The Best Spy Apps in 2024 – 100% Free and Paid Options Tested

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The best premium and free spy apps will let you track everything on another phone or device to monitor your partner, friends, family or employees, on and offline. I’ve personally tested the best free spy apps on the market, as well as their paid spy app alternatives, to see how they compare.

Techopedia’s Top Picks

In a hurry? These are the best spy apps we’d recommend overall:

    • mSpy — Best spy app for parental control with direct camera access and live listening
    • Spynger — Most discreet spy app specifically designed to catch a cheater with undeniable evidence
    • uMobix — Best spy app for advanced features and remote phone access

While these spy apps are not completely free, their free demos and money back policies ensure you can try them risk-free before making a decision on whether to purchase.

The Best Free Spy Apps

Only a handful of legitimate mobile spy apps offer free forever plans. Of the free spy apps we tested, only three could perform the basic functions that we’d expect, but all were lacking the advanced features we wanted for monitoring a device safely and discreetly. The best free spy apps were:

      1. Qustodio — Best free spy app for large families
      2. ESET — Best free parental control app
      3. FamiSafe — Best free spy app for families with teenagers (free trial and $4.99 a month ongoing)

Our testing found that most free spy phone apps marketed as free forever are detectable, don’t work, or can infect your phone with malware. Even legitimate free spy apps will lack features which can be had for not much money on paid plans, such as real time alerts and screen recording. Which is why I’d recommend trialing the best free spy app alternatives.

The Best Free Spy Apps Alternatives

The best free spy app alternatives will give you access to premium software with a money-back guarantee if you decide that the software isn’t for you. The benefit of using premium over free spy apps is always added encryption, security, advanced features – like direct access to someone’s microphone, deleted messages, social media apps, location and camera, and anonymity.

The best spy apps we’ve ranked are the absolute strongest in the game – we know, because we’ve tried them. They range in price, but nearly all of them come with a money-back guarantee and will let you see everything on a device, as well as any information they might try to delete.

  1. mSpy — Best free spy app alternative overall with remote access and live listening
  2. Spynger — Best free spy app alternative to catch cheating partners which is 100% undetectable and finds deleted content
  3. uMobix — Best free spy app alternative for parents with teenagers or anyone looking for remote access to a phone
  4. Scannero — Best free spy app alternative for phone location tracking using just a phone number
  5. SpyBubble Pro — Top free spy app alternative for detecting hidden or deleted content

    The Best Spy Apps Overall Tested By Our Experts

    mSpy —  Best Spy App Overall with Direct Camera Access and Live Listening

    Free Demo
    VISIT SITE

    Spynger — Best Mobile Spy App for Partner Tracking

    30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
    VISIT SITE

    uMobix — Best Spy App for Parents with Teenagers

    Free Demo
    VISIT SITE

    Scannero — Best Spyware App for Phone Location Tracking

    1-Day Trial for $0.89
    VISIT SITE

    SpyBubblePro — Best Spy Software for Detecting Hidden or Deleted Content

    14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
    VISIT SITE

    Phonsee — Best Cheap Spy App for Mobile Devices

    Free Demo
    VISIT SITE

    Eyezy — Best Phone Spy App for GPS Location Tracking and Geofencing

    Free Demo
    VISIT SITE

    1. mSpy — Best Spy App Overall With Remote Access and Live Listening

    mSpy logo

    Starting Price $11.67/month (yearly)
    No. of Devices Up to 3 (w/ Family Kit)
    Free Trial/Demo Demo
    Money Back Guarantee 14-day refund policy

    Why We Picked It

    mSpy is one of the best phone spy apps overall thanks to its remote access, stealth-mode anonymity and extensive features. You can even listen in live on conversations via the phone’s microphone, and watch their phone’s camera on a livestream. And you get all of this for less than $12 a month, which means it’s great value for money.

    mSpy simplifies device monitoring by providing detailed information about the other person’s mobile phone and internet activities. This includes call logs, text messages, app usage, gallery, browser history, and social media interactions.

