Best WhatsApp Spy Apps in 2023 | Top 10 Reviewed + Compared

The best WhatsApp spy apps let you review the monitored device’s full chat log, see who your child, partner, or employee is talking to, and view all the audio messages, images, and video clips they send and receive. However, finding the best one when there are hundreds of phone spy apps on the market is no easy task.

To help you discern legitimate apps from scams, we’ve reviewed and compared the market’s top 10 best WhatsApp spy apps, looking at their features, compatibility with different devices, pricing plans, and pros & cons to help you make an informed decision on the best one for you. Read on to learn more.

Top 10 Best WhatsApp Spy Apps 

After carefully reviewing all the popular phone spy apps, we’ve concluded that mSpy is the number one choice for spying on WhatsApp. Here’s a quick breakdown of the top 10:

1. mSpy — Overall, the best WhatsApp spy app thanks to its keylogger and screen recorder that, combined, gives you complete insight into the target user’s activity across all apps — all for just $11.67/month.
2. EyeZy — One of the cheapest solutions to view everything typed, sent, and received on WhatsApp and other apps. Even lets you set up keyword alerts to ensure you never miss anything suspicious.
3. uMobix — The perfect tool for capturing disappearing messages on WhatsApp and other popular social media and messenger apps — and even boasts real-time remote audio and video streaming.
4. Cocospy — A simplistic WhatsApp spy solution that’s ideal for tracking both 1-to-1 and group chats to see everything said and exchanged in real-time.
5. Spyic — Budget-friendly Android and iOS pick for monitoring several devices at a bargain price. See all activity happening on WhatsApp and beyond for peace of mind.
6. Hoverwatch — The cheapest WhatsApp spy app for tracking multiple devices for a mere $1.67/device/month. Also boasts screen recording capabilities for full insight into the user’s activity.
7. XNSpy — Cheap option with some advanced capabilities, including phone call recording, a keylogger, and microphone tapping for insight into the user’s device activity.
8. KidsGuard — Offers a dedicated WhatsApp spy app with call recording, screen time controls, and even the ability to view deleted messages, exchanged media, and voice messages.
9. iKeyMonitor — A popular solution for social media and messenger app monitoring as it has a powerful real-time keylogger, custom keyword alerts, and even call recording capabilities.
10. TheOneSpy — A renowned spouse spy app with a built-in keylogger and password chaser to monitor WhatsApp and other online activity on both mobile and desktop devices.

The 10 Best Spy Apps for WhatsApp Reviewed

Here’s an in-depth review of the best WhatsApp monitoring apps, so you can see how they compare and choose the best one for you:

1. mSpy — Overall, the Best WhatsApp Spy App in 2023

mSpy is the undisputed best phone tracker for parental control, allowing you to see practically everything your child does on their phone.

It allows you to review SMS messages, call logs, and chats on WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps and even track your kid’s location in real-time using a GPS tracker.

When it comes to WhatsApp monitoring, you’ll be able to view the chat log, see who they called, when, and how long each call lasted, and browse through all the exchanged photos and videos remotely.

mSpy also features a keylogger, which lets you see everything they type in real-time. If you see a message or a discussion you disapprove of, you can also leverage mSpy’s screen recorder to capture the conversations.

This is indispensable since you’ll have all the necessary info, even if they delete specific messages or conversations from their phone.

Additionally, you’ll be able to remotely block their access to WhatsApp or any other application on the device, so you can prevent them from engaging in inappropriate or potentially dangerous conversations with friends or strangers.

Pros

• Read all social media and IM conversations
• Track all texts and emails, even deleted ones
• Enables real-time GPS location tracking
• Browse all files, photos, and videos stored on their device

Cons

• Expensive monthly plan

Pricing

mSpy’s annual subscription plan starts from $11.67 for the first year, which saves you over $400 compared to paying monthly.

Keep in mind that if you opt for the annual plan, you’ll be charged the full sum of $140 upfront. After the first year, each annual subscription will be charged $200 ($16.67 x 12 months).

You’ll get access to all of the app’s features regardless of whether you opt for a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription.

2. EyeZy — One of the Cheapest Solutions to View Everything Typed, Sent, & Received

EyeZy is another extremely powerful phone monitoring app that lets you keep tabs on what your child is doing on their phone without having to actively monitor them 24/7.

This is possible thanks to EyeZy’s Magic Alerts feature, which allows you to set up filters and keywords to receive real-time alerts whenever they receive a text or a WhatsApp message containing specific words/topics or search for a particular phrase online.

EyeZy also lets you view all the photos and videos sent and received through WhatsApp and other instant messaging and social media apps. You’ll also be able to listen to the voice messages on the platform, so they won’t be able to hide anything.

