5 Alternatives to Bark (That Actually Work on iOS)

If you’ve tried using Bark on an Apple device and you’re fed up with how poorly it functions on iOS, you’re not alone. Many parents report unreliable alerts and limited coverage, leaving huge gaps in protection. 

The good news is: there are better alternatives to Bark that give you the robust protection you’re looking for without the headache. 

Check out our roundup of five alternatives to Bark, including key features, limitations, and pricing, to find the option that’s right for you. 

1. BrightCanary

Best for: Real-time monitoring across all apps on iOS

Why it’s a top Bark alternative: BrightCanary is the most robust parental monitoring app available for iOS devices. Because it’s powered by the BrightCanary Keyboard, your child is protected on every app, website, and messaging platform they use, including Snapchat, TIkTok, Instagram, Discord, Roblox, and AI chat apps. 

You get:

• Real-time alerts for red flags, such as suicidal comments, drug content, and explicit messages
• AI-powered emotional insights in the app’s dashboard
• Activity summaries for at-a-glance updates
• Upgrade to the Text Message Plus plan for full two-way text message monitoring, including photos, videos, and deleted texts

Considerations: 

1. To monitor your child on an Apple Watch, you’ll need the Text Message Plus plan. 
2. BrightCanary isn’t available for Android devices. 
3. BrightCanary will alert you if your child disables the BrightCanary Keyboard, but Apple doesn’t have a way to prevent your child from removing it

2. Qustodio

Best for: Families who have both Android and iOS devices. 

Why it’s a good alternative to Bark: Qustodio offers very similar features and functionality for both iOS and Android devices. You can use it to set limits on apps and block your child from accessing specific apps and websites, and Qustodio sends an alert when your child encounters something alarming. 

For Android devices, it also features a panic button so your child can send an emergency alert with their location to a list of trusted contacts. 

Considerations: 

1. No alerts for Instagram activity
2. Can use large amounts of mobile data
3. High battery drain, and battery-saving mode may disable the app
4. Easy for kids to bypass

3. Microsoft Family Safety

Best for: Parents who want customizable restrictions and filters.

Why it’s a good alternative to Bark: With Microsoft Family Safety, you can set screen time limits at the device level as well as for specific apps, and view activity summaries to see how your child spends their time online. It also allows for custom filters to limit the websites and apps that your child can access. 

Considerations: 

1. Limited functionality for iOS devices. 
2. Only monitors web activity on the Microsoft Edge browser.

4. Net Nanny

Best for: Parents who are primarily concerned with their child’s internet searches.

Why it’s a good alternative to Bark: Net Nanny allows you to see what apps your child uses and provides real-time alerts when they search for terms related to porn, suicide, weapons, and drugs. You can also set internet filters, block pornography, track your child’s location, and restrict access to specific websites. 

Considerations: 

1. Content alerts are limited to web searches, not in-app messages. 
2. No ability to set alerts for custom terms. 
3. Screen time limits can’t be customized for individual apps.

5. Mobicip

Best for: Allowing kids to take an active role in regulating their own screen time. 

Why it’s a good alternative to Bark: If you’re looking for an easy interface that works across multiple platforms, Mobicip is worth exploring. It can be used to set screentime schedules, monitor social media conversations, and remotely lock a device’s screen. It also offers AI-powered content filtering and an activity summary. 

Of particular note is the collaboration feature, which invites kids to take an active role in regulating their own screentime.  

Considerations: 

1. No monitoring for SMS or iMessage. 
2. Social media monitoring only available for Snapchat and Facebook. 
3. Time limits can’t be set for individual apps. 
4. No daily screen time limit for the device as a whole. 

Final thoughts: Choosing the best Bark alternative

If Bark isn’t giving you the coverage, reliability, or peace of mind you need, especially on iOS, you’re far from alone. The good news is that today’s parental monitoring tools offer stronger protection, smarter AI insights, and better compatibility across the apps your kids use every day.

BrightCanary is the best Bark alternative for parents who want real-time monitoring across every app on iPhone and iPad, along with actionable insights and instant alerts. But depending on your family’s devices and priorities, Qustodio, Microsoft Family Safety, Net Nanny, and Mobicip each offer distinct advantages worth considering.

Want comprehensive protection on iOS with real-time visibility across all apps? Try BrightCanary today and start your free trial.