Bark vs Covenant Eyes Detailed Comparison
Join 50,000+ men reclaiming their focus, energy, and confidence by quitting porn for life.
Consider you just found out your child is watching porn. You want to quit porn for life. But you also know that quitting porn is not easy, and without help, your child might not stop watching porn before it causes severe damage to their life. So, you turn to the internet to find solutions. You want to find the best software to help your family. As you search, two names come up repeatedly: Bark and Covenant Eyes. Which one is the best? This guide will help you make that decision.
Bark vs Covenant Eyes: Which is better for helping your family quit porn? Before we explore the differences between the two programs, it is essential to note that the Overcomers' quit porn program is a valuable tool for helping your family achieve their goals of quitting porn for life.
Table of Contents
What is Bark?
Bark is one of the most popular parental control apps on the market. It features tools to help you manage your kids' screen time, block inappropriate websites and apps, and track their location, allowing you to stay informed about their activities. Bark’s comprehensive monitoring capabilities are among the reasons it stands out. The app can track a whopping 30-plus platforms (27 on Android alone) to give you a clear picture of what your child is doing online. The list of monitored apps includes social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat; messaging platforms such as Discord, Slack, and WhatsApp; and even some games like Roblox.
Not only does Bark work on both Android and iOS devices, but it also integrates with cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive, which can store a significant amount of sensitive content. The app’s extensive coverage helps to ensure that nothing harmful falls through the cracks.Ready to take control and build the habits that serve you? Don't let another day pass feeling stuck in the same cycle. Overcomer provides you with proven tools, streak tracking, content filtering, and science-backed resources to help you break free and start seeing real progress. Join thousands who've already reclaimed their focus, confidence, and energy. Download Overcomer to quit porn today − receive 80% off with a 3-day free trial.
Related Reading
What is Covenant Eyes?
Covenant Eyes is a software program designed to help individuals with unwanted technology habits, especially porn use. The program works by monitoring online activity and sending reports to a user’s accountability partner. This process aims to foster transparency and help users avoid the temptation of porn.
How Has Covenant Eyes Changed?
The internet accountability offered by Covenant Eyes, until recently, utilized URL-based reporting and accountability partners to receive a list of websites visited and browser searches conducted. However, with changes to the way we use the internet (via apps rather than browsers) and the way porn websites are encrypted, their software couldn’t keep up. With Screen Accountability, web addresses accessed on a device are no longer recorded. Instead, the screen of each device is monitored, and Artificial Intelligence is used to detect pornographic images. When something is deemed to be pornographic, a screenshot is taken, blurred, and then attached to the report sent to partners.
Are Blurred Screenshots Helpful?
When an image is determined to be pornographic, it is hidden in the email sent to your partner, and they have to click a link to view the image. This has then been blurred. If you wanted to, you could improve the image in stages to see more of what it shows, but you cannot make the image completely clear. My accountability partner said that she felt that if pornography were a particular battle for her, she would prefer not to receive the photos. The images were blurred enough to mean that they weren’t in any way likely to trigger lustful thoughts for her.
Bark vs Covenant Eyes Detailed Comparison
The Mission of Bark and Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes helps individuals quit porn. The program focuses on accountability and behavior change through reporting and monitoring. Its mission is to create a culture of transparency for those trying to overcome pornography addiction. The program is helpful for anyone trying to quit porn, especially within faith-based or recovery communities.
Bark, on the other hand, is a parental control app designed to help families monitor their children's online activity. Its mission is to keep kids safe from online dangers like sexual predators, cyberbullying, and explicit content. While it does address pornography, its primary focus is on protecting children from immediate threats and helping parents intervene early.
Monitoring Approach
Covenant Eyes uses AI-driven screenshot analysis and activity monitoring. It scans the screen regularly to detect pornographic or explicit content. It doesn’t just block sites, it takes periodic screenshots and uses AI to identify problematic imagery or sites. These are then reviewed and sent in detailed reports to a chosen accountability partner. It also tracks app and browsing activity.
Bark monitors text, social media, emails, YouTube, search history, and more across multiple platforms. Instead of constantly monitoring screen activity like Covenant Eyes, Bark scans for specific signs of risk using keyword detection and AI across platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and even school email accounts. It notifies parents when something concerning arises, allowing them to step in without hovering over their child.
The Target Audience of Bark and Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes targets adults and older teens, often within faith-based or addiction-recovery communities. Its design is geared toward individuals seeking accountability, not control. Many users are self-motivated adults, sometimes guided by therapists or church groups. Bark is explicitly designed for families with children, particularly pre-teens and teenagers. Its features cater to parental oversight, allowing adults to control what children access, see, and experience online.
Features Breakdown
Covenant Eyes Features:
Screen monitoring with periodic screenshots.
AI-based nudity and explicit content detection.
Weekly accountability reports.
VPN-level filtering through their Safe Search engine.
Option to block specific apps/websites.
Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (limited functionality on iOS).