Another incredibly useful feature is a keylogger, available for both Android and iOS devices, which provides full details of every event, such as what app or website they typed something on, plus when it happened (exact time and date), and who they were talking to.

Pros

• See their full browsing history
• Invisible Shield keeps monitoring discreet
• Prevent access to certain websites and apps
• Get alerts of everything that might require your attention
• One of the best Android spy apps

Cons

• Expensive monthly plan

Pricing

EyeZy’s annual plan is extremely affordable, starting at just $9.99/month for the first year ($14.27 thereafter):

Pricing like this is hard to beat in the WhatsApp spy scene. Try it now risk-free for a full two weeks.

3. uMobix — The Perfect Tool for Capturing Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp

uMobix is an advanced cell phone monitoring app that allows parents to monitor all conversations their kids are having on instant messaging apps and popular social media platforms.

It’s compatible with all newer iOS and Android phones, gives you complete remote control of the device, and even lets you see deleted messages.

uMobix’s WhatsApp tracker lets you see everything your child does in the app as if you were holding their phone. This includes everything from chats, calls, and voice messages to all exchanged photos, videos, and files.

From cyberbullying to sexual predators, disappearing messages, and inappropriate content in group chats, WhatsApp boasts safety concerns and isn’t always safe for minors.

That said, another functionality of uMobix that parents love is the ability to tune in to the device and take camera snapshots or stream audio and video.

This gives you the much-needed context of all the messages and calls since you’ll be able to tell where your child is, who they’re with, and what conversations they’re having in real life.

Additionally, uMobix lets you see all of their online behavior, from the phrases they’re searching and the sites they’re visiting to the content they interact with on the web.

Pros

• Complete remote control of the device
• Overview of all social media and dating app chat logs
• Real-time audio/video streaming and camera snapshots
• Read deleted messages from the phone

Cons

• Expensive to monitor more than one device

Pricing

uMobix is slightly more expensive than mSpy and EyeZy, with an annual plan starting from $12.49:

That said, the sheer number of features you get access to on all pricing plans is more than enough to warrant the slightly steeper price.

4. Cocospy — A Simplistic WhatsApp Spy App for Viewing 1-to-1 and Group Chats

Cocospy lets you track your child’s location through real-time geofencing, see all their calls and messages, and control their access to WhatsApp and other apps completely remotely.

With Cocospy, you can read both individual and group conversations on WhatsApp, as well as see all exchanged files between the monitored device and all their contacts.

Additionally, if you’re monitoring an Android phone, you’ll be able to leverage the keylogger to capture all the keystrokes on the device and see what your child is typing in real-time.

Cocospy’s standout feature is the ability to create restricted areas on the map through its geofencing feature. The app will notify you the moment the device enters or leaves a particular area on the map, so you’ll always know whether your child is where they claim to be.

Pros

• Real-time GPS location tracking and geofencing
• Access to complete WhatsApp chat logs and all exchanged files
• The ability to review their full browser history
• Access to conversations on Discord

Cons

• No audio/video capture or phone call recording

Pricing

Cocospy has the same pricing structure as uMobix, with a yearly plan starting from $12.49/month:

As is the case for most phone monitoring apps, you get access to all Cocospy features regardless of what pricing plan you ultimately opt for.

5. Spyic — A Budget-Friendly Android and iOS Pick for Monitoring Multiple Devices

Spyic is another decent option for monitoring WhatsApp chats and seeing all exchanged photos in both private and group chats. You’ll also be able to see the timestamps associated with each message, so you’ll know exactly when each conversation took place.

Apart from WhatsApp, Spyic lets you monitor chats on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Viber. You’ll also be able to read all incoming and outgoing text messages, including MMS media files.

With Spyic, you can also track the phone’s physical location using GPS or Wi-Fi if they’re connected to the internet or their SIM card if they’re offline, so you’ll always know where your child is.

Another useful feature is website history tracking. It provides a clear overview of all the websites your child frequents, along with a brief description of each site, so you’ll immediately know if they’re interacting with inappropriate or dangerous content.

The browsing history is uploaded to Spyic’s servers, so you’ll have all the information even if your child clears the browsing history on their phone after each visit to a dubious website.

Pros

• Geofence alerts
• Call and SMS tracking
• Advanced website history tracking
• GPS, Wi-Fi, and SIM card location tracking

Cons

• Lacks a keylogger
• No access to the phone’s microphone or camera

Pricing

Spyic offers three different pricing plans with varying levels of functionality. If you need basic Android monitoring, the annual license starts from $99.99 (which amounts to about $8.33/month):

However, if you want access to all advanced monitoring features, you’d have to set aside $119.99 for the annual license. At $9.99/month for the Premium plan, Spyic offers excellent value for money.

6. Hoverwatch — The Cheapest WhatsApp Spy App for Tracking Several Devices

Hoverwatch features a WhatsApp spy that allows you to record and review all WhatsApp messages, see all the attached audio and video files, and see exactly who your children are talking to.

