Today, in the mobile-first world, remotely tracking your kids’ phones is possible with a breeze. Somewhere between yes and no: a good remote spy app ensures you can load tracking software on a device without physical access and monitor data from miles away.
Here you have the best spy apps for Android and iPhone That Can Be Installed Online (Review of 8). We will explore SpyX, Msafely, mSpy, Mobile Xplorer, and FlexiSPY— a detailed look at each app one by one with its features and price. These tools allow advanced users, parents, or HR managers to monitor calls, text messages, location, and social media activity in real-time (always do it ethically and by law).
1. SpyX – The Most Powerful Remote Spy App
The SpyX phone tracker is a cloud-based monitoring solution renowned for its remote-install capabilities. It fetches data from the target phone’s local iCloud/Google backup, and nothing needs to be installed on the mobile. SpyX instantly lets you view real-time GPS location, call logs, SMS, browser history, story, and more on (30+ social apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Fac, e-book, etc.).
It is even included as features like keyboard logging and alerting for your alarm keywords. Monitoring with the cloud engine of SpyX is conducted 100% remotely – no jailbreaking or rooting allowed. If you’re looking for info on setting up remote spy app monitoring without a device, check out the official help article on SpyX to install it.
Key Features:
- Cloud tracking (no app on smartphone): It pulls data (SMS, calls, contacts, GPS) from a cloud backup of the device.
- Calls & SMS monitor: See every sent/received messages and call logs (even deleted text)
- Social media & IM monitoring: Tracks Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp conversations with hooks and mole.
- Access photos & media: all photos (stored and shared) on the phone!
- Real-time GPS tracking: Get location info and location history with geofencing fraud alerts.
- Keyword alerts: Set alerts to trigger if specific keywords (bullying, drugs) are used in chats.
Pricing:
SpyX plans start at about $49.98/month for a one-device subscription, with longer-term discounts. The annual package works out to roughly $11.66 per month. (SpyX pricing is comparable to other premium trackers, with full access to 40+ features.)
2. Msafely Secure Cloud-Based Tracker
Msafely is a cloud-based phone tracker for parenting parents marketed by concerned parents. It is “the most secure phone tracker for parents to spy on their kids worldwide”. Like SpyX, Msafely runs over the cloud, meaning no app would be on the target device.
After the setup, you can see a map of the child’s location history and receive geofence notifications. Msafely records calls and SMS messages (recovered deleted), chats online from main social apps (WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger…), etc. It contains a Wi-Fi logger (on-Go Networks) for finding operating hotspot locations, browser history reports, and full access to all phone photos, videos, and emails. MSAFELY operates in stealth mode and supports Android and iPhone, even without jailbreaking.
Key Features:
- Location tracking & Geofencing: Live GPS location with history – safe zones, entry and exit alerts
- Calls-SMS logs: Read all call conversations (Incoming/Outgoing)
- Social listening: Read all Instagram and Snapchat conversations (private, deleted direct messages)
- Browsing history & media/app tracking: Look through the contacts, photos, videos, emails, and so on that are installed.
- Monitoring of Wi-Fi logger and browser history: Track which Wi-Fi networks a phone logs onto and view the web browser history.
Pricing:
Msafely’s plans start around $49.98 per month for a one-year subscription, dropping to $28.32/mo on a 3-month plan and $11.66/mo on the annual plan. (These introductory prices are discounted; renewal is at the standard rates.)
3. mSpy – Feature-Rich Parental Tracker
An established parental monitoring app, mSpy, and the extra mile feature-wise. It operates on Android and iOS (and no recent iPhones need to be jailbroken).
Once mSpy has been installed, all keystrokes and data collected are sent by mSpy to your secure online dashboard (encrypted via SSL). It keeps track of SMS/iMessages, call log, app activity, emails, contacts, calendar entries, and even passwords (keylogger). Facebook chat monitoring on social media: It reads chats from WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, and you can mention more. mSpy also has real-time GPS tracking, geofences, screen capture, and web browser history. They typically come every 1-3 minutes. Update Overall, mSpy is a “one of those parental control apps” that advertises deep visibility of what a child is doing on her device.
