Top 13 Free Phone Monitoring Apps for Android Phone and Tablet

Are you able to picture your life without your smartphone or tablet today? No. Today, our phones do so much, from communication, texting, and web browsing, to conducting business.

Cell phones are now used by more than 80% of all adult Americans, including children as young as ten years. For teenagers, it's easy for them to visit the wrong sites, get bullied, or download inappropriate content, which can be damaging for them.

So how do you keep tabs on your child's mobile devices to ensure they're watching the right content? Or, in another scenario, how do you find out if your teen is cheating on you? Maybe your employees spend time watching movies online during work hours. You'd want to know, right?

One solution is to use a free phone monitoring app. It can keep tabs on your target's mobile device. Without ado, let's get started.

Essential Criteria for Choosing the Best Phone Monitoring App

With so many Android phone monitoring apps, it can be hard to zero down to the best on the market. Here's what we considered when choosing the free monitoring apps.

Ease of Use

Selecting a free phone monitoring app that is easy to use should be one of the most important pieces of criteria. The software should be straightforward and intuitive to use.

An app that has a simple, user-friendly interface along with intuitive features will make sure that novices, as well as experts in mobile technology, can use it. Having an app that's easy to use will allow you to spend more time focusing on other important things.

Compatibility

The app should run on Android and be compatible with tablets and even laptops.

Features

We considered features, especially whether they have free trial options. Users should be able to test the apps and decide on which one works. It should include text monitoring, social media app monitoring, screen time monitoring, etc.

User Experience

That great user experience will allow you to spend less time working around the nuances of an app and more time achieving the goals you set for the app to begin with.

One great way to ensure that you get the best experience is to do your research and see what others have had to say. You can learn a lot from reading user reviews on an app. You'll get an unfiltered, honest view into how the app functions, as well as any pros and cons that you may encounter along the way.

Reliability

All the apps have an official website that you can visit to confirm authenticity and report issues.

Top 13 Free Phone Monitoring Apps for Android Phones and Tablets

1. AirDroid Phone Monitoring App

AirDroid Parental Control is the best parenting monitoring app for Android devices. It helps parents to keep kids safe in the physical world and online. It can also help them build healthy digital habits. It has at least three days of a free trial when you can enjoy all of the fantastic functions.

Pros

Monitor your kids' online activities in real-time.

Remotely watch and listen to your kid's phone surroundings.

Limit inappropriate games and social media apps.

Get alerts when they send, search, watch, or post inappropriate content on social media apps.

Track your kids' current location and view their location history.

Get a comprehensive of kids' phone activities.

Verdict

AirDroid Parental Control App is a must-have for every parent concerned about their child's safety. 

Bonus

AirDroid Parental Control provides a web version for monitoring your child's phone online for free. 

2. mSpy Mobile Monitoring App

Track what they're doing on their phone and online with mSpy without raising any dust. It only takes a few minutes to download and set up everything, and you don't have to root to any device. The software has various features that allow users to track phone calls, text messages, emails, GPS location, social media activity, and more.

Verdict

While competing spy apps may be cheaper, we found mSpy to be a better value for the money because of its superior features.

3. Mobile Tracker Free

Mobile Tracker Free is a high-quality monitor and tracking program that is easy to install and use. It's a free phone monitoring app for parents.

Verdict

Most of its powerful features come free of charge, and it takes a few minutes to install software to Begin monitoring. Employers can also ensure that employees are only doing work-related things.

4. uMobix Phone Tracker

Want to monitor the phone remotely without letting the child know about it? Get uMobix Phone Tracker on the targeted phone and get real-time monitoring of activities like social media accounts, web browsing, GPS location, and more.

This program enables you to view all the data copied to the phone's clipboard. And it also lets you view deleted messages, calls, and contacts as well. You can track the live location of the phone, regulate data usage, and Wi-Fi settings, and block websites.

Verdict

As a monitoring app, uMobix spies on any activities on your child's phone easily. It is a bit expensive in its category, but the various monitoring features it supports are worth a try for parents.

5. WebWatcher Monitoring App

WebWatcher is a really useful monitoring application that lets you keep a close eye on online activities for a mobile device. It's a great tool for parents or employers to understand what is happening on a tracked phone or tablet.

Using WebWatcher, you can track what websites are visited, social media activity, emails, and even text messages.

Verdict

This app is great toward people who want to monitor activities on a mobile phone or tablet. It's not necessarily geared for people looking to help reinforce healthy online habits, as there are no software limitations other than app blocking entirely.

It's also worth mentioning that you need to sign up for an account if you'd like to chat with a representative or even ask questions.

6. KidsGuard Pro

KidsGuard Pro is another powerful remote monitoring and control program that lets you access the targeted phone's files anywhere, anytime. Using it, you can capture screenshots, track GPS location and Wi-Fi, record calls, and many more. You can set up geo-fence and the program sends notifications when the child exits the boundary.

