Spy apps are useful in a number of situations: parents who want to oversee their children’s mobile usage and instill healthy digital habits, partners suspecting infidelity, or friends and family concerned about their loved one’s online safety.
Phone spyware lets you monitor and control another device and provides access to conversations, social media activity, browsing history, photos, and call records, making them valuable tools in our digital lives.
In this guide, I’ve tested a range of spy apps based on factors such as free trials and demos, guarantees, value for money, and available features.
The Best Spy Apps Tested By Our Experts
Finding a reliable and safe spy app can be challenging. While there are plenty of options, not all are trustworthy. In extreme cases, free spy apps can install malware or ransomware on your device, compromising your security.
Therefore, it’s essential to use a reputable spy app. Here’s my selection of the best spy apps you can use for free immediately: Qustodio, ESET, and FamiSafe.
If you’re looking to expand your capabilities, paid subscriptions offer more features at a slightly higher price point. Here’s my curated list of the best spy apps of 2024:
- Show Full Guide
mSpy — Best Spy App Overall
Starting Price | $11.67/month (yearly) |
---|---|
No. of Devices | Up to 3 (w/ Family Kit) |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money Back Guarantee | 14-day refund policy |
Pros
- Complete social media monitoring
- Full access to files on the device
- Block undesirable websites and apps
- Precise GPS tracking with geofencing
- Advanced features include a keylogger and screen recorder
Cons
- There’s no money-back guarantee
- Requires rooting or jailbreaking
Spynger — Best Mobile Spy App for Partner Tracking
Starting Price | $9.28/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day refund window |
Pros
- Foolproof keylogger
- Comprehensive monitoring across social media and chat apps
- Excellent location tracking and geofencing
- Secure encryption
Cons
- Doesn’t block apps or sites
- No demo
uMobix — Best Phone Spy App for Android Devices
Starting Price | $12.49/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- Great remote control tools
- Access deleted files and messages
- Tracks all calls and text messages
- Real-time location access
Cons
- Very limited features for iOS devices
Scannero — Best Spyware App for Phone Location Tracking
Starting Price | $0.89/day |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- It requires just a phone number
- Cheap for one-day use
- Minimalist and easy to use
- Works worldwide
Cons
- Lacks functionality beyond location tracking
- The monthly subscription is quite pricey
Starting Price | $10.62/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- Loaded with features
- Completely discreet
- Shows hidden/deleted content
- Has powerful remote-control capabilities
- Fully anonymous tracking
Cons
- Limited location-tracking features
- Some features, like the keylogger, are exclusive to Android
Phonsee — Best Cheap Spy App for Mobile Devices
Starting Price | $8.85/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- Keylogger functionality for iOS and Android devices
- User-friendly with a neat UI
- Advanced location tracking features
- Works in stealth mode (hidden) on the target device
Cons
- Lacks remote control, call recording, and keyword alerts
- Need root access on Android devices for social media monitoring
Eyezy — Best Phone Spy App for GPS Location Tracking and Geofencing
Starting Price | $7.99/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- AI-powered keyword and app download alerts
- Wide range of features
- Great budget option
- Activity analytics for a broad overview
Cons
- Longer-term subscriptions are required for discounts
- iOS devices need to be jailbroken to access the social spotlight and phone analyzer features
ClevGuard — Best Spy Phone App for Parental Control
Starting Price | $4.99/month |
---|---|
No. of Devices | Up to 3 devices on individual plan, Up to 20 on the family plan |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Pros
- 100% safe and encrypted
- Lets you record the target device’s surroundings
- Take screenshots and screen recordings discreetly
- One of the best Facebook spy apps to track your kids
- PC monitoring available as an add-on
Cons
- Keylogger is only available on Android and Windows
- Some features, like WhatsApp tracking, come with an additional fee
The Best Spy App Picks Compared
Here’s a comprehensive table highlighting the key differences between the top spying phone apps so you can compare them side by side before making a decision:
Provider | Free Version | Starting Price | Top Features | Moneyback Guarantee |
---|---|---|---|---|
mSpy | Demo | $11.67/month | Powerful remote controls, deep device access, Real-time GPS tracking | 14 Days |
Spynger | Refund policy | $9.28/month | Robust keylogger, comprehensive chat app coverage, access to deleted content | 30 Days |
uMobix | Demo | $12.49/month | Display screenshots, precise GPS, live app alerts | 14 Days |
Scannero | 1-Day Trial $0.89 | $49.80/month | Requires just a number, 100% anonymous, messenger, SMS, or email sharing | 14 Days |
SpyBubble Pro | Demo | $10.62/month | See hidden/deleted content, camera/microphone access, dating app monitoring | 30 Days |
Phonsee | Demo | $8.85/month | Accurate keylogger, geofencing, dating app monitoring | 14 Days |
Eyezy | Demo | $7.99/month | Affordable pricing, custom alerts, custom term/word flagging | 14 Days |
ClevGuard | Demo | $4.99/month | Child-focused Kidsguard app with social media access, call recording, and GPS locator | 30 Days |
How We Review And Test Spyware Apps
Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
- Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
- Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
- Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
- Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
- Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.