    Features

    mSpy is a spyware app that’s jam-packed with helpful features. You also get real-time GPS tracking features and geofencing to see where someone is going or have been. mSpy also lets you remotely activate someone’s phone camera to see their surroundings, as well as listen in on conversations through the microphone. These features are especially useful for anyone suspecting their partner is meeting with someone they shouldn’t, or a parent who’s worried their child is being bullied verbally or physically.

    mSpy’s social media monitoring feature allows you to see who your child or partner texts, calls, and follows on all social media and dating apps including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Tinder, and Telegram.

    Other features I love include a keylogger and screen recorder, which let you see everything the other person sees and types on their phone. You can also flag specific words and phrases and get an alert when they use them in chats or browser searches. This level of keylogging feature simply isn’t available on free spy phone apps, and is why also mSpy tops out list of the best keyloggers.

    Pricing

    Duration mSpy Pricing
    1 Month $48.99/month
    3 Months $28/month
    12 Months $11.67/month

    If you encounter technical issues that the support team cannot resolve or don’t like the app, you can request a full refund within 14 days of purchasing a plan.

    You can try out the free demo to get a feel for the app and its features, though. The demo works well, and I found it to accurately represented my actual experience using mSpy.

    Who It’s Best For

    mSpy is the most universal spy apps on this list, which is why it’s number one on my list. Thanks to its stealth-mode anonymity, key-logger tracking and remote access, it’s a great option for parents, families, and couples alike – with all the tools needed to track and secure devices discreetly with confidence.

    Pros

    • Complete social media monitoring
    • Full access to files on the device
    • Block undesirable websites and apps
    • Precise GPS tracking with geofencing
    • Advanced features include a keylogger and screen recorder

    Cons

    • Takes a little longer to install on iPhones

    2. Spynger — Best Spy App to Catch a Cheating Partner With Undeniable Evidence

    Spynger logo

    Starting Price $9.28/month
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 30-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    Spynger is the best spy app specifically designed to catch a cheating partner and includes all the features you need to gather the evidence – even when someone has deleted content from the phone. Its extensive features includes access to 16+ social media and messaging apps, including Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp and Tinder, incoming and outgoing calls, browser history, hidden screen recording, real-time GPS tracking, as well as access to all their shared and received files.

    Features

    One area where Spynger shines is with its keystroke monitoring feature, which lets you see everything the other person types on their phone, including chats, usernames, and passwords. Keeping security in mind, it uses end-to-end encryption so only you can see this data.

    Research shows 22% of people have hidden messages from their partner on social media.  Spynger’s got you well and truly covered thanks to its social media monitoring which gives you access to more than 16 popular social and messaging apps, including Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Tinder, and Skype. You can see all your partner’s chat details, including stickers, statuses, profiles, pictures, and emoticons used.

    There’s also a live GPS tracker and geofencing features, which allow you to see where your partner is and where they are going and get alerts if they go where they aren’t supposed to. While Spynger leans into suspicion, this is also useful to ensure your partner’s safety.

    Pricing

    While it does not count as one of the best free spy apps, Spynger has a tiered pricing plan which means you could pay as little as $0.30 a day for it. You get the same features regardless of how long you subscribe, but you get a significant discount with an annual plan.

    Duration Sypynger Subscription Plans
    1 Month $44.56/month
    3 Months $25.99/month
    12 Months $9.28/month

    Spynger doesn’t offer a free trial or demo. However, if you experience technical issues that the support team cannot resolve, you can apply for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

    Who It’s Best For

    Spynger is best for people who suspect their partner might be cheating, and need the evidence to prove it. It operates in stealth-mode, so you can monitor your partner’s phone without them knowing, and you’ll be able to see all their shared files, deleted messages, what they type into their phone, and see where they go with real-time, live GPS alerts.

