How We Review And Test Spyware

Our testing process is divided into two parts: Research and Evaluation and Hands-On Testing. We begin by thoroughly researching the app to get a comprehensive understanding of its features and the company behind it. During our Research and Evaluation stage, we consider over 25 different aspects, including privacy policies, user feedback, and the app’s reputation in the market.

Next, we conduct carefully curated tests that explore ease of use, functionality, and overall reliability. We assess how well the app monitors activities like social media usage, GPS location tracking, and call logging, comparing these results across different devices and operating systems.

Additionally, we check for any signs that the app might be detectable by the user being monitored, ensure that the interface is user-friendly, and confirm that the app operates smoothly without glitches or interruptions. Product testing is at the heart of all the product reviews and buying guides we publish on Techopedia.

We conduct reviews independently and do not accept payments or incentives for favorable reviews. Our team of testers includes experts in technology, cybersecurity, and parental control, ensuring our reviews are accurate and insightful. We always provide detailed explanations for our ratings and include both pros and cons to give you a balanced view of each app.

Please take a look at our editorial policy for more information on both our editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.

Our Testing Criteria for Spy Apps

To ensure fairness and impartiality in our evaluations, we assess all tracking apps using a consistent and comprehensive set of criteria. This approach allows us to clearly highlight their relative strengths and weaknesses and provide meaningful comparisons among the diverse range of products available in the market.

Our 15 key areas of investigation when testing and researching hidden monitoring apps are:

1. Features & Functionality – Evaluating the range and quality of core surveillance features, including tracking, monitoring, and data collection capabilities
2. Ease of Use – Assessing the user interface, ease of installation, and overall user experience to determine how intuitively the app can be operated
3. Customer Support – Analyzing the support options provided by the software vendor, including availability, responsiveness, and quality of assistance
4. Data Security – Conducting a thorough security assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure the protection of monitored data and user privacy
5. Price & Value for Money – Assessing the app’s pricing structure and overall affordability relative to its features and capabilities
6. Stealth Mode – Evaluating the effectiveness of the app’s stealth features to ensure it operates discreetly without drawing attention
7. Data Accuracy – Checking the precision and reliability of the data collected and reported by the app
8. Device & OS Compatibility – Reviewing how well the covert monitoring tool integrates with various devices and operating systems, including compatibility with different versions
9. App Blocking & Filtering – Assessing the app’s ability to block and filter content, applications, and websites as part of its monitoring capabilities
10. Alerts & Notifications – Evaluating the effectiveness and customization options for alerts and notifications provided by the app
11. Data Privacy & Legal Compliance – Ensuring the app adheres to privacy laws and regulations and evaluating how it manages and protects sensitive information
12. Battery & Resource Usage – Assessing the app’s impact on device battery life and overall resource usage to ensure it does not excessively drain resources
13. Multi-Device Support – Reviewing the app’s ability to monitor and manage multiple devices simultaneously
14. App Updates – Evaluating the frequency and quality of updates provided by the app, including improvements and bug fixes.
15. UI & Design – Analyzing the user interface and design of the app to ensure it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing

We’ll elaborate on why and how we test in these areas below. Our testing process includes:

• Hands-on software testing, scoring, and evaluation
• Reviewing documentation and video tutorials
• Conducting interviews with app users
• Analyzing third-party reviews and user forums

1. Features & Functionality

Why We Test Features & Functionality: Spy software’s core capabilities are similar, but the specific features and their effectiveness can vary greatly. Testing these features helps us differentiate between apps, ensuring they meet the required standards for monitoring and tracking, which impacts their overall utility and effectiveness.

How We Test Features & Functionality: We examine the app’s core capabilities, focusing on how well it delivers on its promises. We check key features like GPS tracking, call and message logs, and social media monitoring.

