Safe Surfer vs Guest Mode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Safe Surfer
This app provides a simple way to block adult content and customize your internet browsing experience. It offers features like remote control and mail alerts for accountability, along with secure DNS encryption for a private connection. Protection works on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
- Blocks adult websites
- Customizable blocking categories
- Remote control dashboard
- Mail alerts for blocked sites
- DNS over HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Pin protection for settings
- Wi-Fi and cellular protection
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Built to be simple to use, protecting your device with Safe Surfer is as easy as tapping a button. Safe Surfer is packed full of features to enable you and your family to surf the Internet without fear: • Safer surfing Safe Surfer blocks a wide range of adult websites. Once protection is enabled, these websites cannot load on your device. Choose from 60+ additional pre-made categories to continue to customize the blocking. • Screen monitoring & image blocking (Pro) Monitor the screen for concerning content and block adult images in Safari • Remote Control (Pro) Use the web dashboard to remotely block sites and view the device's browsing history. • Mail Alerts (Pro) Regularly send blocked sites analytics to an admin or accountability partner. • DNS encryption Uses modern DNS over HTTPS encryption methods so you have a fast private internet browsing experience. • Pin protection Built-in pin lock functionality ensures that only you or an accountability partner can configure protection and other settings inside the app. • Wi-Fi and cellular protection Safe Surfer protection keeps your device protected—no matter what kind of network you are connected to. • Zero ads and low resource footprint Safe Surfer is ad-free and has minimal impact on your device's resources. Note: • Some mobile service providers and Internet service providers in certain countries hijack the ability to use specific DNS settings. The Safe Surfer app relies upon this ability. If this is the case in your country with your service provider, the Safe Surfer app may not work properly on your device. The standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA) apply for use of this app https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Guest Mode
Create custom device restrictions to control what others can access when using your phone or tablet. Block specific apps, filter web content, and prevent system changes. Personalize your security with custom icons and colors.
- Create custom device restriction modes
- Block access to specific apps
- Limit web browsing to approved sites
- Prevent app installations/deletions
- Disable Siri and system content restrictions
- Set time limits and schedules for modes
- Personalize modes with custom icons and colors
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Guard your privacy and protect your device with Guest Mode, the best way to share your device without sharing everything. Guest Mode lets you create custom device restrictions, known as "Modes", that you can activate before handing your device to someone else. Take control of what others can access when using your device. Powerful App Protection • Block access to specific apps • Create different modes for different situations (one for kids, another for colleagues) • Customize which apps remain accessible while protecting everything else Web Filtering & Restrictions • Limit web browsing to only approved websites • Create allowlists for safe browsing • Block inappropriate content with just a few taps System-Level Security • Prevent app installations and deletions • Disable Siri to protect voice commands • Set content restrictions for Apple Music, Apple TV, Books, iTunes, and Game Center Smart Activation • Set time limits for how long a mode stays active • Create schedules for automatic activation on specific days and times • Instantly enable/disable modes with a single tap Beautiful Customization • Choose from nearly 6,000 icons to personalize your modes • Select any color to match your style or visually organize different modes • Create an intuitive and personalized security system Guest Mode puts you in control of your device. Whether lending your phone to a child, sharing with a friend, or handing your device to a colleague, you decide exactly what they can access and what stays private. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Guest Mode at 4.6 against Safe Surfer's 3.9. Guest Mode also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (83% vs 67%). Safe Surfer's advantage is ratings volume (47 vs 15). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Safe Surfer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month and Guest Mode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Guest Mode holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Safe Surfer's written reviews are positive against 83% of Guest Mode's.
Safe Surfer ships an update every 2 months, Guest Mode every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Safe Surfer | Guest Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (47 ratings) | 4.6 (15 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 67.4% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 47 — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Safe Surfer Ltd | Sumthing LLC |
Customer experience
Safe Surfer
Guest Mode
In-app purchases
Safe Surfer
- Pro Surfer Monthly$4.491 Month
- Pro Surfer Annual$48.991 Year
Guest Mode
- Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime$59.99
Questions
Is Safe Surfer free?
Is Guest Mode free?
Which has better reviews, Safe Surfer or Guest Mode?
Do Safe Surfer or Guest Mode have ads?
Which is updated more often, Safe Surfer or Guest Mode?
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