Bark Phone vs Gabb Phones

Compare the Features

Bark Phone vs Gabb phones
Parental controls built in
Read More
Bark
Bark’s software is included in all data plans, including our locked-down starter plan that monitors texts, photos, and videos.
Gabb
Gabb’s parental controls come built into their phones, which include text monitoring with Gabb Messenger.
Allows you to upgrade features and functionality on one device
Read More
Bark
Bark Phone starter plans are available to be easily upgraded to advanced plans on the same device. This makes it easy for the phone to grow with your child over the lifetime of the plan.
Gabb
Gabb Phone plans with increased functionality require a new phone model for an upgrade and you'll never be able to add internet or social media.
Texts can’t be deleted without permission
Read More
Bark
Parents choose whether to allow deletion of text messages.
Gabb
Parents choose whether to allow deletion of text messages.
Text monitoring
Read More
Bark
Bark’s advanced technology scans texts messages and attached photos & videos for potential dangers in 45+ categories, including:

  • - Suicidal ideation
  • - Sexting
  • - Bullying
  • - Porn
  • - Online predators
  • - Depression
  • - Disordered eating
  • - Anxiety
  • - Violence

Parents will get alerts if anything concerning is found so they can check in and make sure everything's okay.
Gabb
With Gabb Messenger, any content that is considered potentially harmful to kids will be flagged to the parent.

Flagged messages give parents the ability to assess the situation and help identify and prevent harmful behavior such as:

  • - Bullying
  • - Grooming
  • - Abusive behavior

However, parents must have an iPhone to use Gabb Messenger.
Automatic monitoring of many apps and social media platforms
Read More
Bark
On Bark Phone advanced plans, Bark automatically monitors texts, Chrome, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, WhatsApp, KIK, and 30+ more apps. We have the most coverage of any parent monitoring tool. Limiting the phone to educational and kid-friendly apps only is easy to set up with a click.
Gabb
Right now, Gabb only monitors texts with Gabb Messenger, which requires parents to have iPhones.
Tamper-proof parental controls
Read More
Bark
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.
Gabb
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.
Access to app store when needed
Read More
Bark
Bark now offers starter plans and advanced plans.

The starter plan is perfect for families looking for a no-internet phone with no social media or access to dangerous apps.

Need more functionality? Easily upgrade to advanced plans for parent-approved internet and app access on the same device.
Gabb
The Gabb Phone does not allow access to the app store on all of their phone models. On the Gabb Phone Plus, Gabb has a curated list of third-party apps that they deem safe. Apps outside of this list cannot be downloaded on the phone.
Web browsers allowed
Read More
Bark
Bark's advanced plans allow parent-monitored web browser access. Blocking of individual websites or website categories, such as adult content, can easily be set up with our built-in parental controls.
Gabb
The Gabb Phone does not allow access to web browsers or internet on all of their phone models. Gabb has a curated list of third-party apps that they deem safe. Apps outside of this list cannot be downloaded on the phone.
Cell service included
Read More
Bark
Unlimited talk and text is included with every Bark Phone plan.
Gabb
Unlimited talk and text are included under the Gabb plan.
No contract required
Read More
Bark
Bark Phones don't require a contract — and your phone is yours to own after three months!
Gabb
Gabb requires a contract except for some seasonal sales.
Frequent phone software updates
Read More
Bark
Since launching the phone in the last year, Bark has released 60+ software updates directly from parent feedback.
Gabb
Gabb releases new approved apps over time. Their new phone models with advanced features for older kids typically require a new phone to be purchased.
Named one of TIME’s best inventions of 2023
Read More
Bark
The Bark Phone was included in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023.
Gabb
Not applicable.

We’ve got you covered.

Features You’ll Love

Bark Phone FAQs

What type of phone is the Bark Phone?

The Bark Phone for kids is a Samsung A series. We purposely designed it so that it wouldn’t be recognizable as a “kiddie” phone. No one will know it’s a kid phone unless you tell them. Bark’s powerful parental controls are all internal — there’s no Bark branding, logos, or other tell-tales that would broadcast it as a kid’s phone. 

It comes with all the standard features of a Samsung phone.

Regardless of whether a parent has an iPhone or an Android, they will be able to manage the Bark Phone with no issues, so don’t worry about compatibility problems.

How much does the Bark Phone cost?