Key Features:
- Message Tracking — all text chats and social media messages (including iMessage), WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Viber, etc
- Use GPS location & geofencing: Know where the user is, set an alert for movement.
- Call Logs and keylogger: Check the in/outgoing call logs and all device keystrokes.
- Multimedia access: Get into the phone’s gallery (images, video, audio)
- Additional tools: see the browser bookmarks/history/contacts/calendar/emails, and get keyword alerts
Pricing:
mSpy’s Premium plans are $48.99 for one month, $27.99 per month for a three-month plan, and about $11.66 per month for a 12-month package. (Long-term plans offer the best value.)
4. uMobix – One-Click Android & iPhone Spy
uMobix is a cell phone tracker for modern mobiles with minimal interface use. Installed on Android (temporary physical access to install) and iPhone (iCloud set up from a distance).
uMobix can track parenting 30+ social apps and services. Highlights are Reading ALL SMS messages (both deleted and not). At the same time, it records Messenger & WhatsApp conversations | Photos & Videos on device | Live GPS coordinates and history in real time. Setup is simple (around a 8-minute install), and the dashboard refreshes every 3 minutes. They say uMobix delivers “best price/quality ratio” and many features to suit the high-value consumer with complete mobile tracking.
Key Features:
- Call & SMS Monitoring Logs all calls (out/between) and text messages.
- Social listening app: Grab chats from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
- Media deletion: Take out all photos and videos stored on the device.
- GPS location: Track live location on the map, location history
- Stealth mode: app runs in the background (icon does not appear in Android). Works on iOS: Configurable from the remote
Pricing:
According to independent reviews, uMobix offers packages that are $49.99 per month (1-month), $29.99 per month (3-month), or $12.49 per month (12-month). All plans give full feature access and a 30-day refund guarantee.
5. FlexiSPY – Advanced Monitoring (Physical Install Needed)
FlexiSPY is a top-of-the-line (and top-end of the market) monitoring application recommended for pros or heavy watchers.
The official site touts it as the “world’s strongest monitoring software,” containing more features than any other product. FlexiSPY is unique with live-intercept phone calls, ambient audio recording via the microphone, and even remotely turns on the camera to take pictures. It logs VoIP calls (Skype, Viber, etc.) and gives on-screen notifications (call ID, keywords) for apps. Nevertheless, for FlexiSPY to work correctly, a complete installation is required in the target device. You have to get access to the phone and jailbreak (for Android) or root (for iOS). The only exception is its potent iOS functions, which are locked behind jailbreaking.
Key Features:
- Call intercept & recording: Live intercept live calls – Phone, VoIP calls, and record them in real time.
- Wiretap the mic on that phone to hear what is happening around the bot.
- Remote camera/camcorder: Pick photos or video from the target phone camera yourself.
- Chats and SMS monitoring: Log all messages (like other apps), and use encrypted chat tracing.
- Some advanced alerts include keyword notifications, SIM-change alerts, geofencing, and remote app blocking.
Pricing:
FlexiSPY’s plans are higher than those of most competitors. The Lite plan, with basic features, costs about $49.98/month (single month). The full-featured Premium tier costs ~$79/month, and the Extreme tier (with all call/ambient recording) costs ~$119/month (for a one-device license). Discounts apply to multi-month purchases.
6. XNSPY:
A versatile monitoring app for Android and iOS, XNSPY brands itself as an “all-in-one phone tracker app” for ultimate parental control.
It lets you stealthily monitor calls, messages, media and social apps on a target device.
Key features:
- Screen recording: Captures the target’s screen activity in real time.
- Call & surroundings recording: Records incoming/outgoing calls and the phone’s ambient audio.
- Social media monitoring: Tracks 13+ social/chat apps (WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook, etc.).
- GPS location tracking: Provides real-time location updates with geofencing.
- Photos & video access: Retrieves all photos and videos on the device.
Pricing:
XNSPY offers a Basic plan at $4.99/month and a Premium plan at $7.49/month (each per device).
7. Spyic:
A comprehensive parental-control app for iPhone and Android, Spyic enables remote monitoring of calls, messages, apps and locations.
