TheOneSpy Review 2024

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Our Verdict

TheOneSpy is a robust monitoring app with strong parental and employee tracking features

TheOneSpy app is a powerful device monitoring tool with an extensive range of features, and I found that it truly delivers on its promises. You can track SMS and social media messages, locate the monitored device in real-time, oversee all popular social networks, remotely access the camera and microphone, and more.

This app is truly the one-stop shop for both parents concerned about their children’s safety and business owners seeking to ensure productivity on company devices.

TheOneSpy has an excellent demo that shows you exactly how the dashboard works. They also go further than most other competing apps and offer a 14-day money-back guarantee, which provides peace of mind if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Pros

  • Works on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices
  • Easy to set up and navigate, even for non-tech-savvy users
  • Competitive pricing with tiered plans depending on your needs
  • 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee
  • Remotely manage the app on the device (varies by OS)
  • Camera and microphone in real time (Android only)

Cons

  • No free trial
  • No live chat support
  • Needs rooting for access to all features on Android
  • Have to jailbreak an iPhone

Are you looking to keep your kids safe online? If you’re a parent, you already know that cyberbullying is a big problem*, and keeping track of your kid’s whereabouts and who they are talking to is paramount.

In my detailed TheOneSpy review, I’ll dive into why the spy app stands out from the crowd. From its powerful call monitoring tools and precise GPS location tracking to its suite of other features, I’ll explore everything this spy app offers, whether you want to monitor your kids, employees, or partner.

What Is TheOneSpy?

TheOneSpy offers comprehensive monitoring and a suite of advanced features and tools, mostly geared toward parents but also useful for spouses and employers.

It also has one of the best GPS location trackers of any spy app. If you’re a concerned parent, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind the service provides by allowing you to monitor your children’s whereabouts and online activities to protect them from physical and digital dangers.

Business owners and managers can leverage services like TheOneSpy to ensure employee productivity by monitoring their phone usage during work hours and preventing confidential information leaks.

The real appeal of TheOneSpy as a spy app is unparalleled control over the monitored device, whether it’s a computer or a smartphone. This means you can actively monitor and block any dangerous content your kids may be exposed to. You can listen to or record conversations, keep tabs on social media accounts like Facebook, Tinder, Instagram, and WhatsApp, or track their exact GPS location to ensure their safety.

How Much Does TheOneSpy Cost?

Similar to other spy software, TheOneSpy offers a tiered pricing plan with monthly and annual subscriptions categorized by operating system (Android phones, iOS, Mac, and Windows), allowing users to choose the option that best suits their needs and budget.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the available plans:

TheOneSpy Plans Starting Price Top Features Number of Devices Tracked
Android XLite From $7.50/month (annually) -Recorded phone calls

-Real-time location tracking

-View all contacts

Unlimited
Android Premier Plan From $8.25/month (annually) -Keylogger

-Access to social media messages

-SMS history

Unlimited
iPhone / Mac Premier Plans $7.42/month and $5.75/month (annually) -Capture screenshots
-Screen recording
-Access browser history
Unlimited
Windows Premier Plan $9.17/month (annually) -Monitors screen time
-Access to internet history & bookmarks
-Monitors website and software usage
Unlimited
Android Plan

TheOneSpy offers two subscription tiers for monitoring Android phones: XLite and Premier. XLite is the cheapest and offers basic features for those seeking core monitoring functionalities, like call logs, text messages, and app usage tracking.

On the other hand, Premier offers the best value for the annual plan. It includes all the app’s features and tools, including LiveSpy 360 (which I’ll cover in the Features section), call history, and social media tracker.

iPhone Premier Plan

The iPhone plan offers an annual subscription at a competitive price. It lets you track messages on nine social media platforms, including Whatsapp, Viber, Meta, Skype, and Instagram.

Mac Premier Plan

The Mac Premier plan allows you to use keyloggers on popular social platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook and also records what is typed in emails.

Additionally, it monitors passwords, which is great for ensuring the security of your kids’ online accounts, and can also help recover lost login details, making it one of the best parental control apps around.

Windows Premier Plan

This plan offers even more features than its Mac counterpart, and while the keylogger feature is more limited, supporting only WhatsApp compared to the comprehensive Mac Premier version, it compensates with a robust screencast tool.

