The Best Hidden Screen Recorder Apps in 2024

I get it – it’s hard to spend money on a screen recording app when you don’t really know if it has the features you need. But I picked mSpy to top my list because its not only one of the best screen recorder apps, it also offers more than 35 other useful features. Besides being a great hidden recording app, you also get real-time keyword alerts and can track social media platforms, making it great bang for the buck.

As I mentioned above, mSpy is stacked with features and useful tools, so it stands out as one of the best all-around spy apps you can invest in. It comes with a screen recorder that records the screen of the other device in real time, which tells you what they are doing on their phone at any given moment. Besides this, you also get a keylogger – a feature that tells you every word they are typing on their phone.

You can also set custom keyword alerts with mSpy. Let’s say you are worried about your child searching for adult content on the internet. Just add the relevant keywords to your alerts. Every time your child types that word, you will get an instant notification. Then, if you find your child looking at things they shouldn’t, you can use mSpy’s app or website blocker to restrict such activity.

You can also use this to set up a keyword alert for your partner if you’re worried they might be searching for a particular username or ex’s name.

Apart from this, I found mSpy to be a one-stop solution for all your tracking needs. From a single control panel, you can track up to 11 social media applications, their contact list, call logs, calendar, SMS, emails, installed media, and location.

The only catch is that you will need to root or jailbreak the other device to access all of mSpy’s features, including the screen recorder. While this can make the installation process a bit complicated, it’s not too difficult, and mSpy’s excellent customer support will guide you through it if you run into any issues.

mSpy offers three pricing tiers based on the length of the subscription:

Unfortunately, mSpy doesn’t have a free version. While I know that’s not ideal, I can tell you that mSpy is pretty much the most popular and highly-rated spy app around, so your investment is safe. It’s also very affordable when you pay annually compared to other spy apps.

mSpy also has an excellent demo that shows you everything the app can do and how it works. If you have technical issues you can’t resolve, mSpy will offer a refund if you request it within 14 days of subscribing.

mSpy is a great spy tool for recording and a top option for parents looking for a one-stop solution for tracking their kids. The platform offers 35+ tracking features, including a hidden screen recorder and keylogger.

You can extensively monitor their website history and app usage and even restrict data usage remotely.

I had to put uMobix on my list as it’s a top-ranked secret screen recording app that delivers uninterrupted, high-quality video from a whopping 30 apps. This includes unconventional apps like Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, and even Tinder. You can also access deleted information and extract a live audio and video feed from the target phone.

uMobix stands out due to its real-time recording capability and seamless integration with other monitoring features. Its unique advantage lies in the ability to capture high-quality, continuous screen recordings. These are automatically uploaded and sorted into the apps they are from for easy access and review, making sure you don’t miss anything crucial.

Live audio and video streams go a step further and provide remote access to the device’s microphone and camera to show you exactly what’s going on around the person you are tracking.

Let’s say your kid is returning home from school, and you want to ensure he is safe throughout the journey. You can simply turn on the live video stream and choose between the front and back cameras to see their surroundings.

Plus, you get an advanced keylogger, which you can use to uncover passwords and see everything the other person types on their device. Like mSpy, you also get real-time notifications if they type any restricted words.

You can even track apps like YouTube with complete watch history, and it is also one of the best Tinder spy apps around. Apps like Reddit and Twitter can also be tracked to keep your child safe from NSFW content.

Besides this, uMobix allows you to schedule app use on the target device. Let’s say your child is supposed to study for two hours in the afternoon. You can block all social media applications during this period so that they are totally inaccessible. You can even delete unwanted apps and regulate data storage on the device.

However, it’s worth noting that the bulk of these features are only available for Android. You get essentials with iOS, like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram tracking, web browsing monitoring, and information about calls and text messages. It’s still a pretty good iPhone spy app, but there are better options. That said, uMobix is one of the best spy apps for Android you can get.

uMobix is ideal for anyone looking for a hidden screen recording tool who also wants to track a vast number of apps on the other person’s device.

I picked Spynger because it can track 16 social media platforms, including Snapchat, Viber, Telegram, Facebook, and others, and uses its screen recorder feature to provide real-time information on these apps and everything else the other person does on their phone.

Spynger is one of the best monitoring apps for tracking someone’s social media platforms. It can monitor as many as 16 platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Telegram, and so on.

Its hidden screen recording feature is just the cherry on top. The screen recorder tells you the exact posts the other person is interacting with – likes, comments, and shares. For example, the screen recording tool may come in handy to catch if a loved one is being stalked on social media.

