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SentryPC Review

Friday, February 14th

2025 Internet Filter Reviews

SentryPC Review 2.5 Star Rating

SentryPC

2.5 Star Rating
  • Prices from $69.95 to $9,995 per year
  • PC and mobile filtering
  • Block specific sites and filter online searches
  • Monitors all activity in real-time
  • Data reports on device usage
  • Demo available

Designed more for professional use than for families, SentryPC is a remote monitoring, filtering, and browsing control software that is 100% cloud-based. This means you can monitor users on devices using SentryPC from anywhere in the world. While it is designed more for businesses and employee monitoring, SentryPC can also be used as a parental control internet filter. With real-time reports, free updates, and a host of clients including families, businesses, and schools, SentryPC is one of the most popular internet filters out there. The software offers compatibility with Android, Windows, Chromebook, and Mac devices.

Tons of features for families and businesses

Since SentryPC is used for a variety of administrative and parental control purposes, it has a cleaner UI (easily usable by employers) than some of the more family-oriented designs. Whether you want to monitor real-time activities, filter content from games, websites, and keywords, or completely block content or sites for each user, SentryPC can do the job. The full list of features includes:

  • Real-time viewing of user activities
  • Operate in stealth so users don't know you're watching
  • Central management of multiple devices
  • Activity alerts for any attempts at blocked activity
  • Usage reports
  • Visual charts for quick viewing
  • 24/7 remote access

Blocks access and filters by keywords

The filtering system on SentryPC works by filtering out apps, games, keywords, and websites, and you can determine the exact blocks and filters for each individual user. SentryPC allows for scheduling days and times that users can access certain apps or sites, and keyword filters will block access to any content including those keywords. The content filters also have action options like enabling and disabling filters, alerting the device user that they're on a restricted site, or force-closing browsers if an unwanted site is accessed.

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Prices from $69.95 to $9,995 per year

There are six different plans at SentryPC. The names are designed for business owners, but know that you can use these plans at home with your family too. You may want to stick to the Basic Plan, however, to avoid overpaying for devices you won't need. You'll get all of the features listed above in each plan. The only difference in price comes from how many devices and screenshots are included in the package. Here's what we found:

  • Basic Plan
    • Manage one device
    • Store 500 screenshots
    • Cost: $69.95/year
    • +$29.95 for each additional device
  • Business 50
    • Manage up to 50 devices
    • Same features as Basic
    • Cost: $1,495/year
    • +$29.90 for each additional device
  • Business 100
    • Manage up to 100 devices
    • Store up to 1,000 screenshots
    • Cost: $2,495/year
    • +$24.95 for each additional device
  • Business 250
    • Manage up to 250 devices
    • Same features as Business 100
    • Cost: $4,995/year
    • +$19.98 for each additional device
  • Business 500
    • Manage up to 500 devices
    • Store up to 2,000 screenshots
    • Cost: $7,495/year
    • +$14.99 for each additional device
  • Business 1,000
    • Manage up to 1,000 devices
    • Same features as Business 500
    • Cost: $9,995/year
    • +$9.959 for each additional device

Demo the software before you buy

While SentryPC does not include a free trial, you can use a demo account to try the software before making a purchase. The demo shows you an example dashboard that includes dummy data and live updates like you'd see during your own usage. The previews include all of the features like activity alerts, content filtering, and security options, so you can play around with the system and see if you like it.

No guarantee offered

SentryPC's terms of use state that the products are distributed and licensed on an "as is” basis. This means that there are no warranties or guarantees for the software offered by SentryPC. You won't be able to score a refund if you don't like the program, so you may want to pay special attention to the demo.

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Best for business owners

While families can use SentryPC, the program is clearly designed for businesses rather than home and family use. The UI is cleaner and more business-focused, and designed to help employers monitor their employees during working hours. This is an ideal solution for a large business with security concerns, but for families, you can find a better app for internet filtering that targets your needs more directly (and for a lot less money).

Not a popular product

Currently, SentryPC does not have a page on the Better Business Bureau. We did find some feedback on trusted third-party review sites like Trustpilot. SentryPC holds an average of 3.6 stars out of 5, but this is only across a mere 2 reviews. One reviewer says the software is the best they've ever used. The other said that the product doesn't work. Outside of third-party reviews, some online tech blogs have rated SentryPC with just 2.3 stars. While the reviews praise the low prices (which we assume is in a business context, since it's awfully expensive for families!), SentryPC's lack of a free version and poor customer service cause it to rank below other business-focused software for internet filtering.

Best only if you want a business monitoring system

Without much buzz and very few extras to recommend it, SentryPC is a mediocre choice for families and an okay choice if you're a business owner. Without a real free trial or refund policy, we have some concerns about customer service (concerns that are shared by review bloggers). Since there are better sites out there for internet filters in general with more targeted chat apps and games, SentryPC may be best if you really want a business-focused monitoring service only. Otherwise, check out our higher-ranked internet filters instead for more family-focused options.

What is the Best Internet Filter?

Ever worried about all the crazy stuff online and wish there was a safer way to browse without running into unwanted content? If you're on the internet today, you know there's plenty to avoid. Whether you're dodging explicit content floating around on "X” or just trying to keep your socials from overwhelming your busy life, filtering out sites and tags that you (and your family) want to avoid can be a weight off your shoulders.

