It seems that even though our technology is advancing rapidly, so are the ways and means of those who might do you or your family harm. This means there has never been a more critical time to keep a watchful eye on the ones we love. Spy apps offer the most discrete and effective solution, for the concerned parent looking for an additional layer of safety for their child, or the spouse who may need to monitor a partner’s activity to keep everyone safe.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the 12 best paid and free spy apps available in 2024. With countless choices in app stores, finding the right app can be incredibly challenging. That’s why we’ve done extensive research, selecting the top 12 paid and free Android spy apps from the most popular options. For each app, we’ll delve into its features, pros and cons, price points, and more, so you’ll clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of each.
While free apps offer the advantage of cost, they often come with limited features and the risk of data breaches. For user safety and a better overall experience, we recommend opting for a paid solution.
Key Takeaways
Before we dive into the meat of it, here’s a quick rundown of who ranked where, and in what general order you’ll find the reviews in.
- Msafely
- SpyX
- SpyPhone.cc
- Hoverwatch
- Snoopza
- mSpy
- EyeZy
- uMobix
- ClevGuard
- Flexispy
- Net Nanny
- Kaspersky Safe Kids
1. Msafely
Overview
Msafely leads the pack as one of the most cutting-edge solutions for anyone seeking a discreet and reliable way to monitor their loved ones’ digital activities and movements. Unlike countless other spy apps, Msafely doesn’t need any installation on the target device, which makes it essentially undetectable.
This app is specifically designed to bring the average user a seamless monitoring experience, whether parents, spouses, or anyone else who needs comprehensive tracking abilities. Among all the monitoring software I've tested, there's no doubt that Msafely is the best Android monitoring app!
Features
- No App Installation Required: Leverages cloud technology for tracking without needing physical access to the target device.
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Tracks over 40 data types, including texts, social media activity, call logs, browsing history, and GPS location.
- Flexible Connections: Offers three connection methods—iCloud for iOS, APK for Android, and a unique Google Cloud solution for Android devices.
- Simplified Setup: The setup process takes just a couple of minutes, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy.
- Invisible Monitoring: Operates silently in the background, ensuring that the target user remains unaware of the tracking.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Completely invisible and virtually undetectable by the average person
- No need for any physical access to the device for installation
- Super easy and quick to set up
- Wide range of monitoring data and features
- Cannot work without access to the iCloud or Google account credentials
- Premium features have a higher price point than some other platforms
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $39.99/month
- 3-month plan: $23.33/month
- 12-month plan: $8.33/month
2. SpyX
Overview
SpyX is a powerful and user-friendly mobile monitoring solution that is specifically designed for employers, parents, and anyone else who needs to track a smartphone’s activity discreetly. SpyX creates a cloud-based solution that lets users monitor a smartphone or similar device without ever needing to gain physical access to the device, making it the perfect choice for anyone seeking a hassle-free spy option. SpyX works with both Android and iPhone, and it offers a substantial range of features with real-time tracking.
Features
- Real-time Stealth Tracking: SpyX operates in stealth mode, ensuring that the target user is unaware of the monitoring.
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Track everything from call logs, SMS, and emails to social media activities on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat.
- No Jailbreaking or Rooting Required: SpyX offers advanced tracking without the need to root or jailbreak the target device, making it easier and safer to use.
- Accurate Location Tracking: Provides real-time GPS tracking and location history, allowing you to see the target's current location and where they've been.
- Secure Data Handling: All tracked data is encrypted and securely stored, ensuring the privacy of both the monitor and the target.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Works completely invisibly and undetectably by normal means
- Works without any access to the device being spied on
- There is no need for root access or jailbreaking
- Pricing options are relatively affordable
- Monitoring social feeds on Android may require rooting for full features
- Doesn’t support surround sound recording
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $49.98/month
- 3-month plan: $28.32/month
- 12-month plan: $11.66/month
3. SpyPhone.cc
Overview
SpyPhone.cc is a mobile tracking solution that offers straightforward, free monitoring activities. This app will work great for anyone wanting to track SMS, call logs, locations, and social activities without gaining physical access to the device. The no-cost usage and zero-install framework are particularly appealing.
