Three Best Smartphone Monitoring Apps In 2020

Are you looking for the top smartphone monitoring app? Don’t know which one is the most suitable for you? Don’t worry, as we will guide you through the entire process in this article. We’ll identify the top three smartphone monitoring app by listing their price, evaluating their features, and detailing the installation process. Let’s get started.

1) XNSPY 

XNSPY is a sophisticated smartphone monitoring app that has been present on the scene before many other similar apps. The service has developed a reputation over the years as an industry leader.

XNSPY Price & Compatibility options

Price

Most spying apps are available on a subscription basis. XNSPY offers two different subscription packages. The premium version costs USD 7.49 per month and offers a full list of features. On the other hand, the comparatively inexpensive basic version comes in at USD 4.99 a month but offers a limited set of features. We recommend you select the premium version because the price difference between the two is quite small. In other words, the premium version gives the best bang for the buck.

Compatibility

XNSPY is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It supports all devices running on Android versions above 4.0 and iOS devices running on OS versions above 6.0.

Let’s go through some of the salient features of the app.

XNSPY features

• Telecommunications tracking

XNSPY can monitor details for all calls made to and from the device. You can access this information via the Call Logs section of your Xnspy account. Additionally, you may also record calls and download the recordings. The app also monitors all sent and received text messages.

• Location monitoring

You can use this feature to track the location of the phone in real-time. Location history logs and geofencing are also available. You can mark any location on the map and geofence it. XNSPY will send alerts the moment the fence is violated.

• Social media & IM

The app can monitor commonly used social media and instant messaging apps. These include Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, LINE, Kik, Tinder, and others. All messages and photos exchanged on these platforms are also available via your Xnspy account.

• Multimedia & online activities

XNSPY monitors all multimedia files stored on the phone. You can download all photos and videos too. Besides, XNSPY can track online activities such as bookmarked pages, all emails, and web browsing history.

• Phone remote control

You can use XNSPY to remotely control the phone. You can take screenshots, remotely turn on the microphone, block apps, lock the phone, or even delete all data. This is an advanced feature that is highly useful for parents. However, the screenshot and microphone control functions are also quite intrusive.

• Instant alerts

This is a unique feature available with the service. All you have to do is to add any word, location, or contact to the app’s watch list, and XNSPY will send out instant alerts if there’s any relevant activity. It is a pretty neat feature that provides the right information at the right time. In our experience, the function worked like a charm.

• Additional functions

Other features available with XNPSY include keylogging, calendar access, and device usage reports.

You may be wondering how to install and use XNSPY. Let’s take you through this step by step.

How to install & use XNSPY

While the installation method is different for Android and iOS devices, how you access data remains the same.

For Android

Step 1: Visit XNSPY’s official website and make a payment on a suitable subscription package.

Step 2: Check your email inbox for a download URL, installation instructions, and your unique XNSPY login credentials.

Step 3: You need to physically access the Android phone for installation purposes. Just download the app on the phone via the URL and run the installation process. It should not take more than a few minutes. You no longer need to access the phone once the app is installed.

Step 4: Wait for a day and login to your XNPSY account on the app’s website.

Step 5: Select “My Devices” from the control panel on the left and then select “Android.”

Step 6: You can now access all Android data from the menu bar on the left.

For iOS

Step 1: Make payments on your chosen subscription package on the app’s website and check your email’s inbox.

Step 2: The email will contain installation instructions and your XNSPY login credentials.

Step 3: You don’t need to physically access the iPhone as long as the “iCloud backup” feature is toggled on. However, you need to know the Apple ID credentials of the phone you wish to monitor.

Step 4: Log in to your XNSPY account and select “iPhone” from the “My Devices” option.

Step 5: Enter the phone’s Apple ID details and wait for verification.

Step 6: You can now access all iPhone data from the menu bar on the left. Take note that the XNSPY control panel is accessible from any web browser.

No app review is complete without listing some of the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of XNSPY

Here are some prominent pros and cons of XNSPY.

Pros:

• The most affordable smartphone monitoring app currently available.
• It provides a comprehensive suite of features.
• The instant alert function is particularly unique.

Cons:

• You may have to root/jailbreak the phone to use some specific features.
• There is no content filtering or website blocking function.
• Some features can be quite intrusive.

XNSPY verdict: 9.7/10

2) Spyzie

Spyzie makes it to number two on our list because it offers a good set of features. The app has also developed a good reputation for its customer support services.