The primary purpose of internet filters is to help users avoid and prohibit access to NSFW content. However, schools often use internet filters to promote focus and help students avoid unnecessary time on social media sites. You can use them however you want, but the main goal is limiting the world wide web for safer and happier browsing.

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Internet Filter FAQ

Internet filters are useful for anyone who wants to ensure that illicit content is not available to users of their Internet connections and services. Customers of Internet filtering solutions tend to be parents, with the remainder being libraries, religious and community organizations, and businesses.
Internet filtering solutions are more commonly designed and implemented on an individual basis, particularly for parents who are concerned about their children accessing problematic content online. However, businesses are also customers of Internet filtering software companies because they have specific liabilities they want to avoid when it comes to employees accessing pornography, gambling, or engaging in other online activities that are not part of their job descriptions.
Internet filtering software costs differ depending on the pricing and subscription models each vendor follows. They can range from under $10/month per device to $70-$150 for multiple computers. Cost will also vary depending on the number and complexity of the features involved in the software.
There are many different kinds of filters: software, hardware, DNS, proxy, and Virtual Private Network (VPN). Each of these has a different way of detecting and blocking access to sites known to contain or link to undesirable content. Some rely on "allow lists” of good online resources and block lists of bad online resources. Others have sophisticated programming that scans and analyzes a site prior to allowing or blocking access to it on screen.
Setting up an Internet filter should only take a few minutes if the software is designed well. The best Internet filtering software typically has a configuration "wizard” routine that will walk you through all the default and recommended settings to get you started right away. Once the software is set up, it shouldn't take any further configuration or intervention beyond the occasional adjustment for newly problematic websites.
No internet filtering solution is perfect. Users have been able to successfully interfere with almost every internet filtering software solution in existence. They often get "cheats” and special code or passwords from friends or online resources where such things are published. It is important for the administrator of the software to regularly review access logs and determine whether a particular user is abiding by the rules and agreements around the devices and use of the internet connection they have access to.
Internet filtering software should include such features as remote and local administrator controls, time management, profanity masking, alerts and notifications, reports about a user's online activity, individual user profiles, and controls to fine tune the specific websites that might have been blocked but that the user should still have access to. It should also have good support from the software vendor, the very least of which should be email and chat with a customer service representative at extended hours.
At times, internet filtering software can be either over or under aggressive in blocking specific types of content. For example, information about the human body, which may include reproductive organ descriptions, could be blocked when a student is doing a science report for an anatomy class. That would be an example of overblocking. An example of underblocking is when a website for a video game is mainly graphical and changes often, thus not providing enough current information in a textual format that is easy for the software to interpret and execute a blocking routine on.
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Continued from above...

Internet filters are a great way to create a more secure browsing experience for you and your family. Internet filters are most popular with parents who have little ones. Whether you're trying to ensure your child's favorite Roblox YouTuber is safe or keep your kids using only age-appropriate online games, there are tons of ways to protect your family. Plus, many companies and businesses use internet filters too. Whether your desire is religious, based on productivity, or just keeping inappropriate content out of your home, there's an internet filter out there for you.

There are two kinds of web filtering that are most popular. The first type is a block list. This allows you (or the administrator) to manually enter websites that should be blocked by the filter program. All sites are immediately blocked on the web browser connected to the filter. You can also do this in reverse and create a master block with certain "allowed” lists for sites that are available on your browser.

The second type is based on keywords. For this method, the software allows you to input select filters or keywords to the software and it will prevent access to sites or content that contains those keywords. You'll have to be specific for this broader approach to work. For example, entering "NSFW” as a keyword means the software will only block things tagged or directly mentioning the exact word "NSFW”. If you want to avoid any contact with adult content, you may find a range of tags related to specific areas are more effective. Some newer apps also use AI technology to do regular sweeps of online sources to keep your little ones safe if they stumble onto a questionable site by accident.

The best part? You don't need to be a tech whiz to get proper web filtering on your personal or home PCs. Some go through software on your specific device (with apps or cloud-based downloads) while others work on your entire internet router. There are plenty of options and different levels to choose from. Plus, the best modern services will help you every step of the way with solid tech support and download tutorials.

If you're ready to add that extra sense of security to your browsing experience, but aren't sure where to start, check out the factors below. These should help you narrow down your options. There are plenty of internet filters out there, and we want you and your family (or your business) to have the best. Here are some helpful criteria we found:

  • Cost. Helpful filters are definitely available through a paid service, but you don't want to break the bank either. Keep an eye out for package deals or monthly payments that only cover what you need. Keep a balance between features and cost, and see if you can find all-inclusive packages to save a little extra but get all the protection you want.
  • Features. What are the features you're looking for? Does your chosen software or app have them? Keep an eye out for all-inclusive apps that don't charge you extra for all the features you need, like app blocking or website filtering.
  • Reputation. With tech companies popping up everywhere, you may want to take a little extra time to check out customer reviews for internet filters. Make sure the filter apps cover the areas you're worried about most. Third-party review sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau can give you the customers' perspective on whether you should entrust your family or business to a particular internet filter.

Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top internet filters online today. No matter what you're filtering for, there's definitely a solution for your systems, whether you need a home PC protected, your entire internet connection filtered, or just want to check in on your kids' social media usage. Now, you can browse safely and enjoy a more curated online environment designed just for you.

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