With so many dangers across the internet, a phone monitoring app is a must have for anyone online. Read on to see our most recommended spy apps.
Whenever you hear about cell phone monitoring, you almost immediately think about the invasion of privacy. However, there are a few good reasons you should consider installing a phone spy app on your phone or someone else’s. A cell phone tracker might come in handy if you lose your phone or it gets stolen from you.
The same thing goes when someone in your family cannot find their phone. Aside from phone tracking, you might also want to make sure that your children, especially the young, innocent ones, are not easy victims of cyberbullies and other dangers of the internet.
For companies that issue smartphones to their workforce, phone monitoring apps make sure that personnel data and company secrets stored in these phones are protected and that your employees are using these phones responsibly.
Do note that while Installing these monitoring apps is relatively easy and can be done even by the most basic of users, always keep in mind that consent is needed before you start monitoring a cell phone.
Now that we have you convinced that having a phone monitoring app is beneficial for you, here are 10 of the most popular spy apps available on the market today, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Auto Forward
Probably the most feature-packed out of all the phone monitoring apps out there, Auto Forward was introduced in 2012 and has been consistently among the top sellers ever since. Over the years, the development team has improved the app by adding remote access, allowing you to monitor a phone without having it in your possession.
A vital feature of this app is that it is undetectable from the target phone. It works in stealth mode, and the data recovered is uploaded to your control panel discreetly. All the popular features common in other spy apps can be found in Auto Forward. Browser history tracking, recording phone calls or SMS logs, and even remote viewing are possible.
One of the main selling points of Auto Forwards is its low price point: A one-time fee of only $29.99 and no monthly subscription! Also included in the purchase are free lifetime upgrades.
2. Cerberus
Cerberus is a phone tracker app that is different from the others. This app was developed with personal use in mind.
Cerberus helps you find a lost or stolen smartphone by logging in to another phone, laptop, tablet, or computer. Key features include taking photos of the potential thief, tracking the phone on a map, and you can even lock the phone and wipe your data. This personal tracking app won’t help you track other people’s devices, but it can help you keep tabs on your stolen device.
The subscription service for Cerberus starts at a very reasonable $5 per year for a single device. Depending on the number of gadgets you want Cerberus to monitor, it scales up from there.
3. DDI Utilities
DDI Utilities is a next-generation phone app that can quickly extract and deliver large amounts of data and activity from any phone, Apple or Android.
While offering the same tracking and monitoring service as most of the other spy apps, DDI Utilities offers an advanced GPS tracking system that can locate a target phone accurately up to within 50 feet of its actual location.
While this is a relatively newer product than the ones listed here, DDI Utilities can definitely keep up when providing the best service for its users. Best of all, you can avail of their free trial promo before deciding to purchase.
4. FlexiSpy
FlexiSpy is one of the more powerful spy apps available for Android devices. This feature-rich app can turn on the microphone to listen to a device’s surroundings, monitor social media posts and chat apps, remote camera capture, keylogging, and completely hide itself from the app drawer and even from the antivirus apps.
This app's only downside is its high price point and its unavailability in the Play Store.
5. Google Family Link and Find My Device
Google Family Link is an app that parents can use to keep track of children’s phones via their Google accounts. The app lets you view activity on the child’s device, manage apps, and disable certain app functions. You can also set screen time limits and even lock the device if you need to.
Find My Device, Google’s other security app, is probably the best app for lost or stolen Android devices. This app lets you quickly see your phone or other Google-connected accessories on a map for their exact location. For additional security, you can wipe the phone, make it play a sound for easier locating, or secure the device contents by locking the phone remotely.
While these two apps don’t have the in-depth tracking and monitoring features of the others listed here, the fact that Google makes it should be enough for you to consider using them. They are also completely free and even pre-loaded on newer Android devices.
6. Highster Mobile
Highster Mobile, one of the earliest spy on phone apps released on the market, started in 2007. This pioneering company has maintained its status as one of the best phone monitoring apps by keeping up with the times, continuously updating its software, and adapting to the latest tech trends.
Some features of this Highster Mobile include:
- Social media apps monitoring: Gain access to social media data, including both incoming and outgoing messages for Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
- Text message monitoring: Check every text sent or received, even deleted ones.
- GPS tracking: Tracks a phone in near real-time through constant location updates.
- Web browser history: View history across all browsers used and check all the sites that the target phone has visited in its lifetime.
Another key highlight of Highster Mobile is its user-friendliness. This powerful app can be used even by beginners, from the ease of installation to its easy-to-learn interface.
With over a million downloads and compatibility with both iOS and Android, you can’t go wrong with Highster Mobile.
7. Manufacturer Security Software
Phone manufacturers understand the importance of protecting your devices. If you do not want to install any third-party app for tracking and monitoring, this is probably your best option. Though not as thorough as premium spy apps, these software offer enough protection like GPS tracking and data deletion if you cannot recover your phone.
The best way to get the most manufacturer-developed security apps is if your loved ones or company personnel use the same brand. For example, If everyone in your family is using iPhones, then Apple’s Find My app can seamlessly track and monitor all your gadgets that are signed up on the program.
And just like Google’s security apps, these phone spy apps are usually pre-installed on your device and are free to use.
8. mSpy
mSpy is one of the most popular cell phone spy apps out there. With robust phone monitoring and tracking capabilities, plus ease of use, it’s easy to see why many people prefer to use mSpy.
Featuring advanced spying, mSpy collates the data from the target phone, so you can see the apps most used by the user, including the time of day when phone usage is at its peak. This will allow you to adjust your monitoring methods so you won’t miss any critical information.
9. PhoneSpector
PhoneSpector is an up and coming competitor in the mobile spy monitoring arena. With over half a million users and soon to reach the one million milestones, this app is definitely not one to ignore.
With a feature list similar to the more popular cell phone spy apps, the main selling point of PhoneSpector is its super-fast installation time. You need around 45 seconds with the target phone, and you’re ready to get monitoring!
Another great thing about this company is its excellent customer service. With live service support representatives ready to address your concerns at any time of the day, PhoneSpector is thinking about its customers well after purchase and installation.
10. XNSPY
XNSPY is a phone spy app used to monitor and track mobile device activity of both company-issued devices and family phones. XNSPY allows business executives and managers to monitor various online activities of their workforce, including browsing history, app usage, calendar entries, email activity, and more.
XNSPY can help ensure that employee productivity remains at its peak and with minimal distractions. Additional features include GPS location history, social media tracking, and, more importantly, alerts for a data breach or misuse. The best thing about XNSPY is its compatibility with both iOS and Android devices.
While there are other phone monitoring apps, these are the most popular among consumers and offer the best bang for the buck.
FAQs:
Are Spy Apps Legal?
Before installing a spy app, the most important thing is the owner's consent. If the phone owner allows you to install a phone tracker, it is perfectly legal to do so.
Can You Remotely Install A Spy App On An Android?
Unfortunately, no. Android spy apps require that you need to install the program on the target phone physically.
Can You Spy On An iPhone Without Installing A Spy App?
If you have access to a person’s iCloud login information, you can spy on iPhone data uploaded on their iCloud account.
Are Spyware And Spy Apps The Same?
No. Spyware is a dangerous and malicious program that can harm your phones. Spy apps protect your phone from online dangers, including spyware.
