9 Best Internet Filters for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android

Internet filters help block dangerous, inappropriate, or distracting content on devices. Some filters also allow you to monitor online activity and limit usage time for specific websites and apps. This article introduces 9 best Internet filters for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, along with a comparison table to help you choose the option that best suits your needs.

 

How to choose a good Internet filter?

You should choose an internet filter based on your specific needs. If you are still confused, consider the following factors:

• Device compatibility: Does it support your device?
• Security and privacy: Is the software virus-free? Does it protect user data?
• User interface: Is it easy to use, especially for beginners?
• Key features: Does it offer web filtering, app locking, screen time limits, online activity reports, and other essential features?
• Pricing: Is it free to use?

 

7 best Internet filters that I recommend

Below are 7 best Internet filters after my testing.

Top 1: Cisdem AppCrypt

Applies to: Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android

The best Internet filter for productivity and parental controls.

Main Features：

• Block websites by URL, keyword, and category.
• Support Chrome, Safari, Edge, and other browsers.
• Offer an option to block all websites except allowed ones.
• Offer an option to block all adult sites with a click.
• Block apps with a password.
• Let you schedule the blocking of websites and apps.
• Provide password protection.

Cisdem AppCrypt is the best Internet filter for parents who want to set up parental controls on child’s computers and phones. With it, you can easily block access to inappropriate websites. Check your child’s browsing history, find out which inappropriate sites he or she often visits, and then add these sites to AppCrypt's block list.

In addition to blocking specific sites, AppCrypt also supports category-based filtering. It offers 11 preset categories, such as Porn Sites, Social Sites, Games Site, etc.

If you think this still isn’t enough to keep your kids safe online, you can click the “Block all websites” button in the bottom-left corner. Then tap on Exceptions. Create an Allow list. That way, your kids won't be able to access any sites on the Internet except for those you approve.

AppCrypt also does a great job of improving productivity. With a simple user interface, it enables you to easily add distracting or time-wasting websites to the block list before working. You can select the time you want to block the sites, like certain hours of the day, or certain days of the week. This Internet filter also allows you to set a general schedule for all blocked websites and locked apps. It’s flexible.

The Mac and Windows versions of AppCrypt are paid ones, but a free trial is available. Get the free trial to try its features.

Free Download macOS 10.12 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

The iPhone/iPad and Android versions are currently free to use. Get it from the app store and enjoy its benefits.

Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play

Limitations:

1. Incompatible with iOS 15.0 or earlier

Costs：$19.99/Year for computers; Free for phones

 

Top 2: ContentBarrier

Applies to: Mac

The best Internet filter for monitoring and controlling children’s Internet use on Mac.

Main Features：

• Restrict the time your children can use the Internet.
• Set different levels of parental controls for each child.
• Monitor your child’s emails, the content of the chat and visited websites.
• Block inappropriate chats and emails on your child’s account.
• Take screenshots regularly to help you monitor your child’s online activities.
• Block specific sites or only allow access only sites you approved.
• Let you block websites by category or keywords.

ContentBarrier helps you control your child’s Internet behavior greatly. Only allow network access during selected time periods such as 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You are also able to set time limits at access allowed time, preventing your kids from addicted to Internet.

This Internet Filter for Mac lets you view history of websites visited of your children. Then you can see which site he spends the most time on and whether he has accessed inappropriate content on the Internet. Gambling and porn sites will be automatically blocked. You can also further add certain inappropriate websites, entire website categories, or certain keywords to the block list.

It also monitors the e-mail and chat on your child’s account. You can set to Allow e-mail, Try to filter inappropriate e-mails using Antipredator, Block email or Block newsgroups. This will keep your child away from inappropriate emails. You can also choose to receive email alerts when objectionable content is detected.

Limitations:

1. Mac-only.

2. Easy to uninstall.

3. Too restrict on children’s use of Internet.

4. Invade children’s privacy, especially the chats and email monitoring functions.

Costs: $39.99/Year

 

Top 3: OurPact

Applies to: Android & iOS

The best Internet filter to built healthy Internet habits for children.