In addition, it allows you to sync data in real time by either a 3G/4G network or by Wi-Fi. The company claims to provide free customer support service 24/7.

Verdict

KidsGuard Pro is also an all-in-one remote monitoring software. It supports tracking any activity on Android, iPhone, and iPad. Besides the basic features, it supports tracking every keystroke, which helps parents know whether their children's chats are safe.

7. Hoverwatch Free Mobile Monitor

If you're looking for a tracking and surveillance app, Hoverwatch might be a useful phone monitoring tool to use. This app is equipped with standard monitoring features like the ability to view call logs, text messages, and social media. A useful feature that makes this app stand out is that you can remotely capture screenshots.

Verdict

The app lists a lot of useful features like keyloggers and the ability to monitor keywords via alerts. There is also robust social media monitoring and the ability to take front-facing photos.

These features, combined with GPS and geo-fencing, make the app a monitoring powerhouse. However, the price and buggy features seem to hold it back.

8. iKeyMonitor Android Monitoring App

It is one of the best parental control apps for monitoring. You can monitor users' text messages, apps, calls, keystrokes, and social media.

Verdict

iKeyMonitor's free plan makes it one of the best app options since it allows parents and employers to try out the world of monitoring apps without worrying about paying any money.

9. PcTattletale Cell Phone Monitoring App

Best free app to monitor teenagers' phones. Mobile spy app PcTattletale allows you to record videos easily. This app may see messages, conversations, emails, websites, and more. An option for real-time tracking is available.

Verdict

When it comes to keeping tabs on your kids, employees, or spouse, pcTattletale does things differently. It has all the features for regular spy use but is more focused on business monitoring.

10. ESET Parental Control

For a concerned parent, a highly effective phone monitoring app is a must-have. ESET Parental Control comes with a 30-day free trial, so you can see if you'll find their features useful. Some of the main features include geofencing, app and website blocking, usage-time limits, and other monitoring capabilities to optimize your kid's safety while using an Android phone or tablet.

Verdict

ESET Parental Control seems like a solution that makes sense overall; for a concerned parent, the safety and limiting features seem like a simple way to ensure your kid's safety online.

11. KidLogger Phone Monitoring Software

A free app to monitor my child's phone? Consider the KidLogger. This app is the finest in terms of tracking keystrokes and apps used.

Verdict

The app serves its purpose when it comes to monitoring your kid's online activities, and it's available for a tablet too.

12. Mobisafer Mobile App for Monitoring

You can use Mobisafer, a free Android and tablet monitoring phone software that automatically backs up all of your phone's essential data from any location. It offers a 7-day free trial. You can use it to record text messages, phone numbers, and social media posts.

Verdict

You can monitor your target with stealth mode, and they'll never know. The app even allows you to test for seven days free of charge.

13. Celltracker Monitor App for Android

It is one of the best free phone monitoring apps that allows you to track the location and activity of a cell phone remotely. The software is primarily used for parental control, employee monitoring, and tracking lost or stolen phones.

Below are the pros and cons of the software:

Verdict

It's a free, secure, and robust mobile tracking app for Android phones. It captures almost everything, including phone calls, browser history, live location, and photographs.

Comparison of the 13 Free Phone Monitoring Apps

Phone Monitoring App	Highlights	Free Trial	Feature in Trial Version	Price	Editor's Rating
AirDroid	View child's live screen Sync app notifications See and record phone surroundings	At least 3 days	Full	$9.99/Month $19.99/Quarter $59.99/Year	4.98
mSpy	Monitor many apps Restrict website and calls	A demo is availble	N/A	$49.99/Month $83.99/Quarter $139.99/Year	4.86
Mobile Tracker Free	Social media and text messages monitoring	Yes	Limited feature and storage	6~15€/Month about 6.5~16$/Month	4.83
uMobix	Track cell phone activities on children's phones with ease	Demo	Limited	$49.99/month	4.80
Webwatcher	Monitor any content on the device	3 days	Limited	$10.83/month	4.80
KidsGuard Pro	Track any content and activity on the phone	3 days	Limited	$39.99/month	4.65
Hoverwatch	Phone tracking	3 days	Limited	$24.95/month $59.95/3 months $99.95/12 months	4.60
iKeyMonitor	Record phone surroundings	A demo is availble	N/A	From $16.66/Month	4.52
pcTattletale	Key loggers are excellent	7 days	Full	From $99.99 to $297.99 for 3 Devices/Year	4.50
ESET Parental Control	Application guard	30 days	Limited	$24.99/year	4.46
KidLogger	Screenshots	9 days	Limited space	$9~29/Quarter $17~49/Half-year $29~89/Year	4.37
Mobisafer	Record text messages	7 days	Limited	N/A	4.25
Celltracker	Social media tracker	Yes	Limited feature	INR.600(about 7.5$)/Week INR.1200(about 15$)/Month INR.4999(about 60$)/Year	4.10

Tips for Better Use of Free Phone Monitoring Apps

When you're starting the journey into monitoring a mobile phone or tablet, you'll want to make sure you're getting the most out of the app that you choose.

