In the modern-day age where technology has become an integral part of our everyday life, it is crucial to know about spy apps, how to use them, and protect yourself from them. Understanding the difference between free vs paid spy apps is a good starting point as it will help you know where to start and the factors to consider when choosing between the two.
Studies have shown that more people are using spy ones to keep tabs on their loved ones. The reason behind this increase is that people have understood how easy it can be to access monitoring apps.
Despite the growing popularity of spy apps, a majority of people do not know how to use these monitoring apps. In this article, we will discuss the difference between free vs paid spy apps.
What Are Spy Apps?
A spy app, as denoted by the name, is software created to spy on people. Spy apps come in different forms. Some spy apps work on Android and iPhones, while you can also get spy apps for Windows.
The primary objective of spy apps is to collect information from a phone that you intend to spy on. After collecting the information, the app will later store the data on an external server, after which the person who installed the monitoring software can access it.
Spy apps tend to work remotely. You only need physical access when installing a spy app the first time. After that, you can view all of the collected information from anywhere. Spy apps also contain a variety of features, making it possible for you to monitor activities.
The main categories of these monitoring tools are free vs paid spy apps. While the two serve the same purpose, there are distinct differences in the supported features. For instance, you will find that paid spy apps offer more surveillance features compared to free spy apps.
Before getting a spy app, it is best to check the compatibility. Some spy apps are best for Android devices while others are best for iPhones. Below, we will look at the experiences that both Android and iPhone owners have with free vs paid spy apps.
Free Spy Apps: The Good and the Bad
Free spy apps, as you can tell from the name, are the ones that you do not need to make a subscription to use. Some spy apps come with a free forever plan allowing you to monitor the target device without paying for the service.
Free spy apps can be a good pick when you are just getting started with using spy apps and you do not know what to pick. Such apps will help you learn the ropes before you commit to paying a subscription.
Check out some of the best free spy apps for iPhone in 2024.
You should note that you can also get a spy app whose features will be free for only a limited period because of the availability of a free trial. Spy apps with a free trial are many in the market, and you simply have to get one that works for you.
Are free spy apps good?
Let us explore some positive traits of free spy apps:
They are free
Free spy apps are a good option if you are looking for a cost-friendly monitoring solution. As you can tell from the name, you simply have to create an account and start using the app. Most spy apps require an email address before creating an account.
By offering their services free, you should know that developers behind such platforms have other means of making money. They might offer ads on the spy app to meet the cost of maintaining these apps.
One of the reasons why you need to be careful with spy apps is because being free does not mean you will not have to pay for the service in one way or the other. Some of these apps might result in selling your information to third parties to meet the costs.
Good for beginners
The other perk of free spy apps is that they are good for beginners. If you have never used spy apps before but you want to learn the ropes, you could always go for free spy apps.
As a beginner, you must know how spy apps work before committing to a paid plan. With a free app, you can know the type of information you collect, and the extent to which you can monitor the intended person.
The main difference between free vs paid spy apps is the features. With free monitoring apps, you do not get swamped with too much information. These apps have limited features, and the information collected is usually few, which gives you time to learn before transitioning to more information.
Support a good number of features
The other perk of free spy apps is that they support a good number of features. While the features might not be as much as the paid apps, you will still have enough information to let you know what the target person is doing.
While you will not get all the information with free apps as you would get with paid spy apps, this attribute could be good for beginners. By having a few important features, free spy apps tend to be more user-friendly compared to paid apps.
The dangers of free spy apps
While free spy apps have their benefits, they also pose a danger to users. Below are reasons to avoid free spy apps.
Data privacy
The developers behind free spy apps have to make money. To do so, some might opt to sell your data to third parties. Doing this poses a major threat and risk to your loved ones.
When comparing free vs paid spy apps, the latter ranks top in terms of protecting user data. Paid apps focus on user security through password protection and end-to-end encryption. Therefore, by paying, you are avoiding the risks that come with free apps selling your data.
Few features
The other main difference between free vs paid spy apps is that the former comes with fewer features. For instance, some free spy apps might not offer social media monitoring, which is crucial to spy apps.
In some cases, some free apps will only offer you more features if you decide to upgrade to a paid version.
Risk of malware
Some free spy apps come with malware. Threat actors are also looking to distribute malware using deceptive techniques like offering free spy apps.
For instance, Trojan malware can be hidden inside a free spy app. Once you download and install this app, the malware will start collecting information from your device, compromising your privacy. Therefore, before downloading free spy apps, it is recommended that you conduct in-depth research.
