Comparison

Playpen vs Bumpers

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Playpen

This app helps parents keep children entertained with pre-approved activities, preventing access to the full device. It allows parents to select specific content like YouTube videos or photo albums, ensuring a safe and engaging experience for kids and peace of mind for adults.

Highlights
  • Curated child-friendly activities
  • Restricted access to device features
  • Pre-approved YouTube videos
  • Access to specific photo albums
  • Interactive animal sounds
  • Apple Watch control
Features
Read full description

An app to help parents keep their kids entertained without allowing them to rifle through their devices. Made by a parent for other parents. By giving kids access to pre-approved activities, Playpen gives parents a well-earned break safe in the knowledge that their little ones are entertained. — WHAT IS PLAYPEN Playpen is an app created by a father who found that simply giving their kid an iPhone locked to an app with Guided Access* wasn't enough. Kids soon get bored of playing the same game or looking at the same photos, and sometimes giving them unfettered access to YouTube isn't something parents want to do. Playpen is the answer. With Playpen, parents can configure which activities they want to allow their kids to access and then enter Guided Access mode. That way, they don't get bored and parents have peace of mind because they know exactly what their child is doing. Activities available to kids via Playpen include being able to take photos, look at photo libraries, watch YouTube videos, and more: - Access to the selfie camera, but not your entire Photo Library - Preconfigured YouTube videos but without access to the wider YouTube library of content - The ability to view specific photo albums without the ability to edit them - Listen to multiple interactive and cute animal sounds Playpen will automatically start an activity whenever Guided Access mode is enabled as well, making it super easy to get up and running when parents need it. Even better, Playpen supports parents' Apple Watches, so they can control the activities that kids are using without having to take the iPhone or iPad away. *Guided Access is an iPhone and iPad feature that locks devices to a single app with a special sequence of button presses and a passcode required to unlock. — WHO IS PLAYPEN FOR? Playpen is for parents of kids who need to be entertained on long car drives, while waiting for a meal in a restaurant, or anywhere else. As parents, we've all been in situations where our kids are bored and need a little extra stimulation and Playpen is an app that offers that in a way that ensures not only are our kids safe, but so are our devices as well. Giving kids access to iPhones and iPads, often that are used for work, can be problematic. That's no longer a concern when using Playpen. People who could benefit from using Playpen include: - Parents stuck in line with a child who is becoming restless - Anyone who's been on a long car journey with a child who keeps asking "are we there yet?" - Parents who would normally give their iPhone to a child to entertain them but worry that they'll go snooping through their work emails - Any parent, with any child, who just needs some peace! https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Bumpers

This app provides a safe and controlled environment for children to explore YouTube and the web. Parents can approve or deny specific content, searches, and websites, ensuring a secure and educational online experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive YouTube & web browser
  • Fine-tune content filtering
  • Anti-algorithm technology
  • Extensive activity monitoring
  • No DMs, comments, or suggested content
Read full description

Bumpers Browser is the companion app to the Bumpers Parental Controls app. To use it, you’ll need to have an established Bumpers account and install Bumpers Browser on your child’s device. === Nurture Curiosity. Foster Safety. Inspire Learning. Bumpers Kids is the ultimate app for a safer, smarter YouTube and web browsing experience. Navigate your child's digital journey with confidence and control, turning the internet's endless maze into a fun and educational playground. WHY CHOOSE BUMPERS KIDS? With Bumpers Kids, you can approve or deny individual videos, channels, webpages, and websites, giving you granular control over your child’s online exposure. Say goodbye to generic all-or-nothing filters and tailor your kid's digital experience. === Features: INTERACTIVE YOUTUBE & WEB BROWSER - Our app empowers your kids to explore YouTube safely by providing control over the content they access. FINE-TUNE CONTENT FILTERING - You have the power to approve or deny individual searches, videos, full channels, webpages, and even entire websites. ANTI-ALGORITHM TECHNOLOGY - Our app avoids the usual algorithmic suggestions, keeping your kids shielded from inappropriate content. EXTENSIVE ACTIVITY MONITORING - Keep track of ALL of your child’s online activities, reactions, and searches. Make their safety your priority. NO JUNK. NO HIDDEN DANGERS - With no DMs, comments, or suggested content from YouTube, Bumpers ensures a secure browsing environment for your kids. === Make the most out of your child's online experience, ensuring safety without curbing their curiosity. Download Bumpers Kids now and steer their digital journey in the direction that aligns with your family's values.

Screenshots

Playpen4 screens
Bumpers4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bumpers at none against Playpen's 3. Playpen's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Playpen sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Bumpers asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Playpen holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Playpen ships an update every 6 days, Bumpers every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Playpen versus Bumpers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaypenBumpers
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings36 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB27 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJosh HoltzBumpers App, Inc.

Customer experience

Playpen

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bumpers

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Playpen

Subscriptions2
  • Plus Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Plus Annually3 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Plus Lifetime$39.99
None

Bumpers

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Playpen free?
Playpen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bumpers free?
Bumpers is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Playpen or Bumpers?
Playpen is rated higher. Playpen averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Bumpers averages 4.7 from 6 ratings.
Do Playpen or Bumpers have ads?
Neither Playpen nor Bumpers shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Playpen or Bumpers?
Playpen ships an update every 6 days, and Bumpers every 5 days. Most recently, Playpen was updated on November 3, 2026 and Bumpers on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons