Keeping track of a loved one, child, or employee’s phone activity can be tough. You might worry about their safety, online risks, or whether they are using their phone responsibly. But checking their phone every time isn’t practical, and they may not always share what they are doing.
Without a reliable way to monitor phone activity, you are left guessing. Kids may be exposed to harmful content, employees might misuse company phones, and personal relationships can suffer from a lack of trust. Ignoring the issue could lead to serious problems.
Spy apps offer an easy way to track phone activity discreetly. These apps help you monitor calls, messages, social media, and locations without being noticed. In this guide, we have listed the 15 best spy apps for Android and iPhone, so you can choose the right one based on your needs.
List of 15 Best Spy Apps for Android & iPhone 2025
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| mSpy | Comprehensive Parental Control | Social Media Monitoring, Keystroke Logger, Geofencing | $11.67/month |
| uMobix | Real-time Social Media Tracking | Live Social Media Access, Call & Message Monitoring, GPS Location | $12.50/month |
| FlexiSPY | Advanced Monitoring Features | Call Interception, Ambient Recording, Remote Camera Access | $29.95/month |
| Spyic | No-Jailbreak iPhone Monitoring | Social App Monitoring, Location Tracking, Stealth Mode | $9.99/month |
| Cocospy | User-Friendly Interface | Call Tracker, SMS Reader, Geofence Alert, Browser History | $9.99/month |
| XNSPY | Efficient Employee Monitoring | Call/Ambient Recording, GPS Tracking, Screen Time Reports | $7.49/month |
| Hoverwatch | Monitoring Multiple Devices | Records Calls, Tracks Location, Social Media Spy, Front Camera Photos | $9.99/device/month |
| EyeZy | AI-Powered Alerts | Social Spotlight, Keystroke Capture, Magic Alerts, Screenrecorder | $9.99/month |
| Mobilespy | Business and Professional Use | Live Control Panel, App & Website Blocking, Keylogger | $19.00/month |
| iKeyMonitor | Free Keylogging Features | Keylogging, Screenshots, Call Recording, Chat Monitoring | $9.99/month (Free basic plan) |
| ClevGuard Pro | Remote Control & Tracking | Location Tracking, Wi-Fi Logger, Call Recording, Screenshot Capture | $9.16/month |
| SpyBubble | Undetectable Social Media Spy | WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat monitoring, GPS Tracker, Keylogger | $12.50/month |
| FamiSafe | Family Safety & Digital Wellbeing | App Blocker, Screen Time Control, Web Filter, Driving Reports | $4.99/month |
| MobiStealth | Cross-Platform Compatibility | PC & Mac Monitoring, Call/SMS Tracking, Location History | $16.66/month |
| Highster Mobile | One-Time Payment Option | Text Message Monitoring, Live GPS, Social Media, Stealth Camera | $69.99 (Lifetime) |
If you need to monitor a phone for safety or security, spy apps can help. These apps let you track calls, messages, locations, and social media without being noticed. Here are the 15 best spy apps for Android and iPhone, with simple descriptions of what they do.
1. mSpy
mSpy is one of the most recognized names in the parental control software market, established to provide parents with peace of mind. It offers a robust set of features that cover nearly every aspect of a child’s digital life.
The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing parents to easily navigate through collected data from a comprehensive dashboard.
Its primary use case is helping parents protect their children from cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content by providing a clear view of their phone activities.
Key Features:
- Tracks calls, texts, and GPS location
- Monitors social media apps
- Works without rooting or jailbreaking
- Runs in hidden mode
Starting Price: $11.66/month
2. uMobix
uMobix gives you real-time tracking of a phone’s location, calls, and messages. It also works with apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
The app stays hidden, so the user won’t know they are being tracked. Parents use it to keep an eye on their kids, and employers use it for work phones. It works on both Android and iPhone and is easy to install.