Spyzie Price & Compatibility options

Price

Spyzie provides two different subscription options. The pro version costs USD 49.99 per month and offers a limited set of features. The ultimate version provides all available features but costs USD 59.99 a month.

Compatibility

Spyzie is compatible with all Android devices running on versions above 4.0 and supports all iOS devices using OS versions above 6.0.

Let’s list down some of the prominent features of the app. Bear in mind that most spying apps offer a similar set of features and a couple of special functions to set themselves apart. Since we have covered many of these features above, we will only list them here. However, we will provide descriptions for specialized or missed features.

Spyzie features

• Call monitoring

Call monitoring without call recording.

• SMS, Social media & IM tracking

Tracked apps include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Skype, and others.

• GPS tracking

Location tracking with location history and geofencing sub-feature is available with the app.

• Multimedia & online activities

Photos, videos, audio files, along with emails, bookmarked pages, and web browsing history.

• Remote control

Remote control options include screenshots and app-blocking controls.

Other features available with the service include a keylogger and sensitive information alerts.

How to install & use Spyzie

The installation process for Spyzie is quite similar to XNSPY’s. Let’s briefly go through how to install and use the app.

For Android

Step 1: Head over to the app’s official website and purchase a subscription package.

Step 2: Check your email inbox for URL linked to Spyzie installation wizard, and your Spyzie log in details.

Step 3: Open the URL on the Android phone and run the wizard. The process is quite simple and does not take long. No further access to the phone is required once this is done.

Step 4: Log in to your Spyzie account and select the relevant Android phone.

Step 5: You can now access all Android data through the app’s dashboard.

For iOS

Step 1: You do not need physical access to the iPhone, but make sure that the iCloud backup feature is activated on the phone. Moreover, you need to know the Apple ID details of the iPhone as well.

Step 2: Make a payment on a relevant subscription package and check your email inbox for your log in details.

Step 3: Log in to the Spyzie account and select the relevant iPhone.

Step 4: Enter the Apple ID details and wait for verification.

Step 5: All iPhone data is now accessible via the Spyzie dashboard.

Pros and Cons of Spyzie

Here are some prominent pros and cons of Spyzie.

Pros:

• You do not have to root or jailbreak the phone.
• Easy to use.
• Good customer support.

Cons:

• The app is quite expensive.
• Limited remote control features.
• A very basic instant alert function.

Spyzie Verdict: 8.5/10

3) mSpy

mSpy is another smartphone monitoring app that is primarily designed for parental use. This is reflected in the list of features available with the app.

mSpy Pricing & Compatibility

Price

The basic version of the app is available for a monthly subscription at USD 29.99. On the other hand, the premium version is available for a year-long subscription at USD 16.99 a month. We suggest you opt for the premium version as the basic package offers limited features.

Compatibility

mSpy is compatible with all versions of the iOS and supports Android devices running on versions above 4.0.

With the pricing and compatibility options out of the picture, let’s focus our attention on the features available with the service.

mSpy features

• Call monitoring

Call monitoring without call recording.

• SMS, Social media, and IM tracking

The app can monitor prominent social media and IM apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Skype, and others.

• GPS tracking

GPS tracking along with location history and geofencing features.

• Multimedia & web activities

All photos and videos are accessible. The app can also monitor bookmarked pages, emails, and browsing history.

Other features available with the app include keylogging and calendar access. You can also view all installed apps and block those you feel are unsuitable.

How to install & use mSpy

For Android

Step 1: Visit the app’s official website, select “Try Now,” and make a payment on your chosen subscription package.

Step 2: Check your email inbox for download URL, installation instructions, and your mSpy log in details.

Step 3: You need physical access to the phone for installation only. This will not take more than a few minutes.

Step 4: Log in to your mSpy account and select the Android phone.

Step 5: You can now monitor all data from the mSpy dashboard.

For iOS

Step 1: Make a payment on a relevant mSpy package and check your email inbox.

Step 2: Enable the iCloud backup feature on the iPhone.

Step 3: Log in to your mSpy account and select “iPhone.”

Step 4: Enter the Apple ID details and wait for verification.

Step 5: Access all data collected from the iPhone through the mSpy dashboard menu options.

Pros and Cons of Spyzie

Here are some prominent pros and cons of mSpy.

Pros:

• Moderately priced
• Advanced features for filtering content and blocking unwanted websites on kids’ devices
• Strikes a balance between monitoring and privacy

Cons:

• Limited range of features
• Rudimentary instant alerts function
• You may have to root/jailbreak the phone to use some specific features.

mSpy Verdict: 8.0/10

Here’s A Summary Of Our Review