Strong accountability partnership model.
Bark Features
Monitors 30+ platforms, including social media, texts, and email.
Flags issues like sexting, bullying, suicidal thoughts, and grooming.
Web filtering by categories and specific sites.
Screen time management and app blocking.
Location tracking and check-ins.
Dashboard for alerts and trends.
Works on Android, iOS, and browser extensions.
Filtering vs. Accountability
Covenant Eyes leans heavily toward accountability rather than parental control. It does not micromanage web access as much as it emphasizes reporting and recovery. The filtering component is fundamental and primarily focused on pornography and adult content. Bark is more focused on active filtering, app blocking, and alerts. It allows real-time restrictions and immediate control, giving parents the tools to enforce boundaries in the moment.
Reporting and Alerts
Covenant Eyes provides weekly accountability reports sent to a chosen partner (friend, spouse, mentor). These reports include website visits, suspicious activity, app usage, and screenshot-based flags. Bark sends real-time alerts to parents when it detects something concerning. The alerts include detailed information and recommendations on how to address the issue. Bark avoids overwhelming parents with minor problems, only notifying them when something significant occurs.
Privacy and Trust
Covenant Eyes raises privacy concerns for some, especially given the screenshotting and constant monitoring of device use. While the service is consensual and often used voluntarily, users must be comfortable with a third party seeing their online behavior. Bark also raises privacy concerns, particularly among teens, as it can monitor sensitive messages. However, Bark’s design focuses on detecting issues without revealing everything, thereby protecting privacy by only alerting when something potentially harmful is detected, rather than displaying every message.
Ease of Use and Setup
Covenant Eyes can be more challenging to install and maintain, particularly on iOS, where restrictions make full functionality harder. Android offers more flexibility. It’s more tech-heavy and requires users to commit to long-term use. Bark is more parent-friendly with a clear dashboard and less intrusive controls. Setup is relatively easy across devices, and its real-time alerts make it efficient for busy parents.
Ideal Use Case Scenarios
Covenant Eyes is ideal for individuals (teens/adults) trying to stay away from pornography or addictive content, particularly in accountability settings like recovery groups or faith communities. Bark is ideal for families wanting to protect children from multiple online threats beyond pornography, like predators, bullying, violence, and emotional distress.
Overcomer: A Proven Companion to Quit Porn
Overcomer can help you break free from pornography. This app employs evidence-based techniques to help individuals quit porn and recover from porn addiction. The app provides users with a way to track their progress, access helpful resources, and filter out explicit content online.
Related Reading
How to Reverse the Effects of Porn
8 Best Bark and Covenant Eyes Alternatives
1. Overcomer
Overcomer is a trusted friend you can turn to when you’re ready to quit porn. This recovery app provides proven tools to help you break free from the grips of compulsive porn use. The tools include streak tracking to help you monitor your recovery progress, content filtering to block unwanted pornographic material, and science-backed resources to help you understand your addiction and how to overcome it. Join thousands of others who have reclaimed their focus, confidence, and energy by downloading Overcomer and starting your journey to recovery today.
Features of Overcomer
Streak tracking
Content filtering
Science-backed resources to help you understand and quit porn.
2. BrainBuddy
BrainBuddy is one of the leading apps for managing compulsive pornography use. The app focuses on rewiring the brain using scientific techniques, aiming to replace harmful habits with positive ones. Users engage with daily challenges that keep them on track as they work to eliminate their dependence on porn. There is also a strong community aspect that offers peer-to-peer support.
Pros
Comprehensive focus on brain rewiring and habit replacement.
Engaging in daily challenges to keep users on track.
Strong community aspect for peer-to-peer support.
Cons
Limited personalization for specific triggers or scenarios.
Requires a subscription for full functionality.
3. Accountable2You
Another rising star in the porn blocker world, Accountable2You, has quickly gained a following due to its exceptional screen accountability features. Working on most devices, Accountable2You allows you to track websites visited and receive real-time notifications when specific flagged sites are visited on all devices.
Built on the concept of human accountability, this system works best when paired with a coach who can help you better manage your screen time. The features that set Accountable2You apart from other blockers include: a built-in accountability partner system, compatibility with most devices, and Personal and Family subscriptions.
Pros
The accountability partner system provides you with greater support throughout your journey.
Works on most devices and operating systems- both desktop and mobile devices
Personal and Family subscriptions give you a range of options
Cons:
Not as many features as Covenant Eyes or PluckEye
Requires a paid subscription, no free version
4. BlockerX
Blocker X is a reputable porn and app blocker with over 2 million people using the software online. It is a VPN-based porn-blocking and accountability software available in mobile, desktop, and browser versions. Using a VPN enables users to access websites and services that their ISP usually blocks. This includes streaming porn, watching adult content, and accessing many popular adult websites.
