Gabb Phone vs Bark Phone: Which is Better in 2025?

The Gabb phone and Bark phones are great choices for first kid’s phones, with built-in safety features for kids and easy screen time limits. Both phones feature GPS-enabled tracking, so you can find or track your child’s phone.

Bark phones and Gabb phone services (Parent Portal for Gabb, and Bark Premium Login for Bark) offer family portals that allow parents to monitor phone usage, manage accounts, set parental controls, and more.

Gabb Phone vs Bark Phone: Which is Better in 2025?

Ease of Use

Gabb is designed to be easy to use from the start. The phones are shipped ready to use right out of the box. Insert your SIM, connect to cellular service, and manage everything through the parent portal.

Kids get a clean, simple layout with icons for calling, texting, music, and GPS. It’s perfect for younger users who need an early phone to stay in touch.

Bark takes longer to set up, but it’s more powerful. Parents need to manage settings like screen time, app installations, and child activity reports. It requires more up-front effort and ongoing management through the parent dashboard.

For families who want something that “just works,” Gabb is plug-and-play. However, if your child already has a phone or you want tighter monitoring with the flexibility of an app, Bark offers more control.

Safety Features

Gabb takes a strict safety-first approach to their kids’ phones. It blocks all internet browsers, third-party apps, and social media access by default.

Gabb Phone includes core features like GPS tracking, contact management, call blocking, and Gabb Guard, which flags suspicious text messages. Kids can’t delete texts or access anything outside of their approved system.

Bark, on the other hand, offers more freedom while still providing deep monitoring. It tracks text messages, emails, YouTube, and over 30 apps, and notifies parents of anything that’s flagged as dangerous, like cyberbullying or inappropriate content.

It works in real time and sends notifications directly to the parent dashboard. Both phones offer location tracking, screen time settings, and send parental notifications when something goes wrong.

Gabb works by eliminating risk altogether, while Bark focuses on managing risk. The better choice depends on how much freedom you want to give your child.

Parentally Set Apps

Gabb is a fully secure system. Your child’s phone runs a custom OS that includes the Google Play Store, an Internet browser, and no third-party apps to download without parental permission.

It provides a consistent and predictable experience. Kids can call specific contacts, send text messages, and use basic functions like music and step tracking.

Bark uses Samsung Android phones and overlays its own software for added security. Bark phones include a secure browser, curated apps, and complete text and app monitoring.

Parents decide what is installed, how long it is used, and which apps are reported. What’s more, Bark’s tools aren’t limited to Bark phones. You can install the Bark app on any iPhone or Android device to monitor your child’s existing device.

So whether you’re starting out with a starter phone or monitoring an existing phone, Bark offers a more flexible experience.

Internet Access and Monitoring

Gabb does not allow internet access. There is no web browser, app store, or social media. It is a true “no internet” phone, perfect for younger children.

Bark does allow internet access, but only through a secure browser that blocks explicit content and logs browsing history. Parents can see what sites are being visited, set web filters, and manage screen time through the Bark parent dashboard.

Both services offer activity monitoring, but Bark offers more in-depth monitoring by scanning messages, photos, emails, and apps. Gap keeps you safe by minimizing exposure. Bark allows for more independence, but uses technology to monitor everything.

Customer Service and Support

Both companies offer customer support via email, phone, and an online knowledge base. Gabb also offers a MyGabb app that lets parents manage contacts, track locations, and set screen time on their phones. It’s easy to use and reliable.

The Bark has a more complex system with more features, so the support experience is naturally different. It also offers email and chat support, along with educational materials.

Some parents have reported that Gabb is quicker to respond, while Bark can take longer depending on the issue. Overall, both products are useful, but Gabb’s system is simpler and therefore less likely to cause problems in the first place.

Other Features

The Gabb Phone has simple front and rear cameras. They’re good enough for taking regular photos, but there’s no video recording capability or ability to share media with anyone other than approved contacts. There are also no photo filters or advanced tools.

Based on Samsung’s Android, the Bark Phone has more advanced camera settings. Kids can take photos and videos, and parents can choose whether to allow sharing or restrict camera use.

The Bark Phone offers more freedom of creative expression, but it also requires parental involvement. If your child enjoys taking photos, Bark may feel more natural.

Bark’s AI-based system alerts parents to risky content in 45+ categories, including cyberbullying, depression, and inappropriate content.

Gabb’s monitoring feature only works on its own Gabb Messenger, which flags harmful content, but lacks broader social media monitoring capabilities.

Conclusion

Both the Gabb Phone and the Bark Phone prioritize child safety, but they take different approaches. The Bark Phone offers comprehensive monitoring and flexible parental controls, making it ideal for long-term use with older children, but it comes with a higher monthly fee.

The Gabb Phone focuses on tight restrictions and a controlled environment, making it better suited for younger children or families who want maximum restrictions at a lower cost.