Curfew Control vs TVUsage
Both apps limit when and how long apps can be used on an Android TV or Google TV. TVUsage is a subscription that tracks usage and can also manage Android phones and tablets. Curfew Control is a one-time purchase focused on the TV, with per-app schedules, daily or weekly allowances, and holiday exceptions.
How we compared: on October 17, 2026 we installed TVUsage 9.3.0 next to Curfew Control 1.1.1 on an onn 4K Streaming Box and went through TVUsage's setup, rule screens, and plan screen. Prices are the U.S. prices TVUsage showed in the app that day. TVUsage's remote, extra-time, and multi-device features need a paid plan, so those rows come from its pricing and Remote pages.
Price
Curfew Control
$9.99 once, after a 3-day free trial. The purchase follows your Google Account to your other TVs and reinstalls. The iPhone and Android mobile apps are free.
TVUsage
Basic $1.49/month or $16.49/year, Plus $2.99/month or $32.99/year, Pro $4.49/month or $44.90/year. Monthly plans have a 3-day trial and yearly plans a 7-day trial. Phone control starts at Plus.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Curfew Control | TVUsage |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | ||
| Devices it can restrict | Android TV and Google TV. The iPhone and Android mobile apps manage the TV; they don't restrict the phone | Android TV and Google TV; Android phones and tablets on Pro |
| Required permissions | Accessibility | Usage access and Display over other apps; Accessibility is optional |
| Languages | English, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazil), on the TV and mobile apps | English |
| Account required | Yes. A Google Account, linked once to start the trial and keep your purchase | No. None needed to start |
| Rules | ||
| Per-app schedules | Yes. Set when an app is blocked, by day of the week, with several windows per app, including overnight | Yes. Set when an app is allowed, by day of the week; it's blocked outside that window |
| Daily time limits | Yes. Per app, the same every day | Yes. Per app, the same every day or different by day of the week |
| Weekly time limits | Yes. Per app, reset every Monday | Not found |
| Holiday exceptions | Yes. Skip schedules and pause limits on chosen dates | Not found |
| Rules for specific dates | Yes. Apply a rule only on chosen calendar dates | Not found |
| Block an app | Yes. Keep an app locked until the PIN or a paired phone allows it | Yes. Keep an app locked until the PIN is entered, or block it completely |
| PIN | Yes. A 4-digit PIN protects Curfew Control and unlocks restricted apps | Yes. A 4-digit PIN locks chosen apps or the whole TV |
| Whole-TV limits | No. Rules are per app | Yes. Lock the TV now, or set TV-wide schedules and daily limits |
| Breaks | No | Yes. Scheduled breaks during long sessions |
| Extra time | ||
| Kids can request more time | Yes. From the TV; a paired phone gets an alert to approve or deny | Yes, on Plus and Pro. A parent approves, or rejects with a message, from the Remote app or a browser |
| Granting extra time | Yes. With the PIN on the TV or from a paired phone: 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, 2 hours, or until the app is closed | Yes, on Plus and Pro, by approving a request. TVUsage doesn't say how much time can be given |
| Parent apps | ||
| Phone app | Yes. Free for iPhone and Android | Yes, on Plus and Pro. Android only; no iPhone app is listed |
| Web dashboard | No | Yes, on Plus and Pro |
| Several parents | Yes. Pair several phones and remove each separately | Not mentioned. Child devices connect to one Remote account |
| Several TVs | Yes. Manage several TVs and copy schedules between them | Yes. One remotely managed device on Plus; unlimited on Pro |
| Usage history | No. Shows active restrictions and time left | Yes. Per app for the last 3 days and weekly totals |
| Tamper protection | ||
| Uninstall protection | Yes. Requires approval before Curfew Control, or any app, is uninstalled | Yes. Requires the optional Accessibility service |
| Settings protection | Yes. Guards selected Settings screens | Yes. PIN-lock the Settings app like any other app |
| New accounts and profiles | Yes. Requires approval before Google Accounts, profiles, or users are added | Not found |
| Extras | ||
| On-screen timer | Yes. Optional countdown in three styles | Not found |
| View the TV screen from your phone | Yes. Optional snapshots of what's on the TV screen, without sound, turned on at the TV (Android 11 or later) | Not found |
| Wake the TV | Yes. Optional, from a paired phone | Not found |
"Not found" means we didn't see it in TVUsage's TV app or on its website.
Which one fits your family?
Curfew Control is the better fit if…
- You'd rather pay once than subscribe
- You want to manage your TVs from free iPhone or Android apps
- You need weekly allowances, holiday exceptions, or protection against new profiles and accounts being added
TVUsage is the better fit if…
- You want to limit Android phones and tablets from the same app
- You want usage history, breaks, or a one-press lock for the whole TV
- You'd rather manage from a web browser
TVUsage is a trademark of its respective owner. Curfew Control is not affiliated with or endorsed by TVUsage.