6 BEST mSpy Alternatives (Free & Paid) 2025

Are you looking for a tool that is similar to or even better than mSpy? You might be checking for mSpy alternatives because it is on the expensive end of the scale, or you may want a more robust app. mSpy is a powerful phone monitoring tool, however, a user may have to jailbreak or root to access all its features. Although there’s a “No Jailbreak” option, it restricts certain in-depth monitoring, making some users take a step back. Its slow data synchronization on Android, with an update interval of 5-30 minutes, also makes real-time tracking slightly inconvenient, especially for location monitoring. Moreover, its high battery consumption is another primary concern; hence, users tend to look for better options.

It’s crucial that you conduct thorough research before you purchase a phone spy app. That’s because using a random phone monitoring tool can compromise data security. Such ordinary apps also lack advanced features such as remote device control, in-depth social media monitoring, tracking analytics, etc. Hence, I spent over 120 hours testing 30+ well-known monitoring tools and shortlisted the 6 best mSpy alternatives. During the research, I tested the reliability, performance, and intuitiveness of each of their features. Hence, my firsthand, unbiased opinion on these apps should help you make a well-informed decision. Read more…

Best FREE mSpy Alternatives: Top Picks!

Tool Name	Key Features	Free Trial	Link
uMobix	• Remote device control • Media Tracking	14-day refund policy	Learn More
SpyX	• Tracks 16+ social media apps • Real-time location monitoring	15-day refund policy	Learn More
Spokeo	• Background details of the individual • All linked social media accs	$0.95 for 7-days	Learn More
ClevGuard	• Advanced location tracking • No jailbreak or rooting	30-day refund policy	Learn More
FlexiSPY	• Ambient recording • Internet data usage tracking	10-day refund policy	Learn More

1) uMobix

uMobix is an advanced cell phone tracker that monitors all the activities on a target device. It is best for parents and users who are not tech-savvy. I was able to track 30+ popular apps, including social media, on my target device. This mSpy alternative offers almost all the data in real time, making your tracking effortless and up-to-date. Moreover, you do not have to jailbreak to access data, which is great news.

I tested it both on iOS and Android devices and liked the fact that it could be installed remotely on iPhones. Even if I had to get physical access to install it on Android, the setup was quite straightforward. This tool, in my opinion, is the closest alternative to mSpy.

Features:

• Call History: It shows the complete call logs displaying the time stamps and the caller plus receiver details. In fact, it allowed me to restrict calls on my target device, which is an excellent feature for guardians.
• Remote Device Control: I was highly impressed with uMobix’s ability to control the device remotely. If you are a former mSpy user, you will enjoy its Wi-Fi blocker, website blocker, device blocker, app deletion, app restriction, message disabler, etc.
• Deleted Data: Even if my kid deleted specific calls and messages, I was able to view them easily. uMobix can also show deleted and renamed contacts, making it hard for cheating spouses to hide anything.
• Media Tracker: This feature displays an Album or Gallery of the target device. I could view all the pictures and even see the file names and timestamps. It also lets you play the videos and audio on the phone that you are tracking.
• Internet Activity Tracking: uMobix records the browser usage and provides browsing history. I could also view the bookmarks that my child made after visiting an e-commerce site and their study materials. Additionally, it offers a mailbox scanner that displays all emails and even newsletters of the target device.

Why is it a better alternative?

• Its ability to control the device remotely in various ways is impressive.
• If you need quick location tracking, you can use its GeoFinder feature for tracking a user’s location by just sending an SMS. Hence, no installation is required.
• It’s good clarity while accessing the phone camera, and the mic offers more advanced monitoring than mSpy.

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by uMobix:

12 Months	3 Months	1 Month
$16.99	$39.99	$65.99

Free Trial: No, 14-day refund policy

Visit uMobix >>

14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

---

2) SpyX

SpyX is a robust phone monitoring application designed primarily for parental control. It offers extensive features, including a keylogger, installed apps lists, etc., to provide parents with comprehensive insights into their child’s phone. Moreover, it helped me schedule restrictions for apps and set time limits to prevent phone addiction.

I could set it up within 2 minutes and didn’t need to install it on my kid’s phone. This is one of the reasons why I would recommend it as a top alternative to mSpy since you have to access the target device while using the latter.

