The digital landscape is fast evolving, and our loved ones are spending more and more time on their phones. As a parent, you will be concerned whether your kid is using their phone responsibly. The same concern applies to spouses and employers.
Spy apps are readily available in the market, and they play a big role in alleviating the concerns you might have as a parent, employer, or spouse. Whilst it is easy to get a spy app on the internet, getting the best one that works for you poses a major challenge.
In this guide, we dive into the 9 best spy apps for 2024 that will help you keep tabs on your loved ones. We will take a look at the specs of each of these apps, the features that set them apart, and the pros and cons.
Before we start, read our guide on how you can stay safe from spying. While spy apps can help protect your kids from online predators, catch a cheating spouse, and monitor the productivity of your employees, they can also be used against you, compromising your online privacy.
Now, let us look at the best spy apps you can get in 2024.
Comparing the Best Spy Apps for 2024
| Best Spy Apps For 2024 | Best Features | Free Trial | Cheapest Paid Plan | Compatibility |
| mSpy | Has a keylogger Real-time updates Top-notch customer support It operates in a 100% invisible mode | No | $11.67 per month billed annually | Compatible with both Android and iOS |
| uMobix | Gives you access to the phone’s camera It tracks location in real-time It grants you remote access to a device | No | $11.66 per month billed annually | Compatible with both Android and iOS |
| EyeZy | It is good for parental monitoringIt can block inappropriate sitesIt lets you restrict WiFiIt can record keystrokes | No | $7.99 per month, billed annually | Compatible with both Android and iOS |
| Cocospy | It tracks website activity It monitors location data and sends geofence alerts It monitors social media activity It has user-friendly features | No | $9.99 per month billed annually | Compatible with both Android and iOS |
| TheOneSpy | It lets you crack the phone’s password It can use the phone’s camera to record the surroundings It tracks calls, texts, and social media | No | $6.30 per month billed annually | Compatible with Android You have to jailbreak an iPhone to use it |
| Snoopza | It can detect SIM card removalIt tracks calls and SMS It can track social media activity It has a camera tracking feature | Free forever plan | $19.95 per month billed monthly | Only compatible with Android phones |
| SpyX | It provides 100% stealth monitoring It can monitor calls and SMS It can monitor social media It can track email and browser history | No | $11.66 per month billed annually | Compatible with Android and iOS devices |
| FlexiSPY | It can track location dataIt sends geofencing alerts It can monitor social media activity It operates in stealth mode It has a keylogger | 24-hour free trial | $49.95 for the monthly Lite package | Compatible with Android and iOS devices |
| Qustudio | It blocks inappropriate websites, apps, and gamesIt lets you restrict screen time It tracks location data It can track calls and SMS | Free forever plan | $4.58 per month billed annually | Compatible with both Android and iOS devices |
1. mSpy – Best Spy App for 2024 Overall
At the top of our list, we have mSpy. This spying tool has over 1.5 million users globally, having launched more than ten years ago. It comes packed with all the features you need for effective monitoring, which explains the multitude of positive reviews from past users.
mSpy is stealth and operates in a 100% invisible mode. It can spy on social media activity and chats. It is also capable of obtaining access to the browser history and bookmarks. Its ability to access photos and videos gives you an all-around monitoring experience.
It can also monitor calls, text messages, calendars, app usage data, etc. The keylogger feature also lets you see everything the other person is typing on their phone.
Using mSpy as a parental monitoring tool guarantees extra security for your children. It will give you their real-time location. You can also view the location history, which helps you know if your kids are visiting places that they should not.
Pros
- It is 100% invisible
- It can track text messages
- It can track calls
- It sends real-time updates
- Easy to install
Cons
- It does not offer a free trial
- Getting a subscription for multiple devices can be expensive
Read our comprehensive review of mSpy
2. uMobix – Best Spy App to Catch a Cheating Spouse
If you are frantically looking for ways you can catch a cheating spouse, then you should consider getting uMobix. This spy app is capable of getting access to your spouse’s device discreetly and you will not have to worry about detection.
