Without a doubt, modern technology becomes a fundamental part of people’s lives. At this time, there are billions of phone users all over the world that is a notable fact almost not imaginable a couple of years ago.
As the number of smartphone users is getting higher and higher, there is also an increased danger to digital security. These days, online abuses are on the rise and in fact, many kids have been the main target of cyberbullying.
With that in mind, companies start to think about ways on how to protect people from online abuses. And they arise with a solution in the form of a phone spy app.

Spy apps are specially made to protect and defend our loved ones most especially children from online threats. As a matter of fact, even companies are using such applications to monitor and track the location of their employees during their working hours.
Since they are extremely beneficial, there are now lots of spy apps on the market. As a result, choosing the best one can be very confusing and challenging.
So are you looking or a top spy app without target phone that you can use? If so, don’t worry because we’ve got the list arranged for you.
In this post, we will talk about the top 10 phone spy applications. We will help compare every app based on various criteria like pricing, compatibility, pros, and cons. This post, on the other hand, can surely help you in choosing the best one that suits your needs.
Here are the top10 best spy apps in 2021.
NEXSPY
NEXSPY is often recognized as the best spy app for Android and iOS devices. Once you have purchased the app, you can install and activate it on your target phone to have full access to the device remotely.
With lots of options to choose from, it is safe to say that NEXSPY is the best among the rest as it is packed with great and advanced features that are very easy and simple to use.

With this spy app, spying on someone else’s text messages can be done with ease. All you need to do is open the inbox of your target phone remotely and you’ll instantly obtain insights into outbox and inbox.
Call tracking is another great feature of the best Android spy app wherein you can view all the outgoing and incoming calls from the device you’re tracking. In fact, even missed calls are also recorded.
NEXSPY app has GPS tracking as well which is extremely beneficial if you want to track a phone that is stolen or lost. With this app, you can even spy on different social media platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, and WhatsApp without being detected.

The app has also geo-fencing, ambient recording, and geofencing features. You can even view galleries, photos, and videos. As a matter of fact, you can also see files that are already deleted.
Another good thing about NEXSPY is that you will have your NEXSPY account where you will need to log into and check everything that you need to know.
Compatibility
The NEXSPY app smoothly works with Android 4.0.3 to 9. But aside from Android devices, the app will also work with iOS devices running up to iOS 12.4. What’s more, you can even use this app on all versions of Windows from 7 to 10.
Pricing
Irrespective of its great and advanced features, NEXSPY is considered one of the most affordable best spy apps out there. There are three packages where you can choose from.
The yearly subscription will cost you $227 or $19 every month. The quarterly plan is $87 that’s billed every three months. And lastly, the monthly subscription will cost you $39 every month.
Pros
- Installation is easy and you can also uninstall it when needed from far away
- Spying on popular social media sites can be done without any issue
- 24/7 customer support and a 3-day free trial are provided
- The plans are highly affordable
- Compatible with different iOS and Android devices
- Loaded with advanced features like FaceTime SpyCam, GPS location, and Geo-fencing
Cons
- The app needs to be installed on the target device personally.
- It is not compatible with Symbian and Blackberry devices.
mSpy
With more than one million users, mSpy is known as one of the best iPhone spy apps today. Similar to the first app, it is also easy and simple to use.
In fact, all you need to do is install the app on your target device and activate it with the license code. As soon as it is finished you can monitor the activity of your target phone using the online portal of mSpy.
Once activated, you may log into the portal to check the data collected from your target phone like text messages as well as other messaging applications like WhatsApp, browsing history, GPS location, and phone calls.
Apart from that, mSpy has lots of advanced features like parental controls, social media monitoring, no-jailbreak version, keylogger, and more.

The app can track the activities of your children on Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Skype, and Google Hangouts. It will also record the keystrokes made by the user. If your children utilize instant messaging apps that mSpy cannot directly track, you may still see the keystrokes entered.
mSpy, on the other hand, can be utilized as a parental control app for phones. It lets parents block incoming calls as well as inappropriate sites. Further, they can also control which application can be accessed.
Lastly, this app comes with cooperative and professional customer support thru live chat, email, and telephone.
Compatibility
- The app supports Android 4 and higher versions
- The iOS jailbreak version is compatible with iOS 7 to 8.4, iOS 9.0 as well as iOS 9.1
Pricing
The mSpy app comes in two different plans, the Basic plan that costs $29.99 every month and the Premium plan that can be bought for $69.99 every month.
Pros
- Tracks locations via GPS
- Comes with all basic monitoring features
- Keylogger feature that captures all typed keystrokes
- Parental control features
- Blocks incoming calls, apps, and websites
- Send remote commands to close the phone
- There is an available no-jailbreak version for iOS
- Get alert notifications for certain keywords
Cons
- Rooting is needed for Android devices to spy on 3rd-party apps
- Some advanced features are not available on iOS no-jailbreak versions
Read more: How Can I Spy on a Cell Phone Without Installing Software on the Target Phone?
WebWatcher
WebWatcher is one of the widely used parental control applications that can be used on spying on your kids’ phones.
The app is capable of capturing all the information from your target device, and this information will be shown on a secure web-based account so that you will be able to assess it from any device remotely.
WebWatcher has several impressive and advanced features for monitoring text messages, Facebook messages, as well as other social media messengers, call logs, GPS, and web history.

