As you might already know, Instagram is not always a safe space for your child. In 2023, the FBI warned that child predators are increasingly targeting kids on social media, including Instagram*. By using the best Instagram spy apps, you can view all your child’s messages, likes, follows, and followers, set limits on their usage, and even block access entirely.
In this guide, I’ll show you the best options based on criteria like price, functionality, and the level of Instagram access and control provided.
The Best Instagram Spy Apps Tested By Our Experts
The Top 8 Instagram Spy Apps Ranked
- mSpy — Best for monitoring all likes, texts, videos and photos
- Eyezy — The most affordable Instagram spy app
- uMobix — Best Instagram spy app for beginners
- Cocospy — Great for monitoring Instagram DMs
- Hoverwatch — Best for multi-device Android and PC households
- TheOneSpy — Leading Instagram monitoring tool to get real-time updates
- ClevGuard — Reliable parental control features for Instagram
- iKeyMonitor — The best free Instagram spy app
- Show Full Guide
The Best Spy Apps for Monitoring Instagram Activity
Next, I’ll look at some of the best Instagram spy apps and cover their best features, weaknesses, and pricing.
1. mSpy — The Best for Monitoring All Likes, Texts, Videos & Photos
Starting Price | $11.67/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- Extensive multimedia monitoring capabilities
- Comprehensive dashboard
- Great value for money & potential discount offers via chatbox
- Subscription plan that caters to large families
- Strong data security measures
Cons
- Jailbreaking/rooting is needed to monitor Instagram and other social media
2. Eyezy — Most Affordable Instagram Spying App
Starting Price | $7.99/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | Up to 3 devices with Family Kit |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- Affordable
- Full access to Instagram usage and exchanged media
- Detailed account activity logs
- Precise GPS location tracking and geofencing
- Picture capture tool
- Family Kit plan
Cons
- Users will have to jailbreak or root the target device to monitor Instagram
- Slow-responding customer care
3. uMobix — Best Instagram Monitoring App for Beginners
Starting Price | $12.49/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund window |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Full control of the Instagram account on iOS
- Access to all Instagram DMs, even the deleted ones
- Screenshots of Instagram activities
- Straightforward pricing
Cons
- No option for larger families
- Some Instagram spying features aren’t available to Android users
4. Cocospy — Best For Monitoring Instagram DMs
Starting Price | $12.49/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day refund policy |
Pros
- Monitors both Instagram DMs and group chats
- Shows all links, photos, and videos shared through Instagram
- Comprehensive Keylogger feature
- Logs incoming and outgoing calls
Cons
- Fewer features for non-jailbroken iPhones
- No screen capture and app-blocking features
5. Hoverwatch — Best Instagram Monitoring Tool for Multi-Device Households
Starting Price | $8.33/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | Up to 25 devices |
Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
Compatibility | Android, Windows, macOS |
Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Pros
- Ability to monitor up to 25 devices on one plan
- Full access to Instagram usage and exchanged media
- Robust keylogger
- Precise GPS location tracking
- Scheduled screenshots
Cons
- No iOS version
- No live chat; customer service isn’t very responsive
6. TheOneSpy — Best for Real-Time Instagram Monitoring
Starting Price | $5.75/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Free Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS |
Money-back Guarantee | 14-day |
Pros
- Unparalleled control over the monitoring device
- Camera and microphone in real time (Android only)
- Compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices
- One of the best GPS location trackers
- Unconditional 14-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not a very detailed demo
- No live chat support
7. ClevGuard — Best Instagram Monitoring App for Parental Control
Starting Price | $4.99/month (annually) |
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No. of Devices | ● Up to 3 devices on the individual plan ● Up to 20 devices on the family plan |
Free Trial/Demo | Demo |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Pros
- Wide range of parental control features
- Daily, weekly, and monthly phone activity reports
- Live recordings
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Strict refund policy
- Installation requires physical access
8. iKeyMonitor — The Best Free Instagram Spy App
Starting Price | Free with basic functionality Instagram monitoring from $16.66/month |
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No. of Devices | 1 |
Free Trial/Demo | Free Plan |
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Money-back Guarantee | 30-day |
Pros
- Free forever plan
- Displays disappearing media
- Remote camera and mic control
- Alert-Words and input logger facilitate full parental control
Cons
- The free version doesn’t cover social media monitoring
Top Spy Apps for Instagram: Compared
To help you decide, I’ve created the table below to showcase the major distinctions between the top apps to spy on Instagram:
Provider Name | Starting Price | No Of Devices | Free Trial/Demo | Money-Back Guarantee |
mSpy | $11.67/month (annual) | Up to 3 | Demo | 14 days |
Eyezy | $7.99/month (annual) | Up to 3 | Demo | 14 days |
uMobix | $12.49/month (annual) | 1 | Demo | 14 days |
Cocospy | $12.49/month (annual) | 1 | Demo | 14 days |
Hoverwatch | $8.33/month (annual) | 1, 5, or 25 | No | No |
TheOneSpy | $5.75/month (annual) | 1 | Demo | 14 days |
ClevGuard | $5/month (annual) | Up to 20 | Demo | 30 days |
iKeyMonitor | Free | 1 | Free plan | 30 days |
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.
Why Use An Instagram Spy Tool?