This feature lets both parents and employers see exactly what’s happening on the targeted Windows device. It encompasses all popular social networks, including Telegram, ensuring no digital interactions go unnoticed.

TheOneSpy offers an unconditional 14-day money-back guarantee. This policy allows you to test the app’s features with actual functionality and request a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

TheOneSpy has one of the best demos I’ve seen. You log in with a “demo” account that takes you to the actual dashboard. You can see exactly how every feature works, what kind of information you will get with the app, and how everything is laid out. Unlike other spy app demos, you can also “switch” between devices to see the information available across different platforms like Mac and Windows.

TheOneSpy Features

While reviewing TheOneSpy, I found that the spy app to be exceptionally feature-rich, making it one of the best cell phone and computer trackers on the market.

It offers multiple avenues for both those looking to control their adolescent’s internet use or oversee their employees’ device usage and productivity.

Here’s a detailed overview of TheOneSpyApp’s best features:

Phone Call RecordingText Message MonitoringLocation TrackerSocial Media MonitoringEmail MonitoringBrowser History & BookmarksKeystroke LoggingMedia AccessRemote ControlLive 360

TheOneSpy lets you check the other person’s phone call history. I found that it effectively displays all relevant information, including the call type (incoming, outgoing, and missed), number, and duration.

You can play the recording directly from the app, or download them for future investigation. This feature also allows you to choose the audio recording source. It is set to mic by default, but you can change it to camera, for example.

TheOneSpy also allows you to read messaging apps, including what the other person has been writing via text messages and to whom. In my testing, I could see everything, including the recipient’s phone number and the exact date of every message sent or received. The best part is that you’ll even have access to deleted messages, leaving no stone unturned.

Ever wonder if your teenager’s “study group” actually involves studying? This spy app’s location tracker can help you investigate their whereabouts with pinpoint precision.

Using TheOneSpy location tracker, you can draw a digital fence around, say, the office building and get instant alerts if your employees decide to explore a more scenic route during their business trip or sales call.

You can mark safe and restricted areas and be immediately notified if the target phone goes outside the marked zone. Gone are the days of trusting a simple “out of town for a meeting” excuse.

TheOneSpy is one of the best Whatsapp spy apps in 2024. It allows you to view message content in real time, access contact information for frequent message recipients, and see timestamps for all communication.

That said, during my testing, I noticed minor differences in the app’s capabilities between the devices it targets. For example, users can take screenshots and access target phone screen recordings of WhatsApp activity on Android phones. However, these features are currently unavailable for iOS.

Using TheOneSpy, you can seamlessly view all sent and received Google emails on the other device. But this means that Yahoo, ProtonMail, Brevo, Outlook, and others are out of your reach. Also, this feature works only on Android devices and is only included in the Premier Plan.

TheOneSpy also allows you to monitor and delete all internet history. I was able to check the site’s URL, type of browser, platform (Google, Instagram, YouTube, etc.), time, and number of visits. However, I wasn’t able to access bookmarked pages.

TheOneSpy’s keylogger feature acts as a digital eavesdropper, catching every keystroke on the target device. You can track messaging apps like WhatsApp and passwords on Windows, Android, and iOS.

For Mac devices, TheOneSpy offers additional tracking options for messaging apps like Skype and Facebook, as well as emails.

While this feature is powerful on smartphones, letting you see photos, videos, voice memos, and recordings, it’s different for Macs and Windows machines.

You won’t be able to peek into their gallery. However, I found that the handy screenshot-on-demand function lets you grab what you need when you need it, partially mitigating the lack of gallery browsing capabilities.

TheOneSpy’s ability to remotely control a target device varies depending on its operating system. Android devices offer the most extensive control. You can remotely pause, start, or remove the application from the target device. Additionally, using this feature, you can initiate a reboot or restart of the target device.

TheOneSpy’s remote functionality for Mac and iOS is more limited. In this case, users can only remotely reset the license.

Finally, Windows devices offer a middle ground in terms of remote control features. Here, you can start, pause, or remove the TheOneSpy application remotely, reset the license, and reboot/restart the device from a distance.

LiveSpy360, with its ability to access the front and back camera, as well as the microphone, is a tempting solution for a concerned parent. Imagine a scenario where you suspect your child is engaging in risky behavior online or offline.

In such instances, LiveSpy360’s behind-the-scenes capabilities can provide a glimpse into their activities. I was particularly impressed with its ability to access the monitored device’s screen-sharing content in real time.

Of course, the most obvious catch here is that the phone has to be placed in a way that makes the camera and mic useful. If the phone is tucked away in a pocket or handbag, you’ll get no video and distorted audio.

TheOneSpy Alternatives & Comparison

After reviewing TheOneSpy in detail, it’s clear that this app offers a comprehensive set of features, making it competitive with the best spy apps. However, you might have specific needs that TheOneSpy doesn’t address.

Here’s a look at alternative monitoring apps to TheOneSpy to help you find the best fit.

Provider Best For Free Demo/Trial Cheapest Plan/Month Number of Devices Tracked Money-Back Guarantee
TheOneSpy Parental control on Android devices  Demo $9.20/month Unlimited 14 days
mSpy Monitoring Instagram Demo $11.66/month 1 – 3 14 days
uMobix iOS devices Demo $12.49/month 1 14 days
Spynger Cheating spouse tracking 3-Day Free Trial $9.28/month Unlimited 14-days 
Phonsee Location monitoring Limited Demo $8.85/month N/A 14 days
Eyezy Monitoring Facebook Demo $7.99/month 3 14 days
Scannero Tracking a lost phone $49.80/month N/A 14 days

TheOneSpy Customer Reviews

To help you make a decision, I looked at how real users feel about TheOneSpy. Reading TheOneSpy reviews might not be the end-all-be-all, but it can be an eye-opener and help you learn more about TheOneSpy’s performance, customer support, and pricing straight from the horse’s mouth.

While not yet reviewed on TrustPilot.com, overall, the app enjoys a positive reputation among long-term users. On GoodFirms, the app has earned 5/5 stars. These reviews, though limited in number (only five), consistently praise TheOneSpy online dashboard. Customers generally feel the app is user-friendly and surprisingly simple.

Some reviews dating back to 2020 and 2021 mention concerns regarding customer service. These reviews discuss the lack of a live chat, slower response times to customer queries, and extended refund processing periods exceeding a week in some cases.

However, recent customer reviews suggest a positive shift in user experiences. I found many reports of significant improvements in both customer support and the app’s overall design. Additionally, a growing number of user reviews express satisfaction with the responsiveness of TheOneSpy’s email support, which compensates for the lack of live chat.

How To Use TheOneSpy - Step-By-Step

Installing TheOneSpy is a breeze. While the process differs slightly for phones and computer devices, I've got you covered with a step-by-step guide for both:

    Mobile Device Installation

  1. Step 1 - Visit TheOneSpy Official Website

    First, ensure you have a stable internet connection. Then, go to TheOneSpy app’s official web page and navigate to Products. From there, go to Mobile Tracker and select Android, Tablet, iPad, or iPhone apps.

  2. Step 2 - Choose a Subscription

    You can choose between monthly, quarterly, and yearly plans. My dedicated pricing section above gives a detailed breakdown of pricing and features.

    Once you select your preferred subscription, the monitoring app will send TheOneSpy login credentials directly to your email.

  3. Step 3 - Disable Play Protect

    Open the Play Store app on the target device and navigate to Play Protect settings. From there, you need to disable the Scan Apps with the Play Protect option.

    You can do that by selecting the user profile in the top right corner or the Settings logo, which should appear in the same area (depending on the target phone interface).

    Once you disable Play Protect, you can proceed to download TheOneSpy.

    <strong>Step 3 - Disable Play Protect</strong>
  4. Step 4 - Download TheOneSpy

    Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari. etc) and type tosapp.co.

    Alternatively, you can visit the Play Store, search for TOSDesk, and click install.

    <strong>Step 4 - Download TheOneSpy</strong>
  5. Step 5 - Enter the License Activation Code

    Enter the activation code you received in your email and click Submit.

    Once you do that, the app will download on the target phone.

    <strong>Step 5 - Enter the License Activation Code</strong>
  6. Step 6 - Set Up TheOneSpy

    The final step involves configuring the app. This is a relatively simple process, as you only need to follow the on-screen instructions provided by the TheOneSpy installation wizard.

    During setup, the app will request permission to access various functionalities on the target phone. Granting these permissions is essential for TheOneSpy to operate effectively.

    Once permissions are granted, you’ll need to enter the activation code provided by TheOneSpy. This will activate the app on the target device. Following this, TheOneSpy might request additional permissions.

