Two approaches, compared
DNS filtering vs parental control apps.
Both keep kids safer online — they just work differently. Control apps install on each device and manage time and apps. DNS filtering protects every device from one profile and blocks unwanted domains at the network. Here's an honest look at where each one fits.
| What matters | DNS filtering Guardino | Parental control apps On-device, typical |
|---|---|---|
Where it runs | Network / profile — every device at once | Installed on each device |
Setup Getting it onto your kids' devices | One profile per child, applied once via DoH/DoT | Install and configure the app on each device |
Covers new devices automatically A new phone, tablet, or smart TV | ||
Blocks adult & harmful sites | ||
Filters attention-manipulation domains Dopamine loops, dark patterns, infinite-scroll engines | Varies | |
Per-app screen-time limits e.g. '30 minutes of a specific app per day' | ||
Message / location monitoring Reading texts or tracking where a child is | Varies | |
Survives app uninstalls There's no app icon to delete | ||
Privacy posture | Domains, not full URLs or page contents | Varies |
Starting price | $0 (free tier) | Varies |
"Parental control apps" describes the on-device app category in general; individual products differ. "Varies" means it depends on the specific app. Guardino's own limitations are listed honestly.
Pick the right fit
Different jobs — and they pair well.
Lean on DNS filtering if…
- You want one setup to cover every device — phones, tablets, the TV, guests
- You care about attention manipulation, not just blocking obvious bad sites
- You'd rather filter what devices reach than monitor your child's messages or location
- You want a free tier and privacy you control
Reach for a control app if…
- You need timed limits — "30 minutes of this app per day"
- You want per-app management or a bedtime schedule on a specific device
- Location or check-in features matter for your family
Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link cover much of this for free on their own devices — and run happily alongside Guardino.
Common questions
DNS filtering vs control apps, answered.
What's the difference between DNS filtering and a parental control app?+
A parental control app installs on each device and works at the app level — time limits, app blocking, and sometimes location or message monitoring. DNS filtering works at the network layer: you set up one profile per child and it blocks unwanted domains on every device pointed at that profile, with no app to install on each one.
Does Guardino do screen-time limits like a control app?+
No. Guardino filters domains at the resolver — it blocks categories like adult content, social media, gambling, and attention-manipulation sites, but it doesn't count screen time or set per-app daily limits. If you want timed app limits, a control app or Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link handles that well, and many families run one alongside Guardino.
Is DNS filtering less invasive than a monitoring app?+
It's a different kind of tool. Guardino sees domain names, not the full URLs, the contents of messages, or a child's location. It filters what a device can reach rather than watching what your child does. Query metadata is kept 30 days by default and you can shorten or delete it any time.
Can my child just uninstall it?+
There's no app to delete. Guardino lives in the device's DNS settings via an iOS configuration profile or Android Private DNS, so an app uninstall doesn't remove it. Changing it back means going into device settings, not tapping 'delete' on an icon.
Should I use both?+
Often, yes. A control app (or Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link) is great for timed limits and app management on a single device; Guardino covers every device on the network and blocks harmful and manipulative domains everywhere. They complement each other.
Start free
Cover every device in two minutes.
One profile per child, every device protected, 300,000 queries on the Free plan. Pair it with the control app you already use.
See Guardino for families→