    Pros

    • Foolproof keylogger
    • Comprehensive monitoring across social media and chat apps
    • Excellent location tracking and geofencing
    • Secure encryption

    Cons

    • Doesn’t block apps or sites
    • No demo, but does have a 30-day refund policy

    3. Best Spy App for Parents with Teenagers or Anyone Looking for Remote Access to a Phone

    uMobix logo

    Starting Price $12.49/month
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 14-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    uMobix stands out thanks due to the fact you can take control of a phone remotely and block inappropriate websites, or even block the device entirely. This makes it one of the best parental control apps on the market. And it’s competitively priced too, even if it’s not completely free.

    Features

    During my testing, uMobix immediately caught my attention because it was so easy to set up and get started. With its simple design and intuitive interface, I found using the app to be straightforward, making it great for anyone who isn’t particularly tech-savvy.

    One of uMobix’s top features is its real-time location tracker, which helps you know your child or partner’s whereabouts and track their phone if it’s lost or stolen. It also has a keylogger feature that logs all keystrokes and passwords typed on the target device.

    You can also access deleted messages, so if your child or partner is trying to hide something from you by emptying their inbox, you’ll still be able to find it. You can even get the sender’s contact information, so you can monitor if people are contacting your child or spouse when they shouldn’t be.

    Similarly, with call monitoring, you can view all incoming and outgoing calls, timestamps, duration, and caller information.

    You can also monitor apps installed on the other device, track their usage duration, and even delete unwanted or inappropriate apps. Plus, you can remotely access the microphone and camera, allowing you to see and hear what’s happening in their immediate surroundings.

    Installation is quick and hassle-free. uMobix gives you clear instructions with minimal technical requirements, so even if you have limited tech knowledge, you should find it a breeze. The entire app seems to be designed with user-friendliness in mind. I liked the clean, easy-to-navigate dashboard, which really simplified the monitoring experience for me. I was also impressed with uMobix’s customer support, which can really come in handy if you’re a new user.

    uMobix works on all Android OS 4+ devices, making it an excellent option for monitoring older smartphones. However, while it does offer iPhone monitoring, its features for iOS are a bit limited. It can’t recover deleted messages, calls, audio and video streams, or Snapchat. That said, it still offers plenty of useful features for tracking iOS devices, including call logs, contact lists, text messages, GPS location, and social media apps including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

    Pricing

    uMobix has a straightforward pricing plan based on duration. Of course, you get bigger discounts the longer you subscribe. Regardless of the tier you choose, you will get access to the full suite of uMobix features.

    Duration uMobix Subscription plan
    1 Month $49.99/month
    3 Months $29.99/month
    12 Months (+ 12 extra months for free) $12.49/month

    You can test uMobix using its demo. They do offer a 14-day refund policy, but it’s not a money-back guarantee. According to the uMobix refund policy, you’ll only get a refund if you’re experiencing technical issues that the support team cannot repair.

    Who It’s Best For

    uMobix is a great spy app for parents who aren’t particularly tech-savvy but want to monitor their children’s activities online. It lets you set up and start monitoring right away without hassle or complicated processes.

    Pros

    • Great remote control tools
    • Access deleted files and messages
    • Tracks all calls and text messages
    • Real-time location access

    Cons

    • Some features not available on iOS devices
    • Fairly steep price if you pay monthly

    4. Scannero — Best Spy App for Phone Location Tracking Using Just a Phone Number

    Scannero logo

    Starting Price $0.89/day
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 14-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    Scannero is a reliable, hands-free GPS location tracking service that requires just a phone number—no installation—to locate anyone, anywhere.

    Features

    Scannero has a location-by-link feature that enables you to pinpoint your child’s or partner’s location from anywhere or even find your own lost phone. If you enter their phone number, Scannero will send them a link via text message, or you can share it with them using social media chat apps or email.