Paid Spy Apps: Why Are They The Better Option?
The risks of free spy apps far outweigh the benefits. With the risk of malware and your private data falling into the wrong hands, it is best that you go for paid apps that will keep you and your data safe.
Paid spy apps often require you to make a subscription first before you start using the services. Some of the best spy apps in the market require a subscription. This subscription is often worth it as it guarantees you enjoy a wide range of features.
The main argument between free vs paid spy apps is the cost. Paid spy apps come with different pricing plans. When choosing one, consider the cost of their plan. It is also recommended that you pick one with a money-back guarantee in case you do not like the features.
Why you should get paid spy apps
Here are some reasons why paid spy apps rank higher than free spy apps:
Wide range of features
Paid spy apps come with a wide range of features. When getting a monitoring tool for your kids, employees, and even spouse, you are looking to access details such as calls, messages, social media activity, and files.
Paid spy apps will give you all the features you need to know what people are up to. Some of these apps will even send alerts to your phone so you receive information in real-time. Some also come in handy in ensuring the security of your loved ones by sharing the location data.
Another feature you will find with paid spy apps is a keylogger function that lets you know everything they type. These apps guarantee you never miss out on anything.
Given the wide range of information that paid spy apps can collect, you should use these apps within the legal limits. Privacy invasion can be a serious offense in many jurisdictions.
Secure
When comparing free vs paid spy apps, you should consider how each of these apps ranks in terms of security. Free spy apps are often insecure and could compromise your safety by selling data to third parties.
With paid spy apps, you get a high level of security. The subscription you make is like an investment to ensure your data remains safe. Moreover, these apps do not need to sell data to third parties to meet costs as they raise money from users.
There is also a reduced risk of downloading malware into your phone or computer when using paid spy apps.
Therefore, while paid spy apps force you to part with a certain fee, you are assured of data safety. Paying a small amount to protect your data is not all bad.
Customer support
A majority of paid spy apps come with customer support. You will receive support when first installing this spy app, which gives you a seamless experience. Even if you are a beginner getting started with spy apps, customer support makes the process better for you.
Another perk of having customer support available whenever you need to use them is having 24/7 help. Even as an experienced user sometimes you might face challenges using the monitoring tool. In other cases, you might also want help accessing some features.
A majority of free spy apps do not come with active customer support to solve your questions and guide you through how to use the app. therefore, while you are paying extra with paid apps, you are assured of getting value for money.
Reputable
When comparing free vs paid spy apps, it is best to look at the reputation of these tools. Paid spy apps often have a barrage of reviews backing them. Whether it is on the Google Play Store, App Store, or Google reviews, you get to read from past users who have used the monitoring software.
Reading the reviews given by people who have used these spy apps in the past can help build your trust. It will also help you make an informed decision on whether to rely on the tool.
The bad
The main con with paid spy apps is the cost. You have to choose a pricing plan before using these apps and share your credit card details. These apps will give you the option to select between the monthly plan, quarterly plan, or annual plan.
Some spy apps tend to offer higher prices than others. Therefore, you can compare the different prices offered when choosing one. Some also offer discounts, and you should be on the lookout for these if you want the best value.
Wrapping Up – Free vs Paid Spy Apps
Spy apps are monitoring software created to collect information from a target phone or computer. These apps can collect a myriad of data including calls, messages, social media data, location, browsing history, etc.
Spy apps come in two main types: paid spy apps and free spy apps. When comparing free vs paid spy apps, you should evaluate factors such as security, features, reliability, and customer support.
While free spy apps are ideal for those looking for a cost-friendly option, they often pose a danger to users by selling their data to third parties.
FAQs
How do free spy apps work?
Free spy apps do not require a user to make s subscription to access the monitoring features. Such apps only require registration, and a user can start collecting data from the target device.
Are free spy apps better than paid spy apps?
Free spy apps are better than paid spy apps in terms of cost. However, they can pose a danger to users if the apps sell user data to third parties. Moreover, free spy apps have fewer features than paid spy apps.
How do paid spy apps work?
When using paid spy apps, you have to make a subscription to access the available services. These apps come with a wide range of features and have mechanisms in place to store user data.
Do paid spy apps share user data?
Paid spy apps do not share user data. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you check the app’s privacy policy before installing it.
Are paid spy apps reliable?
Paid spy apps are more reliable compared to free spy apps. Most of them come with active customer support that will help you overcome any challenges you might encounter. You can check the reviews of past users to gauge whether a paid spy app is worth the cost.
