# Parental Control vs Lighthouse by MapQuest

The clearest difference is ads: Lighthouse by MapQuest at none against Parental Control's shown. Lighthouse by MapQuest also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Parental Control's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Parental Control sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Lighthouse by MapQuest sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lighthouse by MapQuest holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 12 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 90% and 90% positive.

Parental Control ships an update weekly, Lighthouse by MapQuest every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Parental Control | Lighthouse by MapQuest |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parental-control-nutcracker/id6670698921/reviews) | **[4.7 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lighthouse-by-mapquest/id6769945283/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 130 MB | 104 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nutcracker Smart Solutions Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767107779) | [MapQuest Holdings LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1494058354) |

## 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 |


### Lighthouse by MapQuest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lighthouse-by-mapquest/id6769945283)

This app enables families to stay connected through live GPS location sharing and custom alerts. It offers peace of mind by allowing users to see when loved ones are traveling, arriving, or heading their way, with features like 'On My Way' and SOS notifications.

**Highlights:** Live location sharing on a map, On My Way notifications, SOS alert flow, Customizable place alerts, Check-in feature, Permission-based sharing

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lighthouse Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Lighthouse Premium Annual | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Parental Control free?

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

### Is Lighthouse by MapQuest free?

Lighthouse by MapQuest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Parental Control or Lighthouse by MapQuest?

Lighthouse by MapQuest is rated higher. Parental Control averages 4.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Lighthouse by MapQuest averages 4.7 from 12 ratings.

### Do Parental Control or Lighthouse by MapQuest have ads?

Parental Control shows ads; Lighthouse by MapQuest does not.

### Which is updated more often, Parental Control or Lighthouse by MapQuest?

Parental Control ships an update weekly, and Lighthouse by MapQuest every 10 days. Most recently, Parental Control was updated on October 7, 2026 and Lighthouse by MapQuest on September 29, 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.*