Features:

• Social Media Apps: I could monitor 16+ social media apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, etc. It also showed me all the chats and media shared in these apps. Moreover, it helped me track the followers and following list on apps like Instagram–a feature that is missing on mSpy.
• Text Messages: SpyX tracks SMSes and chat apps like WhatsApp, Line, Viber, etc. It shows all sent and received messages in real time, including attached files and deleted texts. I could also view the timestamps and dates of these conversations for more context.
• Call Monitoring: Not only concerned parents but also spouses can use this app to track incoming and outgoing calls. It also has a built-in call recorder feature, making it excellent for catching cheating partners. Additionally, you receive contact details and the number of times they called your target device.
• Email Monitoring: Just like SMSes, you can track the entire email inbox discreetly. Along with emails, it showed me the timestamps, outbox, email address details, attachments, and multimedia files.
• Location Tracking: This tool is great for child safety as it lets you track their whereabouts in real time. I could view the locations on Google Maps and even set geofencing to ensure that my kid does not go to the danger zones. Its location history is quite helpful for tracing back the places they visited to monitor their activities.

Why is it a better alternative?

• It gives better granular data than mSpy.
• You get more advanced features such as SIM card monitoring and Microsoft Teams tracking.
• The best part is that it’s easy to set up and doesn’t require you to install it on the target device if it’s an iPhone.

Pricing

Here are the monthly plans of SpyX:

12 Months	3 Months	1 Month
$11.66	$28.32	$49.98

Free Trial: No, 15-day refund policy

Visit SpyX >>

15-Days Money-Back Guarantee

---

3) Spokeo

Spokeo is an anonymous people lookup site that provides background details on individuals. It is not a phone monitoring app, but it provides details such as which social media apps a person uses. This can be a good mSpy alternative in various cases, such as location tracking.

The best part of using Spokeo is that it needs no installation, nor does it use any invasive process. You get publicly available, detailed information that requires you to input only a few details. Since I didn’t have to install it on the target person’s device, I could look up anyone on it. Therefore, you can also search for your person of interest, new flatmate, etc., on Spokeo.

Features:

• Social Media: It can scan over 120 social networks and provide all the linked accounts with just the person’s name. The report showed me that the individual I looked up had profiles on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Match.com, etc.
• Location Details: Spokeo, unlike mSpy, cannot track location in real time. However, it shows the current and past addresses of an individual. You can also use it to look up an address and find out details like present and previous owners, tenants, neighbors, neighborhood crime rate, etc.
• Comments and Images: Unlike mSpy, you will not be able to go through the chats. However, it showed me related comments and images of the person whom I looked up. These details helped me understand the type of character this particular individual could have.
• Phone Number Lookup: Users who do not want to root or jailbreak can also use Spokeo to get a phone number owner’s details. I was able to find their age, DOB, full name, aliases, email addresses, residential address, occupation, etc.
• Interests and Hobbies: Spokeo lets you view all their online accounts, such as music apps, gaming sites, e-commerce, fitness apps, etc. These offer an ample amount of information about someone you want to monitor using mSpy but are unable to.

Why is it a better alternative?

• You get a one-time report at a throw-away price, unlike mSpy, which has expensive plans. Making it almost a mSpy-free alternative.
• It lets you find details on anyone and not just your spouse or child.
• You do not have to jailbreak, install, or set up anything to use this tool.

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by Spokeo:

7-Day	Monthly
$0.95	$29.95

Free Trial: Contact Support

Visit Spokeo >>

7-Day Trial for $0.95

---

4) ClevGuard

ClevGuard offers phone monitoring tools that let you track activities on both phone and computer. Its Kidsguard Pro is an excellent alternative to mSpy that parents and people in a relationship can use. Its comprehensive monitoring includes screen recording, call recording, live listening, etc.

I also found the keyword tracker helpful, as it allowed me to add keywords to send alerts in real time. Thus notifying me if my target was using any explicit or inappropriate words during conversations or web browsing. The fact that I could set it up within 5 minutes is also why I’d recommend it as a good alternative to mSpy. Especially users who have used mSpy and want to move to a new app that syncs data faster can opt for ClevGuard.

Features:

• Read Messages: It lets you read messages remotely on your dashboard. You can also view the sender and the recipient, along with timestamps. Additionally, I could access the exchanged images, GIFs, and other media. The best part is that no rooting or jailbreaking was required to access in-depth tracking.
• Monitor Location: No matter where your older family members or kids are, you can easily track their location. It offers WiFi location tracking, GPS, location history, and geo-fencing. Using these features, I could easily track my younger sibling wherever she left home for school.
• Remote Control: I was able to scan remotely and remove spyware from my sibling’s device using ClevGuard. It also lets you set app restrictions, daily usage time, block websites, etc. Additionally, I received microphone and camera access to the target device. Previous mSpy users looking for better parental control features can opt for this tool.
• Monitor System Apps: People looking for a system monitoring tool can use it to monitor computers. I used it to track calendars, a Note app/personal diary, Safari bookmarks, reminders, and more on a desktop.
• Data Export: If you have been thinking of migrating to a more advanced solution, then mSpy ClevGuard’s easy data export might convince you. I could easily transfer the iCloud data, like text and media, from my target devices. Additionally, it helped me securely back up this data to access it conveniently.

