Built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Screen Time offers seamless parental controls across Apple's ecosystem—set app limits, schedule downtime, and manage content with no extra apps to install.

Ideal for Android families, Family Link lets you manage screen time, approve apps, and filter content—plus locate your child's device on a map and get alerts when they arrive or leave locations.

Perfect for gaming families, Microsoft's tools let you set screen time limits across Windows PCs and Xbox consoles, filter age-inappropriate games, and manage what your kids play and for how long.

A focus app for iPhone, Mac, and Android that blocks distracting apps and helps you build healthier habits. I love how its mindful block screens gently nudge you to reconsider rather than just saying no.

Free and donation-supported, with customizable prompts like "Is this important?" before opening apps. Very similar philosophy to Opal's mindful approach, with lots of flexibility.

Takes a mindfulness approach: when you try to open a distracting app, it forces a pause (often with a breathing exercise) and asks if you really want to proceed. Great for breaking impulsive habits.

The one I use with my own family. Easy to share logins between family members, and it's simple enough that everyone actually uses it.

Open-source and affordable, with a solid free tier. A great choice if you want strong security without a subscription fee.

If you're already using Proton's email or VPN, this fits right in. End-to-end encrypted and built by a team that takes privacy seriously.

A bit pricier, but polished and approachable. Good for families where some members need something that just works without much fuss.

What I use at home. Blocks ads, trackers, and unwanted content before it reaches any device on your network. Parental controls are solid, and setup is easier than you'd think.

Creates a secure, private network between your devices—so you can access your home computer or files from anywhere without exposing them to the open internet.

No email required, no logs kept, no nonsense. Just a simple, trustworthy VPN from a company that cares more about privacy than marketing. Pairs nicely with Tailscale if you want both secure access and anonymous browsing.

For the tinkerers. A self-hosted ad blocker that runs on your own hardware. More work to set up, but you own everything and rely on no one.