The app also lets you record phone calls and track messages, so there’s no possibility of your child having a conversation that you don’t know about.

Additionally, you can tap into the phone’s camera at any time to take screenshots of their screen, so you can monitor what they’re doing in real-time.

You’ll also be able to review the phone’s browsing history, track the device’s location, and read the notes and to-do lists on the device to gain insight into your child’s plans.

Pros

• Detects SIM card changes
• Allows you to record phone calls
• Takes screenshots to monitor the target users’ activities in real-time

Cons

• No keylogger

Pricing

You can get Hoverwatch’s Full Pack for $12.49/month if you opt for the annual subscription. This plan gives you access to all monitoring and tracking features for a single device:

As with most of the top WhatsApp spy tools, Hoverwatch has a demo and a lengthy money-back guarantee that you can use before committing.

7. XNSpy — Cheap Option With Some Advanced Capabilities

XNSpy is a phone monitoring application that allows you to read messages and see exchanged files on 12 different social media and instant messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tinder.

What makes XNSpy stand out from other phone monitoring software solutions is the fact that it enables phone call and surround recording. This way, you can see who they’re talking to both over the phone and in real life.

Additionally, XNSpy’s analytics provides you with key information regarding the contacts your child most frequently calls and messages and shows you their internet browsing habits. This lets you review their phone activity at a glance instead of having to monitor them 24/7.

Pros

• Enables phone call and sound recording
• Gives you remote control over the monitored device
• Monitors all keystrokes from WhatsApp and other messaging apps
• Lets you see complete Wi-Fi network logs

Cons

• May be too advanced for non-tech-savvy users

Pricing

XNSpy is the most affordable WhatsApp spy app, with the annual plan starting from as little as $7.50/month for the first year:

All plans give you complete access to all of the app’s features, plus you get a lengthy 30-day guarantee period to test it risk-free.

8. KidsGuard — Offers a Dedicated WhatsApp Spy App

KidsGuard for WhatsApp is a standalone WhatsApp monitoring app that lets you monitor chats, listen to all exchanged voice messages, and see all shared audio files and video files without having to root the monitored device.

The app lets you record WhatsApp calls and read all secret WhatsApp chat messages (including deleted ones). What’s best, KidsGuard automatically takes WhatsApp screenshots whenever the app is in use, ensuring you don’t miss anything.

Additionally, the app provides you with a detailed WhatsApp activity summary, including screen time, contact details, and the number of exchanged videos and voice messages.

If you’re looking for an app that’s designed solely for spying on WhatsApp in stealth mode, KidsGuard is an excellent choice.

Pros

• Lets you record WhatsApp video calls
• Features real-time keyword alerts
• Allows you to set daily time limits for WhatsApp usage
• Automatically records all voice messages

Cons

• Only available on Android phones

Pricing

KidsGuard for WhatsApp starts from $8.32/month for the first year on the annual plan. Here are your options:

All plans provide full access to KidsGuard’s features but keep in mind that if you opt for the annual subscription, you’ll be billed $99.95 immediately, and your plan will auto-renew after the first year.

9. iKeyMonitor — A Popular Solution for Social Media and Messenger App Monitoring

iKeyMonitor is a parental control app that lets you improve your children’s safety on the internet. It allows you to monitor chats on all popular messaging and social media apps, such as WhatsApp, KIK, Snapchat, and Telegram.

What we love about iKeyMonitor is that you can set up keyword alerts to immediately get notified whenever a certain word or phrase is mentioned.

This helps prevent cyberbullying and helps you ensure your child doesn’t engage in inappropriate, harmful, or dangerous conversations online. If you detect any activity you disapprove of, you can easily block access to certain apps through iKeyMonitor’s dashboard.

Other useful features of iKeyMonitor include call recording, keystroke capture, and GPS location tracking — everything you’d need for peace of mind.

Pros

• Instant keyword alerts
• The ability to set screen time limits
• Remote app and game blocking
• Live screen video and screenshots

Cons

• Expensive

Pricing

While the core app is free, if you want to access WhatsApp chats, you’ll have to pay either $3.33 for three days or $16.66/month to have access to all features.

Additionally, you can also purchase the desktop version of the app that lets you monitor what your child is doing on their Windows PC or MacOS laptop. This plan starts from $29.99/month.

10. TheOneSpy — A Renowned Spouse Spy App With a Built-In Keylogger + Password Chaser

TheOneSpy is another decent option for reviewing your child’s full WhatsApp chat log history, as well as seeing who they frequently message and talk to.

With TheOneSpy, you can also record phone calls, monitor their social media accounts, and tap into the phone’s microphone and camera to listen in on their surroundings and voice chats.

