Best Computer Spy Software 2023 [For Home and Work]

The software market in recent years has become flooded with all kinds of software and apps offering solutions for the monitoring or spying of computers and devices.

With so much choice it can make it hard to know which is the best computer spy software to use.

Here we will look at 4 of the best computer spy software available today.

Introduction

Generally spy software will be used in two environments:

Home – Generally used to monitor children’s online activity, to ensure no inappropriate content is being used, and regulate screen time.

Work – Used to monitor employees throughout the work day. To ensure employees aren’t using non work related sites in work hours.

In this article we will look at four of the best computer monitoring software in each of these categories.

The 4 Best Computer Spy Software For 2023

1/ Kidlogger Review
2/ ContentBarrier Secure X9 Review
3/ pcTattletale Review
4/ Mobicip Review
5/ Summary

1/ Kidlogger Review [2023]

Kidlogger is a free app (with paid options) which helps you monitor what your children are doing on their smartphone or computer.

Pros
An Array Of Monitoring Options
Monitors Multiple Devices
Easy to Use
Lightweight

Cons
Limited Blocking Options

Features

Kiddlogger runs on a basic, clean looking interface where it is easy to pull up any information you want on a specific device.

It offers the ability to keep track of the following:

• How Long Your Child Has Been Working On Their Phone/Computer

• Which Apps Were Used

• Which Websites They visited

• Who They communicated With (via phone, SMS, Skype, Facebook)

• Where They Have Been

• What Photos Were Taken

• What They Wrote To Their Friends

Kidlogger – The Best Child Monitoring Software?

Pros

Kidlogger offers a wide array of methods in which you can track your child’s computer usage.

Where many apps will simply track time used and sites visited, Kidlogger does this but also offers a more in depth level of monitoring.

I was impressed at how Kidlogger also looks at things like USB and DVD drive usage, to keep your computer secure. This software also records what files have been accessed on the computer.

I think the voice recording options on this software are useful additions, and I’ve never seen an app offer a voice recording tool like which is  included here. This is a great feature if you are having trouble contacting your child. Simply turn on the SMS remote control function and your can actually record and listen to the sounds around the phone in MP3 quality!

It also offers key stroke recording (to see what your kids are typing), social media message monitoring, and also takes screen shots periodically to see what your children are viewing.

I liked how you can schedule email reports to be sent about each device.

It is also reassuring that you can be sent GPS/Wi-Fi coordinates to track the location of your child throughout the day.

Finally this software is open source, meaning that this is a completely transparent application. You can be assured there are no hidden apps installed on your devices doing anything unknown in the background.

Cons

Where Kidlogger contains many monitoring features, unfortunately it is a little light on options for intervention and control.

Having said this, if your children know this is installed on their computers and phones, this may be enough of a deterrent to stop them abusing their devices.

Also the features you get with this software vary depending on what platform you are running it on.

Price

The basic Kidlogger package is free and can monitor up to 5 devices.

There are also Standard and Professional packages which offer more features, with the types of features varying across platforms.

These packages vary in price depending on whether you are paying monthly, bi-annually or annually, depending on what package you choose.

Click here for more pricing details.

Conclusion

With over 1 million customers worldwide this software has a great track record for keeping your children safe online.

Kidlogger is packed with features that you may not find elsewhere, and many of these features come for free!

The security and voice recording features are great, and really set this software out from the crowd.

Is Kidlogger the best child monitoring software? With all these features, quite possibly!

2/ ContentBarrier Secure X9 Review [2023]

ContentBarrier Secure X9 is the latest version of the popular Mac parental control software.

Pros
Tailor Access Per User
Anti-Predator Chat Monitoring
User Friendly Interface

Cons
License Only Covers One Computer

Features

ContentBarrier Secure X9 is part of a suite of software from Intego which also includes their Mac antivirus and network protection software (VirusBarrier X9 and NetBarrier X9).

The main features of ContentBarrier Secure X9 are as follows:

• Blocks Objectionable Web Content & White Lists Approved Content.

• Set Profiles To Allow Different Levels of Restrictions For Each Child.