Key Features:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Monitors social media and call logs
- Hidden mode operation
- Easy to install
Starting Price: $12.49/month
3. FlexiSPY
FlexiSPY is for people who want deep tracking. You can listen to phone calls, record surroundings, and see what’s on the screen.
It tracks messages, calls, and social media apps. You can also turn on the microphone remotely. Some features require rooting or jailbreaking the phone. It’s useful for detailed monitoring of a phone.
Key Features:
- Call interception and recording
- Remote microphone activation
- Tracks texts and social media
- Advanced features for deep monitoring
Starting Price: $29.95/month
4. Spyic
Spyic is an easy spy app that doesn’t need jailbreaking or rooting. It tracks calls, messages, and locations secretly.
It also monitors WhatsApp and Facebook. Many parents use it for tracking kids, and businesses use it for employees.
The app runs in the background without slowing down the phone. It has a simple dashboard for viewing all the details.
Key Features:
- Monitors messages and calls
- GPS tracking
- Works without rooting or jailbreaking
- Runs in hidden mode
Starting Price: $9.99/month
5. Cocospy
Cocospy helps you track calls, messages, and locations without being noticed. It works on both Android and iPhone and doesn’t require rooting or jailbreaking.
It also monitors social media and gives real-time updates. Parents use it to keep kids safe, and businesses use it for employee tracking. It’s easy to set up, and the dashboard makes it simple to check activities.
Key Features:
- Tracks social media and messages
- GPS location tracking
- Works in hidden mode
- Easy to use dashboard
Starting Price: $9.99/month
6. XNSPY
XNSPY lets you record calls, track locations, and check messages. It also blocks apps and websites. The app is good for parents and businesses that need to monitor phone activity.
It runs in hidden mode, so the person won’t know they are being tracked. You can also set alerts for specific words or contacts.
Key Features:
- Call and message monitoring
- App and website blocking
- Hidden mode operation
- Alerts for specific words or contacts
Starting Price: $4.99/month
7. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch is an Android spy app that tracks calls, messages, and browsing history. It also takes screenshots and runs in the background without being detected.
Parents use it for monitoring kids, and employers use it for tracking company phones. It can track multiple devices from one account. The app is simple to install and starts working right away.
Key Features:
- Call and text tracking
- Screenshots of phone activity
- Runs in stealth mode
- Tracks browsing history
Starting Price: $6.00/month
8. EyeZy
EyeZy tracks messages, calls, locations, and deleted texts. It also alerts you when certain words appear in messages. It’s good for parents who want to monitor their kids.
The app stays hidden and doesn’t slow down the phone. It works on both Android and iPhone, and you don’t need to root or jailbreak the phone.
Key Features:
- Monitors deleted texts and messages
- Alerts for specific words in messages
- GPS location tracking
- Works in hidden mode
Starting Price: $9.99/month
9. Mobilespy
Instead of being worried about what your child may be doing at home, you can keep an eye on their activities. Mobile spy has a free trial facility as well as it has an easy installation process and a live spy dashboard.
This app tracks all calling history, text messages, all the Internet activities, and GPS tracking is also available in this app. However, email tracking on this app is only available on iPhone and BlackBerry and not on android devices.
Key Features:
- Call and message tracking
- GPS location tracking
- Remote microphone activation
- Hidden mode operation
Starting Price: $49.7/month
10. iKeyMonitor
iKeyMonitor records everything typed on a phone, including messages and passwords. It also captures screenshots and records calls.
Parents and employers use it to track activities. It runs in the background and stays hidden. It works on Android and iPhone, but some features need rooting or jailbreaking.
Key Features:
- Keylogging and password tracking
- Call recording
- Screenshot capture
- Runs in stealth mode
Starting Price: $16.66/month
11. ClevGuard Pro
ClevGuard Pro is made for parents. It shows live locations, call logs, and app usage. Parents use it to check what their kids are doing on their phones.
