browsing, live screen viewing, and concerning-search alerts. And your first child is free, forever.
| Feature | Google Family Link | Fledgely |
|---|---|---|
| Screen-time limits | Yes (basic) | Yes — daily & per-app |
| Porn / adult-site blocker | Limited (SafeSearch) | Yes — phone-wide |
| Live screen view | No | Yes |
| Concerning-search alerts | No | Yes |
| Location | Yes | Yes |
| Works for teens 13+ | Limited | Yes |
| Price | Free | First child free · $5/mo extra |
How to switch
- Install the Fledgely parent app on your phone and the child app on theirs (about 5 minutes).
- Set your screen-time limits and turn on the porn blocker.
- Keep Family Link too if you like — many parents run both, using Fledgely for filtering and live view.
A Family Link alternative with more control
Live screen view, a real porn blocker, screen-time limits and location — all in one app. First child free, forever.
Get Fledgely on Google Play First child free · no ads · no card needed