SteadyBounds vs Qustodio
A Qustodio alternative made for iPhone and iPad. Set calm daily limits, keep the apps your child needs, and let kids earn extra time by learning and helping at home.
1. What parents say about Qustodio
Some parents report problems in their App Store reviews of Qustodio. Here are five recent ones, in their own words.
- Limits stop when Wi-Fi is off. “It took my eight year old about one week to figure out that if she disables wi-fi, she can play games until she pukes.” — a parent on the App Store, February 2026
- Kids switch off the VPN. “Easy for the child to disable. Worked well until they tampered with the app and vpn.” — a parent on the App Store, March 2026
- Blocking is all or nothing. “you are not able to make exceptions for specific apps like you do with the native Screen Time function on iPhone, it’s all or nothing restrictions via categories” — a parent on the App Store, July 2026
- Hard to remove. “I’m unable to uninstall the app even though I’ve gotten rid of the VPN.” — a parent on the App Store, June 2026
- Setup is confusing. “There are two different versions to download for the child yet that isn’t explained well at all.” — a parent on the App Store, June 2026
These are single reviews from Qustodio’s U.S. App Store page. They describe one family’s experience, not every family’s.
2. How SteadyBounds handles it
1. Limits keep working with Wi-Fi off
SteadyBounds sets its rules through Apple’s Screen Time, right on your child’s iPhone or iPad. The limits keep working when the device is offline, like in the car with no Wi-Fi. Turning Wi-Fi off doesn’t turn time limits off.
2. No VPN or profile to switch off
SteadyBounds doesn’t install a VPN or a special device profile, so your child’s internet connection is left alone. Closing the app doesn’t turn anything off either. A parent PIN that only you know protects SteadyBounds settings on your child’s device.
If SteadyBounds notices that protection on a device has stopped working, your parent app shows that the device needs attention. No app can promise kids will never find a way around a rule, so it’s still worth checking your child’s device now and then.
3. Choose the exact apps that stay open
With SteadyBounds you pick single apps, like a school app, that stay open when other apps lock. They stay open when time runs out, at bedtime, and during breaks or a pause. You can also block specific websites with Apple’s built-in web filter.
4. Remove it whenever you like
You can remove SteadyBounds at any time, with or without a subscription. Disconnect your child’s device in the parent app, and SteadyBounds takes its rules off that device. If the device can’t get online, tap Parent Help on it and enter your parent PIN to remove the limits right there. The steps are on our Support page.
5. One app for the whole family
Parents and kids install the same SteadyBounds app. On your phone, tap Connect a Device to get a six-digit code. On your child’s device, choose Join Family and enter the code. Then confirm on your phone and approve Apple’s Screen Time permission on your child’s device. No computer is needed.
3. What you get with SteadyBounds
These are things SteadyBounds gives your family that we did not find on Qustodio’s own website or App Store listings.
| Feature | SteadyBounds | Qustodio |
|---|---|---|
| Kids earn extra time with short learning lessons | Yes | Not listed on Qustodio’s features or pricing pages |
| Chores that earn time, with your OK on each one | Yes, free | Not listed |
| Time Bank: save earned minutes for another day | Yes, free | Not listed |
| Family chat for parents and kids only (no kid-to-kid chat) | Yes, with Premium | Not listed |
| Sets up with no VPN or device profile | Yes | Qustodio’s Kids App asks you to install a device management profile, and a VPN symbol shows when online |
| Every Screen Time control free on every device | Yes, for every child and device | Free version protects one device |
The Qustodio column comes from Qustodio’s features page, pricing page and App Store listings, checked October 19, 2026. “Not listed” means we did not find the feature there.
4. Prices
SteadyBounds: every Screen Time control is free, for every child and every iPhone and iPad. That means limits, bedtimes, school hours, breaks, app and website rules, time requests, extra time, Time Bank and reports. Premium is optional: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year, and the yearly plan has a 14-day free trial for eligible new subscribers. Premium adds the full lesson library, Learn first, family chat, chore routines, widgets and more.
Qustodio: on October 19, 2026, Qustodio’s pricing page listed Premium Basic at $59.95 a year for up to 5 devices and Premium Complete at $104.95 a year for unlimited family devices. Its free version protects one device with basic features. Its App Store listing shows in-app purchases from $54.99 to $124.99.
5. Try SteadyBounds free
Download SteadyBounds, connect your child’s iPhone or iPad with a six-digit code, and set today’s limit. Every Screen Time control is free, so you can try it with your whole family at no cost.
SteadyBounds is on the U.S. App Store for iPhone and iPad with iOS or iPadOS 17.4 or later.
Get SteadyBounds on the App Store
Comparing other apps too? See all comparisons, or read Support for setup help.
6. Questions parents ask
Is SteadyBounds a good Qustodio alternative for iPhone?
Yes, if your main goal is healthy screen time on iPhone and iPad. SteadyBounds is built on Apple’s Screen Time, with no VPN or device profile. Daily limits, bedtimes, app rules, time requests and extra time are free, and kids can earn more time with short lessons and chores you approve.
How much does SteadyBounds cost compared with Qustodio?
Every SteadyBounds Screen Time control is free, for every child and device. Premium is optional: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year. On October 19, 2026, Qustodio’s pricing page listed Premium Basic at $59.95 a year for up to 5 devices and Premium Complete at $104.95 a year. Its free version protects one device.
How do I switch from Qustodio to SteadyBounds?
First remove Qustodio from your child’s device using Qustodio’s own steps, including its device profile. Two apps setting rules on one device can get in each other’s way. Then install SteadyBounds on your phone and your child’s device. On your child’s device, choose Join Family, enter the six-digit code from your phone, and approve Apple’s Screen Time permission.
7. Sources
- Qustodio features: www.qustodio.com/en/features/
- Qustodio pricing: www.qustodio.com/en/premium/
- Qustodio on the App Store (parent app and reviews): apps.apple.com/us/app/qustodio-parental-control-app/id1501720596
- Kids App Qustodio on the App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-app-qustodio/id990229433