I compared prices and plans for 5 kid-friendly smartphones — this is the one I'd pick for my child

When it comes to ensuring our children's safety while they have access to a smartphone, options are available in the form of kid-friendly mobile phones. These phones offer parental controls or unique designs to limit a child's access to certain features while still allowing them to use the device for essential functions like calling family and friends.

In this article, we will compare five manufacturers of kid-friendly mobile phones – Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel, Yello!, and Waffle – focusing on their subscription pricing, device prices, MVNO networks, design features, and accessible apps.

Firstly, Bark and Gabb are MVNOs for T-Mobile and Verizon, respectively. This means their plans piggyback on larger networks, requiring a separate device purchase and a cellphone plan. Their prices range from $17.99 to $79 per month, depending on the chosen plan. The Bark Phone Pro offers a 24-month contract at $25 per month, while the Bark Phone costs $15 per month. Gabb phones, made by Nuu, are priced at $249.99 for the Genesis 4 model and $119 for the Slim 6 model, with the Plus 6 model costing $299.

Pinwheel offers three different options built by Samsung, Motorola, and an unidentified company. Their device prices range from $169 to $299, with no mention of specific plans. Pinwheel devices also have built-in parental controls that limit app usage, internet access, and social media apps. Yello! is the most restrictive option, offering no web browser, social media, or app store.

Instead, it comes preloaded with a calculator, weather, clock, and some game apps. Lastly, Waffle stands out with its unique design, offering a more limited feature set than the other four manufacturers. Waffle's device is designed to be a child-friendly alternative to a standard smartphone.