\Blocker X offers a wide variety of features that create an excellent experience for the user, such as: Porn blocking across devices, Accountability partners, coaches, Online community, and Productivity trackers. As you can see, Blocker X offers more than just porn-blocking software. The reviews are superb, with an average of 4.2 stars on the App Store. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for an all-around blocker.
Pros
Strong VPN-based blocking software
Community Access to video calls and texts with coaches (for a price)
Reasonable price and ability to pay for lifetime access
Cons
No screen accountability features like those included in Covenant Eyes
VPN may be challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar with the system
5. PluckEye
Taking its name from Jesus' teaching on "plucking out your eye if it causes you to sin", PluckEye is a Christian-based porn blocker that offers both filtering and blocking features. While many porn-blocking websites utilize a "blacklisting" methodology ( where you are constantly asked to remove specific sites from your viewing habits), PluckEye takes a different path.
By asking users to create a "whitelist" of sites they would like to view without restriction, PluckEye can provide a more tailored experience. The features that set PluckEye apart from other blockers include the Whitelist design that allows users. To build a list of accessible sites an average of 4.9 stars on the App Store. Free and paid subscriptions are compatible with most popular devices.
Pros
4.9-star average on the App Store
Free and paid subscriptions
Works on most popular devices
Cons
Requires more setup to create a whitelist of sites.
It may not offer as many robust features as Covenant Eyes
6. Habitica
Habitica gamifies self-improvement, turning daily recovery goals into interactive tasks that users can complete in a game-like environment.
Pros
Highly engaging and fun approach to habit-building.
Encourages collaboration and community support.
Adaptable for various personal goals.
Cons
It may not address deeper emotional triggers related to pornography use.
It can feel too general for users seeking a focused recovery tool.
7. FamiSpace
The FamiSafe Porn Blocker App is one of the most comprehensive porn blockers available for parents who want to know how to block inappropriate websites on their phones. It works on nearly any device, including mobile devices and computers. Parents can track social media usage, including TikTok history, and set screen time limits to help children be responsible with their device usage.
FamiSafe allows parents to set keywords and receive notifications when they appear in text messages, social media posts, and more, so they’ll know when their kids might be discussing inappropriate topics with friends. Advanced keyword monitoring alerts parents when they need to have essential conversations with their children.
Pros
The app works on most devices, and the subscription can cover an unlimited number of devices
Alerts parents about inappropriate browsing so they can act proactively to address the situation
Location tracking and history help parents keep track of where their kids are, stopping the endless “where are you” phone calls
Cons
Only works on Chrome and Safari browsers, so other browsers go unmonitored
Lack of text message monitoring means worrisome conversations may fly under the radar
8. Norton Family Parental Control
One of the world's top antivirus software providers has also developed one of the best porn blockers. Norton Family Parental Control helps parents monitor their child’s web browsing, search activity, and YouTube history to keep them safe online. Parents receive a comprehensive report via email or through the Parent Portal, detailing their children's activities in detail.
There are features to help kids stay focused and avoid getting sucked into their devices, too. In addition to safe browsing features, Norton helps kids avoid distractions and focus on their schoolwork by letting parents set and schedule screen time limits and block web browsing instantly. Of course, in today’s world, disconnecting kids from the internet often means disconnecting them from their classroom. Norton Family addresses this issue with a School Time feature that enables you to block distracting apps while allowing access to essential learning tools.
Pros
Parents can get valuable insights about their child’s browsing habits through the Parent Portal.
The School Time feature helps parents block distracting apps while still allowing access to the web and school-related apps.
Minimize conflict about rules and boundaries with the unique in-app dispute feature.
Cons
No text message, email, or photo monitoring, resulting in numerous gaps in protection.n
No alerts for worrisome messages, photos, or social media posts.
Quit Porn Today − Receive 80% off with a 3-Day Free Trial.
Overcomer helps you break free from pornography. The app provides you with proven tools to regain control of your brain and your life. Don’t let another day pass feeling stuck in the same cycle. Join thousands who have already reclaimed their focus, confidence, and energy. Download Overcomer to quit porn today and receive 80 percent off with a three-day free trial.
Streak Tracking
Most people who quit a habit or addiction experience a relapse. This isn’t a failure, but part of the recovery process. The goal is to learn from the experience and build back better. With Overcomer, you can track your progress using streaks. These simple metrics help you visualize your recovery from pornography and get back on track after a setback.
Content Filtering
Instead of simply blocking pornography websites, which a determined user can easily bypass, Overcomer takes a different approach. The app helps you filter out specific content based on your triggers. With this method, you don’t just avoid porn; you can also rebuild your broken associations to help you regain control of your life.
Science-Backed Resources
Overcomer isn’t just another app to track your recovery from pornography. It’s loaded with science-backed research to help you understand what you’re going through and why. You’ll learn about the effects of porn on the brain and why quitting can feel so difficult. You’ll also find practical tips to help you get through the initial stages of your recovery.
Related Reading
Start Your Journey Today
Start your journey with our porn addiction app and become the best version of yourself.