Main Features：

• Let you block social media and game apps on phone.
• Block adult content or certain websites/webpages on all installed browsers.
• Also let you limit iMessage and SMS access at certain times.
• Support setting daily screen time limits.
• View child’s online activities with automated screenshots.
• Track child’s location at any time with geo location and geo fences.
• Online activity managing and monitoring

OurPact is a mobile Internet filter that helps children build a healthy Internet habit by monitoring and controlling their Internet use. It periodically captures screenshots of child's online activities. Although I personally think this is an invasion of children's privacy. A more advanced feature is that it allows you to schedule your child’s screen time throughout the day. You can set daily usage time limits to ensure that your child allocates time reasonably for study, entertainment and other activities. For example, can’t play games during study time, can’t access social media during bedtime, etc. This Internet filter will be activated automatically based on the schedule you set.

With OurPact, parents can choose to block/allow access to specific apps or websites. This helps control children's exposure to inappropriate content online. What’s more, when a new application is installed on your child’s device, you'll get an instant alert.

Limitations:

1. Cost more than other Internet filters.

2. Only offer 1 filter category: adult content.

3. Track child’s Internet activities too often.

Costs: $99.99/Year

 

Top 4: Net Nanny

Applies to: Mac & Windows & Android & iOS

The best Internet filter to protect child’s online security with real-time content filter.

Main Features:

• Web and content filters.
• Allow/block certain apps.
• Let parents get instant alerts that your child may have viewed harmful contents.
• Set daily/weekly screen time limits for children.
• Provide reports of Internet searched and app usage time.

Different from other Internet filter apps, Net Nanny provide real-time content filter for kids. Since there are countless new websites appear everyday, the traditional whitelist function that put a list of websites to the block list maybe useless. The real-time content filter will automatically flit inappropriate webs each time a page is loaded. You can determine to allow, block or receive an alert when Net Nanny detected the inappropriate content such as porn, gambling.

Spending too much time in front of screens will cause myopia, psychology problem, decreased sleep quality etc. Using Net Nanny, you can see how much time your devices are being used a day and limit the screen time for yourself or your child to manage the online activity. You can also set to turn off the Internet during selected time period.

With Net Nanny, you can also see what applications are installed on your child’s device. You will get alert when a new app is installed. This program allows you to view the app’s usage report. If you found your child or yourself spend too much time on an app a day, you can set to block this inappropriate app.

Limitations:

1. Unable to limit screen time for specific apps/websites.

Costs: $39.99/Year

 

Top 5: DNS Filter

Applies to: Windows & Mac & iOS & Android

The best Internet filter to protect your family away from phishing, malware, ransom ware and harmful content online.

Main Features:

• Bock unwanted or harmful websites at the DNS level by category.
• Protect users from phishing, malware and ransomware etc.
• Provide network activity and security reports.
• Let you turn SafeSearch on in Google, Bing and DuckDuckGo with 1-click.
• Automatically filter child sexual abuse content on the Internet.

Protect users’ online security is more and more important since the developing of Internet. Users may be attacked by phishing, malware, ransom ware, affect child’s mental health, or your data on computer will be stolen. DNS Filter provides real-time domain analysis DNS threat protection. Protect you from different types of DNS attacks on the Internet.

As an Internet filter, DNS Filter let you choose from 36 content categories and 7 threat categories to block. Keep your family or employees on company safe and productive.

Limitations:

1. Don’t support to customize blacklist of websites.

2. Don’t support to lock unwanted apps.

3. Don’t have a schedule function.

Costs: $21.6/Year

 

Top 6: Bark

Applies to: iOS & Android

The best Internet filter for larger families to monitor and control child’s online activities on YouTube and other 30+ social media platforms.

Main Features:

• Let you allow or block specific sites on your children’s phones.
• Also let you block whole categories of sites.
• Let you limit the time you children’s devices can connect to the Internet.
• Monitor more than 30 apps and social media platforms of your child.
• Fast fraud alerts.
• Offer the Talk & text only mode.
• Support adding up to 5 family members to the family group.

This Internet filter for mobile phones makes it easy for you to ontrol what your children can view online. You can set to limit access to some apps and websites as needed. It also supports blocking harmful or inappropriate websites by category. An advanced feature of this tool is that it can monitor your child’s text, email, YouTube, and other apps to ensure their online safety. Parents can receive immediate alerts when their children see adult content, receive threats of violence, etc.

Bark also secures your identity, online account and personal information. Users will get alerted if their personal information was exposed online.