• Delivery of Advertized Features — We test each app to determine if it delivers on its promised features
• Number of Features & Reliability — We look at the number of features each app offers and determine if they are robust, accurate, and reliable
• Feature Comprehensiveness — We look at how comprehensive the monitoring features are
• Feature Thoroughness — We thoroughly examine each app to make sure it covers all necessary areas, including location tracking, social media activity, and web browsing history

2. Ease of Use

Why We Test Ease of Use: The ease with which a monitoring app is used can significantly impact its effectiveness. If it’s difficult to install, set up, and use, it can hinder its practical application. We test every phone monitoring app’s usability to ensure that users can easily configure and operate it. This affects not only user satisfaction but also how well it works in real-life scenarios.

How We Test Ease of Use: We examine the app’s ease of use, particularly for non-tech-savvy users. This includes the simplicity of installation, the intuitiveness of the interface, and the clarity of the installation and usage instructions.

• Installation — We download each app onto multiple devices to test the complexity of the installation process, assess how easy the app is to install, and determine whether it’s accessible for both experienced and non-tech-savvy users.
• Design — We look at each app to determine whether it has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to access and understand the monitored data
• Support Documentation — We look at all support documentation to determine if there are clear instructions and a helpful user guide available to assist users in the installation and setup process

3. Customer Support

Why We Test Customer Support: The quality and availability of customer support can greatly impact the overall experience with an app. Looking at the customer support channels for each app lets us identify how well the support team helps users and how readily available they are when needed. This gives more insight into how the app performs in real-world scenarios.

How We Test Customer Support: We look at the overall customer support that customers have access to and overall customer satisfaction with the app, from initial purchase to any required ongoing customer service. This includes the responsiveness of customer support and the ease of getting help when needed.

• Support Channels — We look at each app and how many support channels they have. We check if there are multiple channels available for support (e.g., email, chat, phone) or just a chatbot, for example.
• Support Response — We thoroughly test all support channels that each provider offers to determine if it is responsive and helpful
• Support Efficacy — We look at how effective the support team is in resolving technical issues
• Trial Period & Refund Availability — We look at each app to see if they have a free trial period to test their app. We also thoroughly check their refund policy and how easy it is to get a refund when requested. We also carefully examine all fine print in the policies to understand the provider’s refund stipulations and exceptions.

4. Data Security

Why We Test Data Security: Ensuring the security of data (both yours and the data on the target device) is critical, given the sensitive nature of information handled by monitoring software.  It ensures that both the app user’s and the target’s data are protected and that the app operates discreetly. We rigorously test data security to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that user information remains protected against breaches and unauthorized access.

How We Test Data Security: We review encryption standards and how well the app safeguards against unauthorized access. We also conduct security audits to check how well it protects sensitive information. This includes testing encryption and how, where, and for how long your data is stored, making sure that the app adheres to industry-standard and regulatory security practices.

• Encryption — We check how each app encrypts user data to determine if they use strong encryption to protect everything they monitor
• Regulatory Compliance — We want to ensure that each provider adheres to regional laws and regulations regarding data protection and security and that this information is readily available to the public
• Data Protection — We thoroughly check how well the app protects the data it collects apart from encryption and how
• Data Storage Time — We look at each provider and how long they store the data it collects

5. Price & Value for Money

Why We Test Price & Value for Money: Cost is a significant factor in choosing a tracking app, but it’s essential to assess whether the features and capabilities justify the price. We evaluate price and value for money to ensure that users receive a fair return on their investment based on the app’s features and performance.

How We Test Price & Value for Money: We evaluate whether the app offers a fair and competitive price relative to the features and services it provides. This includes assessing the availability of different pricing plans and whether the app delivers good value.

• Price Fairness — We check all app pricing and if it offers a fair price relative to its competitors
• Price Flexibility — We look at if there are flexible pricing plans (e.g., monthly, yearly, family plans)
• Value — We compare pricing against all app features to determine if the app provides a good balance between cost and the range of features offered

6. Stealth Mode

Why We Test Stealth Mode: Stealth mode is crucial for tracking apps to operate discreetly without alerting the target. Testing this feature ensures that the app functions covertly, maintaining its effectiveness in monitoring without detection.

