Top 15 Android Spy Apps of 2023 [UPDATED]

1. XNSPY

The first place on the list is Xnspy. It aims to give you remote control of the target device by fetching information, such as call logs, texts, emails, and chats from WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Skype, and other popular platforms. It even gives you the option to track the GPS location and social media activities of the monitored user. The sleuthing tool can also be used to record device surroundings and keep an account of specific activities once the user defines the keywords such as names, numbers, and locations. It’s because of these features that it’s one of the most popular spying options on the block.

The information collected through this Android spy software is easy to access from any internet-ready device. Everything is uploaded to your Xnspy web account for you to review in your own time. All of this is done stealthily without your target ever knowing about it. Remember, you need one-time access to the device you wish to monitor to install the app. Once the app is installed, you are all set to lay your eyes on the target’s activities.

Compatibility

Xnspy is compatible with Android OS versions 4.0 to 11. It is one of the few top-rated alternatives that work on devices running the latest 11.0 version.

Price

Despite being the finest spy app for Android, Xnspy hasn’t made this a reason to rip you off. It has classified its subscription packages into two categories: Basic Edition and Premium Edition. While the Basic plan has all the regular features, the Premium packages cater to the needs of power users with advanced functionalities. The Basic Edition can be availed for as low as $4.99 a month, and the Premium subscription for $7.49 a month.

Hands-On Experience

Video reviews can be great to access the functionality of an app. Here is a walkthrough video of Xnspy that showcases its primary features:

Pros

• Advanced features like geofencing, call recording, ambient Recording, and quick Watchlist Alerts are hard to get at this price.
• The remote commands cause no lags or virtual interruptions.
• 24/7 tech support is there to assist you through every step of the process.
• Extensive support for Android devices allows you to probe the oldest to the latest mobile devices.
• A user-friendly interface drastically enhances the user experience.
• Allows you to retrieve deleted messages and other information.
• Register visited locations even when there is no cellular coverage.

Cons

• Doesn’t offer a free trial version.
• Lack of support for personal computers.

Customer Reviews

Seeing what people have been saying regarding any application can really help nail down a purchase decision. It can also be the best metric to gauge how well the application works in a multitude of scenarios.

Read Reviews Here

3. mSpy

mSpy is our third addition to the list and is truly deserving of this place. The application has a lot going for it in terms of functionality, and it does so without the monitored user finding out. mSpy is primarily targeted to parents as a tool that makes monitoring children's device usage easier. But the app can be deployed in a variety of scenarios. That is due to the vast array of features it provides.

mSpy supports tracking of the most popular social media and instant messaging apps. Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and iMessage are all supported. What’s more is that it allows for live GPS tracking, too.

The app has advanced tracking features as well, where routine parts of a phone’s use can also be viewed. For instance, SMS and call logs are visible to the tracker and so are the emails and any multimedia stored on the target device. mSpy also remains in stealth mode and does not show up on the target phone when searched for.

Compatibility

mSpy is compatible with Android devices running version 4 and up and has two iOS versions – jailbreak and non-jailbreak. The jailbreak version works with devices running iOS 7–9.1, and the non-jailbreak versions support all iOS versions.

Price

mSpy charges a premium for its features, although most apps on this list perform similarly on cheaper plans. That is perhaps why the application has a niche following, as now many would be willing to shell out the company’s asking price for the app. They only have one plan available, but pricing can be dependent on the length of the subscription. For instance, if you’re wanting to test mSpy out for a month only, it’ll cost you $48.99. Their 3-month plan sets you back $27.99/month, and their 12-month plan offers the best savings, coming in at $11.66/month.

Hands-On Experience

A walkthrough video of mSpy that highlights its primary features can be a great option when making a purchase decision.

Pros

• Covers all the basics with its expansive feature list.
• Offers keyword alert tracking and provides instant notifications to parents when certain blacklisted words are used on the target phone.
• Gives you access to other important details on the monitored device. You can find out if the battery is dead on your child’s phone or whether it is connected to the Internet.

Cons

• The price of the app is on the higher side.
• Customers report frequent connectivity and backup issues.
• Pricing plans aren’t flexible. Customers can only get value for money if they tie themselves to a year-long contract.

Customer Reviews

mSpy is generally lauded by its user base and has a solid showing in the reviews as well. The app does have a few niggles though especially when it comes to customer service and support but has an overall positive rating.

Read Reviews Here

5. SpyEra

Another worthy contender on this list is Spyera. It is designed to offer a variety of cell phone monitoring features. Some characteristics of this include listening to the device surroundings, location tracking, eavesdropping on phone conversations undetectably, accessing text messages and emails, chats, MMS, and contact details.