Some features that make uMobix the best for catching a cheating spouse include access to call logs, contacts, text messages, social media platforms, and media files. You can also access the GPS location and browser history. It also grants you remote access to restrict WiFi and the usage of some apps.
One of the top features of uMobix is that you can use it to access the front and the back camera, giving you the surroundings of where a person could be. You can also tap the phone’s microphone to record the audio surroundings.
Pros
- It gives you access to the phone’s front and back cameras
- You will receive a notification each time new keystrokes are made on the target phone
- It lets you track the phone’s location in real-time
- It has a keylogger
- It tracks browsing habits
- It can access media files
Cons
- It does not have a free trial
- Installing the app is a challenge for beginners
Read our in-depth review on uMobix
3. EyeZy – Best Spy App for Parental Monitoring
If you are a parent who is concerned about what their kids could be doing on their phones, it is time you get a parental monitoring tool. EyeZy ranks among the best spy apps for parental monitoring because of its ability to help you keep track of all sites your kids are visiting.
EyeZy gives you remote access to your kids’ phones. If your kids are visiting inappropriate websites, EyeZy ensures that you can block these sites remotely. It also lets you block WiFi access to your kids’ phones, letting them concentrate on their studies and chores.
You can also block inappropriate applications remotely with EyeZy. If you are concerned about the whereabouts of your kids, EyeZy ensures that you can track their location in real-time. If your kids are going to places they should not, you will receive alerts if you have enabled geofencing.
The keylogger feature will also notify you if inappropriate keywords are detected in the keystrokes your kids are making on their devices. The feature ensures that your kids are not having conversations that they should not be having.
Pros
- It has a keylogger feature
- It allows you to track calls and contact lists
- You can view your kid’s text and social media messages
- It allows you to track browser history
- It can block inappropriate websites and apps
Cons
- The customer support is not very responsive
- It does not offer a free trial
Read our in-depth review on EyeZy
4. Cocospy – Best Spy App with User-Friendly Features
We cannot talk about the best spy apps for 2024 without talking about Cocospy. Cocospy is one of the best features used to spy on your kids, employees, and loved ones. Its popularity comes from an abundance of user-friendly features.
While spy apps tend to be quite straightforward, some features require technical expertise to set them up and know how to use them. However, Cocospy makes it easy for both beginners and experts to use the app.
One of the top features of Cocospy is the ability to track website activity. The app can track the websites that a browser has visited and the times a person visited these websites. Such data is useful in understanding someone’s online behavior.
Cocospy is also among the best spy apps because of its ability to track calls, social media messages, text messages, and location data. Installing the app on both Android and iOS devices is also an easy process, which has seen the app amass much popularity.
Pros
- Cocospy is easy to use
- The app can track calls, social media, and text messages
- It can track location data
- It accurately monitors the browser history
- It operates in stealth mode
- It has a 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- It does not have a free trial
- Features are limited compared to other spy apps in this list
Read our in-depth review of Cocospy
5. TheOneSpy – The Best Spy App with an Abundance of Features
If you are looking for a spy app that is packed with features, you should have TheOneSpy at the top of your list. This app can go through all the information stored on a target phone to obtain all of the details and ensure that you have the same level of access as the person who uses the phone.
Whether it is call monitoring, message access, social media monitoring, photo monitoring, GPS location tracking, or keystroke logging, you cannot go wrong with TheOneSpy. It gives you access to this information in real-time, and you can easily access it using the app’s dashboard.
One of the latest features added to TheOneSpy is live 360 streaming. This feature ensures you can record and view the surroundings of the target phone using its camera. It also comes with a screen recording feature that lets you record everything happening on the phone.
The other unique feature that makes TheOneSpy one of the best spy apps is the password chaser. This feature can hack and crack the password of every cellphone, giving you access. The feature ensures you know how to unlock the target phone when you have physical access to it.
Pros
- It lets you crack a phone’s password
- It can record the phone’s surroundings
- It can record keystrokes
- It has a screen recording feature
- It can monitor social media activity
Cons
- TheOneSpy does not offer a free trial
- You might have to root an iPhone to access features
Read our in-depth review on TheOneSpy
6. Snoopza – The Best Spy App for Android Monitoring
If you are looking to spy on an Android phone, then Snoopza is best you get a spy app that is exclusive to Android. This way, you will have a tool that is tailored to obtain all the information you want to get out of the target phone.