With WebWatcher, you will be able to protect your children while they are surfing the net, communicating with their friends online, and playing games.
It will also monitor outgoing and incoming emails, visited websites, as well as the entered keystrokes. In addition to that, it blocks unwanted websites thus you are certain that your child will not be exposed to dangerous content.
When it comes to customer support, WebWatcher offers email, phone, and chat support. However, for you to keep in touch with their support team through email you will need to utilize the online contact form since there’s no way to send direct emails.
Compatibility
This app is compatible with Android versions 2.2, 2.3, 3.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.4, 5, and 6. Moreover, it works well with iPhones running on iOS 6 up to 10.
Pricing
This spy app is one of the best spy apps for parents who wish to monitor the smartphone activities of their kids remotely.
In terms of the cost, it will greatly depend on the duration of the subscription. The cost for the 1-year license is $160. However, there is a chance to obtain a discount.
Pros
- You don’t have to jailbreak or root the phone of your target to start monitoring
- Access information that has been deleted
- Works seamlessly in stealth mode
- Compatible with various phones
Cons
- Unstable refund policy
- There’s no way to send direct emails
- If you want to avail different services you will need to pay for them separately making it an expensive option
- You need to log in as well as accept the term of use each time
XNSPY
If you want to spy on an iPhone, then you need to use a spy app that is made for successful tracking and monitoring like XNPSY.
The features of this app come in handy every time you need it. There are basic as well as some advanced features that can help you in monitoring various devices with ease.
Like most of the apps we have covered in this article, XNSPY will offer you the ability to read the text messages of your child without having his/her phone. You can also track a device without your target knowing.
With this app, spying on social media platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook and even on videos and photos is possible.

XNSPY, on the other hand, has lots of similar functions provided by other cell phone spy software. However, it is worth mentioning that it does have a number of distinct functions that make it a nice option.
The app has a live control panel that allows you to snoop on what’s going on with your target device. It also has a “view the screen” function. You can use it to see a screenshot from your target device that is usually updated every 1.5 minutes.
XNSPY will also allow you to locate the device on a map quickly with the help of an Instant GPS tracker. Further, it has a keylogging feature that will capture all keystrokes even those which have been erased. You can download or view the keystrokes below the General Logs.
Compatibility
The XNSPY app supports Android 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.x. There is also a jailbreak version for iOS that supports 6.x, 7.x, 8.x up to 9.0.0. But if you don’t want to jailbreak your device, you can use this app as well, just make sure that your device is running any of these iOS versions 6.x, 7.x, 8.x to 12.0.
Pricing
- Basic Edition: $8.33 per month or $99.99 yearly
- Premium Edition: $12.49 per month or $149.99 yearly
Pros
- Records screen time for different apps
- You can export the monitored information in CSV format
- It can be utilized to block unwanted apps
- It allows you to make watch list alerts for words, locations, and contacts
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- You can also use one license code to track one device at a time.
- It can’t be utilized to restrict the time duration of activities like internet browsing on your target device.
Highster Mobile
Using Highster Mobile is one of the easiest ways that you can do if you want to spy on mobile phone. All you need to do is download and then install it on your target device, enter the license code, and you are ready to go.
As a matter of fact, you don’t need to configure any option and setting. Meaning to say, after installing it, you can log in to your own account and begin monitoring.
Though it does not have as many functions as other spy apps in this list, it is the ideal app for people who want to snoop in Android devices without unlocking or rooting the devices, What’s more, it has most of the functions you are likely to need.