    When they click on the link, you’ll see their exact location from your account dashboard. With geofencing, you can set up designated boundaries on the map and receive alerts whenever the tracked device enters or leaves those zones. Additionally, The desktop dashboard compiles detailed location histories over time, giving you insights into stop patterns over hours, days, or weeks.

    There’s also a Reverse Phone Number Lookup feature, which lets you identify the real people behind the unknown numbers contacting your child or spouse by text or call.

    While Scannero delivers precise location tracking, it lacks the broader spying capabilities of other competitors. It’s also not particularly stealthy since the other person has to click a link. However, there are no compatibility issues to worry about – all you need is a phone number to find their name and more.

    Pricing

    Scannero has a single premium plan that you can test with a one-day trial before switching to a monthly subscription.

    Duration Scannero Premium Plan
    1-Day Trial $0.89
    1 Month $49.80

    Something to keep in mind is that Scannero will automatically upgrade you to the one-month premium subscription after the one-day trial ends. While refunds are available within 14 days of purchase, continuing to use the service after the trial period makes you ineligible for a refund.

    Who It’s Best For

    Scannero is an excellent tool for locating a device or individual. It’s a near-free location tracker, making it ideal for partners, parents, and employers.

    Pros

    • It requires just a phone number
    • Cheap for one-day use
    • Minimalist and easy to use
    • Works worldwide

    Cons

    • Lacks functionality beyond location tracking
    • The monthly subscription is quite pricey

    5. SpyBubblePro — Top Spy App for Detecting Hidden or Deleted Content

    SpyBubble logo

    Starting Price $10.62/month
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 14-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    SpyBubblePro is great for detecting deleted or hidden content, making it a useful tool to confirm or dispel any suspicions that your partner is hiding something.

    Features

    SpyBubble Pro offers a unique Reporting by Screenshots feature that sends real-time screenshots from your partner’s phone, providing complete information on their activities. If they have an Android device, you can also use the keylogger feature to ensure that nothing remains hidden.

    The real-time location tracker lets you monitor your partner’s movements and track their location history over hours, days, and weeks. You can also see call logs, read all text messages (including deleted ones), and view shared or downloaded media files in their gallery. SpyBubblePro also offers a SIM Card replacement alert feature, which notifies you when your partner uses another SIM card for calls.

    From a compatibility standpoint, SpyBubble works on all iOS and Android devices. Your user account is also accessible from any browser on any device. Moreover, it has a fast installation process and doesn’t require technical knowledge, making it great for beginners.

    Pricing

    Like others, SpyBubble Pro has duration-based subscription tiers. Regardless of the payment plan, users have access to all features.

    Duration SpyBubble Pro
    1 Month $42.49/month
    3 Months $25.49/month
    12 Months $10.62/month

    SpyBubble Pro offers a demo you can try out. There’s also a 14-day refund window, but your reasons have to meet the conditions set in the Refund Policy.

    Who It’s Best For

    SpyBubblePro is a great choice for people who believe that their partner is hiding something from them. Accessing deleted content and controlling the device’s camera and microphone should give you everything you need.

    Pros

    • Shows hidden/deleted content
    • Has powerful remote-control capabilities
    • Fully anonymous tracking

    Cons

    • Limited location-tracking features
    • Some features, like the keylogger, are exclusive to Android
    SpyBubble Pro

    6. Phonsee — Best Cheap Spy App for Mobile Devices

    Phonsee logo

    Starting Price $8.85/month
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 14-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    “]Phonsee offers all the features of a top spy app at a comparatively affordable price point. It combines precise geolocation services with essential tracking features (including social media) to let you monitor all noteworthy activity.

    Features

    You’ll be able to track SMS messages on the target mobile phone, their contacts, calls, and even emails. For live insight into everything happening on your loved one’s device, Phonsee offers screenshots and a powerful keylogger—combined, these will ensure you don’t miss a thing.

