The Top 5 Spy Apps: How to Pick the Best Spy App?
Are you looking for the best spying solution for Android and iOS devices?
From concerned parents to thoughtful employers, several people who look for a reliable spying app these days. While both Android and iOS devices are pretty secure, they can easily be tracked using an advanced solution. Though, if you look up for a spying app on the web, then you might get countless of options. Sadly, not all of them would work and some can be just gimmicks. If you want to make sure that the targeted user won’t know that they are being tracked, then you need to pick the best of the best spy apps.
For your convenience, I have tested some of the most popular and trusted spy apps for Android and iOS available in the market. After some extensive research, I have finally handpicked the top 5 apps that are sure to fulfill your spying needs. Let’s get to know about them in detail in this guide.
App #1: mSpy (Editor’s Pick)
To start with, let’s get to know about the spying app that is used by leading experts. One of the oldest spying apps, it keeps updating over time to include all the advanced device tracking features. I tried the app to spy on a jailbroken iOS device and it worked without a single issue. One of the best things about mSpy that I particularly liked is their dedicated customer support that helped me install the app without any trouble.
- The spying app runs on both Android and iOS devices with over 25 features. With it, you can spy on the device’s messages, call logs, contacts, photos, videos, and so much more.
- There are two features of the app – one for Android and the other for iOS devices. Also, there are separate versions for the standard phones and the jailbroken devices.
- It also provides a seamless support to spy on all the popular social media apps like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc.
- With its location tracking feature, we can keep a real-time eye on the targeted user. Also, get alerts every time they would leave/enter a geofence.
- There are dedicated parental control features in the app like call blocking, browser history tracking, location tracking, activity monitor, etc.
Pros
- Tons of spying features for both iOS and Android
- It is pretty easy to install mSpy on the target phone
- The company offers excellent customer support
- Since it supports a stealth mode, the targeted user won’t detect its presence at all.
- Versions for standard as well as rooted/jailbroken phones available
Cons
- Some of the high-end features are only available for jailbroken devices
Pricing
It starts from $29.99 a month. If you want, you can also get its yearly subscription at just $99.99.
Compatibility
iOS 7+ and Android 4+
Final Verdict: 4.8/5
Overall, mSpy is one of the most sophisticated and high-end spy apps for Android and iOS. It offers tons of features at a nominal pricing and users don’t need any technical background to install it. Though, you should know the difference between its available versions for standard and rooted/jailbroken devices beforehand.
App #2: Flexispy
Flexispy is another ultra-smart and sophisticated spying app that works on every leading Android and iOS device. Although, the price of the application is more than its counterparts, it does offer a lot of additional features. For instance, you can even listen to the surrounding conversations with its ambient listening feature. It also sends instant alerts for numerous updates, making it an ideal spying app for parents.
- Flexispy can track all kinds of major activities of the smartphone like its stored photos, videos, contacts, call logs, messages, etc.
- You can listen to call recordings and even the surrounding conversations.
- It can also track all the popular social and IM apps in the background.
- Parents can use it to set time limits, block device usage, and even get daily activity reports.
- Get the real-time location of the device with its advanced location tracking feature.
Pros
- Reliable with a trusted presence (has been around since 2005)
- Also provides a pre-installed device facility with Flexispy
- Secure and easy to use
Cons
- Expensive than other spy apps
- Would require a rooted/jailbroken device
Pricing
Monthly plan for the basic versions costs $68. On the other hand, yearly plan for the basic version is for $149 while the extreme version is for $349.
Compatibility
- Android 4.0-9
- All iOS versions till 9.1 and only supports tethered mode for iOS 9.2+
Final Verdict: 4/5
While the spy app is certainly useful, it does come with a price tag. If you already have a rooted/jailbroken device, then the app would be recommended. Furthermore, you might consider checking some other options that are more affordable than Flexispy.
App #3: Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch provides fast and user-friendly device tracking features for Android phones. Recently, the app has discontinued its support for iOS devices due to compatibility issues. Though, if you own an Android device, then you can easily use this spy app without the need to root the phone.
- The app can track all the vital device activity like its contacts, call logs, messages, browser history, etc.
- It can also track all the major social media apps like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others.
- It will let you known as soon as the SIM card would be removed from the device.
- Additional features like location tracking, remote screenshots, camera tracker, and more.
Pros
- Runs in a stealth mode
- No root needed
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not available for iOS devices anymore
- Limited features as compared to other apps
Pricing
The personal plan costs $24.95 a month and $99.95 yearly while the professional plan costs $49.95 a month and $199.95 yearly (can track 5 devices at once).
Compatibility
Android 4.0 and later versions
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
If you only wish to spy on an Android device without rooting it, then Hoverwatch would be an ideal solution. While it also works on Mac and Windows, there is no support for iOS devices anymore. If you are looking for a more holistic solution, then you should look for another spy app.
App #4: Spyera
It doesn’t matter if you wish to spy on phones, tablets, or computers – Spyera would do it all. This complete spy app shares extensive compatibility with all kinds of Android and iOS devices. Once the application is installed, users can remotely view all the details from Spyera’s dashboard. The company also sells pre-installed phones with Spyera to make it easier for us to use them.