Highster Mobile has a real-time GPS tracking feature that lets you know where your target is heading to. With this app, you will be able to track the current location as well as phone location history. Nevertheless, locations will be shown on a map on the website of the company.
Aside from tracking location, you can also read text messages from another phone without them knowing. Moreover, you can view the device’s call history including the call duration, calls made, missed calls, received calls, contact numbers, and the time and date of the calls.
On the other hand, all pictures on the device will be uploaded to your Highster Mobile account. One more thing, you can track which sites they have visited as well as what they have searched for.
Compatibility
This app is compatible with devices running Android 2.0 and higher. Also, it works with many iOS versions from 7.x to 12.2.
Pricing
Highster Mobile will only cost a one-time payment of $69.99 making it one of the most affordable spy apps today.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- It has a web interface that is user-friendly making it ideal for first-timers
- Real-time GPS tracking
- It can monitor most of the popular social media sites
- It has a stealth camera that you can use to take images and screenshots remotely
- It has a no-jailbreak solution
Cons
- The options for customer support are limited
- It only offers basic monitoring features
Spyier
Spyier is another great app that you can use to spy on either iOS or Android devices. This app has a bright and intuitive user interface and offers a number of advanced functions for monitoring almost all activities on a device.
Spyier has a SIM tracker that detects and at the same time records each time the SIM is plugged in, removed, or changed. It also has a Smart Capture feature that takes screenshots of various apps while in use.

Further, this app lets you access and view documents in your target device without being noticed or detected. You can even listen to recordings.
Parents, on the other hand, can take advantage of the app’s Schedule Restriction feature. In fact, this will let you set schedules for activities and app usage on the phone of your child. It also has an app blocker that you can use to block particular apps as well as restrict access to the applications.
Compatibility
This spy app is compatible with Android devices running Android 4.0 and newer. Further, it is also compatible with iOS devices running iOS 8.0 or newer including the newest iOS 12.
Pricing
- For iOS: $39.99 per month
- For Android: Premium Edition – $29.99, Ultimate Edition – $39.99
Pros
- Easy to use
- Intuitive user interface
- You don’t have to jailbreak your iOS device
- It has alert features and app blocker
- Retrieving deleted messages is possible
Cons
- You need to access the phone to install Spyier
- Some users said that the target device gets laggy
- It is quite expensive
Mobistealth
Mobistealth is one of the most powerful cell phone monitoring apps. It utilizes a web-based control panel.
This app can be an important tool for worried parents. If your children haven’t been speaking out their problems and look distressed, it might a sign that there is something wrong with them.
One of the best things about Mobistealth is that it utilizes stealth technology. Meaning to say, the app will secretly keep on running in the background without being noticed.
Aside from parents, employers can also use it to monitor the phone of their company to make sure information remains confidential.
While Mobistealth has the same features as other apps such as social media monitoring and call logging, it has a number of unique features as well like tamper-proof monitoring.

With this feature, users will be able to follow the activities of their target discretely. In fact, it is one of the most vital things that you need to consider when looking for a spy app.
Since it functions discretely, meaning to say, there is no way to alter or tamper it. You can also rest assured that all the information you will get hasn’t been changed with Mobistealth.
Further, with this app, you will be able to command your target device to enable recording remotely. In fact, all sounds in your target’s surroundings are monitored and will be sent to you. You can even listen to the recording in real-time.
Much like other apps, it also has a keylogger feature that lets you track every keystroke. You can’t only capture the credential of your email accounts but also social media accounts.
Another essential feature of this app is that it can display the installed applications. You will be able to see which applications were installed on your target phone. This is a great way to find out if your children are using unnecessary apps.
Compatibility
Mobistealth works with a wide variety of operating systems. In fact, it is compatible with the majority of software. You can install this app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
Pricing
Mobistealth is available in different pricing packages. The Premium Plus or Pro-X will cost you $69.99 every month.
With this package, you will be able to obtain access to all features like ambient recording, social media monitoring, GPS location, SMS logging, call logs, and others.
But if you want a cheaper option, you can opt for the Pro plan that costs $59.99. However, keep in mind that it has restricted functions like GPS location and SMS logging.
Pros
- Great customer support
- You can monitor several devices on a single dashboard
- It uses stealth technology
- It has a website and app blocker
- Comes with a live viewing feature
Cons
- It can’t be utilized in restricting screen time use
iKeyMonitor
Looking for a phone spy app that you can use to track phone activities and lets you control the phone at the same time? If so, then look no further than iKeyMonitor. iKeyMonitor is a spy app that is user-friendly and comes with lots of spying features.
What’s more, it comes with an online dashboard that you can use to review the data you have collected on your target device. However, for you to be able to work with the app’s full services, you need to root your target device.
Nevertheless, iKeyMonitor is one of the few spy apps that offer a 3-day free trial to allow its users to test its features and be comfortable with using it before they make a purchase.