It also has a geofencing feature that sends alerts when kids enter or leave certain areas. The app runs in hidden mode and doesn’t slow down the phone. It works on Android and iPhone.
Key Features:
- GPS location tracking
- Geofencing alerts
- Call and message monitoring
- Hidden mode operation
Starting Price: $8.32/month
12. SpyBubble
SpyBubble tracks messages, calls, locations, and social media apps. It runs in hidden mode, so the user won’t know they are being tracked.
It’s mainly used for parental control and employee monitoring. The app has an easy-to-use dashboard where you can see all activities. You don’t need to root or jailbreak the phone.
Key Features:
- Monitors calls and texts
- GPS tracking
- Runs in hidden mode
- Works without rooting or jailbreaking
Starting Price: $24.95/month
13. FamiSafe
FamiSafe is a parental control app. It tracks locations, blocks apps, and manages screen time. Parents can set geofences and get alerts when kids enter or leave an area.
The app works on Android and iPhone. It doesn’t run in hidden mode but is great for managing screen time and keeping kids safe online.
Key Features:
- GPS tracking
- App and website blocking
- Screen time management
- Geofencing alerts
Starting Price: $10.99/month
14. Mobistealth
Mobistealth tracks calls, messages, locations, and web browsing history. It runs in hidden mode and records everything without being detected.
Parents and businesses use it to monitor phone activity. It can also track emails and social media. The setup is simple, and you can see all the data from an online dashboard. It supports both Android and iPhone, but some features need rooting or jailbreaking.
Key Features:
- Call and text monitoring
- Email and social media tracking
- Hidden mode operation
- Remote access via dashboard
Starting Price: $16.66/month
15. Highster Mobile
Highster Mobile tracks calls, messages, locations, and social media apps. It works without rooting or jailbreaking. The app runs in hidden mode and sends all data to an online dashboard.
It’s easy to install and starts working right away. Parents use it for tracking kids, and businesses use it for employees. It has a one-time payment option, so you don’t have to pay monthly fees.
Key Features:
- Call and message tracking
- GPS location tracking
- One-time payment option
- Hidden mode operation
Starting Price: $29.99 (One-time payment)
FAQs
Are spy apps legal to use?
It is legal to use spy apps on devices you own, such as your child’s phone (if they are under 18) or on company-owned devices given to employees (with their consent). Installing such software on a device you do not own without the owner’s explicit permission is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Can spy apps be detected?
Most premium spy apps are designed with stealth technology to be completely undetectable. They run in the background without an app icon and use minimal system resources to avoid suspicion.
Do these apps work on both Android and iPhone?
Yes, all the apps listed provide solutions for both Android and iOS devices. However, the feature set and installation method may vary between the two operating systems.
Do I need to root or jailbreak the device?
For basic monitoring on Android, rooting is usually not required. For iOS, many apps offer a no-jailbreak solution that works via iCloud backup. However, to access advanced features like call interception on either platform, rooting or jailbreaking might be necessary.
How do I install a spy app?
Typically, you need brief physical access to the target Android device to install the app. For no-jailbreak iPhone monitoring, you only need the user’s iCloud username and password.
Are there any free spy apps that are reliable?
While some apps like iKeyMonitor offer a free basic plan, completely free spy apps are often unreliable, lack features, or may even be vehicles for malware. It is generally recommended to use a reputable, paid service for security and reliability.
Can I monitor a phone remotely?
Once the app is installed on the target device, all monitoring is done remotely through a web-based dashboard that you can access from any computer or smartphone with an internet connection.
Conclusion
Spy apps can be helpful for parents, employers, or anyone who needs to track a phone for safety or security. Some apps work without rooting or jailbreaking, while others need more setup for advanced features.
If you want basic tracking, apps like mSpy and Cocospy are simple to use. If you need deep tracking, FlexiSPY and Highster Mobile have powerful options. Before using any spy app, make sure you follow local laws to avoid legal trouble.