How We Test Stealth Mode: We determine how effectively the app can operate without being detected by the user. We look at the app’s ability to remain hidden while maintaining full functionality.

• App Invisibility — We thoroughly test if the app can run in the background without showing up in the app drawer or task manager
• User Detectability — We check if the app is truly undetectable by the user, as well as how effectively it hides its presence
• Functionality — We check if the app’s stealth mode impacts the device’s functionality or performance, slows it down, or affects its temperature

7. Data Accuracy

Why We Test Data Accuracy: Accurate data is essential for reliable tracking app monitoring and reporting. We test data accuracy to ensure that the information captured by the app is precise and trustworthy, which is fundamental for effective app oversight and analysis.

How We Test Data Accuracy: We rigorously examine each feature of the app and look at the precision of its various monitoring features, such as GPS tracking, call logs, and social media activity.

• GPS Accuracy — We check how accurate the app’s GPS tracking is
• Real-time Location Accuracy — We check real-time location accuracy to make sure the app reflects the actual location immediately or if there’s any lag or inaccuracy
• Calls, Messages & Social Media Accuracy — We check if call logs, messages, and social media activities are captured and reported accurately
• Data Updates & Recovery — We look at how well the app handles delayed updates or network issues. We also check if the app quickly updates all data when the app comes back online

8. Device & OS Compatibility

Why We Check Device & OS Compatibility: Compatibility with various devices and operating systems is crucial for an app’s functionality. We test this aspect to ensure the app works seamlessly across different platforms, providing broad usability and effectiveness.

How We Check Device & OS Compatibility: We are always focused on how well the app works across different devices and operating systems. We want to know whether the app can be effectively used on a variety of platforms without requiring significant modifications.

• Device Compatibility — We check if the app supports a wide range of devices (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) or if it has limitations and, if so, what they are
• Device Requirements — We look at whether there are any specific requirements, like rooting or jailbreaking, for full functionality
• OS Compatibility — We do hands-on testing to see how well the app performs across different device types and operating systems

9. App Blocking & Filtering

Why We Test App Blocking & Filtering: For parental control apps, the ability to block certain apps or filter content is vital. We look at how effectively the app can restrict access to inappropriate content and control app usage. We ensure they effectively control access and filter out unwanted content, which can improve overall device security and productivity for your children.

How We Test App Blocking & Filtering: We evaluate app blocking and filtering features by configuring and applying various filters and blocks to see how effectively the app restricts access to specified content or applications. We test the functionality’s reliability and impact on overall device performance.

• Customization & Rules — We evaluate how easy it is to set up and customize app blocking or content filtering rules
• Blocking — We do rigorous testing to determine if the app effectively blocks unwanted apps, websites, or content after setting up filters or rules
• Notifications & Alerts — We check if parents receive notifications if a child attempts to access blocked content or how they are otherwise informed

10. Alerts & Notifications

Why We Test Alerts & Notifications: Timely alerts and notifications are essential for effective monitoring, especially if you are tracking your children. We evaluate this feature to ensure users receive prompt updates about their target’s relevant activities, which helps in timely decision-making and response in case of emergencies or points of concern.

How We Test Alerts & Notifications: The alerts and notifications in a monitoring app ensure that you are promptly informed of any important activities or breaches, such as geo-fencing breaches or keyword alerts. We check the functionality of the app’s notifications, checking that it does what it says it can do. This includes:

• Alerts Timing & Accuracy — We thoroughly test every app’s alert capabilities to see if they are timely and accurate for important events, such as entering restricted areas or sending/receiving suspicious messages
• Customization — We check if users can customize the alert settings to focus on specific activities or behaviors
• Ease-of-Use — We look at how easy it is to review and act on alerts from the monitoring dashboard

11. Data Privacy & Legal Compliance

Why We Test Data Privacy & Legal Compliance: Compliance with data privacy laws and regulations is paramount to protect user information and avoid legal issues. We test this to ensure the app adheres to legal standards and maintains user privacy.