Further, it has a powerful keylogger that records any keystroked typed to your target. This will offer you tons of information from just about each application on your target device. In fact, even hidden passwords will become visible to your email or dashboard.
On the other hand, if you want to spy on what your employees or kids are doing remotely at a certain time, iKeyMonitor is also for you. The screenshot capture feature will let you do exactly that. You will see what your target’s sees like visited websites, apps used, video chats, chats, texts, and among others.
It also provides one of the complete lists of social monitoring abilities including Snapchat, QQ, KIK, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Hangouts, and Skype. This will let you see everything that occurs on your target phone.
Compatibility
iKeyMonitor supports Android 2.3 or later and iOS 9 or later.
Pricing
The full version of iKeyMonitor comes at $49.99 monthly.
Pros
- You can set screen time limit
- Block specific games and applications on your target device
- Review Instagram and Facebook activities
- Manage logs and data remotely with ease
- It can take screenshots of your target device
- It allows you to track Wi-Fi data history
Cons
- It is quite expensive
- No live demo
Hoverwatch
The main reason why we placed Hoverwatch at the ninth spot is because it doesn’t provide a monitoring solution for iPads as well as iPhones. Hoverwatch is another basic app that allows you to track and record visited websites, locations, instant messages, as well as phone calls.
If you are a worried parent who wants to monitor every movement and communication of your children, this will let you do so thru a secure and safe web portal. When it comes to the interface of the app it is intuitive and simple.

The app also provides a free 3-day trial so that you will be able to see how exactly it works. It will also allow you to record and then download phone calls from the device you are monitoring. You can listen to the recordings anytime.
Another good thing about this app is that it has a camera tracker that takes pictures of the people trying to open the device. What’s more, Hoverwatch takes screenshots of the device remotely.
And similar to other spy apps, it has a keylogger feature that will keep a track of all the typed keystrokes on your target device. Last but not least, you can use it to monitor and track several devices simultaneously.
Compatibility
Hoverwatch works on Android devices running Android 4 and higher. In addition to that, it has desktop versions for PC and Mac.
Pricing
This app costs $19.95 every month. As a matter of fact, that is only a small amount to track your kid’s location remotely, monitor social media accounts, view browser history, record outgoing, and incoming calls, read instant messages, and among others.
Pros
- Offers basic monitoring functions
- It can be utilized to track several devices
- It captures pictures each time a user opens the screen
- Android keylogger feature
- It allows you to track the to-do-list of your target phone
Cons
- There is no alert feature for any activity
- It is not compatible with iPhones and iPads
- No live demo
TheTruthSpy
TheTruthSpy is an app that allows catching various types of digital messages like SMS, email, MMS, as well as other messages. In fact, you can even track the messages that have been deleted by the user.
Aside from messages, it is also capable of tracking calls. You can also block suspicious phone numbers and view the duration and time of received and made calls.
If you’re an employer, you can rest assured that your employees would not talk a lot with their loved ones or friends during working hours.

TheTruthSpy app also has social media tracking capabilities. That being said, you will be able to see the Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, and Facebook activities of your children.
The location tracking feature of TheTruthSpy app is extremely beneficial both in exploring route maps and online scheduling. This feature may seem additional, but keep in mind that it can be one of the most versatile in several cases.
The app will also prevent your workers from wasting work period and your child from dangerous content, thanks to its installed apps tracking feature that block unnecessary apps.
Compatibility
The app is compatible with all Android operating system versions 4 and above. It also works with all iOS versions 7 and above.
However, for you to use TheTruthSpy in monitoring WhatsApp, your target phone needs to be jailbroken or rooted.
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $31
- 3-month plan: $78
- 6-month plan: $123
- 1-year plan: $185
Pros
- It provides a wide variety of features for complete monitoring
- Great social media monitoring capabilities
Cons
- No trial version for WhatsApp spying feature
- The support isn’t the best
- The app doesn’t support Symbian and Blackberry devices
Final Thoughts: Best iPhone Spy Apps
There you have it the top 10 phone spy apps in 2021 where you can choose from. There are lots of reasons why you should use these apps, especially our top pick – NEXSPY, as it offers a lot of great and advanced features.
Nevertheless, having a safe and reliable spy app can help you in protecting the online security of your kids. It will protect them from any type of cyberbullying, phishing, online predators, and scams.
Hopefully, this content has helped you a lot in choosing the best spy app that suits your needs and budget.