Features
- Free Tracking: Monitor SMS, calls, locations, WhatsApp, Facebook, and over 30 other types of phone activities without spending a dime.
- No Installation Required: Operates entirely via the web, allowing users to track phones without downloading or installing any software on the target device.
- 100% Undetectable: There’s no logo or icon on the target phone, making it invisible and ensuring the user of the monitored phone remains unaware.
- Supports All Phone Models: Compatible with both Android and iPhone devices, SpyPhone.cc works across various models, making it a versatile option for users.
Pros & Cons
Pros- free to use, which is hugely rare among spy apps
- The zero-install process is simple to use
- Works across all phone models undetectably
- Relatively limited features compared to paid apps
- The app has privacy concerns, including an FTC ban, making it ethically questionable to many
- More advanced features like stealth mode and customer support are not available
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $99.98/month
- 3-month plan: $66.66/month
- 12-month plan: $24.99/month
4. Hoverwatch
Overview
Hoverwatch is one of the few Android monitoring apps that offers a free trial, allowing users to test its features for 4 days. It supports monitoring up to 25 devices at once, making it a great choice for businesses.
Features
- Remote monitoring of SMS and call logs: Keep track of all text messages and call history remotely.
- Real-time location tracking: Access live GPS location updates to know where the target device is at any moment.
- Social media activity monitoring: Capture screenshots to monitor activities on apps like Viber, LINE, and Facebook Messenger.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Offers a 4-day free trial to test features.
- Can monitor up to 25 devices simultaneously.
- Tracks SMS, call logs, and social media activity effectively.
- Provides live GPS updates for accurate location tracking.
- Requires stable internet connection for effective functionality.
- Primarily designed for Android, which may exclude some users.
- The initial setup is not easy for some users.
Pricing
| Price plan | 1 month | 3 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | $29.95 | $59.95 | $99.95 |
| Professional | $49.95 | $99.95 | $199.95 |
| Business | $149.95 | $299.95 | $499.95 |
5. Snoopza
Overview
Snoopza is a monitoring app designed specifically for Android users. Like Hoverwatch, it also offers a 4-day free trial. However, compared to the previously mentioned monitoring software, Snoopza's features are somewhat limited. Still, it includes key features that many users care about, such as SMS monitoring and location tracking.
Features
- SMS monitoring: View incoming and outgoing messages on the target device.
- Location tracking: Remotely track the location of another person's device.
- Facebook Monitoring: Capture screenshots of Facebook activity on the target phone.
- Multi-device support: Monitor up to 3 devices simultaneously.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Offers a 4-day free trial, allowing users to test the app.
- Includes important features like SMS monitoring and location tracking.
- Can monitor up to 3 devices at once, suitable for families.
- Compared to other monitoring apps, Snoopza offers fewer advanced features.
- Only available for Android devices, excluding other platforms.
Pricing
| Price plan | 1 month | 3 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $19.95 | $34.95 | $99.95 |
| Professional | $29.95 | $49.95 | $129.95 |
6. mSpy
Overview
mSpy is one of the most widely recognized and trusted names in mobile monitoring apps. It tends to be favored by parents for its blend of comprehensive features and its sheer ease of use. The app lets users track a massive number of activities on the target device, including GPS activity, browsing, social media activity, and texts. mSpy works with iOS and Android devices and boasts special features for jailbroken or rooted devices, though it works without.
Features
- Browser History & Keyword Alerts: View browsing history and set up keyword alerts to be notified of specific terms used in searches or chats.
- Keylogger: Record every keystroke made on the target device, capturing messages, searches, and more.
- Remote Camera & Microphone Access (mSpy Extreme): Activate the camera or microphone remotely to see or hear what's happening around the target device.
- Screen Recording: Capture screenshots of the target device’s activities for thorough monitoring.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Extensive feature set with advanced options
- Stealth mode ensures invisibility on the target device
- No rooting or jailbreaking is required for most features
- Excellent customer service
- Premium features like remote camera access only available with the Extreme plan
- If the device is not rooted or jailbroken, the initial setup may require physical access
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $48.99/month
- 3-month plan: $27.99/month
- 12-month plan: $11.66/month
mSpy Extreme, which includes additional features, is available at a higher cost.
