Introduction
Text messaging remains one of the most common ways people communicate—whether it’s with family, friends, or colleagues. But with the rise of social media, online learning, and remote work, keeping track of SMS activity has become important for parents, employers, and individuals who want peace of mind.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 5 best text message tracker apps for iPhone and Android. Each app has unique strengths, from parental control to multi-device monitoring, so you can find the right fit for your needs.
1. mSpy – Best Overall SMS Tracker
mSpy is one of the most popular and reliable SMS monitoring apps. It gives you access to text messages, social media chats, and even multimedia files.
- Pricing:
- 1 Month – $48.99
- 3 Months – $27.99/month
- 12 Months – $11.66/month
- Compatibility: iPhone & Android
- Key Features:
- Monitor SMS, iMessage, and social media chats
- View shared photos & videos
- Track emails and call logs
- Works with Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, Viber, and more
- Pros: Wide monitoring range, encrypted data, 24/7 support
- Cons: Requires jailbreaking for full iOS features, higher cost
Verdict: A powerful choice for Android users and those who need extensive monitoring features.
2. TheTruthSpy – Best for Parental Control
Designed with parents in mind, TheTruthSpy helps you monitor your child’s SMS activity and manage device usage.
- Pricing:
- Monthly – $9.99
- Quarterly – $6.66/month
- Yearly – $4.99/month
- Compatibility: iPhone & Android
- Features:
- Real-time SMS monitoring
- App & website blocking
- Social media activity alerts
- Pros: Affordable, user-friendly, strong parental controls
- Cons: Detectable on some devices, limited iOS support
Verdict: Great for parents who want affordable monitoring with extra parental control tools.
3. WebWatcher – Best for Multi-Device Monitoring
If you need to monitor multiple devices, WebWatcher is a flexible option that works across phones, PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks.
- Pricing: $10.83/month (per device)
- Compatibility: iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, Chromebook
- Features:
- SMS & MMS monitoring (including deleted texts)
- Social media message tracking
- Call logs, website history, app usage
- Pros: Works on many platforms, tamper-proof installation
- Cons: Requires separate subscriptions for each device
Verdict: Ideal for families or businesses needing multi-device coverage.
4. Snoopza – Best Free SMS Tracker
Snoopza is a budget-friendly option that offers free SMS monitoring with optional paid upgrades.
- Pricing:
- Basic Plan – Free
- Standard Plan – $14.95/month
- Compatibility: Android only
- Features:
- SMS & call monitoring
- WhatsApp tracking
- Call recording
- Pros: Free plan, easy to use
- Cons: Limited features, no iPhone support
Verdict: A decent free option for Android users who only need basic monitoring.
5. SpyHuman – Best Budget-Friendly Option
SpyHuman is a cost-effective SMS tracker that offers real-time monitoring without requiring root access.
- Pricing: Free
- Compatibility: Android only
- Features:
- SMS & call tracking
- Social media monitoring
- Location tracking
- Pros: Free, easy installation, real-time updates
- Cons: Not available for iOS, less discreet
Verdict: A solid free choice for Android users, though limited in stealth and iOS support.
Comparison Table: Best Text Message Tracker Apps
| App | Best For | Price (Monthly) | Compatibility | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mSpy | Overall monitoring | $48.99 (1 mo) / $27.99 (3 mo) / $11.66 (12 mo) | iPhone & Android | SMS, iMessage, social media chats, photos/videos, email, call logs | Wide monitoring range, encrypted data, 24/7 support | Expensive, limited iOS features (needs jailbreak) |
| TheTruthSpy | Parental control | $9.99 (mo) / $6.66 (quarterly) / $4.99 (yearly) | iPhone & Android | Real-time SMS monitoring, app blocking, social media alerts | Affordable, strong parental tools, user-friendly | Detectable on device, limited iOS support |
| WebWatcher | Multi-device monitoring | $10.83 per device | iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, Chromebook | SMS/MMS (incl. deleted), social media, call logs, website history, app usage | Works on many platforms, tamper-proof install | Multiple subscriptions needed, costly overall |
| Snoopza | Free/basic monitoring | Free (basic) / $14.95 (standard) | Android only | SMS, call history, WhatsApp tracking, call recording | Free plan, easy to use, discreet | Limited features, no iPhone support |
| SpyHuman | Budget-friendly option | Free | Android only | SMS & call tracking, social media, location tracking | Free, real-time monitoring, no root required | Not discreet, no iOS support |
Bonus Tip: Free Way to Track iPhone Messages
If both you and the person you want to monitor use iPhones, you can enable Text Message Forwarding under Settings > Messages. This allows SMS to be forwarded to another Apple device signed in with the same Apple ID. ⚠️ Note: This only works with Apple ID-linked devices and won’t track third-party apps like WhatsApp or Instagram.
FAQs About Text Message Tracking
Q1: Is it legal to track someone’s text messages? Monitoring is legal if it’s your own device, your child’s device (as a parent/guardian), or a company-owned device with employee consent. Tracking someone else’s phone without permission may violate privacy laws.
Q2: Do these apps work without rooting or jailbreaking? Many apps (like WebWatcher and SpyHuman) work without rooting/jailbreaking, but some advanced features on iOS may require it.
Q3: Can I track deleted text messages? Yes, apps like WebWatcher and mSpy can recover deleted SMS depending on the device and setup.
Q4: Which app is best for parents? TheTruthSpy is designed for parental control, but mSpy also offers strong monitoring features for families.
Q5: Are there free SMS tracker apps? Yes, Snoopza and SpyHuman offer free versions, though they come with limited features compared to paid apps.
Conclusion
Choosing the right SMS tracker depends on your needs.
- For all-around monitoring: mSpy
- For parents: TheTruthSpy
- For multiple devices: WebWatcher
- For free/basic use: Snoopza or SpyHuman
By weighing features, pricing, and compatibility, you can find the best solution to keep your loved ones safe or manage communication responsibly.