Why Do I Need a Spy Phone App?
There are many good reasons why you might want to use a phone app to track or monitor a smartphone’s usage and GPS location. Some of the most common of these include:
What Can I Do with Spy Apps?
Spy apps will, naturally, enable you to monitor a phone – but what does being able to spy on another phone actually mean? Here are some of the capabilities of the best spying apps.
- Chat monitoring – Many top tools for spying on phones come with comprehensive chat monitoring features, allowing you to track conversations from multiple apps on a single dashboard.
- App control – A range of spyware apps will allow you to add and remove apps and to lock how and when they are used. You can often also access browser history and social media connections.
- Keyloggers – A keylogger may be the ultimate tool available if you want a free app to monitor another phone. This tool tracks every keystroke entered on the device, allowing it to catch communications, searches, and logins.
- Camera and microphone control – The best tools allow you to silently use the device’s camera to take pictures and enable video streaming or to use the microphone to capture audio. This gives you complete awareness of the device’s environment.
- Device control – The most powerful apps will give you full control over the tracked device, turning it on and off and even wiping the device if needed.
- GPS location tracking – A good mobile tracker app will allow you to see precisely where a device is and will include geofencing, which sets off alerts if the device leaves a set area.
What Devices Can I Track with Spy Apps?
There are a range of excellent spyware apps for whatever platform you want to track. Here are some of the devices you can monitor.
iPhone Spyware
You’re in luck if you’re looking for a spy app for your iPhone. Providers like mSpy, uMobix, and Spynger cover almost every iPhone, iPad, and iOS product. With these apps, you can ensure you’ll be able to track your loved ones wherever they are. For more information, see our guide to the best iPhone spy apps.
Android Spyware
mSpy, uMobix, SpyBubble, and Phonsee are all great Android phone spying apps. They give you deep device control and full visibility of where the tracked device is and what it’s being used for. Read our best spy apps for Android guide for further details.
Windows and MacOS Spy Software
Many of the top spy app providers focus on mobile spying apps, but there are tools that also cover Windows and Macs. ClevGuard offers solutions that cover Windows, for example, while FlexiSpy can track Windows and Mac devices, Android devices, and iPhones.
Norton, Eset, and FamiSafe also offer parental control apps that support everything from Windows, Macs, and iPhones to Android devices and Kindles. Our guide to the best keylogger software provides additional information on tracking desktop devices.
Who Are Spy Apps For?
A wide range of individuals can benefit from using spying apps. Some common use cases for free phone monitoring include:
Spying Apps for Parents
Being able to track your child’s location can offer reassurance that they aren’t in harm’s way. Equally, being able to monitor their communications and device use ensures they aren’t getting into trouble.
Best Monitoring Apps for Businesses
Business owners can ensure company hardware is being used appropriately and responsibly, and they can track devices in real time, guaranteeing the safety and security of assets and personnel.
Spy App for Couples
Couples can use spy software to prove their trust and ensure safety by sharing their locations. A spy app for couples free of charge can be a great option to prove loyalty and demonstrate transparency within a relationship.
Phone Monitoring Apps for Carers
– If you’re looking after an elderly person or a vulnerable individual, device monitoring can be invaluable. With their consent, you can use spy tools to ensure no one is trying to take advantage of them or scam them, and in an emergency, you can track their device to locate them.
Are Free Spying Apps Safe?
All the spy app providers on our list are safe to use and are great for getting started. They’ve been handpicked after careful scrutiny of their features and trustworthiness.
However, it’s best to avoid apps that only offer a free solution, as these are often offered by unscrupulous providers who are actually running data mining centers and selling your data online.
Look for platforms that offer paid solutions along with free ones. These apps use subscription income to strengthen their security. They offer a free plan to allow potential users to test their free spy services before they move to a paid subscription.
This is why all our recommended platforms offer a paid plan, and most of their free plans are essentially free trials that allow you to try out the service before committing.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Spy Software
Choosing a spy app can be difficult, given the number of options available. Here are a few things to consider whether you’re looking for free iPhone spying apps or free Android spy tools.
