Where Gabb and Pinwheel agree

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No web browser

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No social media

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No addictive games
No ad-driven apps

Get more insight into your child's digital life

Start with just talk and text monitored in your Caregiver Portal, then add more apps and freedoms as your child grows in responsibility.

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Contact safelist allows calls and text with approved contacts only

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Read text messages and monitor call history remotely, from your device

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GPS locator shows you were they are and have been recently

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600+ vetted apps with easy ratings to understand areas of concern

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Workarounds and app loopholes closed

Choose your own cell phone plan

Pinwheel works with most carriers so you can add a line to your current plan, or try one of our affordable no contract options

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The Pinwheel Difference

We believe there is a better way to introduce technology to your kiddo so that they develop a healthy relationship with mobile devices right from the start.

Rather than putting the focus on controlling your child’s phone usage, our goal is to:

  • Provide technology that adds value to your child’s daily growth
  • Teach kids how to use their phones smartly and responsibly
  • Bring you as the parent peace of mind

Pinwheel vs Competitors

We offer best options for your child to use their phone unsupervised, without worrying you.

FEATURES
PINWHEEL
BARK
GABB WIRELESS
Pay monthly or one-time only Read More

Pinwheel offers flexible payment options, including prepaid bundles and low monthly payments. We also offer Affirm as an option to pay over time. No contracts or commitments required, and you're protected with our 30-day money back guarantee.

Read any text message remotely, even deleted ones Read More

Pinwheel is the only kids phone that gives you the ability to read actual text messages from your device, rather than simply using algorithms to block concerning content or warn you about issues.

900+ vetted apps with safety ratings Read More

The Pinwheel team vets each individual app in the App Library according to our Therapist Council’s criteria for healthy child development. The easy Red-Yellow-Green rating system highlights concerns like ads or in-app purchases, potential for communicating with strangers, or explicit content.

Lock contacts or apps based on time of day Read More

Set up custom schedules when specific apps and contacts are available or not, such as only parents and emergency contacts during school hours, only alarm clock at night, etc.

Compatible with multiple cellular carriers Read More

Choose any cellular provider compatible with your phone model. All you need is a SIM card from your carrier of choice (you can use one from your current phone). Alternatively, Pinwheel has partnered with several companies to offer low-cost plans just for Pinwheel devices. We'll send a trial SIM card with your phone.

No social media or web browser Read More

The Pinwheel App Library has nearly 1,000 apps, but no social media or web browsers, so your child does not have access to the entire Internet or social media platforms before they’re ready.

Custom schedules to manage screen time Read More

Schedules for during school, overnight and weekends can make specific apps and contacts available for certain hours.

Blocks 100% of spam and stranger calls and text Read More

Only approved contacts can call or text your child’s device, so they won’t receive spam or be able to communicate with strangers. If they receive a call or text from a non-approved number, you’ll see it as pending on the Caregiver Portal. As your child grows, you can allow them to manage their own Safelist.

Multiple music streaming apps Read More

Pinwheel offers popular music streaming apps such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

GPS Locator Read More

See where your child is and has been recently in the Caregiver Portal.

See why thousands of parents prefer Pinwheel

patricia-prudente
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I love that I can modify the phone as my child grows!

"To me, as a parent, the key difference is this: Pinwheel has built a unique OS where the phone can be modified and updated based on your growing child, their daily schedule, and the cream-of-the-crop best apps in the app boutique." 

Sara W.

jonas-kakaroto
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The best customer support!

Pinwheel's support is one of the best I've ever experienced!  Don't know how they do it but whenever you chat with customer support, they make you feel like they are family trying to (and succeeding) in helping you figure it out.Now if only I could get my health insurance customer service to take a lesson from Pinwheel!

David L.

SB
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You choose what to give your kid access to

Pinwheel is great because you can schedule when they have access to apps, friends, emergency contacts, etc. You can also go in and shut everything down whenever you want to...You have a lot of control and the apps give parents any type of warnings and explains why. You can decide whether to give him access to those or not.

Shelley B

kyle-nieber
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I would not consider any other phone for my kids

I have been so impressed with both the Pinwheel Phone and their awesome customer service! The phone has so many options for customizing just the right balance of independence and protection for each family and each child within the family. The caregiver portal is intuitive and easy to navigate quickly to make adjustments as kids get older and needs change. The customer service has a lightning-quick response time and is extremely helpful. I would not consider any other phone for my kids and so highly recommend them to all families - there is no downside!

Maria O

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Teaches your child to engage responsibly

Pinwheel has been exactly what we were looking for; a functional phone that helps me help my teen learn to engage responsibly. They’ve included more and more apps that help make this applicable to teens (and not just littles) and they’ve also started offering a better quality phone. The pricing is very reasonable and the customer service has exceeded my expectations with every interaction. I’m truly grateful for their mission and am impressed by the continuous improvements we’ve seen since we started with Pinwheel back in 12/2020. I would recommend Pinwheel to anyone without hesitation.

Katrina P

dr-josiah-sarpong
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I’m adding my second kid on here too

This is the best and most flexible child /teenager phone system available.  I can add it to any carrier, even Mint Mobile. It is perfect for allowing your kid to grow and mature with what you allow them access too. 

Carl C

AR
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It’s the perfect starter phone

After doing a lot of research for a phone for a teenage boy, I finally decided to give this a try.  It has been a great starter phone and I love that it keeps him accountable and transparent with all of his activity. It's the perfect starter phone that allows him to do everything he needs without all of the garbage.

Angela R

Pinwheel works with major carriers

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Frequently asked questions about Pinwheel

What sets Pinwheel apart from other kids’ phones?

At Pinwheel, we believe there is a better way to introduce technology so that your kiddo develops a healthy relationship with mobile devices right from the start. Rather than putting the focus on controlling your child’s phone usage, our goal is to provide technology that adds value to your child’s daily growth and teaches your child how to use tech as a tool - in a way that brings you as the parent peace of mind

How much does Pinwheel cost?

Phone models start at $199 and the monthly service for the parent management software is $14.99 per month (or $13.75 paid annually). You may choose any cell plan you like, or use one of our partner plans starting at $15 per month. We also offer one-time, no-contract bundles that start as low as $359

Does Pinwheel have unlimited texting and calling?

Pinwheel offers unlimited calling and texting plans for as low as $15 per month through our cellular partners. Alternatively, parents can add the phone to whatever plan they want, making it possible to put a Pinwheel on your family plan or on an affordable prepaid plan of your choice. You can easily put Pinwheel on a plan that has unlimited call and text.

What type of phone model is Pinwheel?

Our most popular phone, the Pinwheel Plus 2, is a Samsung model that is compatible with all major phone carriers

What does the Pinwheel phone come with?

- USB-C charging cord

- Trial SIM card if you choose US Mobile (1 month free trial cellular service)

- If you buy a pack (our most popular) it comes with:

Screen protector

Case

1 year Pinwheel parent management subscription

1 year cell service (optional; note that you can use your own carrier as well)

Does Pinwheel block social media?

Yes. Pinwheel phones do not have web browsers or social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.The App Library contains over 700 other, vetted apps with detailed safety ratings. As your child grows, you can add apps and functionality to fit their tech experience.

What apps are available?

We have a curated App Library with over 700 apps. The App Library contains important information about each app and a rating based on our therapist council recommendations. You choose which apps your child can access and download.

Ready to unlock your kid's wellness-packed smartphone?