Why is it a better alternative?

• It offers several more advanced features than mSpy.
• You can use it not only to track a phone but also desktops. That’s because ClevGuard provides multiple different monitoring tools.
• You can use it to bind 5 devices simultaneously.

Pricing

It offers multiple products; hence, here’s KidsGuard Pro’s monthly plans to give you an idea about ClevGuard’s pricing.

Lite Plan	Premium Plan	Family Plan
$39	$49	$245

Free Trial: No, 30-day refund policy

Visit ClevGuard >>

30-Days Money-Back Guarantee

---

5) FlexiSPY

FlexiSPY is built for monitoring smartphones, laptops, and computers. Hence, if you want a tool that tracks all your kid’s devices, FlexiSPY is a good alternative for mSpy. I liked its hassle-free remote installation process, making it a more discreet spy app. Thus, individuals who doubt if their partner is cheating can conduct better sleuthing.

I used it to keep track of my grandparents when we went on a family trip. They wanted to explore Saigon on their own, like old times. However, for their safety, I secretly installed FlexiSPY on their devices. Thus, it helped me keep tabs on their location 24/7.

Features:

• Phone Call Monitoring: You can record calls on all your chat apps and the default calling app. I could listen to recorded calls on VoIP apps, WhatsApp, Line, Skype, etc. There might be a slight clarity issue if the internet connection on the target device is not stable.
• Ambient Recording: If your kid’s location isn’t updating on time due to a network issue, then you can use this feature. It lets you access the device’s microphone and listen to the environment. Hence, it will help you find out if they are really in a group study or at the mall. This can also be useful for employee monitoring, for example, to check if an engineer is on the construction site.
• Manage Internet Usage: I could view what websites were being accessed by my kid by monitoring their internet usage. It also showed me the bandwidth and passwords that were being used to log in to different sites.
• Gallery Access: It lets you view all the media on the target device. You can access the Gallery and watch all the pictures clicked from their phone, videos, downloaded images, and much more. This is how a friend of mine could confirm his spouse’s secret rendezvous rumors.
• Social Media: FlexiSPY lets you monitor multiple social media apps such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, etc. It helped me go through my kid’s chats on Messenger and keep them safe from predatory messages from random users.

Why is it a better alternative?

• It helps you access all the monitored data from your phone on the FlexiVIEW portal. So you don’t need a desktop to see granular details.
• You can view all the installed apps and their installation history to see if they were uninstalled and reinstalled.
• It has a “Stop App From Being Uninstalled” feature, offering the user total control even if the tracker is found.

Pricing

Here are the monthly iPhone monitoring plans offered by FlexiSPY:

Lite	Premium	Extreme
$49.95	$79	$119

Free Trial: No, 10-day refund policy

Visit FlexiSPY >>

10-Days Money-Back Guarantee

---

6) Spynger

Spynger is specifically designed for married couples and people who are dating. It is a cheater buster tool that offers almost all phone monitoring features like mSpy. My friend started seeing someone she met on eHarmony, and it was going great until she downloaded Spynger. It tracked his location, phone calls, and social media, which showed that he was still in touch with his ex and they’d meet up after work.

It also provides features like the “keystroke tracker,” which exposes all the keys that are typed, including passwords. It runs in stealth mode, like all phone monitoring tools in this list. I found it helpful as a parental control app as well since it has all the required features.

Features:

• Screen Recording & Streaming: You can record the screen of the target device to view what they are doing on their device. I could also live stream the screen, which gave me real-time information about which app they were on or what they were browsing.
• Monitor Conversations: To catch your partner with proof, you can check all the apps that support chatting. I was able to monitor Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Kik, Snapchat, iMessage, Telegram, etc. You can view these chats with time stamps and sender and receiver details.
• GPS Tracker: Its hidden GPS tracker showed me where my partner was and where they had been. I could follow them in real-time, virtually right from our doorstep to their office, coffee shop, little detours, etc. At the end of the day, I received a travel history that showed me all the routes traveled, stops made, etc.
• Photo and Video: Spynger gives you access to all the phone’s Gallery and exchanged images and videos in chats. I could also view all the pictures and videos taken from the device, offering an in-depth view.
• Email Monitoring: Just like chat apps, you can easily access your spouse/partner’s email inbox. It shows you all the sections, including Spam. Hence, users who think email is their safe space to cheat can be caught easily using Spynger.

Why is it a better alternative?

