Cylux vs Qustodio: Which Parental Control App Is Better in 2025?

Qustodio has been the default recommendation for "best parental control app" since 2014. It covers phones, tablets, and laptops well. But in 2025, the biggest screen kids stare at is the Smart TV — and Qustodio doesn't touch it. That's the core reason families are switching to Cylux.

We also have a separate breakdown if you're comparing Cylux vs Bark — two very different monitoring philosophies.

Quick Verdict

• Choose Qustodio if: you only need phone/tablet/laptop monitoring and already have Smart TV controls handled separately.
• Choose Cylux if: you want one app that covers every device your child uses, including Smart TV, Fire TV, Roku, and streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video.

Device Coverage

This is where the gap is largest. For context on why Smart TV coverage matters, read our complete guide to Smart TV parental controls.

Platform	Cylux	Qustodio
Android phone / tablet	✓	✓
iPhone / iPad	✓	✓
Windows laptop	✓	✓
Mac	✓	✓
Chromebook	✓	✓
Kindle	✓	✗
Fire TV / FireStick	✓	✗
Android TV / Google TV	✓	✗
Roku	✓ (network)	✗
Samsung / LG Smart TV	✓ (network)	✗

Qustodio covers six device types. Cylux covers ten. The six extras are all TV-related — which matters because, according to Nielsen, children aged 2–11 still watch an average of 3.5 hours of TV daily.

Content Monitoring

Qustodio shows web searches, websites visited, YouTube searches, and app usage time on phones and computers. Its web filtering is one of the best on the market.

Cylux does all of that, and adds what no other consumer parental control offers: it shows you which Netflix titles, Prime Video episodes, and YouTube videos your child watched on the TV — in real time. You get a log like "Watched: Squid Game S2 E3 at 11:04 PM for 48 minutes." Learn more about how Cylux monitors streaming content on Smart TV.

If you've ever wondered what your kid watches after you go to bed, Cylux answers that question. Qustodio cannot.

Screen Time Controls

Both apps let you set daily time limits and bedtime schedules. Both allow per-device granularity. Cylux adds Smart TV schedules; Qustodio does not.

One practical difference: Cylux's remote lock works from any distance, instantly. Many Qustodio users report a 5–15 minute delay between setting a schedule and it enforcing on the device — a gap children quickly learn to exploit.

GPS Location Tracking

Both apps provide GPS tracking on Android. On iPhone, Cylux uses the same network-based method as Qustodio due to iOS restrictions. Both apps support geofencing with location alerts.

Cylux adds a dedicated SOS/panic button on the child's device. One tap sends the parent an emergency location ping. Qustodio does not have this feature.

Pricing

Plan	Cylux	Qustodio
Entry tier	$4.99/mo (1 child, all devices)	$54.95/yr (~$4.58/mo) for 1 device only
Family (5 devices)	$10.99/mo	$96.95/yr (~$8.08/mo)
Large family (10+ devices)	$14.99/mo	$137.95/yr (~$11.50/mo)
Free trial	3 days, no credit card	3 days
Smart TV included	✓	✗

Cylux is slightly more expensive per month at the entry tier, but covers significantly more devices. At the family tier, Cylux is actually cheaper annually and includes Smart TV monitoring that Qustodio doesn't offer at any price. Compare all Cylux plans.

Ease of Setup

Both apps require installing a companion app on each child device. Cylux's setup for Fire TV and Android TV is unique — it walks you through sideloading if the app isn't in the default store, with step-by-step visual instructions. Qustodio's setup is marginally simpler because it doesn't need to handle TV platforms.

Privacy and Compliance

Both Cylux and Qustodio are COPPA and GDPR compliant. Cylux publishes a detailed privacy policy explaining exactly what monitoring data is collected, how long it's retained, and who can access it. Neither company sells data to advertisers.

The Bottom Line

Qustodio is a mature, well-designed product for phone and computer monitoring. If your child's digital life is limited to those devices, it remains a solid choice.

But if your child watches Netflix on the bedroom TV, streams on a Fire TV Stick, or plays YouTube on an Android TV — and that describes most families in 2025 — Cylux is the only app that gives you full visibility and control. Try Cylux free for 3 days, no credit card required.