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Friday, February 14th
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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