Spyera offers all the features one would expect from the latest breed of discrete mobile tracking apps. You can find some additional and advanced features. For instance, the app can also tap into BBM messages. Setting up the app also doesn’t take too long, but it requires rooting.

Compatibility

Spyera is compatible with all Android operating systems, including the 11 version but also requires rooting to take full advantage of its feature set.

Price

The yearly license fee for a smartphone is $389. However, if you are looking to tap into someone’s Android tablet, the charges will be slightly less, $249 for 12 months.

Hands-On Experience

Find out what SpyEra’s features are through this walkthrough video:

Pros

• The remote control feature of the program lets you regulate different aspects of the target phone.
• The program is fairly easy to use.
• It offers a vast list of features.
• Let’s you set a SIM card change alert, use the secret camera feature, pry on calls, remotely uninstall the app, and give you the option to check battery levels on the target device

Cons

• The absence of Free Trial and Live Demo is a big disappointment for users as there is no other way to gauge the performance of the program before buying it.
• Since users can only register their complaints by generating a support ticket, it takes a lot of time to address users’ concerns.
• It won’t let you block websites or keywords.
• It requires some technical skills to install the app on a device.
• That is an expensive product. Considering you have to disburse hundreds of dollars even if you are buying a 3-month plan.
• The secret camera feature frequently lags.

Customer Reviews

The SpyEra app has negative reviews that comprise about 40% of the total customer feedback and this isn’t a good look for any company. The monitoring app has been known to function but has its own unique set of problems that make it a tricky pick for most customers.

Read Reviews Here

7. Highster Mobile

Highster Mobile caused some serious stir in the segment when it was first made available, thanks to its one-time payment solution. Though the range of supported devices isn’t too big, this cell phone probing software offers a variety of features to keep tabs on your workforce and children. You can see a call history log, record phone calls, view text messages, activate the microphone on the target device, find its GPS location, access stored multimedia files, and view browsing history.

The thing about Highster Mobile is that it can be installed in various ways. For instance, you can choose to type an address on the browser of the target device, scan the app’s QR code or use a Bluetooth/USB cable to transfer it from your personal computer.

Compatibility

Highster Mobile works with nearly all the phones and tablets running Android operating systems 3.0 and up. Their official website states that it works on all Google devices, but your mileage may vary if you have any of the newest phones.

Price

Highster Mobile is available for a $70 one-time fee. Meaning, you can use it as long as you want. However, it’s a bad deal for people who want to use it in the short term.

Pros

• A stealth camera allows you to snap pictures and make videos undetectably.
• Let’s track popular social networks like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and more
• The live control panel is another sophisticated feature that makes Highster a favorite among users.

Cons

• Users are of the view that their customer service is far from being customer-friendly.
• The refund policy of Highster Mobile cannot be taken seriously.
• It takes a bit longer than others to install Highster Mobile because the installation process involves a lot of tedious steps. For instance, first, you need to choose an OS, then the application after which you will get the download link. Next, you have to follow a step-by-step process to set it up on the target device.
• The app isn’t that efficient when it comes to obtaining communication logs.
• It doesn’t offer a huge cache of spy features. You cannot create watchlist alerts, record surroundings, or initiate remote commands with this software.
• There is no free trial or a live demo for potential buyers.
• The hefty one-time fee is a big negative.

Customer Reviews

Weeding out customer reviews that aren’t spam for Highster Mobile is a tricky task in itself. Judging which to believe from the remaining seemingly-real reviews is trickier still. SiteJabber is riddled with fake reviews, and Trustpilot often has contradictory ones.

Read Reviews Here

9. Cocospy

Cocospy may not be the most elite Android spy around, but it is a well-known alternative that is typically used by parents to keep tabs on their kids. The developers market these programs to parents as well. Nevertheless, it offers an impressive set of functions, just like the other alternatives in this list. For example, you can view call logs, read text messages, monitor the phone’s location in real-time, view all contacts and installed apps, and go through web browsing history. Furthermore, it can be used to view all photos and videos saved on the phone, receive alerts on SIM-card changes, and register keystrokes with the keylogger. It also keeps an eye on a vast range of instant messaging platforms such as Instagram, WeChat, Telegram, LINE, Kik, Tinder, Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook.

Compatibility

Cocospy supports all Google devices running version 4.0 and higher. It is unclear if support for the latest version 12 release is supported, though.

Price

There are three different subscription options available with Cocospy. The basic version provides very limited features but comes with a very affordable price tag of USD 8.33 a month. The premium version is also highly affordable, costing just USD 9.99 per month. A family version that costs USD 16.66 per month is also available. It offers premium features and allows installation on three different devices.

