Top 9 Free Cell Phone Spy Software 2025

It’s becoming pretty clear that if you or a loved one own a phone, you need some sort of monitoring software on it.

In the past, there weren’t that many concerns about the nature of what might be happening on a phone, but as different methods for socializing using different messaging apps popped up, people began to realize the potential risk that they were in.

So, carriers, like Sprint and Verizon, opted to make built-in software so that customers could monitor the basics.

But, the basics just aren’t cutting it anymore, and there’re many things you are missing out on if you only use the pre-built software.

You won’t be able to see any IM chat history, any historical media like photos and videos, and you’ll have a limited view of GPS history.

Using cell phone spy software is a much more practical solution. Not only will you be able to see the basics, but you’ll also gain access to a previously untapped source of activity, and you’ll be able to know exactly what they are up to on their phone.

In this post, I will be looking at nine of the best free cell phone tracker, as well as affordable premium versions, while trying to differentiate what makes each app unique.

Additionally, to try and give you a better understanding of what you’re going to get with each app, I’ve included screenshots of what their dashboards look like, and I’ve listed their main features.

How to spy sms without installing the target phone

Spying on SMS messages without installing software on the target phone is challenging due to privacy protections on most devices. However, certain methods, such as accessing the target phone’s cloud backup (if permitted), can sometimes allow for SMS monitoring.

For example, if the target phone backs up data to a cloud service and you have login credentials, you may be able to view messages remotely. It’s important to note, though, that monitoring someone’s SMS without their consent may be illegal, depending on local laws. Always ensure you have proper authorization before attempting to access someone else’s data.

It is possible to spy sms without installing the target phone. You can do this by using an sms tracking app that tracks the target phone’s activities and gives you access to the sms messages sent or received on the device.

This type of app will provide an easy-to-use platform for monitoring the target device’s SMS logs and other types of data, in order to get a better understanding of what is happening on the device.

With real-time alerts and your own personal control panel, these apps make it easier than ever before to keep an eye on any device from anywhere in the world.

What is spy software freeware?

Spy software freeware refers to monitoring tools available for free, designed to track a device’s activities, such as location, SMS, call logs, and internet usage. Freeware versions often provide basic tracking features, offering an entry-level solution for those needing minimal monitoring capabilities.

While they can be useful for simple needs, free spy software may lack the advanced functions and security protocols of paid options. Additionally, it’s crucial to research and select reputable freeware, as some free tools may compromise privacy or contain malware. Freeware spy software can be a convenient starting point, but users should be cautious and consider data security.

This type of software can be used by employers to make sure their employees are using company resources properly, or by parents to keep an eye on their children while they are online.

Freeware spy software will allow users to monitor activity on the device in real time, as well as view previously monitored activity at any time.

It also sometimes includes additional features for blocking websites, monitoring social media accounts, and more.

Spy software is easy to install and use, allowing you to monitor someone’s computer activity in real time. With such a type of software, you can track the usage of websites, programs, keystrokes, and other activities that occur on the targeted computer.

Because it is free of charge, spy software freeware also ensures that users are not limited or constrained by budget or costs associated with any premium versions – creating an ideal choice for those who need to monitor someone’s digital activity without investing a lot of money.

What is free sms tracker?

This kind of technology can be used for many different purposes, such as catching cheating partners or tracking employee activities, or even for parental control. With modern advances in tracking software, it is now possible to keep track of texts in real time.

The system sms tracker apps work by recording each message sent through the device and transferring it to a secure web panel where users can access them at any time.

Free SMS Trackers make it easy to keep track of what’s going on with your device, no matter where you are in the world.

Whether you should use a free SMS tracker depends entirely on what you are trying to achieve. While some people may want a free solution just to keep track of their children or employees, others may need more comprehensive tracking with real-time updates and advanced features.

Free trackers offer basic information such as read status, sender’s identity, and timestamp, but they lack advanced features like location tracking and monitoring calls and internet activity.

So if you need more than just message tracking, then it is better to invest in a paid tracker that offers all the features that you need.

How can I read outgoing text messages?

To read outgoing text messages on a device, you typically need access to monitoring software that logs and displays SMS activity. Once installed on the target phone, these apps can capture outgoing texts and often provide details like timestamps and recipient information.

Some apps may also back up SMS data to a cloud account, allowing you to review messages remotely from another device. However, it’s crucial to have permission from the device owner to monitor their messages, as accessing someone’s texts without consent can be illegal. Always prioritize ethical use and respect privacy laws when using monitoring tools.

To make this easier, certain programs exist that allow users to track and store all text messages sent from a cell phone; with these programs, it is easy to review all outgoing text messages at any time for reference or comparison.

Reading outgoing text messages can be done in a few different ways.

The most reliable way is to check the actual physical device that the text message was sent from, as long as it is accessible.

