Aura safeguards your family’s finances and identity with $5M insurance, while Bark monitors 30+ platforms to catch cyberbullying and predators. Both excel in their own lanes, but if you had to choose just one, which should come first?
In this guide, I take a closer look at the best background check services in the US and UK. I’ll walk you through features, costs, and legal rules, and share when to use a professional screening tool versus a consumer search service, whether it’s for hiring, renting, dating or family safety.
HireRight is one of the oldest and most widely used background check companies, trusted by global corporations and government agencies. But with newer platforms offering faster, more transparent tools, the question is whether HireRight is still ahead, or stuck in its legacy systems.
Sterling has built its reputation on handling background checks for some of the world’s largest companies. The promise is clear: fast, accurate, and compliant screening at scale. But does that same level of service translate when you’re a smaller business hiring a handful of people? I dug into Sterling’s process, pricing, and user experience to see if the premium reputation really matches day-to-day results.
(Note: In late 2024, Sterling was acquired by First Advantage, another leading screening company, in a $2.2B deal. The Sterling brand is currently transitioning to First Advantage’s name, but for this review we’ll refer to the product as ‘Sterling’ since the platform and services remain the same.)
GoodHire positions itself as the go-to tool for small businesses and HR teams that need reliable, legally compliant background checks. From criminal records to employment verification, it claims to cover all the essentials while staying FCRA-compliant. But how well does it actually work in practice, and is it worth the cost compared to other services? In this review, I’ll share what stood out, where it struggled, and who GoodHire is really best for.
Parenting in the digital age isn’t simple. I’ve tested dozens of parental control apps to see which ones actually make life easier. From Bark’s AI alerts to Qustodio’s screen time mastery and Aura’s all-in-one security, this guide breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and where your money is best spent.
Hoverwatch runs in stealth mode and monitors calls, texts, GPS, social media, and even desktop activity. But is it really effective for parents or businesses, or does it try to do too much?
I spent two weeks testing Spynger with my wife in a fully consensual setup to see exactly how it performs in real-world use, and yes, she knew I was testing spy software on her phone, which probably makes us the only couple in history to voluntarily sign up for this level of scrutiny. We installed it on her Android phone, monitored activity for two weeks, and compared what appeared in the dashboard with her actual movements and messages. I also read through more than 185 user reviews to confirm our findings lined up with the broader user experience.
eyeZy positions itself as an all-in-one parental control app designed to give parents full oversight of a child’s digital life. It promises access to texts, calls, GPS and social media, plus extras like keyword alerts and app blocking. That makes it sound like a balanced mix of monitoring and control – but does it live up to the promise, or is it just another spy app in disguise?
SpyBubble promises to give you quick insight into calls, texts, and apps without drowning you in unnecessary features. I spent several weeks testing it across iOS and Android devices to see if it really works. What I found was a no-frills spy app that delivers the essentials smoothly – but it’s not without trade-offs.
uMobix offers real-time tracking across 30+ social platforms, messages, calls, GPS, and even live device access. But does it provide real parental control, or it just surveillance?
mSpy promises parents complete oversight of a child’s device, with hidden monitoring of texts, calls, GPS and social apps. But does it really work in practice, or is it spyware dressed up as child safety software?
I spent two years researching the hidden dangers of social media. What I found completely knocked me off my seat. In this guide I break down everything from common cyberbullying tactics to sextortion rings., and explain how it works, how to identify the signs, and how to protect against it.
Storing passwords the wrong way puts your business at risk. This guide shows you the best way to store passwords for team, covering where, how, and the safest methods to protect sensitive data, meet compliance requirements, and keep your operations running securely.
Setting up an SOS alarm system at home sounds like helicopter parenting until your elderly mother-in-law falls and can’t reach her phone. After £200 of trial and error, here’s what actually works for protecting families – from free smartphone features to professional monitoring systems that won’t break the bank. This practical guide covers budget options from £0 to £200+, real-world testing results, and setup advice that works for everyone from toddlers to elderly parents.
With so many devices and distractions, keeping kids safe online can feel overwhelming. Qustodio is a parental control app designed to make things simpler by helping you manage screen time, block harmful content, and track activity across multiple devices. In this review, I’ll walk you through how Qustodio works, what features you get (even on the free plan), and whether it’s the right fit for your family in 2025.
After juggling 300+ logins for my family and small business, I’ve tested password managers, SSO, and even the new passkeys. In this guide, I’ll share what actually works, what’s hype, and how to choose the right secure login setup for your needs in 2025.
Norton Family is designed to help parents keep kids safer online with time limits, app blocking, and web filters. But does it really stand out in a crowded parental control market? In this review, I’ll break down its features, how it works in everyday use, and whether it’s the right choice for your family.
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