Pros

• It is a very affordable option with a decent range of features.
• The app can view messages on a very broad range of instant messaging software, making it highly suitable for parents.
• There is no requirement to root the phone to use it.
• The family subscription option is affordable and works on multiple devices.

Cons

• The app does not provide any alerts-based service.
• There is no available information on the app’s compatibility.
• The website does not have a live customer support option.
• The app does not have any phone remote control function.

Customer Reviews

Cocospy has very few reviews on the internet despite its website claiming over 4000 reviews listed. And the ones that exist are a mixed bag, too, with some users complaining about refunds and lack of service as the main reason for low ratings.

Read Reviews Here

11. uMobix

uMobix brands itself as an advanced cell phone tracker for parents and has support for smartphones and tablets. Its main selling point is that the app is very easy to set up and only requires 5 minutes to boot.

uMobix can be used for a variety of situations. Parents can block devices, access the keylogger functionality, monitor social media apps, and much more. The app also allows access to all the deleted messages on the target device.

And with its auto-update feature, parents wouldn’t need to worry about ever running outdated versions of the application.

Compatibility

The uMobix app works with all the newer devices running the latest Android firmware and has support for iOS devices, too.

Price

uMobix is on the expensive side, however. We’ve detailed the costs below:

• Monthly: $49.99 per month
• 3 Months: $27.99 per month
• 12 Months: $11.66 per month

Pros

• Straightforward dashboard
• Support for Windows and macOS devices
• Quick start-up and setup times
• Features similar to higher-ranking spy applications

Cons

• The app is on the expensive end, with monthly plans charged at a premium.
• Advanced features like Geo-fencing are missing
• No support for iMessage on iPhones and iPads
• No live customer support option

Customer Reviews

uMobix has generally favorable reviews with most customers happy with its customer service. Many have had positive experiences with the app and this is replicated in the reviews online as well.

Read Reviews Here

13. Hoverwatch

Hoverwatch is a great addition to the list, and although it rivals some of the more prominent offerings on the list, it struggles to make it to the top. It has all the basics covered but is let down with its premium price tag which many would find hard to swallow. Take its enterprise packages, for instance, that can run you anywhere from $149.95/month to around $500 for the year! With cheaper alternatives on the list, Hoverwatch should provide features unique to it. The app does have the ability to track most data from smartphones and even features keylogging products for Windows and macOS.

Compatibility

Hoverwatch supports Android phones running on version 4.0 and higher. It can also be installed on both Windows and macOS computers.

Price

Hoverwatch has three plans: Personal, Professional, and Business. The personal plan starts from $24.95/month, the professional from $49.95/month, and the business plan starts from $149.95/month.

Pros

• Feature-rich software makes it a compelling option for most
• The ability to have keyloggers for Windows and Mac machines makes it perfect for all devices.
• Covers all major social media and instant messaging apps for monitoring
• Has an entire page dedicated to troubleshooting and help for novice users

Cons

• Questionable reliability as the app is new to the industry and hasn’t been tested as rigorously.
• Subscription plans are some of the most expensive ones available in the market
• No customer support or live support center
• Outdated UI and design of the app
• Windows keylogger can be a hit or miss most times

Customer Reviews

Hoverwatch doesn’t have any reviews on popular platforms, but we did manage to find a few that lauded the app’s features. However, there was a substantial number of people complaining about the app not working as intended after purchasing it.

Read Reviews Here

15. Qustodio

Qustodio is the all-in-one parental control and digital wellbeing application and has support for a wide range of devices. The app can work on Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Android, iOS, and Kindle devices. Qustodio markets itself as a primarily parental monitoring solution and may have features that could benefit employers left out. Due to this, the app ranks last on our list. Couple that with the expensive plans on offer, and the application is not going to be anyone’s top priority. However, Qustodio can be deployed in schools and educational institutions as well making it a unique offering on the list.

Compatibility

Qustodio works on a great many devices. It supports phones (Android and iOS), Chromebooks, iPads, and Windows and Mac laptops and machines.

Price

Qustodio has three plans: small, medium, and large. The mall plan starts at $54.95/year, the medium at $96.95/year, and the large at $137.95/year.

Pros

• The cheapest plan can support multiple devices
• Support for a wide range of devices and products
• Provides daily, weekly and monthly reports to the monitor

Cons

• The app doesn’t seem to be targeting enterprise levels, which may have it fall out of favor with professionals
• Expensive pricing
• New brand, so its reliability may be questionable
• Clunky UI that can make it difficult to master for new users

Customer Reviews

PCMag gave the application a 4 out of 5, but that can be easily spoofed. Where user reviews are concerned, Qustodio is a mixed bag with a borderline average score. The number of people complaining about the app is the same as the number of people praising it.

Read Reviews Here