Like mSpy, it includes a keylogger that captures every keystroke from the device’s keyboard. However, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of custom keyword alerts, which would have made passive monitoring much easier.

Spynger is cheaper when compared to competitors like mSpy and uMobix. Let’s look at its pricing structure:

Spynger doesn’t have a free trial or demo, so you’ll have to rely on its 30-day refund policy if you run into any issues, which is generous compared to most other spy apps.

If your loved one is a social media buff, Spynger is the best solution for you. You can use the hidden screen recording feature to track a whopping 16 social media platforms, ensuring they cannot escape your surveillance. Plus, dating apps like Tinder can also be tracked with Spynger.

I chose SpyBubble Pro because it’s a well-rounded hidden screen recording app that excels in remote device management. It allows you to control the other person’s device from anywhere. You can easily block apps and websites and even shut off their phones. Plus, SpyBubble shows you details of deleted messages and calls, as well as renamed contacts.

Although SpyBubble Pro doesn’t have full-fledged screen recording features, it does have a couple of tools that do nearly the same job for you. For instance, the platform sends you screenshots of the other person’s phone screen every five minutes so that you know what they are up to.

Plus, you can check out their surroundings through live audio and video streams using the device’s camera. This can come in handy when you want to know where the other person is and who they are talking to.

Similarly, you can even use the camera to take a quick snapshot of the surroundings if you do not need the livestream. Like other spy apps on the list, the platform also comes with a nifty keylogger.

Where SpyBubble Pro really shines is in its remote device management. You can view call history and contacts and block incoming and outgoing calls from specific contacts. Plus, if your loved one tries to swap SIM cards, you will get an instant notification. In addition, you can block apps altogether and restrict websites that you do not approve of.

Like uMobix, many of SpyBubble’s best features are only available on Android, including location tracking, TikTok and YouTube monitoring, browser history tracking, remote control, and live audio and video streams. If you’re looking for an iPhone screen recorder app, you should consider Phonsee instead.

SpyBubble doesn’t have a trial or demo, but its control panel is quite similar to that of uMobix.

While SpyBubble is more expensive than some competitors, chatting with customer support before you subscribe might net you an additional 15% discount.

SpyBubble Pro is best if you’re looking for an easy-to-use parental monitoring solution. Its intuitive dashboard makes it effortless even for non-tech-savvy parents.

Plus, it is ideal if you want to control someone else’s device – blocking apps and websites and restricting incoming and outgoing calls and SMS.

During my testing, I found that Phonsee is one of the easiest monitoring apps to install, especially on iPhones. Unlike other spy apps, you do not need to jailbreak the target iPhone to install Phonsee. 

If you want to record someone’s iPhone screen, Phonsee is your best bet. Since it doesn’t require any jailbreaking, it is pretty easy to install on iPhones without compromising the device’s security.

Phonsee’s hidden screen recorder captures every move the tracked person makes, along with its chronology. Similarly, there is a keylogger for both Android and iPhone devices. You can even blacklist certain words and get real-time alerts when they are used.

Where I found Phonsee truly excels is in its precise location tracking. It tells you the exact coordinates of the other person’s location via GPS at any given time. You can even set geofencing alerts to keep your kid from dangerous locations.

I also found that Phonsee takes social media monitoring up a notch. You can view all photos and videos shared on these platforms, even if the account is private. Plus, you can also read your kid’s private conversations. All in all, you can track 13 social media apps through Phonsee.

Just like many other spy apps, Phonsee offers three time-based plans:

Phonsee is one of the more affordable options available, beaten only by Eyezy. It doesn’t have a very good demo, though, with only a series of screenshots to show the app in action. The good news is that the dashboard worked like it was supposed to and provided all the information I was looking for while testing the app.

Phonsee is ideal if your child or partner uses an iPhone and you want to monitor them without jailbreaking their device. It also offers one of the most precise GPS locations among spy apps.

I had to pick Eyezy for its Magic Alerts feature. This handy tool makes it one of the best spy apps for parents who don’t have the time to live track their children, as it takes real-time screenshots of their phones. You also get an excellent location tracker. Plus, installing Eyezy is easier compared to other apps.

Just like SpyBubble Pro, Eyezy doesn’t have live screen recording features, but you get regular screenshots of the other person’s device. This covers around 11 social media apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and others.