7. EyeZy
Overview
EyeZy is a relatively sophisticated and versatile mobile monitoring solution that is incredibly popular with parents and guardians who want to keep a close eye on the activities of those they’re responsible for. There’s a solid range of features so you can enjoy full visibility into the digital activity of the target device.
Features
- Social Spotlight: Allows you to monitor conversations across various social media platforms, even if they’re deleted.
- Pinpoint: Provides real-time GPS tracking and location history, ensuring you know the exact whereabouts of the target device at all times.
- Magic Alerts: Set up notifications for specific keywords or actions, such as entering a certain area or engaging in suspicious chats.
- Connection Blocker: Control and restrict access to specific websites or apps, making it ideal for managing and limiting online activities.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Wide-ranging monitoring capabilities with lots of features
- Able to operate completely hidden
- Supports iOS and Android devices
- No remote camera feature
- Must gain access to the physical device for installation
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $38.39/month
- 3-month plan: $22.39/month
- 12-month plan: $7.99/month
8. uMobix
Overview
uMobix is a more advanced and robust parental control app that is designed to help parents monitor and manage their children's online activities across multiple platforms. It brings some solid features to the table, including real-time tracking, advanced data reporting, and even a degree of remote control over the target device.
Features
- Real-Time Location Tracking: Monitor your child’s location in real-time and view their location history.
- Remote Control: Remotely controls various aspects of the target device, such as blocking websites, restricting apps, and even disabling Wi-Fi.
- Keylogger and Streaming: Capture every keystroke made on the target device and utilize live audio and video streaming features to monitor the surroundings.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Comprehensive monitoring with detailed reports and data analytics
- Broad compatibility range across devices
- Powerful remote control features for parents
- Requires physical access to the device at some point
- Some of the advanced features are relatively intrusive
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $49.99/month
- 3-month plan: $29.99/month
- 12-month plan: $12.49/month
9. ClevGuard
Overview
ClevGuard, known mostly for its flagship product KidsGuard Pro, is a versatile and powerful monitoring tool designed to provide parents with the control and visibility they need over their kids’ online activities. ClevGuard focuses on stealth and ease of use, making it great for parents.
Features
- Social Media Monitoring: Provides access to a wide range of social media platforms.
- Comprehensive Dashboard: All data is synced in real-time and presented in a user-friendly dashboard, accessible from any web browser.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Easily operates in stealth mode, making it undetectable on the target device
- Extensive list of features
- Real-time updates and reporting
- The iOS version has fewer features than Android due to Apple’s restrictions
- Android users must get physical access to the device to install
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $49.99/month
- 3-month plan: $75.99
- 12-month plan: $139.99
10. Flexispy
Overview
FlexiSPY is one of the most powerful and feature-rich spy platforms out there, and it has a staggering array of features and tools. This is the app you need if you require the absolute deepest tracking and surveillance functionality. Ideal for employers and even security professionals.
Features
- Call Recording and Interception: FlexiSPY can record and intercept live calls, including VoIP calls.
- Ambient Recording: FlexiSPY can activate the microphone of the target device to record surrounding sounds, allowing users to listen in on the environment.
- Remote Control and Updates: Provides remote control of the device, including the ability to uninstall or restart it.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Truly peerless range of features
- Complete stealth operation
- No platform or OS limitations
- Higher cost than most other apps
- Requires jailbreaking or rooting for full functionality
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $79/month
- 3-month plan: $119/month
- 12-month plan: $179/month
11. Net Nanny
Overview
Net Nanny is a well-established control platform that’s been around since the mid-1990s. Net Nanny stands out for its highly effective content filtering abilities and incredibly user-friendly interface.
Features
- Keylogger and Streamer: Capture every keystroke made on the target device and utilize live audio and video streaming features to hear and see everything.
- Call and SMS Monitoring: Track all incoming and outgoing calls and SMS messages, including deleted ones, with high detail.
- Remote Control: Take control of various aspects of the target device, such as blocking websites, restricting apps, and even turning the Wi-Fi off.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Comprehensive, real-time, internet content filtering
- Easy-to-use interface with advanced capabilities
- Detailed activity reports
- Advanced features like app blocking are limited to iOS devices only.