• Creates a Log of Sites Visited, Recorded Chats (Including The Content Of The Chat and The ID of The Chat Partner) and Keystrokes.

• Blocks Inappropriate Emails.

• Blocks Connections to Game Servers or Streaming Music and Video

• Blocks Peer-To-Peer Activity (e.g., BitTorrent) – A Potential Source of Viruses, Malware and Ransomware.

• Provides Email Activity Reports

ContentBarrier Secure X9 – The Best Mac Spy Software?

Pros

Firstly I really love the interface of this software. It is clean, colourful and not cluttered, and most features can be accessed with a simple on/off button. I also thought the Time Machine feature of the recorded activity screen was a nice touch.

This software is great for beginners also as each menu feature has a brief description of it’s function, so you know what you are activating/deactivating.

I liked the flexibility of this program. The ability to setup profiles for different users is great for families of more than one child.

I also like that you can you can block websites based on their content categories. For example those featuring gambling, alcohol, and pornography.

I felt the scheduling tool was particularly well done, and is as easy to use as the likes of the Microsoft Outlook Calender. This tool easily lets you plan out time in the week for access to the internet.

The user also has the option to pause the internet access if they are on a time limited profile.

One of the things I was most impressed with was the Anti-Predator chat monitoring tools. You can select from a wide range of phrases (such as ‘how old are you’ and ‘can I see you’) and set ContentBarrier Secure X9 to automatically close and block chats using such phrases, and also receive an email alert whenever objectionable content is detected.

You can also set ContentBarrier Secure X9 to work in a monitor mode only. This is for when you don’t want to seem like you are restricting a child’s access, but perhaps want that piece of mind that they are still being monitored. You can then check the activity logs created by this software.

ContentBarrier Secure X9 can also stop users from mounting external hard drives, iPods, USB thumb drives, CDs, DVDs or other volumes. This prevents users from introducing new software or content onto the computer via hardware that’s directly connected to it.

Cons

The block email function does not work on message boards or mails accessed through websites, however this is typical of this type of app.

Also some might find that the price of the license for use with just one Mac is somewhat expensive. However, you must consider that this suite also comes with antivirus and network protection software, which I feel makes the price worthwhile overall if you need these features.

Price

At time of writing this software suite is available at a discounted rate.

To check if this offer is still available click here.

Conclusion

A great looking and easy to use software package which is packed with features.

Comes with antivirus and network protection as standard to give you total protection for your Mac.

Also I feel the anti-predator tools are worth the price of purchase alone.

Possibly the best Mac spy software available today.

3/ pcTattletale Review [2023]

pcTattletale is a great solution for monitoring computers, smartphones & tablets remotely.

Pros
Simple to Use
Monitor Devices From Anywhere
Stealthy & Low Resource Operation

Cons
Long-winded Installation on Android Devices

Features

This software prides itself on being discreet, simple, and able to record everything.

pcTattletale has an interesting approach to keylogging.

The software detects and logs clicks/key presses on a device and then takes screen shots of whatever the user is doing at the time. It then takes these screen shots and turns them into a video which you can watch.

The length of time these videos are stored depends on the license you purchase. The recorded data is stored in a secure online cloud.

You then log in to pcTattletale.com to view the video, meaning you can watch these clips from anywhere.

The main features of pcTattletale are as follows:

• Remotely View Recordings

• Records Keystrokes

• Video Playback

• No Device Rooting Jailbreaking Necessary

• Hidden & Virtually Undetectable

• Easy To Install

• Lightweight Resource Use

pcTattletale – The Best Keylogger 2023?

Pros

This software is versatile enough to be used at home and at work. Monitor your children’s online activities or check the productivity of your employees.

Because this software will literally record whatever is on screen, this means you can view a user’s emails, sites visited, social media, and online searches.

The video player included also has all the controls you would expect from a video player such as youtube. However it also includes underneath a chart of click activity so you can view a video of specific activity through the day.

There is also an option in the video player which tells you which key has been pressed by the user. This is a useful feature for discovering passwords.

As this software monitors clicks you may find there is random activity in the night on your child’s phone which you wish to investigate further.