The best thing about Snoopza is that it has a free version for Android devices. However, to get extensive coverage and an abundance of features, you have to go with the paid version.
Some of the things that Snoopza can do include monitoring calls, SMS messages, and social media. The monitoring tool can also track a phone’s camera allowing you to see where a person is and what they are doing. It can also track the browser history, allowing you to see a person’s online behavior.
One of the unique features making Snoopza among the best spy apps is that it can detect when a phone’s SIM card has been replaced. It will send you an alert about the SIM card’s replacement. Whenever a SIM card is removed from a phone, Snoopza will send an alert to you.
Pros
- It can monitor calls and SMS
- It can track a phone’s camera
- It can access the browser history
- It sends an alert when a SIM card is replaced
- It can track the browser history
Cons
- It does not have a keylogger feature
- It only works on Android devices
Read our in-depth review on Snoopza
7. SpyX – Best Spy App for Stealth Monitoring
When looking for a spy app, you should always go for the one that has the lowest risk of detection. SpyX appears on this list as the most stealth spying app because of its ability to be installed on the target phone without having physical access to it.
SpyX works on all Android and iOS devices. With this spying app, you only need the Google account of an Android phone or the iCloud account of an iPhone to access all details. The only time you might need physical access is if the phone has two-factor authentication enabled.
This spy app has nearly all the features that you would get with other monitoring tools. It can read SMS, track calls, monitor browser history, track GPS location, track social apps, and view photos and videos.
The SpyX website indicates that over 110,000 people are relying on the spy app. This number is quite impressive, and it points towards many people trusting in the app’s ability.
Pros
- It can read SMS messages
- It can track calls
- It can monitor the phone’s browser history
- It can track the GPS location
- You do not need physical access to a phone to install it
Cons
- You can only access the information saved on a Google or iCloud account
8. FlexiSPY – Best Spy App for Location Tracking
If you are looking for one of the best spy apps you can use for GPS location tracking, you should consider getting FlexiSPY. This spy app comes highly recommended when you want to track the whereabouts of your kids or even employees.
FlexiSPY allows you to track a phone’s location in real-time. The dashboard has a map that you can use to see the actual location of a phone and the places that a person visited before.
Location tracking is not the only feature of FlexiSPY. This phone can also monitor calls and SMS. It also tracks social media activity and messages, app usage, and record calls. It also comes with a keylogger that records the keystrokes made on a phone, making monitoring easy.
If there are any updates to the FlexiSPY spy app, the developers will send the updates to you for free, making the tool user-friendly. Therefore, FlexiSPY gives you everything you might want in a spy tool, while also keeping your location updated.
Pros
- It has one of the best location-tracking features
- It can send geofencing alerts
- It can track calls and SMS
- It can monitor social media activity
- It has a keylogger to record keystrokes
Cons
- FlexiSPY is more expensive compared to other spy apps
9. Qustudio – The Best Free Spy app
If you are on a tight budget and do not want the hassle of having to make a subscription, you should consider getting the Qustudio spy app. Qustudio comes with a free forever plan ensuring you do not have to pay anything to access the monitoring features.
Qustudio is one of the best spy apps for parental monitoring. This app can block inappropriate games, apps, and websites that your kids might be visiting. This feature ensures that you protect your kids from bullies and predators on the internet.
The Qustudio dashboard also ensures that you get the information collected from the target phone in real-time. You can use the dashboard to view the activity timeline, browser history, screen time, and YouTube views. You can also set time limits ensuring your kids can concentrate on their schoolwork and other phone activities.
Pros
- It can track location data
- It can track calls and SMS
- You will get reports and alerts of a kids’ online activity
- It allows you to limit your child’s screen time
- You can filter websites, apps, and games
Cons
- It will not alert you if your child changes their phone’s settings
Factors to Consider Before Getting a Spy App
Above are nine of the best spy apps you can get in 2024. Each of these apps is packed with features that will ensure you get the information you want from the target phone. While getting a spy app is not a challenge, getting the best spy app that meets your needs could prove difficult.
