# Parental Control vs Buddy

The clearest difference is rating: Parental Control at 4.5 against Buddy's 3.6. Parental Control also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 81%) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). Buddy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Parental Control sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Parental Control holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Parental Control's written reviews are positive against 81% of Buddy's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Parental Control | Buddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parental-control-nutcracker/id6670698921/reviews)** | [3.6 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-advice-that-matters/id6748826044/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | **90.0% of reviews** | 80.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 124 MB | 133 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nutcracker Smart Solutions Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767107779) | [COLD BREW TECH PRIVATE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724175857) |

## What reviewers say

### Parental Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parental-control-nutcracker/id6670698921)

Navigate your child's digital life with AI-powered insights. Understand online content, identify risks, and receive personalized recommendations for safer digital experiences. Features a redesigned interface for easier navigation and faster answers.

**Highlights:** AI Assistant for online content analysis, Age suitability ratings, Real-time safety alerts, Behavior and trend analysis, Smart activity insights, Redesigned user interface

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nutcracker Pro Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Nutcracker Pro Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Nutcracker AI Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Nutcracker Pro Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker AI Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Nutcracker AI Yearly | $89.99 | per year |


### Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-advice-that-matters/id6748826044)

Connect with real people for one-on-one conversations offering guidance on relationships, wellness, fitness, and personal style. Find trusted Buddies who understand your needs and provide support, motivation, and practical advice.

**Highlights:** One-on-one conversations, Relationship advice, Wellness support, Fitness and nutrition tips, Beauty and style guidance, Mindfulness and personal growth

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Parental Control free?

Parental Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Buddy free?

Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Parental Control or Buddy?

Parental Control is rated higher. Parental Control averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Buddy averages 3.6 from 17 ratings.

### Do Parental Control or Buddy have ads?

Parental Control shows ads; Buddy does not.

### Which is updated more often, Parental Control or Buddy?

Parental Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Buddy every 2 weeks. Most recently, Parental Control was updated on October 14, 2026 and Buddy on October 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*