    Phonsee also allows you to view all the photos and videos your partner or child has taken and the time and date of each file. You can also block apps and websites to avoid inappropriate content, see what Wi-Fi your partner or child is connected to (remotely from your own device), and check their calendar.

    You get social media and dating app monitoring for a variety of apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Tinder, Facebook, Telegram, Skype, and Discord. However, you need to root the target Android device to access the full social media monitoring functionality.

    While Phonsee lacks some features like call recording and keyword alerts, it makes up for it with advanced geolocation features, including precise location tracking and geofencing. Plus, the interface is really user-friendly and organized.

    Pricing

    Phonsee offers the same features across every subscription tier, and you get significant discounts the longer you subscribe.

    Duration Phonsee Subscription Plan
    1 Month $42.51/month
    3 Months $24.79/month
    12 Months $8.85/month

    Phonsee has a demo, but it is quite limited, only showing you a series of screenshots of the dashboard in action. There is also a 14-day refund policy, but it is conditional on Phonsee’s terms of use.

    Who It’s Best For

    “]Phonsee is a great pick for parents, partners, families, and businesses on a budget. It comes with a powerful toolset for the price, and there’s a money-back guarantee if things don’t work out.

    Pros

    • Keylogger functionality for iOS and Android devices
    • User-friendly with a neat UI
    • Advanced location tracking features
    • Works in stealth mode (hidden) on the target device

    Cons

    • Lacks remote control, call recording, and keyword alerts
    • Need root access on Android devices for social media monitoring

    7. Eyezy — Best Phone Spy App for GPS Location Tracking and Geofencing

    Eyezy logo

    Starting Price $7.99/month
    No. of Devices 1
    Free Trial/Demo Demo
    Money-back Guarantee 14-day refund window

    Why We Picked It

    The integration of AI in Eyezy for seamless tracking and notifications, combined with its robust phone monitoring features, sets it apart from other spy apps on the market.

    Features

    You can access messages, including deleted exchanges, block apps, and approve usage on a schedule—ideal for providing supervised access for kids, for example.

    Eyezy’s social spotlight feature lets you monitor up to 13 messaging and social media apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and iMessage. You can view the details of every direct message (including archived or deleted) on these platforms. With AI-powered keyword alerts, you can flag certain terms and phrases and get notified if they appear in messages or posts.

    Another noteworthy feature is the phone analyzer, which reveals who your child or partner calls, who calls them, and the timestamps and durations of all calls. Eyezy also lets you regulate the content your child or partner consumes online. However, the website blocker is only available for Android devices. It also has a screen recorder and keylogger, but you will need to jailbreak the iPhone to access them.

    Like most spy apps, Eyezy provides a real-time cell phone tracker to enable you to monitor your child’s or partner’s movements. This feature allows you to see your child’s current location and history over specific days or weeks.

    Pricing

    Eyezy offers a competitive pricing structure comparable to other spying apps. Its tiered subscription model features discounts based on the subscription length you choose.

    Duration Eyezy Subscription Plan
    1 Month $38.39/month
    3 Months $22.39/month
    12 Months $7.99/month

    Eyezy provides a free demo version, allowing users to explore its functionalities before committing. There’s also a 14-day refund policy for unresolved technical.

    Who It’s Best For

    Eyezy is ideal for busy parents and spouses who don’t want to check their control panel constantly but still want to receive all the information about their child or partner. The AI-powered engine handles the monitoring and notifications.

    Pros

    • AI-powered keyword and app download alerts
    • Wide range of features
    • Great budget option
    • Activity analytics for a broad overview

    Cons

    • Longer-term subscriptions are required for discounts
    • iOS devices need to be jailbroken to access the social spotlight and phone analyzer features

    The Best Spy App Picks Compared

    Here’s a comprehensive table highlighting the key differences between the top spying phone apps so you can compare them side by side before making a decision:

    Provider Free Version Starting Price Top Features Moneyback Guarantee
    mSpy Demo $11.67/month Powerful remote controls, deep device access, Real-time GPS tracking 14 Days
    Spynger Refund policy $9.28/month Robust keylogger, comprehensive chat app coverage, access to deleted content 30 Days
    uMobix Demo $12.49/month Display screenshots, precise GPS, live app alerts 14 Days
    Scannero 1-Day Trial $0.89 $49.80/month Requires just a number, 100% anonymous, messenger, SMS, or email sharing 14 Days
    SpyBubble Pro Demo $10.62/month See hidden/deleted content, camera/microphone access, dating app monitoring 30 Days
    Phonsee Demo $8.85/month Accurate keylogger, geofencing, dating app monitoring 14 Days
    Eyezy Demo $7.99/month Affordable pricing, custom alerts, custom term/word flagging 14 Days

    Top 3 Free Spy Apps Reviewed

    We wouldn’t recommend free spy apps for the reasons we list above, but of the free software I did test, these were the best of them all.

    1. Qustodio — Free Spy App for Multiple Devices


    Starting Price $4.55/month (annual)
    Free Version Free plan and 3-day trial
    Top Features Works with Kindle, emergency panic button, Safe Search mode for kids
    Money Back Guarantee 30-day refund policy
    Qustodio is a free-spy app that works on Kindle devices as well as the standard mobile devices.

    Although reading is a great habit to encourage, monitoring what kind of content your kids are reading is also important. As a spy app, Qustodio includes a cool Safe Search mode function which you can use to filter out inappropriate content.

    On the app, you’ll receive a notification if a site or app is blocked and your kids try to access it. You’ll know what they’re curious about, and you can talk about it at home.

    The Panic button is lets your kids send you instant alerts with a click of a button if they’re in danger, and calling or text messages isn’t an option, and Qustodio also lets you set screen time limit for some apps and games, or the entire device.

    Pros

    • Safe Search mode to keep your kids away from inappropriate content
    • Custom screen time monitoring

    Cons

    • Some features are only available on Android
    • Free software is always a risk

    2. ESET — Free Spy Phone App For Parental Control


    Starting Price $1.43/month (annual plan)
    Free Version Free plan and 30-day trial
    Top Features Time limits on apps, child locator, full activity reports
    Money Back Guarantee 30-day refund policy
    ESET is primarily an antivirus software provider but also has a product for Android parental control, so if you need to spy on a phone it can be considered among the small handful of trustworthy free spy apps available. It comes with some solid features including the ability to set time limits for apps, generate app usage reports and block unsolicited websites and content.

    Like Qustodio, you can decide how much screen time they get and how much time they individually spend.

    As expected, the free plan is limited, but the parental control app is ok if you’re not looking for an all-out, 100% secure solution.

    Pros

    • Daily web usage reports
    • Safe Search mode for restricted browsing

    Cons

    • Limited features
    • Recommended for use in conjunction with ESET cybersecurity products

    3. FamiSafe — Free Spy App for Tech-Savvy Families With Teenagers (3-Day Free Trial)


    Cheapest Paid Plan $4.99/month (annual)
    Free Version 3-day trial
    Top Features Driving reports, suspicious photodetection, set custom tracking rules
    Money Back Guarantee 7-day refund policy
    FamiSafe is a predominately used for monitoring teenagers. It lets you track your children’s driving habits with detailed reports on their driving history for every trip. This will show their top speeds, average speeds, total distance driven, and much more.

    FamiSafe also tells you about your kids’ conversations with their AI assistants during the day, and if you want to know what images your kids are capturing or receiving, you can use the “Detect Suspicious Photos” tool to automatically find inappropriate images on their devices, and alert you.

    Although short, the three-day free trial is still good enough for temporary tracking. And although it’s technically not a truly free spy app, at $4.99 per month cost you get what you pay for.

    Pros

    • Available in multiple countries
    • Lets you turn on the Safe Search restricted browsing mode for your kids

    Cons

    • Unable to access data from previous days
    • Not the most user-friendly platform
    Methodology

    How We Review And Test Spyware Apps

    Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.