- It has tons of advanced features like remote camera access of the device, ambient listening, keylogger, and more.
- After the app is installed, you can track the device’s calls, messages, social activity, and so much more.
- You can also track the real-time location of the user and get instant alerts whenever they would leave or enter a geo-fence.
- It comes with a sophisticated keylogger that can maintain a record of every keystroke made on the device.
Pros
- Excellent stealth mode and numerous advanced features
- Remote camera operation
- Listen to surroundings remotely
- Also supports macOS and Windows (apart from Android and iOS)
Cons
- The dashboard of the app is not that user-friendly
- It is comparatively harder to install Spyera
- Most of the advanced features work on rooted/jailbroken phones
Pricing
It costs $31.99 a month or $389 yearly for smartphone tracking apps (per 1 device).
Compatibility
iOS 7+ and Android 4.3+
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Spyera is an excellent spying app that runs on leading Android and iOS models. While it offers tons of features, most of them are only available for rooted and jailbroken devices. Therefore, to use this, you need to root or jailbreak your device, which is a big risk.
App #5: Highster Mobile
If you are looking for an affordable and reliable spy app for Android and iOS, then consider giving this option a try. The app is commonly used by parents and employees to track a target device without being detected. There are standard and jailbroken versions of the spy app available with dedicated features.
- Its stealth camera feature is the most popular one that would let you take photos or record videos on the device remotely without getting detected.
- It can spy on all the leading social apps and get the detailed activity of the device.
- It would keep a track of the device’s location and also supports multiple geofences.
- Get all kinds of other details like photos, call logs, browser history, message, and more.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Invisible mode
- Stealth camera feature
Cons
- Limited features as compared to other apps
- Apple ID and password needed to spy on standard devices (non-jailbroken)
- High-end features only available for jailbroken phones
Pricing
Basic plan is for $29.99/month while the premium plan can be bought for $69.98 a month.
Compatibility
Every leading iOS and Android device
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Although, the Highster mobile spy app has all the basic features, it lacks in offering some high-end options. I would recommend going with this one if you have a restricted budget or basic spying needs.
How to Pick the Best Spy App for Android or iOS?
As you can see, there are numerous spy apps for Android and iOS devices in the market. Each of them has their own pros and cons and comes at different prices. Though, if you are confused, then consider the following things in mind while picking the next spying app.
- Is it compatible with the target device?
Needless to say, if you already have a smartphone that you wish to spy on, then check the compatibility of the spying app. Ideally, the spying app should be compatible with your smartphone else it would not work at all.
- Root/jailbreak needed?
A lot of people do not wish to root or jailbreak their smartphones due to different reasons. Sadly, most of the spying apps would need you to root or jailbreak the device. Therefore, check the current status of your phone and the major features of the app. If you are not prepared to root/jailbreak the device, then go with the spy app that would not need this access.
- Invisible mode
The whole objective of a spying app is to make sure that the tool won’t be detected by others. Therefore, you can consider using the spy app yourself and make sure that the targeted user won’t know that they are being tracked.
- Ease of use
If you are trying a spying app for the first time, then make sure that the application is user-friendly. Some apps are too complicated and would need you to root/jailbreak your device on your own.
- Check its features
Dive in deep and get to know about all the major features that the app has to offer. For instance, if you are a parent who wants to keep an eye on your kid’s social presence, then make sure the app supports the major social media platforms. Some other features that you should look for are GPS tracker, keylogger, call recorder, etc.
- Pricing, customer support, and more
Lastly, make sure that the app is in your budget. Also, read the feedback of its existing customers and know if it provides dedicated assistance to its users or not.
FAQs
- Is it legal to use a spy app?
The legality of a spy app depends on numerous factors. For instance, if you own the device, then the likelihood of a legal action would be less. Also, it would depend on the country or state you live in. That is why most of the organizations get an agreement signed by their employees before giving them a company phone.
- Do I need to root/jailbreak my device to use a spy app?
No, you don’t have to root or jailbreak your phone to install a spy app on it. Though, most of the advanced features are only applicable for rooted or jailbroken devices. Nevertheless, you can pick an app (like mSpy) that would work on a standard device too.
- How can I spy on a device remotely?
Most of the spying apps have a dedicated web-based dashboard on which you can log-in by entering your account credentials. It would fetch information from its servers and will let you spy on the user remotely whenever and wherever you want.
- How does a device tracker work?
Once you have installed the spy app on the target device, it would keep tracking it in the background without being noticed. At the same time, it will keep updating the device’s details on its online server. Later, users can just visit its dashboard where all this information would be presented and updated.
- Can I track someone’s real-time location?
Yes, you can easily track someone’s location by using a reliable spy app. Just make sure that it has a real-time GPS tracking feature. Also, you can set up geo-fences to get instant alerts whenever they would leave or enter any restricted area.
That’s a wrap, folks! I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would certainly be able to pick the best spy app for Android or iOS device. From the above-listed options, I would rather go with mSpy since the app is equipped with so many features and has a positive reputation in the industry. The best thing is that it runs on both jailbroken as well as standard devices, so that you can use it on every kind of phone. Go ahead and give your preferred spy app a try and share your experience of using it in the comments below.