The software is easy to install on windows, and there is no jailbreaking of any smartphones you wish to install this on.

Interestingly it also installs and monitors any profile on the computer you have installed it on, regardless of if you know the windows password to that computer.

Installation on iPhone is a piece of cake as pcTattletale draws all the information it needs from iCloud.

This software is then almost completely undetectable on the installed device.

Cons

Installation on an android device is somewhat long winded, and you have to tweak with some settings and permissions on the phone itself to allow installation.

Thankfully there are in depth tutorials on the pcTattletale website which walk you through this.

Price

pcTattletale can be purchased on a yearly subscription basis and also comes with a 60 day money back guarantee.

For the latest price use this link.

Conclusion

A basic idea which works well.

pcTattletale doesn’t complicate the task of using computer spy software. As simple to use as logging onto a website and pressing the play button to view the days activity.

pcTattletale has been around for 15 years now and just gets better with every update.

Definitely worth checking out and possibly the best keylogger of 2023.

4/ Mobicip Review [2023]

Pros
Advanced Filtering System
Real Time Reports On Content Accessed

Cons
Delay Between Updating & Applying Settings

Features

• Set Daily Screen Time Limits Through Schedules

• Instantly Lock/Unlock Your Family Devices

• Block Websites and Allow Only Age-Appropriate Websites (Whitelist & Blacklist features)

• View a Devices Usage/Browsing History and Setup Daily/Weekly Reports

• Restrict Apps and Includes a Block List So Forbidden Apps Can’t Be Installed Again In The Future

• Location Tracker To Track A Device

• Block Specific Video Channels (e.g. Youtube and Netflix)

• Advanced Internet Filtering Which Scans Online Content Dynamically In Real Time, Going Beyond Just URLs & Keywords

• Invite Co-Parent Feature – Invite Another Parent To Help Manage And Keep An Eye On Your Kids’ Digital Experience

Mobicip – The Best Free Internet Filter?

Pros

At a glance Mobicip can look like any other piece of spy software. However on closer inspection there are a number of features which you may not find elsewhere.

The advanced content filter also acts as an extra level of security as it will scrutinise the content which your child is viewing more than many other apps available.

The app block list is a useful feature for those family members who insist on installing a certain app, even though they know they shouldn’t.

You will then receive a notification if any inappropriate content is accessed by the child. You then have the option to allow or decline this page or domain.

Internet history logs are then kept for up to 4 weeks.

The ‘Invite Co-Parent‘ feature is also helpful for parents who wish to share the responsibility of monitoring internet access for the family.

The user support for this software is really in depth. Mobicip.com has tons of tutorials, videos, FAQs and blog articles to assist you. Also there is a help desk which includes an online forum. There are also tool tips next to many features in the software which explains what each feature on the page does.

I like how easy this software is to set up on a device as well. It is as easy as scanning a QR code onto the device you wish to setup.

Conveniently, all devices can be managed through one intuitive dashboard.

Mobicip gives you the ability to set up profiles for different family members also. There are also default profiles which can be selected depending on the age of the child.

Finally, Mobicip’s safe browser has previously won the coveted Tech & Learning Award of Excellence.

Cons

Sometimes when you make changes to web monitor filters there can be a delay in the app applying them. This delay can be up to 45 mins, so keep this in mind when you apply any changes to any filter settings.

Price

At time of writing subscriptions range from free to $159.99 a year.

The 5 devices plan however is available at a discounted rate at time of writing.

Click this link to see if this is still available.

Conclusion

A reliable and feature packed piece of software for keeping an eye on your family’s internet use.

This software is great value as even the free plan comes packed with the same features of the paid plans. This makes it possibly the best free internet filter available today.

You will however buy this for the advanced monitoring system, as that is what really sets this apart from the crowd.

5/ Summary

So there we have it, four great choices for spy software.

If you are looking for the best child monitoring software try Kidlogger. Mac user? Check out ContentBarrier Secure X9. If you need an accurate Keylogger try pcTattletale. Finally, if you need a great free option try Mobicip

I hope this article had been useful in helping you choose the best computer spy software for your home or office. Please check aeonreviews.com for more software reviews.