    To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

    • General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
    • Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
    • Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
    • Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
    • Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
    • Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.

    What Can I Do with Spy Apps?

    Spy apps will, naturally, enable you to monitor a phone – but what does being able to spy on a phone actually mean? Here are some of the capabilities of the best spying apps. It’s important to note that most free spy apps don’t feature the tools listed below.

    • Chat monitoring – Many top tools for spying on phones come with comprehensive chat monitoring features, allowing you to track conversations from multiple apps on a single dashboard.
    • App control – A range of spyware apps will allow you to add and remove apps and to lock how and when they are used. You can often also access browser history and social media connections.
    • Keyloggers – A keylogger may be the ultimate tool available if you want a free app to monitor another phone. This tool tracks every keystroke entered on the device, allowing it to catch communications, searches, and logins.
    • Camera and microphone control – The best tools allow you to silently use the device’s camera to take pictures and enable video streaming or to use the microphone to capture audio. This gives you complete awareness of the device’s environment.
    • Device control – The most powerful apps will give you full control over the tracked device, turning it on and off and even wiping the device if needed.
    • GPS location tracking – A good cell phone tracker app will allow you to see precisely where a device is and will include geofencing, which sets off alerts if the device leaves a set area.

    What Devices Can I Track with Spy Apps?

    Spy apps are generally designed to track cell phones. Broken down, these are the recommended devices you can monitor with a spy app.

    iPhoneAndroidDesktop
    • iPhone Spyware

    You’re in luck if you’re looking to spy on a phone, or specifically for a spy app for your iPhone, as providers like mSpy, uMobix, and Spynger cover almost every iPhone, iPad, and iOS product. With these apps, you can ensure you’ll be able to track your loved ones wherever they are. For more information, see our guide to the best iPhone spy apps.

    • Android Spyware

    mSpy, uMobix, SpyBubble, and Phonsee are all great Android phone spying apps. They give you deep device control and full visibility of where the tracked device is and what it’s being used for. Read our best spy apps for Android guide for further details.

    • Windows and MacOS Spy Software

    Many of the top spy app providers focus on mobile spying apps, but there are tools that also cover Windows and Macs. Some spy apps offers solutions that cover Windows, for example, while FlexiSpy can track Windows and Mac devices, Android devices, and iPhones.

    Norton, Eset, and FamiSafe also offer parental control apps that support everything from Windows, Macs, and iPhones to Android devices and Kindles. Our guide to the best keylogger software provides additional information on tracking desktop devices.

    Are Free Spying Apps Legit?

    Yes, and no. Many spy app companies that claim to be free are scams designed to hijack your phone. Downloading a free spy app can put your phone or tablet at risk of malware, or having your data stolen and used for the worst reasons. It can also put the person you are tracking at risk.

    While we understand how tempting it can be to install free spy software, especially when budgets are tight, it’s important to know the risks before you make your decision.

    A fake free spy app could collect your data and tell the wrong people:

    • Where you live
    • When you’ve left your house
    • Where you work
    • Who your friends and family are

    They could also get access to:

    • Your personal pictures
    • Your browsing history
    • Sensitive online transactions, such as banking activity.

    It just isn’t worth the risk. 

    All the spy app providers on our list are safe to use and are great for getting started. They’ve been handpicked after careful scrutiny of their features and trustworthiness.

    If you’re still in a bind, look for platforms that offer paid solutions along with free demos. These apps use subscription income to strengthen their security. They offer a free demo to allow potential users to test their free spy services before they move to a paid subscription.

    This is why all our recommended platforms offer a paid plan, and most of their free plans are essentially free trials that allow you to try out the service before committing.

    Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Spy Software

    Whether you’re looking for free spy software or the best spy software, choosing a spy app can be difficult, given the number of options available. Here are a few things to consider whether you’re looking for the best spy software.

