Comparison

PiParent vs FreeScan

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

Head to head
About

PiParent

Manage your Pi-hole server for enhanced network oversight and parental controls. Organize devices into family groups, schedule internet access, and block specific content categories. Offers advanced features and insights with an optional premium upgrade.

Highlights
  • Network oversight
  • Parental controls
  • Family group organization
  • Scheduled internet access
  • Content category blocking
  • Pi-hole admin tools
  • Family insights
Features
Read full description

PiParent gives you ultimate network oversight and effortless parental controls without compromising your family data. Built exclusively to orchestrate your Pi-hole server, PiParent turns raw network rules into seamless, schedule-driven family oversight directly from your iPhone. Take control of screen time, shut down adult content, and reclaim peace of mind-all while remaining 100 percent invisible to third-party analytics and advertisers. ZERO DATA, MAXIMUM PRIVACY Unlike standard parental control apps that track every app open, route your traffic through their servers, and build profiles on your kids, PiParent operates with a strict Zero-Data architecture. NO Servers: The app talks directly to your local Pi-hole. NO Accounts: All preferences stay secure on your phone. NO Analytics: We never track what you tap, see, or view. SECURE STORAGE: Credentials live safely in iOS Keychain. SMART FAMILY GROUPS Stop managing raw IP addresses. Instantly organize your network devices into simple family profiles. Tap Assign to link dynamic clients to specific children, gaming systems, or workspaces. EFFORTLESS SCHEDULES AND BEDTIMES Define healthy digital boundaries that enforce themselves. Set Bedtime windows for any group, and PiParent will automatically lock down internet access at night, re-enabling it only when the sun comes up. Reclaim nightly routines effortlessly. CONTENT CATEGORY BLOCKING Switch off the noisy web. PiParent allows you to activate targeted blocking for specific content profiles with one tap: Social Media and Doomscrolling Streaming Video Services Video Gaming Portals Explicit and Adult Content Gambling and Tracking PIPARENT PLUS (Premium Upgrade) Take command of advanced administration and real-time oversight. Try it free for 7 days! INSTANT DOWNTIME Hit the master override button. One tap instantly severs internet access to any group until you manually turn it back on. Perfect for dinner time, study sessions, or family nights. FAMILY INSIGHTS Discover exactly how your network is behaving. Unlock visual breakdowns of query trends and get a real-time leaderboard of the Top Allowed Domains used by devices in each family group. REWARD TIME Grant bonus screen time without wrecking your permanent schedule. Grant 15, 30, or 60 minutes of unrestricted access that automatically sunsets itself when the timer hits zero. PI-HOLE ADMIN TOOLS Update your Pi-hole Gravity blocklists, flush temporary logs, or restart your DNS resolver remotely directly from the dashboard. Requirements: An active Pi-hole instance running on your local network. Note: PiParent is a remote management dashboard utility that interacts with a user's self-hosted Pi-hole server via API calls over the local network. The app does not implement VPN technologies, does not route user traffic, and does not collect or share any user data. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

FreeScan

Quickly scan various QR and barcode formats without ads or subscriptions. Import codes from photos, use a flashlight, and zoom for clarity. Get smart results with previews and direct actions, or create your own QR codes. All data stays on your device.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes and barcodes
  • Import from photos
  • Flashlight and zoom support
  • Smart results with previews
  • Batch scan and export
  • Create QR codes
  • Private by design
Features
Read full description

Scan QR codes and barcodes in seconds—without ads, accounts, subscriptions, or tracking. FAST, FLEXIBLE SCANNING • Scan live with your camera • Import codes from Photos or the Share Sheet • Use the flashlight in low light • Pinch or use the slider to zoom • Switch between continuous autofocus and manual focus for difficult labels QR CODES, BARCODES, AND MORE Read QR and Micro QR, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417, MicroPDF417, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-E, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5, GS1 DataBar, and additional formats supported by your device. SMART RESULTS FreeScan recognizes common content and gives you useful next steps: • Preview links and review safety warnings before opening them • Copy Wi-Fi details and passwords • Compose emails, call phone numbers, or open Messages • Open coordinates in Maps • Read contact cards and calendar events • Inspect ISBN, product, and GS1 barcode details • Copy or share the original scan data BATCH SCAN AND EXPORT Collect multiple unique codes in one session. Save scans to local history, revisit previous results, and export history or batch results as CSV, JSON, or plain text. CREATE QR CODES Create a QR code from text or a URL directly on your device, then share it as an image. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your camera frames, selected photos, and scan contents stay on your device unless you choose to share a result or open an external action. FreeScan does not collect personal information, scan data, analytics, or advertising identifiers. EVERY SCANNER FEATURE IS INCLUDED There are no ads, accounts, subscriptions, or locked scanner tools. Optional tips support continued development and do not unlock features.

Screenshots

PiParent4 screens
FreeScan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: FreeScan at free against PiParent's freemium. PiParent's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. PiParent sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and FreeScan sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for PiParent against 5.0 for FreeScan. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PiParent ships an update every 9 days, FreeScan every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PiParent versus FreeScan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiParentFreeScan
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnkur GuptaFare Brothers

Customer experience

PiParent

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FreeScan

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PiParent

Subscriptions2
  • PiParent+ Monthly$1.991 Month
  • PiParent+ Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • PiParent+ Lifetime$19.99
4 purchases

FreeScan

One-time4
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Generous Tip$19.99

Questions

Is PiParent free?
PiParent is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FreeScan free?
FreeScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PiParent or FreeScan?
PiParent and FreeScan are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do PiParent or FreeScan have ads?
Neither PiParent nor FreeScan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PiParent or FreeScan?
PiParent ships an update every 9 days, and FreeScan every 5 days. Most recently, PiParent was updated on October 7, 2026 and FreeScan on October 29, 2026.

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