• You don’t have to jailbreak to access advanced features.
• Its dashboard is seamless, making it user-friendly for non-tech-savvy individuals, and it is more intuitive than mSpy.
• It can also track AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, etc., which is a unique capability.

Pricing

Here are the Spynger’s Monthly Plans for iPhone (the price differs depending on the OS)

Quarterly	Monthly
$0.93/day	$1.59/day

Free Trial: No, 30-day refund policy

Visit Spynger >>

30-Days Money-Back Guarantee

Comparison Table: mSpy vs Its Top Alternatives

Here’s a quick comparison table of all the mSpy alternatives with mSpy for you to get an overall view:

Solutions for Common Issues of Phone Monitoring Apps

Here are the solutions for common issues of phone spy apps, each in three to four lines:

1. Issue: These tools may not install easily at times, and you may have issues setting them up
   Solution: Always verify that the app you have selected is compatible with your target device. Sometimes, disabling Play Protect or antivirus for a while might also help with the installation. Additionally, make sure your internet is stable.
2. Issue: The device data may not update, or some of the information might be missing
   Solution: You must make sure there is a stable target device for the data to sync correctly. Also, check if all the necessary app permissions are enabled and if your subscription is active.
3. Issue: The battery gets drained on the target device, making tracking and phone usage inconvenient
   Solution: You must reduce the usage of intensive features like constant GPS updates, live recording, or remote camera use. It is also better to take breaks between active tracking.
4. Issue: The app might get detected by the device owner
   Solution: Make sure the stealth mode is on, and you have set it up properly. Additionally, do not use it continuously since battery drainage and phone heating up might indicate a hidden app. Moreover, their antivirus app might flag phone monitoring apps and hinder them from running.
5. Issue: Some compatibility issues might arise after the OS update
   Solution: You must check the provider’s website for the latest compatibility information after an OS update. Go to the app/website and check if you need to update it. In case you find no solution, contact the support.
6. Issue: There are times when it’s difficult to root or jailbreak the device
   Solution: You should follow the device-specific instructions that apply to the version and model of the phone. However, it is risky since it voids warranties or might even damage the device.
7. Issue: The remote commands are not executing, or there’s a delay
   Solution: It could be due to an inconsistent internet connection on the target device. You must also check if features like power saver mode are causing any data and background restrictions. Try refreshing your dashboard and resending the command, or wait for the device owner to work it out.
8. Issue: The app icons or traces are reappearing, making the stealth mode invalid
   Solution: This usually might occur after an OS update or a system restart. That’s because certain devices might reset the settings of hidden apps. Just reverify the stealth mode configuration remotely or find a window and access the target device to reset or reinstall it. You might not have to worry if your monitoring app does not have an optional visible mode.
9. Issue: The app is unable to monitor specific social media and messaging apps
   Solution: Some apps require jailbreaking or rooting for deep monitoring. Moreover, some of the tools do not monitor certain social media apps or might not access them entirely. You can contact support or check if any new updates have arrived.
10. Issue: At times, there are inaccuracies in location tracking or delayed map updates
    Solution: You must ensure that the GPS is enabled and set to high accuracy. Environments like indoor or urban areas with tall buildings can also lead to poor satellite reception, affecting the GPS. If it gets too frustrating, wait for the route history to generate at the end of the day and get a clear view of their journey.

How to Choose the Best mSpy Alternative for Your Needs

Consider the following factors while choosing mSpy alternatives:

• First, think of your purpose– who do you want to monitor? – your kids, spouse, employee, etc.
• Then, list down the essential features that you require and look at your shortlisted apps to find out if they have such capabilities. For example, GPS, social media, call logs, content filtering, etc.
• Check if the app is compatible with your target device and what OS versions it supports.
• Find out how to install it since you might not have access to the device. For example, if your kid is currently at a summer camp but you need to monitor them, device access installation would be inconvenient.
• Some of the apps require rooting and jailbreaking to access certain features. If you do not want to root or jailbreak, find apps that offer your required features without doing so.
• Finally, see if it fits your budget and read customer reviews thoroughly. This will help you know if it’s worth your money and make a better decision.

FAQs

Verdict

After an in-depth inspection of all the tools above, I can say that these are some of the best mSpy alternatives. However, the top three tools that stood out to me during my review session were:

• uMobix: It offers all the features that you find on mSpy with better remote device control. You can also track 30+ popular apps, making it an impressive alternative.
• SpyX: Its easy-to-set-up process makes it popular among users. Moreover, SpyX’s capability to capture more granular data with advanced features like SIM monitoring is unique.
• Spokeo: It’s not a direct alternative to mSpy; however, users who want some hidden information on their kid or spouse can use it. It can bring up all the associated social networks with an individual, including dating apps. You also get a complete background detail–all these without any installation or data syncing process.