    Choose a Reputable ProviderPrice to ScaleEase of UseFeature-to-Price RatioMoney-Back GuaranteesFree Version Limitations

    Spying apps often collect sensitive personal data, which can be prone to online leaks. That’s why choosing a provider like the ones on our list with a clean track record is important.

    Sure, you’re only looking for a spy app at the moment. But you do have to consider the price of the platform’s paid plan in case you want to scale up. Although useful, free plans and trails are only good enough to test the platform and for small-scale usage.

    If you want advanced features like geolocation, environment recording, and so on, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan. And, in that case, the price should not be a hindrance.

    A spy app should be easy to use and install. It should also have an intuitive and easy-to-understand dashboard with comprehensive information on all tracking metrics, such as calls, messages, and location details.

    All of our recommended spying apps offer hassle-free operation, and customer support is available if you encounter any issues with your chosen spy software.

    Feature-to-price refers to the value of services you get for the price you pay – but the paid plans shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

    For example, if you only want to track your child’s location and messages, your provider’s cheapest plan should be able to accommodate your needs without charging a high subscription fee.

    That said, if you want one of the best girlfriend spy apps, you should consider you’ll generally only get as much as you pay for.

    Money-back guarantees depict a provider’s confidence in their own product. A phone spy app willing to offer a money-back guarantee is more likely to be legit than those that don’t.

    All of the providers mentioned in our list offer some money-back guarantee ranging from 7-60 days. If you face any issues during this time, the provider will cancel your subscription and refund your money.

    Let’s face it – free versions do not offer the whole range of features a spy app has under its belt. In some instances, the free plans or even the free trials impose certain limitations on the degree or time of usage.

    That’s why it’s important to ensure that the free plan offers features that you actually need. Otherwise, there is little point in the tool offering a free version in the first place. For instance, Qustodio’s location monitoring feature – one of the main draws of a spy app – isn’t available on its free plan.

     

    How to Install and Use a Spy App

    Are you wondering how to use a cell phone spy app? Our full guide on how to track a phone gives step-by-step advice, but here we’ll guide you through using mSpy. Of course, you should get the user’s consent before using an app to track a phone without their knowledge.

    1. Choose Your Plan

      First, go to mSpy, and choose a subscription that meets your needs. Keep in mind that you can get a demo and there’s a money-back guarantee so you can test the product free and without any risk.
    2. Sign Into Your Account

      The next step is to sign in and set up a profile for the device or devices you want to track. You’ll be asked to confirm the brand and operating system of the device.
    3. Download the App

      Having done this, you can download the app onto the target device that you want to track. Follow all mSpy’s instructions and once complete, you can activate the app.
    4. Log Into the Dashboard

      With the app set up, you can now begin tracking the target phone via your mSpy app dashboard, monitoring messages and calls and following the device’s location. Your phone spy app is ready to go – and now you know how to monitor another Android or iPhone.

    Verdict: Is a Free Spy App Worth It?

    In our opinion, no, free spy apps aren’t worth the risk when it comes to protecting your data and anonymity. With a money-back guarantee, and full-access to encrypted software, specifically designed to protect your anonymity, you can’t go wrong with the alternative free spy apps we’ve recommended on this list.

    Which is the best spy app will depend on your needs, but if you’re a parent concerned about your child’s safety – mSpy is your strongest. If you’re worried that your partner is cheating, you won’t find a spy app better spy software than Spynger to gather the evidence.

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    FAQs

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    References

    Krishi Chowdhary
    Tech Expert
    Krishi Chowdhary
    Tech Expert

    Krishi Chowdhary has half a decade of experience writing buying guides and product reviews for numerous leading technology websites. He spent two years writing for Business2Community.com before joining Techopedia.com. He has a degree in Commerce and extensive experience in the technology industry. He's also the key driver behind TechReport.com's news content, delivering expertise insight into the latest tech and cybersecurity news daily.