- Does not support Chromebooks or Kindle Fire tablets.
Pricing
- 1 Device: $39.99/year
- 5 Devices: $54.99/year
- 20 Devices: $89.99/year
12. Kaspersky Safe Kids
Overview
Kaspersky has been a staple in online safety and security for decades, and Kaspersky Safe Kids is a spy app for parents that helps them monitor and manage their children’s online and offline activities across multiple devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It’s robust and easy to use, giving it a strong foothold in the market.
Features
- Content Filtering: The app offers an advanced web filtering system that blocks inappropriate websites and content in real-time, ensuring a safe browsing experience for children.
- Screen Time Management: Parents can set daily screen time limits, schedule specific usage times, and monitor overall device usage, helping to create balanced digital habits.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Extensive feature set with robust website content filtering and social site monitoring
- Available on multiple platforms with a single account
- User-friendly interface bases settings on the child’s age
- GPS tracking includes geofencing ability
- Not all features can be set up automatically and may require manual setup
- Lacks support for older operating systems, which may limit usefulness
- The initial setup can be relatively complex
Pricing
- $24.19/year(after tax)
How to Use a Spy App: Step-By-Step Guide
Using a spy app like Msafely is straightforward. The process will vary by the app you choose, but here’s a general look at what’s involved.
- Sign Up: Visit the Msafely website and create an account by providing your email and selecting a password.
- Choose Device and Subscription Plan: Select the target device type (Android or iPhone) and pick a subscription plan that suits your needs.
- Get Access to the Target Phone: Follow the instructions from the app publisher, as you may have to approve a notification on the target device or install a small app on some Android devices.
Conclusion
In 2024, the landscape of spy apps has never looked so complex and varied. The range of offerings for both Android and iPhone has evolved substantially, even over the past few years, and both have some of the most powerful yet user-friendly options ever seen.
I’ve reviewed 12 of the most popular free and paid Android spy apps on the market, and from the perspectives of security, privacy, and monitoring features, I recommend the paid options. From the undetectable monitoring of Msafely to the robust lineup of features in mSpy, even the versatile Net Nanny, there’s bound to be an option for every need.
When choosing an app for you, however, be sure you consider your own needs, whether it's tracking a device in real-time, monitoring social media activity, or even controlling the target device remotely. Make sure the app you ultimately select has the features you want and the regulatory compliance you need.
FAQs
The best spy apps for Android in 2024 include Msafely, SpyPhone, and SpyX. They all offer comprehensive features like social media tracking, location monitoring, call logs, and more.
Msafely, SpyX, and uMobix are the best apps to spy on someone. It lets you monitor various activities on the target device, including messages, calls, and social media, all without requiring any physical access to the phone.
Yes, some spy apps like Msafely, SpyX, and others are legal when used for legitimate purposes, such as monitoring your child's online activities or ensuring the safety of your loved ones. That said, it's essential to use these apps in compliance with local laws and with the consent of the person being monitored.
Spy apps are critical safety and compliance tools for employers, parents, and even concerned partners. They let you monitor many data points related to phone use, including location and activity, helping safeguard children, prevent abuse of company assets, and protect personal relationships.
In this article, we mention that both Hoverwatch and Snoopza offer free trials as Android spy apps. Each provides a 4-day free trial, but the monitoring features are more limited compared to the paid spy apps.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not encourage or endorse the use of spy apps for illegal activities. The use of surveillance tools, including those discussed in this article, must comply with all applicable local, state, and national laws. Unauthorized monitoring of another person’s device or activities without their explicit consent is illegal in many jurisdictions and may result in legal consequences.
The spy apps mentioned, such as Msafely, SpyX, and others, are only recommended for ethical use cases, including parental control, employee monitoring (with consent), or device tracking of legally owned devices. It is the reader's responsibility to ensure compliance with local laws before using these tools. The publisher and author are not responsible for any misuse or legal issues that arise from the improper use of these applications. Always seek legal advice if you are unsure about the legality of using such apps in your region. Using surveillance tools without proper consent may violate privacy rights and regulations.
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