Define Your Goals

You can start by defining your goals, figure out what information matters the most, and then use that to help select and develop the app that you'll be using.

Choose the App

After you realize what you're trying to achieve, match your goals with the app that offers all of the features you need at a price you're comfortable with.

Do Your Legal Research

If you are using this to monitor anyone else other than your child who is under the age of 18, you must ensure you're legally compliant.

Customize Your Settings

Make sure that you adjust the app's settings to deliver the best data in the most convenient way.

Be Discreet

After you ensure that you are legally and ethically compliant, taking caution and being discreet is another thing you can do to ensure that raw phone usage is being captured.

Learn from the Data

Use the analytics that these mobile phone monitoring apps provide to give you valuable insights and use that to take action to potentially keep your child or intellectual property safe as a parent or business owner.

Stay Updated

Make sure you are regularly checking on the app's development to see if there are additional useful features being added.

Pros and Cons of Free Phone Monitoring Apps

Sometimes a free phone monitoring app may be all that you need to use. There are many benefits and zero financial drawbacks.

Beyond Monitoring: Fostering Trust Through Communication

You might want to also ask yourself what caused you to need a remote mobile monitoring app. Find out if the root cause is distrust in your partner, and potentially use this as an opportunity to open dialogue with them and grow trust. If this stems from a need to monitor your child, also introduce additional opportunities to educate them on remaining safe while using their mobile devices.

Outside of utilizing a phone monitoring device, be sure to practice effective communication with the person whose phone or tablet you are monitoring. While a phone monitoring app is helpful, relying on it as a sole solution is not recommended and can often lead to further complications in the future.

Extra Tips: Editor Recommended Remote Desktop Monitoring Application – AirDroid Personal

When it comes to the best application to monitor remote desktop activity, then AirDroid Personal is your ideal companion. It is a powerful program that lets you monitor the remote camera of the targeted Android device.

Now, home security has become easier and cheaper than ever. You can connect an old Android device or any smartphone with this app and keep tabs on your home from anywhere in real-time. What's best is you can control the remote camera from both a PC and another Android phone.

Here's how to use this app:

Step 1. Run AirDroid Mobile Client on your targeted Android phone and login with your account.

Step 2. Now, install and launch AirDroid Personal desktop client and login with the same account.

Step 3. On the desktop client, click on the telescope icon and select your Android phone.

Step 4. Then, hit Remote Camera to establish a connection. Now, you can access the Android's camera from your PC.

Similarly, you can rely on AirDroid Parental Control app to check each and every online activity of your kid. This program offers tons of amazing features including activity report, real-time location, geo-fencing, browsing history, web alerts, and more.

You can get start with this remote access monitoring app in just two simple steps. Here's how to do that:

Step 1. Install the app on your own device and register with your account.

You can also visit the web version at webparent.airdroid.com directly.

Step 2. Now, install it on the devices you need to control and login with the same account. Then, follow the instructions on the parental device to link it with your kid's phone.

Step 3. Now, you can monitor all the activities on the targeted phone.

Conclusion

With just a smartphone in your hand, it's possible to unlock anyone's secrets. It, of course, requires you to have monitoring apps on your device.

The phone monitoring apps on this list are free, so you don't have to worry about paying ridiculous money. Parents can use free apps to monitor child's phones, and employers can monitor their employee's activities while at work.

You should be able to decide which app can deliver the best results for you.

Phone Monitoring Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Free App to Monitor Phones?

Elsa

There is no completely free phone monitoring app. However, all apps listed above have a free trial. You may use an app like AirDroid Parental Control to monitor most phone activity on Android and tablets.

Is There an App to See What Someone Is Doing on Their Phone?

Elsa

AirDroid Parental Control is a cell phone monitoring app that allows you to view your kid's live Android screen on your mobile.

Can You Track Someone’s Phone Activity?

Elsa

Yes, you can. You only need to download a monitoring app compatible with your device and the target one. Those consistent with Android and tablets are AirDroid Parental Control, mSpy, FamiSafe, etc.

Is There a Free App to Spy on Someone’s Phone Without Touching It?

Elsa

Many apps allow you to spy on someone without a phone. However, privacy is very important. We suggest you only use phone monitoring apps to ensure your kid's safety.

Is There a Free App to Monitor My Child’s Phone?

Elsa

Yes, many free apps exist to help monitor your child’s phone. These apps often include call monitoring and GPS features.

Are Phone Monitoring Apps Legal?

Elsa

It is advised to seek out your local and federal jurisdiction’s advice when it comes to how you monitor someone’s phone or tablet, however, the phone monitoring apps themselves are legal.