So, you’re looking for an app to keep your family safe online?
But you can’t quite decide between Bark and Covenant Eyes.
These two popular porn blockers share so many overlapping features that deciding which one to get can feel overwhelming.
And, at the same time, are EITHER of them the best choice for you?
The good news is that both apps work properly — they just simply take different approaches to tackling adult content on the internet.
And once you know how these two apps differ, choosing the right app for you will be much easier.
That’s why in this Bark vs Covenant Eyes comparison, we’ll go over their methodology, key features, and how to choose which app will work best for you.
And then, we’ll suggest a third alternative that may suit you even better. Stay tuned.
What Are Bark and Covenant Eyes?
At their core, both Bark and Covenant Eyes are apps designed to block adult content on the internet (a.k.a. porn blockers).
However, that’s about where the similarities end.
Bark: Parental Control App
Bark is primarily a parental control app.
Its features are heavily geared towards parents monitoring their child’s activity.
Yes, it’s known for being a porn blocker, but that’s only one of Bark’s many features.
Bark also allows parents to create schedules for screen time, block websites and/or apps, monitor their texts and online activity, get alerts when they view explicit content (or other concerning items like cyberbullying or depression), and even track their location.
That’s why Bark is an app used by parents who want to protect their children from porn and other harmful content online.
However, Bark also tries to respect the privacy of children. As such, it doesn’t allow parents to see all their children’s activities (only activities flagged as potentially harmful).
Bark encourages parents to talk with their children about online dangers rather than simply banning them.
Covenant Eyes: Accountability App
While parents can use Covenant Eyes to protect their children, it’s more often used in peer-to-peer relationships.
You see, Covenant Eyes is purely a porn accountability app. It effectively blocks someone from accessing porn altogether but doesn’t offer as many additional safety features as Bark.
Covenant Eyes sends the accountability partner screenshots of the user’s activity.
It also sends reports that make it easy for the accountability partner to scan the activity, as well as real-time alerts whenever sexual content is viewed.
However, Covenant Eyes does NOT block porn by default. Instead, this app works as if your accountability partner or parent were looking over your shoulder. You wouldn’t indulge in adult content then, would you?
Although it’s primarily used by adults trying to quit porn, it can also be effective for safeguarding children and helping them understand the dangers of sexual imagery.
Key Features of Bark and Covenant Eyes
Bark
Pros:
✅ More Than Just Porn – Bark also alerts parents when it detects cyberbullying, searches related to anxiety or depression, online predators, and the ideation of suicide.
✅ Advanced Monitoring: Monitors email, texts, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms on devices
✅ Screen Time Tools: Allows you to block out times such as sleeping time or study time.
✅ Location Check-Ins: Shows you where your child checks in and at what time (note: not a live GPS tracker).
✅ Remote Internet Pause: Allows you to disconnect your child’s phone from the internet from anywhere.
Cons:
❌ Different Philosophy: Bark believes that children should have some privacy. As such, it can see everything the child is doing, but parents can only see activities Bark deems as concerning (such as explicit imagery, cyberbullying, or other problematic messages or device usage). Some parents don’t agree with this philosophy and prefer an app that shows them everything their child is doing.
❌ Can Be Difficult to Set Up: Bark’s setup is not simple. Although there is a walkthrough of how to set things up properly, it may be difficult for some people.
❌ Limited Location Tracking: Bark shows parents when their children check in to a place. However, some parents prefer a tool that shows their child’s location at all times.
Covenant Eyes
Pros:
✅ Full Device Monitoring: Covenant Eyes fully monitors activity and sends it to your accountability partner
✅ Scrollable Feed: It also sends your accountability partner a summary of your activity.
✅ AI Filters: Covenant Eyes’ AI filter categorizes your activity into clean, suggestive, or explicit, making it even easier for your accountability partner to sort through it.
✅ Real-Time Alerts: The accountability partner will receive real-time alerts whenever porn or other adult content is viewed.
Cons:
❌ Limited on iOS: Covenant Eyes can only track activity on the Covenant Eyes app and Safari browser for iOS devices.
❌ No ISO Certifications for Privacy: Remember, when you install an accountability app, everything on your screen is uploaded to the internet somewhere. While Covenant Eyes promises to keep your data private, it doesn’t have ISO certifications for information security and privacy.
❌ May Be Expensive: Covenant Eyes costs of $17/month, $184/year, or $750 for lifetime use are not the most budget-friendly option on the market.
Ever Accountable: Bark and Covenant Eyes Alternative
If you’re looking for an app that offers the best of both apps above, you may want to consider Ever Accountable.
Ever Accountable is an accountability app with a proven track record of success. 95% of users say they see an immediate reduction in porn consumption the moment they sign up, while 63% say they are entirely porn free after just a month.
Ever Accountable doesn’t block explicit images by default as an accountability app. However, you can easily set it to block this if you’re using it for your teenagers (13+ only).
The app also sends alerts to parents or accountability partners whenever sexual content is viewed, as well as a summary of the activity.
And for your peace of mind, the Ever Accountable app is the only accountability app that is ISO certified for information security and privacy, so you can rest assured your (or your teenagers’) data is completely safe.
With a 14-day free trial, you can try Ever Accountable today to see if it’s the right app for you without spending anything!
14-Day Free Trial
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Change your habits, change your life: Start our 14-day free trial to help get rid of pornography for good.
Comparison Overview: Bark vs. Covenant Eyes vs. Ever Accountable
Bark | Covenant Eyes | Ever Accountable | |
App Type | Porn Blocker | Accountability App | Accountability App with Porn Blocking features |
Pricing | Bark Premium $14/month or $99/year Bark Jr.* $5/month or $49/month *missing several key features | $17/month, $184/year, $750/lifetime | $9.99/month, $89/year |
Device Compatibility | Android, Limited on iOs | Android, Limited on iOs | Android and iOs |
Ease of Setup | May be difficult to set up for first-timers | Easy to set up | Easy to set up |
ISO Certifications | N/A | N/A | ISO Certified for Information Privacy and Security |
Trial | 7-day free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee | 14-day FREE trial |
Which App is the Right One For You?
Now that we’ve looked at the stats, let’s go over which app may be the right fit for your specific needs!
Bark
Used by: Parents Who Want to Monitor Their Children’s Activity
While some may disagree with Bark’s philosophy, it’s an adequate app for those looking for something to assist with parental control.
Bark blocks porn and other explicit material and also flags any problematic behavior from the child to the parent.
Parents who want their children to have a smartphone but want to ensure their safety while using it tend to use Bark.
Covenant Eyes
Used by Accountability Partners
Covenant Eyes are most often used by adults who are looking to quit watching porn through accountability.
Parents can use Covenant Eyes with their children. However, this is only recommended if your children can understand why porn is dangerous in the first place.
The app doesn’t block sexual content by default, so it’s important that children understand why graphic imagery is dangerous and why they should stay away.
Ever Accountable — Best Overall Alternative
Ever Accountable is an accountability app, so if you’re using it for teens (13 and up), you will still need to help your teenager understand the dangers of explicit content. However, you can also set Ever Accountable to block porn and other graphic images, so it doubles as a porn blocker.
This means that you can use the app for both teen-to-parent monitoring and peer-to-peer accountability.
Ever Accountable is also super easy to set up, has the best security of all accountability apps, and comes with a 14-day free trial!
Conclusion
Different tools serve different purposes.
Now that you’ve read all the differences between Bark and Covenant Eyes, you should know what makes these two different and whether you should choose one of these or try Ever Accountable.