This can include reading the phone’s sent messages folder or signing into an account associated with the phone. Additionally, depending on the user’s service provider and phone model, there can be settings to allow users to back up and access someone’s text messages externally, such as with cloud storage platforms.

It is important to note, however, that many of these methods require permission from the user for access to their sent texts.

Review top Free Cell Phone Spy Software now

Free Cell Phone Spy Software allows users to monitor the activities of their family or employees in real time.

It’s easy to install and set up, allowing you to track emails, text messages, calls, social media, location data, and much more. There are many free cell phone spy software options available nowadays that allow you to keep track of all your devices without spending a fortune.

Some of the top free options include FlexiSPY and Hoverwatch.

With these apps, you can check browser history, read messages remotely and even capture screenshots discreetly – giving you total insight into how people are using their phones.

Choosing the best free cell phone spy software can be a difficult task. By taking an in-depth look at various solutions, you can easily compare features and find the one that best suits your needs. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the top-rated free cell phone spy software available today so you can make an informed decision when selecting a solution for your family or business.

With this information, you’ll be able to pick the right cell phone spy software and get started tracking activity quickly and easily.

FlexiSPY

Able to not only capture the basics like SMS, GPS tracking, and photos but much more advanced features like Facebook capture, Snapchat capture, etc.

FlexiSPY is one of the most sophisticated (and most famous) cell phone spy software solutions on the market.

Over and above being one of the simplest spy apps to install (takes around 1-2 minutes).

FlexiSPY also boasts one of the best support channels out there with a dedicated live chat team, an in-depth faq if you should need it, as well as even having their own community forums where members discuss their spying tactics.

A regular license for FlexiSPY starts at $79 per month, – this should be more than enough for most users.

Where FlexiSPY really starts to impress though, is with their call recording, call interception, and password cracking abilities – through a few of their more advanced features only work on their advanced license (FlexiSPY Extreme)

The extreme license starts at $119 for 1 month and gives you access to quite a few more advanced features, which is good if you are a professional investigator.

Get FlexiSPY

Hoverwatch

Hoverwatch spy app is a concealed spying app that can be utilized as spyware to catch a cheating spouse or spy on your kids.

What is Hoverwatch and how can it

This app can be utilized on Mac, Android, and Windows. It allows you to read WhatsApp, and Facebook messages, as well as texts.

In addition, you can use it to collect passwords, record calls, and trace locations. Even when you delete your messages and history or switch passwords, this spyware records everything.

When you install the spyware on your computer or phone, information from the device is covertly sent to Hoverwatch`s center. You can trail this information by logging into your account.

Hoverwatch is a free tracking device for three days.

The first necessary step is to set up an account by signing up. They only require your email address.

After that, you will create your password and click on the sign-up option.

How to install the program on your device

Once you sign up, you need to download the tracker from your account. After this, you install it.

What to do after installation

Once you install the tracker, you can relax and keep tabs on all the information from their messages, calls, and GPS. These details are recorded and kept in your account.

Features & benefits

Hoverwatch is amazing spyware to catch a cheating spouse and it comes with the following features;
1. Invisibility
This feature is especially brilliant since it allows you to monitor without being seen. Hoverwatch stores all the details in an undetectable manner.

2. Location tracking
This spyware can assist you to trail the location of your spouse`s phone number effortlessly. They are free and an internet connection is not necessary to get results.

3. Geo-location
This is basically a GPS tracker which assists you to figure out the precise location of your spouse.

The application has quite a few functions that may be useful to you. More they are disclosed on the website of the program.

Try Hoverwatch Now

mSpy

Developed by Bitex Group, mSpy is also a great spying solution. There is no free version right now.

They offer to buy their version, and if it doesn’t work for you, they give you a refund.

With their basic version, the software lets you do most of what you’ll need to do, like cell phone location tracking, SMS capture, and photo capturing, but they do have a neat feature that FlexiSPY doesn’t have that logs all the keys pressed on the phone.

They also have, by far the best looking interface.

I love the dashboard that mSpy gives you, it’s intuitive, and clean and lets you easily find the data that you need to see – this really helps make the app stand out from its competitors.

If you are looking for more advanced features, then you’re in luck, mSpy also gives you Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and LINE capturing.

I really admire the business structure Bitex Group have fostered for mSpy, as they have great family monitoring features like geo-fencing, and geo restriction settings that alert you to when they have traveled to a restricted area.

A downside though is that if you want some of these family monitoring features, you’re going to have to buy their advanced version, which could get expensive.

uMobix

uMobix now appears to be one of the most famous new spy apps available.

It has a pretty advanced website, but a very fancy dashboard, but it does what it claims to do.

Acting as an SMS tracker, as well as monitoring Facebook, Skype, BBM, WhatsApp, and much more – better yet, unlike any other app in this list, it is a one-time payment product.