Additionally, the app comes with a built-in keylogger that captures everything they type on their phone. On top of instant messaging apps and social media, this lets you see the contents of their emails, notes, to-do lists, and even their passwords.

Another useful feature of TheOneSpy is GPS location tracking, which lets you see the precise location of the device and allows you to see routes they frequently take.

Pros

• Phone call and voice recordings
• Access to all media files on the device
• Real-time screen recorder
• Keylogger and password chaser

Cons

• Only refunds 50% of the subscription
• Expensive to monitor iOS devices

Pricing

If you want to monitor an Android phone, you can get TheOneSpy for as little as $6.25/month. However, the XLite version of the app is extremely limited, so if you want access to all the features (including WhatsApp monitoring), you’d have to opt for the premium version.

For iOS devices, the only option is the Premier package at $55.01/month, which lets you monitor their iPhone, iPad, and Mac laptop.

Top 10 WhatsApp Spyware Apps | Compared

As parents are advised to monitor their children’s devices. We’ve made it easy to find the best solution. Here’s a quick comparison table of the top 10 WhatsApp spy apps:

Who Needs a WhatsApp Spy Tool?

WhatsApp spy tools are primarily used by parents of underage children who want to ensure that their kids are safe on the internet.

Since it’s impossible to keep an eye on your kids 24/7, the best spy apps give you the critical information you need to know who they’re talking to, what types of conversations they’re having, and what they’re searching for online.

Beyond this, over 5 million businesses use WhatsApp, and therefore, WhatsApp spy apps are also used by businesses that want to ensure employees are using company phones for business purposes.

Keep in mind that this applies exclusively to company-owned mobile devices and only during work hours.

If you want to spy on your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, be advised that doing so without their knowledge and consent is considered illegal. Even if it wasn’t, it’s highly unethical and damaging to the relationship. EyeZy’s legality guide is a valuable source of information regarding this.

How Does a WhatsApp Spy App Work?

Despite the range of complex functionalities, the way spy apps work is remarkably simple. After installing a spy app on the target device, the application sends all the data to a remote online server.

This includes phone call logs, text messages, WhatsApp chat logs, and all media exchanged between the monitored device and other devices.

Since the data is on the cloud, all you need to do to access it is log into the app’s dashboard. Additionally, the best phone spy apps can leverage GPS and Wi-Fi tracking to provide you with the real-time location of the device, so you’ll know where your child is at all times.

Do I Need Physical Access to the Target Phone?

That depends on what app you end up choosing and what type of device you want to monitor.

If you want to monitor an iOS device that’s connected to iCloud, some spy apps like Cocospy let you track the target iPhone without having to install the app on the device.

Since all the data is directly uploaded and backed up on iCloud, all you need to start monitoring the device is your child’s iCloud password.

Android devices, on the other hand, don’t support this functionality, so you’ll have to physically install the app on the Android phone you wish to monitor.

WhatsApp Spy Apps Free Vs. Paid | Which is Best?

While there are some free spy apps for Android and iOS, there are a lot more scams and shady businesses out there. Think about it — creating a phone monitoring app requires a full team of developers, requires time, and costs a ton of money.

Why would anyone offer the finished app for free? One of the possible reasons is that they’re trying to steal and sell off your sensitive data. In the case of legitimate apps that offer free plans, they are a marketing gimmick.

These free plans are extremely limited and serve as a form of free trial for the app, enticing you to choose them over the competition, then making you upgrade to a paid plan to access all the core functionalities of the app.

Paid apps are by far the best option, especially regarding safety and reliability. Additionally, all the paid spy apps we recommend in this guide offer a demo or give you an opportunity to try them out risk-free, thanks to their money-back guarantees.

How to Use a WhatsApp Spy App | Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to install and use a WhatsApp spy app, using mSpy as an example:

Step 1 — Purchase An mSpy Subscription

Visit mSpy’s official website and click the “Try Now” button.

Enter your email address, choose the type of device you wish to monitor (you can also select “decide later”) and select the pricing plan that best fits your budget.

Step 2 — Download and Install mSpy on the Target Device

After you purchase a subscription, you’ll receive a confirmation email from mSpy. Within, you’ll find the account details and the download link.

Using the device you wish to monitor, click the download link and proceed to install the app on the device.

The installation process is rather straightforward — follow the prompts on your screen and make sure to provide mSpy with the necessary permissions by clicking “I accept” when prompted.

Use the login credentials provided in the confirmation email to log into the mSpy dashboard on another device and start monitoring.

Step 3 — Review the Monitored Device’s WhatsApp Activity

Once you log in, you’ll find a convenient menu on the left-hand side of your mSpy control panel.

Scroll down until you reach the WhatsApp section. Here, you’ll be able to review all the chat logs with different contacts. Click on any contact to browse through all of the exchanged messages.

WhatsApp Spy FAQs