If you are stuck on choosing a spy app, below are some factors that you should consider:
Price
The first factor you should consider when selecting the best spy apps is the price. Spy apps can either be free or paid. With the free spy apps, you do not have to pay anything, but you might get limited features.
In the case of paid spy apps, the subscription prices differ. Some spy apps are more expensive than others. Therefore, before creating an account with any spy app, check to see whether their subscription plan is within your budget.
Other factors to consider in pricing include the availability of a free trial, a refund policy, and a money-back guarantee if you are not impressed with the features.
Features
The other factor to consider is the features supported by a spy app. Some apps come with many features allowing you to access details such as calls, SMS, browser history, location, social media, apps, calendars, notes, media files, and any other information stored in a phone.
If you want to spy on your kids, ensure the spy app can block inappropriate apps or websites. On the other hand, to monitor the productivity of your employees, ensure the app can access calls, SMS, and app usage.
The ability of an app to track location data is crucial if you are looking for a spy app that can help keep your kids safe.
Compatibility
Even with the best spy apps in the market, you still have to consider whether the tool you are using is compatible with Android and iOS devices. Some apps can even work on computers including Windows and Mac computers.
With some tools, you can set up the spy app without physical access to the target phone. Getting such an app is crucial if you want to spy on a phone without having it.
Ability to remain stealth
It is also important to check the ability of a spy app to remain stealthy and operate without detection. You should note that if someone detects you using spy apps without authorization, you might face legal consequences.
Most spy apps are disguised as system applications that will not raise suspicion from a phone user. Before getting an app, it is important to understand how it works to determine whether it is capable of remaining hidden.
Customer support
Customer support is crucial to an app’s user experience. With the best customer support, you will have an easy time using a spy app. If you are having trouble understanding how the spy app works, the customer support team will ensure you have a seamless experience.
To understand whether a spy app has a friendly customer support team, you should read reviews from past users. Such reviews will help you know whether the team behind an app is committed to improving user experiences.
Wrapping up – The Best Spy Apps in 2024
Spy apps are a good monitoring tool when you want to keep tabs on what your kids, spouses, and employees are doing on their phones. In the modern-day age, phones have become a big part of our everyday life, and to get to know a person, having access to their phone is all you need.
The best spy apps for 2024 are listed above. Each of these apps comes with unique features that ensure you have uninterrupted access to a target phone. The apps are also compatible with multiple operating systems be it Android or iOS.
You should consider multiple factors before getting a spy app. These factors include the price, supported features, compatibility with Android or iPhone, ability to remain hidden, and a good customer support team. These features will ensure you have a seamless user experience.
FAQs
What are spy apps?
Spy apps are a monitoring tool that is used to collect information discreetly from a phone. These apps can collect a wide range of information including calls, SMS, photos, videos, social media messages, a phone’s location, etc.
How do spy apps work?
Spy apps work by remaining hidden on the target phone. Once you have installed the app on a phone, you can monitor everything that a person does with the phone using the spy app’s website. Sometimes, you might have to jailbreak a phone to use the spy app.
Which are the best spy apps for 2024?
The best spy apps for 22024 are mSpy, uMobix, EyeZy, Cocospy, Snoopza, FlexiSPY, SpyX, and Qustudio. These apps are packed with features to ensure you do not miss anything happening on the phone that you are spying on.
Which is the best free spy app?
The best free spy app on our list is Qustudio, which comes with a free forever plan. Snoopza is also a good solution if you are looking for a spy app that is exclusive to Android devices. In most cases, free spy apps have limited features than paid spy apps.
Are spy apps illegal?
Spy apps can be illegal in most cases. If you are using a spy app to spy on an adult without their consent, you might find yourself in legal trouble.
Can I use spy apps to monitor my kids?
You can use spy apps to monitor what your kids are doing on their phones. Doing this could ensure your kids remain protected from online predators and inappropriate content. However, you might consider informing your kids before installing the app to avoid breaking their trust.
