Comparison
Mom Guard vs Google Family Link
They solve different problems. Google Family Link supervises a child's Google account and Android device. Mom Guard filters what appears inside YouTube and social feeds in Chrome, and most families can run both.
What Family Link does well
Family Link is Google's own supervision tool. It sets device screen time, approves app installs and manages a child's Google account settings. It is free and built into the Google ecosystem.
It works at the account and device level. It does not rank individual videos, Shorts or recommendations by risk inside a feed.
What Mom Guard adds
Mom Guard runs a small classifier on the device, scores each Short, video and recommendation, hides the worst, and can block Shorts entirely. Greyscale, blur-until-tap, finite feeds and daily budgets help with compulsive scrolling.
Parents on Family plans get a weekly summary with counts and category names only, never video titles or what a child typed.
Which should you choose
Use Family Link for device limits and app approvals. Add Mom Guard when the concern is what the feed itself serves up. Check Google's current documentation for Family Link features, as they change.
At a glance
| Mom Guard | Google Family Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Filter and rank feed content | Supervise account and device |
| Works in | Chrome on desktop and laptop | Android, Chromebook and Google accounts |
| YouTube Shorts | Can block entirely | Account-level YouTube controls |
| Content ranking | On-device risk score per item | Not per item |
| Parent reports | Weekly counts, no titles | Activity and screen time |
| Price | Free tier, then $9/mo or $99/yr | Free |
Questions
Common questions
Can I use Mom Guard with Google Family Link?
Yes. Family Link manages the account and device, Mom Guard filters feeds in Chrome. They do not conflict.
Is Mom Guard free?
There is a free tier with a Shorts blocker and one child profile. Paid plans start at $9 per month with a 14-day free trial.