An Instagram monitoring app monitors the activity of a specific account, such as tracking posts, comments, and messages. Here are a few reasons to use an Instagram spy app:
As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned about your child’s safety and well-being, especially regarding online activity. An Instagram tracking app allows you to monitor your child’s activity on the platform, such as the:
- Accounts they’re following
- Content they’re viewing
- People they’re interacting with
This can help you identify any potential dangers or risks your child may be exposed to and take appropriate action to keep them safe.
Employers can use an Instagram monitoring app to track their employees’ online activity. This can help employers identify employees who may share confidential information or use company devices for personal use. This is especially important in industries where information security is critical, such as finance and healthcare.
While this is considered an unethical use of phone spy apps, some people may use these apps to monitor their partner’s activity. This can include tracking their Instagram posts, comments, and messages, and it can be done to monitor their behavior or to gather evidence of infidelity.
How Do Instagram Tracking Apps Work?
Instagram spy apps work by gaining access to the target device through jailbreaking, rooting, or obtaining iCloud credentials.
Once the app is installed, it usually disguises itself as a system app. It uses screenshots, keylogging, and notifications to create a complete picture of the target’s Instagram activity. This allows you to monitor the target’s Instagram direct messages, view links, their stories and likes, photos, and videos exchanged, and even see deleted messages.
Do I Need Physical Access to the Target Phone?
In most cases, physical access to the target phone is required to install an Instagram spy app. This is particularly true for Android phones, as most monitoring apps cannot be installed without physical access to the device.
However, some spy apps can be installed on iPhones without physical access by using iCloud backup and having the login credentials and two-factor authentication code for the target phone.
Once the Instagram tracking app is installed and has the necessary permissions, it can remotely monitor the target’s Instagram activity and read their direct messages without needing further physical access to the device.
Are Instagram Spy Apps Legal?
Using an Instagram spy app to monitor someone’s device with their informed consent is entirely legal, and you can also access devices belonging to children under 18 in your care without needing permission. Keep in mind that obtaining informed consent is required for tracking adults before using spy apps for Instagram on phones.
What Can You See With an Instagram Spy App?
Instagram spy apps can provide a wide range of information on a target’s activity on the platform. Instagram hacker apps can capture screenshots, record keystrokes, and collect notifications, capturing the target’s direct messages, including photos, videos, and links they’ve shared. You can also see their stories, posts, activity, followers, and who they’re following.
Free Instagram Spy Apps vs. Paid – Which is Best?
My research found that paid options are far superior to free Instagram spy apps. Free apps like Mobile Tracker may need more performance and reliability than paid options.
Some spy apps don’t offer Instagram spying in their free version. Additionally, free Instagram spying apps may be less reliable, have weaker features, or even be scams or malware.
While some tools may offer free versions, these tend to be limited in functionality compared to premium options. If you’re unsure which Instagram spy app to use, try risk-free options with free trials, guarantees, and demos. Budget-conscious users can also opt for long-term plans for value for money.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Instagram Spy Apps
Naturally, my core consideration when creating this guide on the best Instagram hacking apps was their ability to track, monitor, and log activity taking place on the app.
Secondary considerations included how easy these spy apps are to use, how quickly they can be installed, and the degree to which they can operate quietly in the background without bothering the user – all of which are important for a positive user experience.
Beyond that, other features like being able to track other social media apps, access location information, and control the microphone and camera are all great additional benefits—as is being able to track more than one device.
Lastly, value for money is very important—if a budget Instagram hack app comes with premium features, I recommend it, and I consider details like trials, guarantees, and flexible pricing plans.
I have broad experience across the sector, so I consider all these factors, identifying each product’s best features and comparing its functionality against the competition and spy app software benchmarks.
How to Spy on Instagram with a Spy App – A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to install and use mSpy on Android or iOS:
Step 1 – Setting Up
- Make an account on mSpy.com.
- Select “iOS” or “Android” when asked about the operating system of the monitored device.
- Pick one of the three subscriptions.
- Open up the email from mSpy and jot down the link to your registration code, Control Panel, Username, Password, and download link.
Step 2 – Additional Steps
For iOS devices – Ensure the iPhone is jailbroken and has internet access. For Android devices – Make sure you’ve disabled Play Protect.
Step 3 – Download mSpy
Download the software and install it.
Step 4 – Start Spying on Instagram
For iOS Devices:
- Navigate to “Technology Repository,”
- Tap “iPhone Internal Service,”
- Click “Accept,” and fill out the prompts that pop up on your homepage
- Tap the “mSpy” icon and accept their license agreement
- Input your registration code, and restart the target phone
For Android Devices:
In case there’s a prompt at the button on your screen,
- Tap “Open” and then “Settings.”
- Then click “Allow from This Source,”
- Tap “Next,”
- Click on “Open,” and press “Agree” on mSpy’s License Agreement
- Allow any permissions from the app
- Input the Registration Code you got via email
- Click “Complete Installation.”
Instagram Spy FAQs
Do Instagram spy apps work?
What’s the best Instagram spy app?
What’s the best free Instagram spy app?
Do I need to root or jailbreak the device to spy on Instagram?
References
- *FBI Warns Of Predators Targeting Kids On Social Media (CBS News)
- What is the Point of Instagram’s Vanish Mode? (The Indian Express)
- Phone Addiction: Warning Signs and Treatment (Addiction Center)