How We Test Data Privacy & Legal Compliance: We review each app’s compliance with data privacy laws and regulations by examining its privacy policies, data handling practices, and adherence to legal standards. This includes verifying that the app protects user data and operates within legal boundaries.

• Transparency — We look at whether the app clearly informs its users about its data collection practices
• Compliance — We check if the app is compliant with regional regulations like GDPR, COPPA, or other relevant laws
• Consent — We determine how the app obtains and handles target user consent, if at all, and what measures are in place to ensure data privacy

12. Battery & Resource Usage

Why We Test Battery & Resource Usage: Battery life and device resources can affect a tracker app’s overall performance, and monitoring apps tend to significantly impact battery drain. We assess battery and resource usage to ensure the app operates efficiently without significantly draining device resources.

How We Test Battery & Resource Usage: We carefully examine the app’s impact on the device’s performance when using all its main features and capabilities. This includes examining how much battery the app consumes and whether it causes the device to slow down or heat up.

• Battery Drain — We check if the app significantly drains the device’s battery when live monitoring (such as accessing the remote camera control or recording the target’s ambient environment) or when it runs in the background
• Device Performance — We check if regular use ever causes the device to overheat or slow down
• Resource Usage — We look at how well the app is optimized to minimize its resource usage while still performing effectively

13. Multi-Device Support

Why We Test Multi-Device Support: Multi-device support is crucial for monitoring software to ensure that users can effectively monitor and manage multiple devices, especially when users need to monitor several devices from a single account.

How We Test Multi-Device Support: We look at how well the app handles simultaneous monitoring across various devices, ensuring that it provides consistent performance and functionality regardless of the number of devices being used. We also want to know how well the app manages and displays data from multiple devices.

• Multi-Device Capabilities — We check if the app can monitor multiple devices simultaneously
• Dashboard Integration Across Devices — We look at how well the app manages and displays data from different devices on the same dashboard. We also check how easy it is to filter out or look info at specific data from one device when monitoring multiple devices
• Added Costs — We look at how many devices can be monitored per plan and if there are any limitations or additional costs to monitoring multiple devices under one plan

14. App Updates

Why We Test App Updates: Tracking software must receive regular updates to maintain its performance and security. We evaluate the frequency and quality of updates to ensure that the app evolves with user needs and promptly addresses any issues.

How We Test App Updates: We check how regularly the app is updated to fix bugs, enhance features, and maintain performance. We also want to make sure these updates are seamless and clearly communicated to users.

• Update Cadence — We look at how often the app receives updates to fix bugs, enhance features, or add new functionalities
• Automated Updates — We check if updates happen automatically or if they must be sought out and downloaded by the user, and if they install seamlessly or if there are any issues
• Transparency — We determine if the app developer gives clear and easy-to-understand communication about any updates and improvements

15. UI & Design

Why We Test Surveillance App UI & Design: The user interface and design of these types of apps can greatly affect their ease of use and navigation. Clunky, old, and poorly designed apps are also less enjoyable to use overall, as easy tasks can quickly become cumbersome. We thoroughly test the app’s UI and design to ensure it is visually appealing, intuitive, and easy to navigate.

How We Test Surveillance App UI & Design: When testing UI and design, we look at the visual appeal and usability of its interface. We want to determine if the app is modern, intuitive, and displays properly across various devices.

• Intuitiveness — We test the app, thoroughly analyzing its features and functions to see if its design is modern, intuitive, and easy to navigate
• Multi-device Performance — We check if the app offers a smooth user experience across different devices and screen sizes
• Accessibility — We check if the app’s key features are easily accessible without requiring extensive navigation and if they are overall easy to access