It operates stealthily (no jailbreak/root needed) and provides 24/7 tracking via a web dashboard.
Key features:
- SMS/iMessage and social chat monitoring: Read sent/received texts and social app messages (e.g. WhatsApp).
- GPS/Wi-Fi/SIM location tracking: Track real-time location and view location history, with geofencing alerts.
- Call log & browsing history: View detailed call records and web browsing history.
- Stealth mode: Runs completely hidden on the device, so the user isn’t alerted.
Pricing:
Spyic plans start at $49.99/month for a one-month license (Android or iOS).
8. KidsGuard Pro (by ClevGuard):
A full-featured monitoring app for Android and iPhone, KidsGuard Pro bills itself as the “best phone monitoring app” for both platforms.
It lets parents remotely view most phone activities, with options for Android app install or iCloud syncing on iOS.
Key features:
- Call/SMS & contact logs: View all calls (incoming/outgoing) and read text messages, including attachments.
- Media & apps monitoring: Access photos, videos and app lists on the target phone.
- Real-time GPS tracking: See live location on a map and location history; set geo-fences for alerts.
- Browser & social tracking: Monitor web history and social app chats (WhatsApp, etc.) with no rooting/jailbreak.
Pricing:
KidsGuard Pro’s plans start at $49.99/month for a 1-device subscription (Android or iOS).
Comparison Table:
Here is the comparison table for the apps above. Hope it can help you find your remote spy app that suits you the most.
App | Installation Method | Main Features | Starting Price (1-mo) |
SpyX | Local (APK on Android; iCloud for iOS; no jailbreak) | • Call logs & SMS monitoring • Real-time GPS location tracking & Geofencing • Browsing history & document access • Photos/videos access; app usage tracking • Monitor 13+ social apps • 100% stealth (hidden) mode | from ~$11.66/month (annual plan) |
Msafely | Remote (cloud-based; iCloud/Google account) | • Call/SMS & app-usage logs • Social media and browser activity monitoring • GPS location & geofencing • Photos, videos & contacts access | from ~$39.99/month (est.) |
XNSPY | Local (physical install on device) | •Screen recording • Record calls & surroundings • GPS location tracking • Keylogger & media access | $4.99/month |
Spyic | Local (Android) / Remote via iCloud (iOS) | • SMS, iMessage & social media chat monitoring • Real-time GPS/Wi-Fi/SIM tracking + geofencing • Call log & web history viewing | $49.99/month |
KidsGuard Pro | Local (Android app) / Remote via iCloud (iOS) | • Monitor calls, texts, contacts & calendars • View photos & videos on device • Real-time GPS + Wi-Fi tracking, geofencing • Apps & internet activity logging | $49.99/month |
mSpy | Local (Android) / Remote via iCloud (iOS) | • Call & SMS logs, keylogger • GPS location & geofencing • Social media (WhatsApp, Snapchat) monitoring • Multimedia & website history | ~$48.99/month (Android); $29.99 (iOS) |
uMobix | Local (physical install required) | • Call logs & SMS reading • Messenger & social app chats • Photos & videos extraction • GPS location tracking | ~$49.99/month (est.) |
FlexiSPY | Local (physical access; requires APK/jailbreak) | • Call interception/recording • SMS & email monitoring • Ambient voice & environment recording • GPS location & geofence alerts • App/social media tracking | ~$68.00/month (Premium plan) |
Conclusion
All of these spy apps boast a fair portion of features; however, implementation and cost vary. Cloud Sync, at least 2 of them, can be remotely installed (SpyX and Msafely among this list: no physical access or jailbreaking).
SpyX is the best choice for easy and fast trials: remote monitoring from afar with over 40 features. mSpy and uMobix are the two excellent all-around trackers (mSpy has been around for a bit longer, and uMobix is a mix of ease and power). FlexiSPY does all of this in the softest possible way (call interception, live audio) but comes with an extremely high price tag and can be directly installed only. Cloud architecture: SpyX is the easiest fully-remote solution, while the others are for human needs – just select the most suitable one for your monitoring.
