Bark Phone vs Troomi Phones

Compare the features of the Bark Phone and the Troomi phones.

Compare the Features

Bark Phone vs Troomi phones

Parental controls built in

Bark
Bark’s software is included in all data plans, including our locked-down starter plan that monitors texts, photos, and videos, as well as screen time, location tracking, and blocking.

Troomi
Troomi’s parental controls allow you to manage screen time, look at texts, track location, and more.

Text & photo/video monitoring

Bark
Bark’s advanced content monitoring scans content for potential dangers across 29 categories, including:

- Suicidal ideation
- Sexual content
- Bullying
- Porn
- Online predators
- Depression
- Disordered eating
- Anxiety
- Violence

You'll be alerted if we find anything concerning.

Troomi
Once parents enable Content Filtering in the Parent Portal, Troomi will automatically flag some content, but it's up to the parent to "tailor" the filtering from there.

Child can't delete texts without permission

Bark
The Bark Phone doesn’t allow kids to delete texts without permission.

Troomi
Child can delete messages on the device but parents can still view deleted messages through their parent portal.

Tamper-proof parental controls

Bark
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.

Troomi
Kids can’t delete the settings you set.

24/7 GPS location tracking

Bark
Track your kid’s location 24/7 with the Bark Phone, including check-ins and location alerts.

Troomi
Track your kid's location 24/7.

Access to app store can be blocked OR allowed

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.

Troomi
Troomi will give you access to the apps they think best — not you.

Web browsers allowed

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.

Troomi
Troomi allows you to add a web browser and block any sites you deem inappropriate.

Grows with child and allows you to add functionality and apps

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.

Troomi
You can add Troomi-approved apps and a web browser, but not any social media or apps outside their list.

Cell service included

Bark
Unlimited talk and text is included with every Bark Phone plan.

Troomi
Unlimited talk and text with tiered data plans.

Named one of TIME's best inventions of 2023

Bark
The Bark Phone was included in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023.

Troomi
Not applicable.

All plans include:

Unlimited talk and text
A Bark Premium subscription for the entire family
Free transfer of your kid's phone number to the Bark Phone

Plans starting at

^$ 29 /mo ^USD

+ device fee

Order now

Which plan works for your family?

Starter plan

$29/mo

Perfect for younger kids

No apps, no browser, no social media

Talk & text only
Advanced content monitoring

Get alerts for potential dangers
Tamper-proof parental controls

Kids can’t get around your safety settings
GPS-powered location tracking

Get peace of mind when your kid is on the go

Order now

Advanced plans

From $39/mo

Completely customizable for older kids

Advanced content monitoring

Get alerts for potential dangers
Approve apps and contacts

Choose which apps are installed and who they can talk to
Robust screen time and blocking

Set time limits and block inappropriate content
Add or remove functions at any time

Take away social media, web browsers, and more whenever needed

Order now

Real-life Bark families. Real-life stories.

Dorothea S.

February 12

Love! love! love! the bark phone!!!! I can’t say enough good things about Bark. This is everything i wanted in a phone for my daughter. You have no idea this moms frustration trying to find something easy and where my kid can’t disable the VPN that makes it work!!! every parent needs this for their kid…of any age!!!!!

54

22 comments
Heather W.

March 9

I have used the bark app (and now, the bark phone for my youngest) across both droid and apple devices to keep me updated on current lingo and issues that I need to address with my kids for over 5 years. Thank you for the education, extra set of eyes/ears, and your heart, Bark people!

78

33 comments
Prjrm M.

January 9

Finally I have access to a phone that I trust in my kids hands! I have access to and control over all of my kids phone activity through the parent app on my phone. It alerts me to any activity on their phone that the filter catches as possible issues. Only I can approve the apps my kids want to download. I set time limits. I love it!

45

20 comments
Jessie J.

April 5

I have loved our bark phone for my 10 year old. Great starter phone. Establishes healthy phone habits and I can rest assured that I don’t have to hound/search her phone! It actually provides freedom for my kids.

37

24 comments
Jena R.

January 10

Bark is the best decision my husband and I made. We have a 15 year old and although that may sound a bit old for monitoring, it is the best thing for us and our teen because it alerts us on potentially dangerous situations and it holds her accountable for how she conducts herself online. I can’t see why anyone would discourage this. Thanks Bark!

43

9 comments
Stephanie W.

December 20

Bark has changed our family’s lives. No exaggerating here. There are so many things I wouldn’t have known or seen if we didn’t subscribe, and I’m an IT person that knows firewalls & security. Bark does so much more, especially since most of this behavior happens over the phones that can be turned off from my firewall.

45

52 comments
Marianne H.

March 15

Thanks a ton. You have not only helped me protect my kids, but helped us have better and more open conversations. My kids live in a blended home, and this helps us be on the same page when we teach right and wrong and flat out dangerous

74

16 comments
Kimberly S.

January 16

I have had this for about a month. It has absolutely produced excellent conversations and has built trust. My approach is not “gotcha” but “I love you and this helps me support you”. My children understand I trust them but I need to be alerted to some things. This has been a great fit for our family.