If you want to protect your family online security, you can purchase the family plan. You can add up to 5 people’s account (whether kids or adults) to your family plan.

Limitations:

1. Higher fees than others.

2. It cannot limit screen time.

Costs: $99.99/Year

 

Top 7: Kaspersky Safe Kids

Applies to: Windows & Mac & iOS & Android

The best Internet filter to keep your online activities private and automatically block harmful content on child’s devices.

Main Features:

• Filter harmful contents for kids.
• Provide Safe search function.
• Allow you to set screen time on specific apps and websites.
• Let you track your kid’s location with GPS.
• Let you see reports on child’s online activities.

Kaspersky Safe Kids is qualified family safety software. Its Internet filter feature can automatically filter content that is not suitable for children on Internet, such as adult or sexual content, violence, gambling and more. Parents can also set specific website access permissions.

If your kids are addicted to Internet, or yourself can’t control the online time every day, you can use this program to set the permitted number of hours of screen time. The device will not be able to used once the limit is reached.

You may be worried about your child's safety when he's out playing. The GPS tracking of Kaspersky Safe Kids will locate your kids wherever they go. Your kids will get alerted if they leave the area you set that you want your kids stay in.

Limitations:

1. It can be easily uninstalled.

2. Some advanced features are not available on iOS devices.

Costs: $38.49/Year

 

Comparison of the 7 Internet filters

2 Built-in Free Internet Filters for Mac, Windows and iPhone

If you don’t willing to pay for an Internet filter and don’t need some advanced features, here’re 2 more choices for you. The process may be a bit cumbersome but it doesn't require you installing third-party software.

Screen Time for Mac and iPhone

Screen Time is a built-in feature on Apple devices, which help users to monitor and limit screen time. It can also be used to filter adult content or certain websites on Safari.

Here are easy steps on how to using this free Internet filter on Mac:

Step 1. Open System Settings on your Mac. Select Screen Time.

Step 2. Click Option on the upper left corner. Turn on Screen Time for this Mac.

Step 3. Set a password to secure your Screen Time settings.

Step 4. In the sidebar, click App Limit. Click the plus icon to add screen time limits for specific applications.

Step 5. Then go to Content & Privacy in the sidebar. Turn on this function on the top. Choose Limit Adult Websites on the Web Content section.

Step 6. Click Customize button below it. Add inappropriate websites that you want to block to the Restricted box. Click OK.

For iPhone users, you can find this feature in the Settings app.

 

Hosts file for Windows

Windows hosts file is a text file that used to map domain names to IP addresses. It can also be used as the Internet filter. By adding entries to the hosts file, you can restrict access to a specific website or redirect it to other addresses.

Below are detailed steps to use this Internet filter on Windows computer:

Step 1. Search for Notepad on your Windows search bar.

Step 2. Run Notepad as administrator.

Step 3. Click on File > Open.

Step 4. Navigate to the following address: Local Disk(C) > Windows > System32 > drivers >etc. Open it.

Step 5. Now you can add a new line at the end of the hosts file. Redirect the unwanted website to the local IP address 127.0.0.1. For example, to block YouTube websites on the Internet, add the following text:

127.0.0.1 youtube.com

127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com

Step 6. Then click on File > Save.

 

FAQs

What is the best Internet filter for kids?

The best Internet filter for kids is Cisdem AppCrypt. It allows parents to block inappropriate websites by category, including porn sites, gaming sites, gambling sites, dating sites, and more. In addition, it offers strong password protection to prevent children from changing your settings or bypassing the blocking.

What is the best Internet filter for families?

If you want to set up an internet filter at home to block harmful content, DNS Filter is the best option. It works on all devices connected to your home network. However, it is relatively expensive compared to other tools.

Can I put an Internet filter on router?

Yes. Some routers come with built-in Internet filtering, content filtering, or parental control features. To set it up, simply log in to your router’s admin panel and look for the settings.

 

Conclusion

Above are 9 Internet filter apps that I recommend after testing. Each app has advantages and disadvantages. They are also suitable for different devices. You can judge them according to your needs and preferences. For users who are not computer savvy or want to set up Internet filtering on devices easily and quickly, I recommend trying AppCrypt. This is a powerful and qualified Internet filter for Mac and Windows that has many useful features and is easy to operate.