Spying apps often collect sensitive personal data, which can be prone to online leaks. That’s why choosing a provider like the ones on our list with a clean track record is important.
Sure, you’re only looking for a spy app at the moment. But you do have to consider the price of the platform’s paid plan in case you want to scale up. Although useful, free plans and trails are only good enough to test the platform and for small-scale usage.
If you want advanced features like geolocation, environment recording, and so on, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan. And, in that case, the price should not be a hindrance.
A spy app should be easy to use and install. It should also have an intuitive and easy-to-understand dashboard with comprehensive information on all tracking metrics, such as calls, messages, and location details.
All of our recommended spying apps offer hassle-free operation, and customer support is available if you encounter any issues.
Feature-to-price refers to the value of services you get for the price you pay – but the paid plans shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
For example, if you only want to track your child’s location and messages, your provider’s cheapest plan should be able to accommodate your needs without charging a high subscription fee.
That said, if you want the best girlfriend spy apps, you should consider you’ll generally only get as much as you pay for.
Money-back guarantees depict a provider’s confidence in their own product. A phone spy app willing to offer a money-back guarantee is more likely to be legit than those that don’t.
All of the providers mentioned in our list offer some money-back guarantee ranging from 7-60 days. If you face any issues during this time, the provider will cancel your subscription and refund your money.
Let’s face it – free versions do not offer the whole range of features a spy app has under its belt. In some instances, the free plans or even the free trials impose certain limitations on the degree or time of usage.
That’s why it’s important to ensure that the free plan offers features that you actually need. Otherwise, there is little point in the tool offering a free version in the first place. For instance, Qustodio’s location monitoring feature – one of the main draws of a spy app – isn’t available on its free plan.
Best Free Spy Apps vs. Paid Subscriptions
All the Android and iOS spy apps we’ve listed here offer demos, trials, or money-back guarantees, ensuring you can see their services in action without risking any money.
Only a handful of mobile spy apps offer free-forever plans, and these tend to be limited versions of parental control apps. If you want to use more fully featured device monitoring software in the long term—allowing you to access the phone and camera and use a keylogger—you’ll likely need to look toward paid plans with providers like mSpy, uMobix, or Spynger.
Given this, finding an affordable paid plan is a better solution than finding an underpowered alternative or considering untrustworthy free spy solutions.
How to Install and Use a Spy App
Are you wondering how to use a cell phone spy app? Read on, and we’ll guide you through using mSpy. Of course, you should get the user’s consent before using an app to track a phone without their knowledge.
Choose Your Plan
First, go to mSpy, and choose a subscription that meets your needs. Keep in mind that you can get a demo and there’s a money-back guarantee so you can test the product free and without any risk.Sign Into Your Account
The next step is to sign in and set up a profile for the device or devices you want to track. You’ll be asked to confirm the brand and operating system of the device.Download the App
Having done this, you can download the app onto the target device that you want to track. Follow all mSpy’s instructions and once complete, you can activate the app.Log Into the Dashboard
With the app set up, you can now begin tracking the target phone via your mSpy app dashboard, monitoring messages and calls and following the device’s location. Your phone spy app is ready to go – and now you know how to monitor another Android or iPhone.
Is a Free Spy App Worth It?
There’s not a whole range of free spy apps to pick from today, and the ones that offer forever free plans face tough competition from spy apps that require paid subscriptions. Nevertheless, there are a handful of spy apps that deliver a truly outstanding free service, such as Qustodio and FamiSafe, specifically if you’re looking for parental control features.
In our guide, we’ve picked the spy app best for each use case and created a shortlist that caters to a range of needs – whichever you choose, though, you won’t regret it.
So, what’s the best and most trusted spy app? Based on our research, we can’t recommend mSpy highly enough, and it’s often cited as the best premium spy app on the market. Try it now, risk-free, with its generous money-back guarantee.
Best Spy App of 2024: Control Any Device with Its Superb Features
- Chosen by 1.5 million households
- Offers an impressive range of 36 functions
- Logs all incoming and outgoing phone calls
FAQs
How do mobile spy applications work?
Do apps for spying require physical access to the target device?
What does a free spying app let you see?
Do spy apps really work?
Are spy apps hidden?
How do I find hidden spy apps on my Android phone or iPhone?
References
- Family and Peer Influence on the Frequency of Swearing (University of Central Florida)
- Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022 (Pew Research Center)
- When AI Becomes a Part of Our Daily Lives (Harvard Business Review)