23

9 comments

Explore all the features

Approve or deny contacts

Help protect your kid from strangers by choosing who they can talk to.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Starter plan
- Advanced plan
Approve or deny app downloads

When your child tries to download an app, you'll get a request to approve or deny the app.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
Allow or block access to App Store

Decide if your child is allowed to access the Google Play Store by simply toggling a button.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
Encourage healthy boundaries

Select time limits for all the apps on your child's phone by category or individually.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
Limit distractions while they’re driving

Automatically pause the Bark Phone when it detects your child is in a moving vehicle.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Starter plan
- Advanced plan
Prevent texts from being deleted

Choose whether or not your child can delete text messages on their phone.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Starter plan
- Advanced plan
Create custom schedules for apps

From school time to bedtime, decide what apps your kid can use and when.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
- Starter Plan
Protect your kid from inappropriate content

Our web filter lets you block whole categories of content as well as specific sites and apps.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
Worry less when your kid is out and about

Stay on top of your kid's location with our real-time map, location alerts, and check-ins.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Starter plan
- Advanced plan
Get alerts for concerning content

Bark scans texts, social media and online content and sends you alerts for potential issues.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Advanced plan
- Starter plan
Make morning wake-ups a little easier

Set one-time or recurring alarms to go off on your child's Bark Phone.
INCLUDED WITH:
- Starter plan
- Advanced plan

“The Bark Phone does something special and it does it well.”
“I’ve tried many popular kids’ phones and this one is the best.”
“I’ve been waiting for something like this.”
“The best phone for kids to keep them safely connected.”
“I like that this phone can grow with the child as they mature.”

We’ve got you covered

Find out if Bark covers your service area.

Check coverage

FAQs

What type of phone is the Bark Phone?

The Bark Phone is a Samsung A16, while the Bark Phone Pro is a Samsung A36. We purposely designed them so that they wouldn’t be recognizable as kids' phones.

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.

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 $10/month for 24 months, and the Bark Phone Pro is $19/month for 24 months to cover the cost of the device plus your monthly wireless plan. There is no activation fee with either phone.

Your monthly plan cost will include:

A Bark Premium subscription for the entire family
Our built-in parental controls
Unlimited talk & text
Mobile data (if you choose it)

Starter plan:

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

Advanced plans:

$39/month for unlimited talk, text, and Wi-Fi only (no data)
$49/month for unlimited talk, text, and 4GB data
$59/month for unlimited talk, text, and 8GB data
$79/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

How is the Bark Phone Pro different from the Bark Phone?

The Bark Phone Pro comes with all of the same great parental controls (monitoring, blocking, contact approvals, and more) as the Bark Phone but with more memory, a faster processor, and enhanced durability.

Scratch-resistant screen and extra protection against drops
Water- and dust-resistant to handle splashes, spills, and dust
Super-fast octa-core processor for smooth performance
6 GB RAM for seamless video calls and gaming

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 your Bark Phone subscription more than 60 days after purchase, you'll need to pay off what remains of the total cost of the phone. After that, the phone is yours to keep. The amount you owe depends on when you cancel.

If you’d like to remove Bark’s software and use the phone like a regular Android, our support team can help. Contact us if you have any questions!

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

This is a common concern for families! With our kid-safe phones, you’ll always be able to keep an 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.

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.

What age is the Bark Phone Pro best for?

The Bark Phone Pro is ideal for tweens and teens who are more active on their devices and need a little extra power and durability. But any kid will love the Pro!

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.

Can I transfer over an existing phone number to the Bark Phone?

You sure can! Bark lets you transfer an existing number from another carrier — known as "porting" — at no additional cost! Check out this help article for step-by-step instructions.

Is the Bark Phone Pro waterproof?

The Bark Phone Pro has an IP67 rating that makes it water- and dust-resistant, meaning it can handle splashes, spills, and a little dirt.

What kind of screen does the Bark Phone Pro have?

The Bark Phone Pro has a scratch-resistant screen made with Gorilla Glass, built to stand up to provide extra protection for active kids.

Is there a warranty or insurance available for the Bark devices?

Yes, we offer optional device protection plans with AKKO that cover accidental damage, loss, and more — because life happens. Learn more here.

How do I contact Bark with questions?

You can reach out to our customer support team — they’re standing by ready to help!

Compare phones

Bark Phone Pro

Starts at $29/mo

+ $19/mo for 24 mo for device

Order now
6GB RAM | 128GB storage

5000mAh battery

45W super fast charge

IP67 water resistance

50MP triple lens camera

Super HDR front camera

Gorilla® Glass screen

Faster processor & more memory
Bark Phone

Starts at $29/mo

+ $10/mo for 24 mo for device

Order now
4GB RAM | 128GB storage

5000mAh battery

25W fast charge

IP54 water resistance

50MP triple lens camera

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Super HDR front camera

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Gorilla® Glass screen

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Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 processor