Cylux vs Google Family Link: Which Is Better for Your Family?

What Is Google Family Link?

Google Family Link is a free parental control service built into Android and Google accounts. It's designed for children under 13 but offers a supervised mode for teenagers. It's already on most Android devices and requires no additional app on the parent's side (managed via the Family Link app or families.google.com).

What Family Link Does Well

• App approval — new Play Store downloads require parent approval
• App usage reports — see how long your child uses each app daily
• Screen time limits per day with downtime scheduling
• Location tracking via Google Maps (child's Google account must share location)
• Content filters for Google Search, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Play
• Completely free

Where Family Link Falls Short

• No Smart TV support — Family Link has zero integration with Smart TV
• Bypassable — children can factory reset the device to remove supervision
• 13+ opt-out — when a child turns 13, they can opt out of most Family Link supervision
• No call/SMS monitoring
• No cross-platform — can't manage iOS or Smart TV devices
• Limited location — relies on Google location sharing which children can turn off after 13
• No content monitoring inside apps — tracks time, not content

Feature Comparison

Feature	Google Family Link	Cylux
Price	Free	From $4.99/month
Android support	✅	✅
iOS support	❌	✅
Smart TV support	❌	✅
Real content monitoring	❌	✅
Remote lock	✅ (lock device)	✅ (lock device + TV)
GPS tracking after 13	Child can opt out	Enforced
Call/SMS monitoring	❌	✅ (Android)
SOS panic button	❌	✅
Tamper protection	Limited	Strong

Who Should Use Each

Use Google Family Link if: your child only uses Android devices, you only need basic time limits and app approval, and your child is under 13.

Use Cylux if: your family has a Smart TV, you need real content monitoring (not just time tracking), your child is approaching or has passed 13, or you need to manage both Android and iOS devices.

Use both: Family Link handles app approval on Google Play; Cylux handles TV monitoring, GPS, and cross-platform reporting.

The Bottom Line

Family Link is a solid starting point — especially because it's free. But for families with a Smart TV or children over 12, Cylux provides the controls Family Link doesn't offer. Many families run both simultaneously.

Start your Cylux free trial at cylux.co.

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Cylux Features

See Everything Cylux Can Do for Your Family

Screen time limits · App blocking · Web & content filtering · GPS location tracking · Remote device lock · Bedtime enforcement · Call & SMS monitoring · SOS panic button · Real-time content monitoring · Activity reports — works on Android, iOS, iPad, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, LG & every Smart TV. One parent dashboard for every device your child uses.

Explore All Features →