The Bark Phone is free! No hefty deposit or long contract is required, and after 90 days, the phone is yours to keep. We’re confident your family will love the Bark Phone, but if you need to cancel your subscription, just return your non-damaged phone to us and you’re all set.

Our monthly subscription plans range from $29/month to $89/month.

Plans include the device, our built-in parental controls, unlimited talk & text, data (if you need it), and a Bark Premium subscription for the entire family.

Choose the plan that fits your family's needs. 

Starter plan:

  • $29/month for unlimited talk, text, and no internet, app store, or games

Advanced plans:

  • $49/month for unlimited talk, text, and Wi-Fi only (no data)
  • $59/month for unlimited talk, text, and 4GB data
  • $69/month for unlimited talk, text, and 8GB data
  • $89/month for unlimited talk, text, and data1

1 After exceeding 35GB/month of data use, data speeds will be reduced for the remainder of the monthly billing cycle. After exceeding 50GB/month of data usage, data speeds may be reduced further and/or data connection may be turned off for the remainder of the monthly billing cycle.

How is a Bark Phone different from a phone with the Bark app?

The Bark Phone for kids is the result of years of experience in the online safety industry and real-life conversations with the people whose opinion counts the most: families raising kids with phones in the digital age. 

We’ve created a safe phone for kids that integrates Bark’s software seamlessly, resulting in a comprehensive and robust parental control experience.

It also comes with exclusive features that weren’t possible with just a downloadable app. The Bark Phone gives parents unprecedented oversight of their child’s online experience, including GPS-powered location tracking, call blocking, contact management, and automatic monitoring for texts and many apps and social media platforms. 

Its native controls are tamper-proof, providing parents with peace of mind that the rules they set stay in place. Bark can't be deleted, even if you factory reset it.

The best part of the Bark Phone? It grows with your child as they mature. For younger kids, you can keep the phone locked down with as little functionality as a flip phone. As they get older, you can add in additional freedoms, functionality, and apps — or scale back anytime boundaries are needed.

What does the Bark Phone come with?

Every Bark Phone comes with:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Bark Premium subscription for the entire family
  • USB-C charging cord
  • A data plan that fits your family’s needs (non-starter plans only)
  • Quick start guide for easy setup
What if I want to buy the Bark Phone but already have a Bark subscription?

If you already have a Bark Premium subscription, that’s okay! We will adjust your plan and prorate the remaining amount left and apply it to your Bark Phone subscription.

Is the Bark Phone available outside the U.S.?

Right now, the Bark Phone for kids is only available for families located in the U.S.

What apps are available for the Bark Phone?

You know your child best, which is why the Bark Phone gives you full control over the apps they can access. You can block every app that a Samsung A series could download, or you can allow them all — or somewhere in between, which is where most families will fall.

How is the Bark Phone different from other kids’ phones?

The Bark Phone is powered by the award-winning technology that made the Bark app a trusted name for families across the world. It’s the result of years of experience understanding what families need and want when it comes to having a safe phone for kids.

Secondly, we made it completely customizable, because every family — and kid — is different. For younger kids, you can make the Bark Phone work essentially like a non-smartphone. As they get older and become ready for more responsibility, you can add in functionality and access to web browsing, apps, social media, and more.

Does the Bark Phone get software updates?

Yes! The Bark Phone is updated regularly and automatically to keep up with changes in technology and when we add new features — which happens frequently! We’re constantly in touch with actual Bark Phone parents and implement feedback that families would like to see.

What is the Bark Phone return and refund policy?

If you cancel before 3 months, you’ll need to ship the Bark Phone back to us.

If you cancel after 3 months, the phone is yours to keep, but:

  • Voice/text/data service will be deactivated.
  • The phone number will be released if you haven’t already ported it to a new carrier.
  • Monitoring and parental controls will no longer work on the device.
  • To remove the Bark software and use it as a regular Samsung phone, you’ll need to reach out to customer support, who will guide you through how to manually remove it.

If you have further questions you can contact us for help.

How do I contact Bark with questions?

Our amazing customer support team is here to help! Simply email them with your initial questions and they’ll get back to you promptly — many customers benefit from a one-on-one Zoom or phone call. Additionally, you can check out all of our support articles here.

Get the only phone with Bark built in

Designed from the ground up with safety in mind, the Bark Phone will change the way you think about a kid’s phone.