5 Mac Apps to Track Internet Usage

Monitoring the use of the internet on Macs with specific programs is especially beneficial for many users. Some may want to control what their children see online, while others aim to limit distractions at work. Other internet usage monitoring software can monitor how much data each application consumes, helping you identify which programs utilize the internet most often.

For instance, you can check if video call applications consume a lot of data, thus affecting the internet speed. It helps you know which apps consume high internet speeds to ensure you only use them when you have data.

It is possible to prioritize some programs and limit the amount of data they can consume or share more internet resources with other programs. This can be especially useful for employers who wish to guarantee that employees have proper internet access. Similarly, parents can monitor the amount of data their children consume and which program consumes most of it. This can also assist children in ensuring that they are not wasting too much time on the internet; hence, they will not use too much data.

Whether you want to limit work distractions, save your children from online dangers, or control how much data your apps consume and where they connect, today's market has something to offer you. Here are five internet usage monitoring software for various purposes.

CleverControl is the most comprehensive internet usage monitoring software designed for employee monitoring. It enables managers to track how employees use the internet, helping businesses ensure employees focus on their work and stick to company internet policy. The software works by installing a program on employee computers. This program then watches employee activity and sends reports to a monitoring dashboard.

Features

• Tracks internet usage:

  CleverControl monitors the websites employees visit and the time spent on each one. This feature can help you see if employees spend too much time on social media or other non-work sites.

• Monitors visited websites:

  You get a list of all websites visited, along with the date and time. This can help identify websites that may not be suitable for work or could be a security risk.

• Records keystrokes:

  CleverControl can record all the keystrokes employees type on their computers. This can help investigate issues or ensure employees are following company rules.

• Captures screenshots:

  CleverControl can take snaps of employees' computer screens at certain events. Screenshots give you a visual record of what employees are working on and can help identify potential productivity issues.

• Tracks application usage:

  CleverControl tracks the applications employees use on their computers and the time spent using each. This information can help you detect employees who use unapproved applications or spend too much time on games or other non-work programs.

Pros

Provides comprehensive reports of employees' internet usage

• Helps identify productivity problems

• Can help prevent security risks

• Easy to use

• Costs less than some other options

Cons

• It may raise privacy concerns if not implemented with a clear privacy policy.

• It may not be convenient for other monitoring purposes, such as parental control.

Net Nanny is another internet usage monitoring software that helps you track and control how you use the internet on your devices. It gives you tools to see what websites are visited, how much time is spent online, and limit screen time. It can also block websites that you don't want people to see. This app can benefit both parents and businesses.

Features

• Monitors internet usage:

  Net Nanny tracks the websites you visit, the apps you use, and how long you spend online. You can see how the internet is used and find areas that might cause concern.

• Blocks inappropriate websites:

  Net Nanny can block access to websites that are considered inappropriate based on categories already set up or filters you create yourself. This feature can help protect users, especially young children, from coming across harmful or distracting content.

• Sets screen time limits:

  With Net Nanny, you can set daily or weekly limits on how much time you can spend online. This can be a helpful tool to promote healthy habits and prevent people from spending too much time online.

• Provides activity reports:

  Net Nanny creates reports that show details about internet activity, including websites visited, apps used, and the amount of time spent online. These reports can be used to see trends, find potential problems, and make informed decisions about how the internet is used.

Pros

• It's easy to use

• You can change the filters to fit your needs

• The reports are detailed

• It works on many different devices.

Cons

• It cannot block as many apps as some other programs on iPhones and iPads

• You cannot set time limits for specific apps

• You can only buy plans that last for a year.

Qustodio is software that helps you monitor and control internet use on devices. Initially designed for parental monitoring, this may also be helpful for businesses that want to ensure their employees are using company devices properly and getting things done.

Features

• Tracks Internet Usage

  With Qustodio, you can see what websites are visited, which applications are used, and how long someone spends online. You can set up alerts to inform you about specific activities, like visits to blocked websites or if someone spends a lot of time on social media.