    Finally, the app will give you the option to hide its icon and change it to something more discreet. If you choose to hide the app, simply select your desired icon from the provided dropdown menu and click OK.

    <strong>Step 6 - Set Up TheOneSpy</strong>

Mac Installation

To install TheOneSpy on your Mac device, visit the official webpage and navigate to products. From the dropdown menu, choose Computer Monitoring Software and then the Mac app option.

In this case, you also need to visit the Pricing page and choose your subscription, as this is the only way to receive the activation code and credentials. Once you get the code and account details, proceed with the following steps:

  1. Step 1 - Download TheOneSpy

    Open Safari and type tosapp.co. This will guide you to the download page, asking you to allow the action.

    Once you click allow, the download process will begin. After the download is complete, locate the file and change the file destination to Applications.

    <strong>Step 1 - Download TheOneSpy</strong>
  2. Step 2 - Initiate the Installation

    Click on the TheOneSpy app icon to install TheOneSpy app. However, you might encounter a notification stating that the app cannot be opened due to security restrictions.

    If you receive this notification, navigate to your device's System Preferences and locate the Privacy Settings. Within this folder, look for the "Security & Privacy" section. There, you should find an alert informing you that TheOneSpy has been blocked. To proceed, simply click Open Anyway to bypass this security measure.

    Once you've allowed TheOneSpy to open, enter the activation code provided and click Activate to finalize the installation process.

    <strong>Step 2 - Initiate the Installation</strong>
  3. Step 3 - Setup TheOneSpy

    The Security & Privacy menu contains the key to personalizing your monitoring experience: permission controls. Here, you'll find a range of categories, such as Contacts, Input Monitoring, Full Disk Access, Camera, Microphone, and target phone Screen Recording.

    Carefully review each category and allow TheOneSpy to access the permissions necessary for your desired monitoring features.

    <strong>Step 3 - Setup TheOneSpy</strong>
  4. Step 4 - Restart Your Computer

    To finalize TheOneSpy installation on your Mac, ensure you've granted all required permissions. Then, close any open applications and restart your computer. This will ensure a smooth setup process.

    <strong>Step 4 - Restart Your Computer</strong>

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.

How To Choose the Best Spy Software

Choosing the right spy software should depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Parents might seek tools like social media or call & text tracking to ensure their kids' online safety. Businesses, on the other hand, can benefit from features that monitor work-related communication and location to promote productivity.

Depending on needs, here are the general factors you should look for when choosing the best application:

Device CompatibilityEase of Use & InstallationFree Trials & DemosMonitoring Features (Calls & Texts)Social Media MonitoringLocation TrackingCustomer Support

Choose an app that works on a variety of operating systems, such as Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac. This versatility allows you to monitor multiple devices seamlessly.

We can't all be tech gurus. That's why it's important to choose a phone monitoring app with a user-friendly interface and straightforward installation process, or at least a comprehensive installation guide.

Maybe the app isn't what you expected in the first place. A free trial or a demo version is a great way to test whether it meets your expectations performance-wise.

The ability to monitor incoming and outgoing calls, as well as having access to call logs and texts, can be a useful safety feature for some, particularly for parents who want to keep their children safe from online predators or inappropriate contacts.

Perhaps you're concerned about your kids' online activities and want to see their social media interactions. This feature can help you in such instances and is typically found in the best Instagram monitoring apps.

A reliable app will allow you to learn the device's location, which is crucial in tracking your kids' or employees' whereabouts.

Sometimes, things can (and often will) go wrong. Having someone to rely on for troubleshooting or technical assistance is invaluable. Because let's face it: even the simplest spy apps can sometimes turn into tech nightmares.

TheOneSpy FAQs

Is TheOneSpy worth buying?

How much does TheOneSpy cost?

Is OneSpy safe?

Can you use TheOneSpy to track employees?

How does TheOneSpy app work?

Aleksandar Stevanovic
Software Reviews Expert
Aleksandar Stevanovic
Software Reviews Expert

Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto, and cybersecurity industries. He covers a multitude of topics, writing factual and informative articles, helping individuals better understand the intricacies of the online world. Over the last two years, his research focus shifted more towards tech and software content, as evidenced by his publications on CEX.IO, Business2Community, and Techopedia. He believes in simplifying complex topics and bringing them closer to like-minded individuals. His work is as detail-oriented as it is creative, and is designed to…