Bark Phone vs Gabb Phones

Compare the Features

Bark Phone vs Gabb phones
Parental controls built in
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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.
You can upgrade to the advanced plan for more app access on the same phone
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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
Users can upgrade from the Gabb starter plan to the standard plan on a Gabb Phone 4, but for access to the advanced plan to get more apps you’ll need to order a Gabb Phone 4 Pro, a new device.
Texts can’t be deleted without permission
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Bark
Parents have the option to allow their child to delete texts.
Gabb
Parents have the option to allow their child to delete texts.
Text & photo/video monitoring
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Bark
Bark’s advanced technology scans texts messages, attached photos & videos, and the child's camera roll 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.

Parents can use iOS devices, Androids, or our parent dashboard via web browser to use Bark.
Gabb
With Gabb Messenger, any content that is considered potentially harmful to kids will be flagged to the parent.
Automatic monitoring of many apps and social media platforms
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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 monitoring tool. Limiting the phone to educational and kid-friendly apps only is also available for parents.
Gabb
Right now, Gabb only monitors texts, photos and videos on Gabb Messenger. Gabb doesn’t monitor social media or websites because they don’t allow them.
Tamper-proof parental controls
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Bark
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.
Gabb
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.
Access to app store when needed
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Bark
Bark 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
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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
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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
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Bark
Bark Phones don't require a contract — and your phone is yours to own after three months!
Gabb
Gabb offers a month-to-option as well as 1- and 2-year contract options
Custom schedules
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Bark
Parents can set customized schedules using Bark
Gabb
Gabb phones don’t allow for custom schedules or time limits
Named one of TIME’s best inventions of 2023
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Bark
The Bark Phone was included in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023.
Gabb
Not applicable.

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Features Youll 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 cell 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 $39/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:

  • $39/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?

Because Bark’s software is built directly into the phone, it automatically monitors texts, emails, social media, and apps. Bark also can't be deleted from the Bark Phone, which helps ensure the settings you put into this cell phone for kids will stay.

The Bark Phone also offers exclusive features that the app doesn’t, including:

  • Contact approvals
  • App install approvals
  • Remote alarms
  • Daily screen time limits
  • Completely tamper-proof settings
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 your family already has a Bark Premium subscription, no problem! After your first Bark Phone payment, we'll adjust your plan and add any credits due from your old subscription to your next month's Bark Phone payment.

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.

Tell us what country you'd like to bring the Bark Phone to next.

What apps are available for the Bark Phone?

We have two options when it comes to apps on our cell phone for kids.

The starter plan is our locked-down version perfect for younger kids or teens who need more supervision. It allows for texting and calling — that’s it. No internet, no apps, no games.

Our advanced plans, on the other hand, allow your child to request any apps in the Google Play store. You can choose which ones to allow or block.

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

The Bark Phone stands out from other kid phones because of our advanced content monitoring that comes built-in. Our software automatically scans texts, photos, videos, apps & social media for dangers and sends you an alert if something concerning is found. 

We also 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 with our starter plan, which is talk and text only with no internet access.  

As they get older and become ready for more responsibility, you can easily upgrade to our advanced plan and add in access to apps and games. The best part? You keep the same phone!

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.

What happens when my child goes over on data on their Bark Phone?

This is a common concern for families! Keep in mind that you’ll always be able to keep on your child’s data usage from your Bark parent app/dashboard. 

If your child reaches their allotted data limit for the month, you won’t be charged anything. Their experience on the Bark Phone will simply be reduced speeds — this is called “throttling” and is standard practice for phone carriers. 

If you’d like to upgrade your child’s data plan, you can add more GB at any time from your account, and it will go into effect quickly.

Rest assured that your account will never automatically upgrade. Your child just may experience slower speeds for streaming and surfing the web. To help reduce data usage, encourage your kid to connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks whenever possible.

How do I contact Bark with questions?

Simply email our customer support team 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.

If I buy the Bark Phone can I also use Bark on my child’s tablet and computer?

Absolutely! When you buy a Bark Phone, you get free access to the Bark app, which you can put on other phones, tablets, computers, and more — perfect for siblings! Adding Bark to every device in your house helps create layers of protection for your family no matter how your children get online.

If I want to upgrade from the starter plan to an advanced plan later do I need to purchase a new phone?

Nope! You keep the same phone and simply upgrade (or downgrade!) straight from the parent app. Changes will go into effect in just a few minutes.

Is the Bark Phone compatible with hearing aid technology?

FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Regulations for Wireless Devices

The FCC established requirements for devices to be compatible with hearing aids and other hearing devices. For more information, visit the FCC website.

The wireless phone devices sold by Bark have been shown to be HAC compatible for GSM, LTE, and UMTS.

HAC for Newer Technologies:

The wireless phone devices sold by Bark have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies used. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in this device that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of this device thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the manufacturer of this device for information on hearing aid compatibility.

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.