• Blocks Harmful Content

  Qustodio lets you block access to websites that are not appropriate and entire categories of websites. This can help to protect employees from malware, phishing attacks, and other online dangers.

• Monitors Social Media Activity

  While Qustodio cannot directly see the texts of posts, it can track how much time is spent on social media platforms and let you know if certain words or phrases are used. This feature can help find possible problems or concerns.

• Provides Detailed Reports

  Qustodio makes reports about internet use patterns. These reports can help you see trends, understand how users spend their time online, and make decisions about internet use rules.

Pros

• Setting it up and using it is simple.

• It tracks a lot of different online activities.

• You can choose how you want to block content.

• It gives you detailed reports.

• It works on various devices.

Cons

• You can't see everything your child does on social media.

• Blocking websites may not always work perfectly on all devices.

Mobicip is a program that lets you see and control how the internet is used on different devices. You can install it on computers, smartphones, and tablets. Mobicip tracks what's done on the internet, including what websites are visited, which apps are used, and how long the device is online. You can later see these reports on the monitoring dashboard that Mobicip provides. There, you can also change settings remotely.

Features

• Monitors Internet Usage

  Mobicip gives you details about how devices are being used online. You can see a list of visited websites and how much time was spent on each. This can help detect unwanted websites or determine whether certain sites are used too much.

• Filters Websites

  Mobicip lets you block certain websites or types of websites. This feature can be helpful to prevent users from visiting inappropriate sites, such as gambling sites, pornography, or social media. You can also block specific words or phrases in your filters.

• Sets Screen Time Limits

  Mobicip lets you limit how much time you spend on the internet. You can set times when the internet can or cannot be used. This option can be helpful to encourage good technology habits and reduce screen time.

• Provides Activity Reports

  Mobicip makes reports that summarise internet activity. These reports can show the total time spent online, the websites visited the most, and even the apps used the most. This information can help understand how devices are used and detect possible problems.

Pros

• Easy to set up and use

• Tracks internet activity on many devices

• Gives detailed reports on website visits and app use

• Can block inappropriate content and set screen time limits

• Works on many devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets

Cons

• Limited customer support options

• Some features require a paid subscription

• Activity reports can be confusing for some users

Little Snitch is software for Apple computers that monitors your internet activity and acts as a gatekeeper for your apps. It keeps track of all the information going in and out of your computer on the internet, letting you decide which apps can connect.

Features

• Monitors Internet Connections

  Little Snitch is constantly monitoring your Mac's online activities. Whenever an application tries to connect to the Internet, Little Snitch sends a message to let you know. This message tells you what program is trying to connect and where it's connecting.

• Provides Real-time Traffic Data

  Little Snitch shows you live data about your internet use. You can see how much information each program sends and gets, which can help you find programs that might be using too much of your internet speed.

• Allows Setting Rules for Internet Access

  This internet usage monitoring software allows you to make rules about how apps can use the internet. You can block specific programs from connecting or only let them connect to particular websites. This way, you are in charge of how your programs interact with the internet.

• Detailed Network Usage Reports

  Little Snitch can create detailed reports on your internet use. These reports show you which programs use the most data, what kind of connections they're making, and where your information is going.

Pros

• Gain granular control over app internet access.

• Identify potential security risks and data leaks.

• Optimize your internet bandwidth usage.

• Generate detailed reports for network analysis.

Cons

• Initial setup requires some technical knowledge.

• It can be overwhelming for users unfamiliar with network monitoring.

• Requires a paid license for continued use.

This review examined five different Mac programs that help you follow how the internet is used. Each program works well for its specific purpose. CleverControl gives the most ways to track and watch internet use. Net Nanny and Mobicip are very good at blocking websites that are not suitable and setting time limits for screen use. Qustodio makes detailed reports about what websites are visited and how social media is used. Little Snitch monitors internet connections and lets you set rules for the internet's use. To pick an internet usage monitoring software, consider what you need to track and how you want to manage internet use.