Once you have purchased their software, you are sent the login details to your dashboard where you can then install the app onto the phone you want to spy on and then configure your dashboard if you wish.

uMobix is certainly not very fancy software in terms of interface, nor is it as user-friendly as many of the other spy apps I’ve discussed.

But if you’re not all that interested in looks, then there’s nothing preventing you from getting your spy on.

XNSPY

Offering a free trial, XNSPY is a spying solution single-handedly built by Antonio Calatrava (A well-known iOS security expert.)

Having a polished-looking website and dashboard, this app is really refreshing after dealing with uMobix.

But besides the looks, XNSPY also has some decent spying power behind it, being one of the only two spy phone software on the market that can turn on a cell phone microphone remotely and listen in -the only other product that does this is FlexiSPY.

As soon as you enter their demo though, you’ll probably notice that they don’t have as many features as other spy software out there.

Even still, XNSPY will have you covered with the basics, just keep in mind that even with their highest package, the only social messaging app you will be able to monitor seems to be WhatsApp at this time.

Spyic

If you are searching for a good, all-around spy app that has a long-standing reputation, then Spyic might just be for you.

Most everything that you need for spying is in their basic version, but with their premium version just being a bit more expensive than the basic one, you’re better off going for the latter.

You can track messages, Facebook chats, Viber chats, GPS locations, spy on kik messages, etc..

They even give a demo to see what the dashboard feels like.

Spyic is definitely a software that I can recommend. It should also be noted the price I gave above is for a three-month package -they don’t offer a one-month package- so, take that number, divide it by three, and that’s the monthly cost, not bad.

SpyBubble

SpyBubble is another spy app that’s been in the game for a long time, if I’m not mistaken, they popped up about a year after FlexiSPY did.

These guys have three different tiers of package levels.

Their most basic version gives you the option to pay for only two weeks which I think is kind of cool, but what do they have to offer for this basic version?

Their most basic version offers three things: Call History, SMS Logging, and Location with GPS.

SpyBubble also has two more tiers of pricing, Lite, and Pro. But essentially, if you go for the upgrade, the only useful features you’re going to be gaining are photo capture, and sim change notification.

The rest are useless features like bookmark logging, appointment logging, etc.

All of the software that I’ve listed so far include all of these things at their most basic level.

Still, if you only want to shell out 19 dollars, and only need the most basic of features (and only need it for a week) then this might be the right choice.

Before you decide on this though, you should check out my next pick below, as I might just be saving you $19.

Cocospy Tracker

Cocospy is a little bit like the others. But it has its own peculiarities. Works on Android and iOS.

• Allows you to launch the Cocospy app within minutes.
• You will monitor remotely without being detected.

After installing and setting up, you still are given login details for your dashboard, where you can view SMS, GPS, and call history.

Cocospy is NOT a hidden application, it is not an undetectable spy app.

When you install this app onto the phone, it’s going to show up in the notifications bar, constantly.

Spyzzz – To Catch A Cheater

Spyzzz Position itself as a simple solution for Cheating Partner Investigation. But, this one is different from all the other apps I’ve looked at so far.

What differentiates Spyzzz Tracker from the rest is that this app must be installed on two phones, e.g. you install it on your phone, and your wife/husband installs it on theirs.

You both get to see each other’s Facebook messages, call logs, and SMS logs. It’s a neat concept, running on a trust system, but there are some obvious drawbacks.

Think your partner might be having an affair?

Knowing the truth with a Spyzzz spy app to catch a cheater online is not intimidating. It is vital.

So while you are watching their Facebook messages, they could be using this to their advantage, choosing to only do chats that they want to keep secret through another messaging app.

The concept of investigating cheating is controversial, of course, but I think it will work for someone.

Do you keep track of your partner?

SpyEra

SpyEra is another app that lets you spy on Android and iOS devices. It is one of the more pricey ones but is up there as one of the software that I recommend to people the most.

They have just one version of their software for both Android and iOS devices, which covers practically all of your spying needs, such as:

Social messaging capture, gps capturing, sms tracking, call recording, call interception, and more.

One of the things I like about SpyEra is its compatibility with Android phones, which is right up there with uMobix and FlexiSPY.

It also supports the latest jailbreaking version of iOS which is nice.

Final Thoughts about free cell phone spy

If you want a straightforward, easy-to-use, and all-in-one solution for spying on a cell phone and have the money to spare, I’d say that it’s hard to beat FlexiSPY (though mSpy is definitely a worthy challenger).

If the only thing you need to do is track their SMS messages, then there really isn’t a need to buy a spy app at all: give gizmoqup’s SMS Tracker a try instead. (Just remember that gizmoqup is not hidden.)

Which of the cell phone spy apps that I mentioned above is using? Or if you think I’ve missed one, please let us know in the comments section below.