EyeZy also offers Magic Alerts, which has two purposes – geofencing and keywords. Let’s say you’re suspicious about your child wandering around the dark side of the internet. In this case, you can add certain words to the keyword alert tracker, and whenever your child types these words on their keyboard, Eyezy will send you a Magic Alert.

The same goes for location. If your kid enters somewhere you’ve restricted, you’ll know instantly.

Besides this, there is an extensive files finder that shows you all kinds of media stored on the target device – photos, videos, saved media, and installed apps. If you find any app that you think your child shouldn’t be using, you can use Eyezy’s Connection Blocker to block the app altogether.

Eyezy offers straightforward, competitive plans at some of the lowest prices available. Like most of its counterparts, the first-time subscription is cheaper than the renewal, but Eyezy frequently offers discount codes.

I was impressed with Eyezy’s demo and found the actual dashboard to be identical. If you do run into technical issues, Eyezy offers a 14-day refund policy.

EyeZy is perfect if you don’t have the time to constantly monitor your child’s behavior, as it takes real-time screenshots for you.

Its Magic Alerts feature lets you know if your child is using words they shouldn’t or wandering off to restricted places. The best part is that you’ll get an alert even if the words typed are not sent to anyone.

In my testing, I was looking for a rigorous hidden screen recorder that works on desktops, and ClevGuard fit the bill perfectly. It offers excellent hidden screen monitoring features for desktop computers and can also track someone’s browser history and bookmarks.

ClevGuard is one of the best parental control apps for Windows PC and macOS. Sure, many spy apps can monitor your child’s phone. However, there are only a few that can keep an eye on your kids’ Windows PC or Mac.

For starters, ClevGuard’s Kid Pro allows you to record your child’s screen remotely, capture real-time screenshots, and even use the device’s camera to take secret photos. Besides this, you can set up sensitive words to receive real-time alerts whenever they are typed on your child’s device. The keylogger works on Windows PCs as well.

The platform also supports ambient recording. If your child is in a sensitive environment, you may want to listen to what’s going on around them. To do so, simply turn on ClevGuard’s environment recording feature.

If your child is an avid PC user, you can use ClevGuard to monitor their activity—websites visited, files downloaded, and USB devices connected. You can view all created, renamed, and deleted messages and files, as well as the complete web history of the device.

ClevGuard is second to none when it comes to affordability. It is the cheapest parental control app on my list:

• KidsGuard offers web and app blocking, capture and lock screen ability, real-time GPS, call filtering, and activity reports.
• KidsGuard Pro offers a keylogger, file and activity monitoring, remote control, SMS and social app monitoring, and contact and calendar viewing.
• MoniVisor offers monitoring of one desktop device and all of its activity.

There is no free plan or trial, but ClevGuard offers a detailed demo and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ClevGuard is best for parents whose kids use Windows or Mac. The platform is excellent for computer tracking, telling you everything your child sees or downloads on their system. Plus, you can capture instant screenshots and get keyword alerts.

I found that xMobi is one of the few monitoring apps that can track Discord – a platform used by gamers. It also will tell you the entire route of your loved one using GPS tracking instead of just their live location.

Although xMobi doesn’t have a dedicated screen recorder, it takes screenshots from the target device every second and delivers them to the user. This allows you to see the activity on the other device almost in real time.

It also offers a no-root keylogger for Android devices. Just like other spy apps, you’ll get alerts when your child types restricted words.

One thing that impressed me the most was its detailed GPS locator. Instead of just telling you your loved one’s live location, xMobi shows you the entire route they followed. Say your child is returning from school but detours to a restricted part of the city. xMobi will show you the exact path so that you know where your kid has been.

Another notable thing about the platform is its Discord tracking – something not many spy apps offer. Discord is a social media platform used by gamers to build a community. xMobi allows you to read all chats on Discord so that you can ensure your gamer kid is safe online.

Here’s a brief look into Mobi’s pricing structure:

• 1-Month Plan – With this plan, you can enjoy all xMobi features, such as Android keylogger, Discord monitoring, call and SMS tracking, Meta tracking, GPS-based location, and much more.
• 3-Month Plan – Opt for this plan if you’re looking for a discount on a longer commitment.
• 12-Month Plan – This is the most affordable xMobi plan and comes with all of its features.

If your kid has developed an interest in gaming, you’ll want to track their Discord account. This is exactly what xMobi is good at. Plus, unlike many other GPS trackers, you can track the entire route of your child, not just their current live location.