Windows
Background monitoring, blocking and time limits, screenshots, and local-network management and reporting.
Private. Free. Cross-platform.
Free parental control that's practical, private, and built for real homes.
Blanket Fortress helps parents monitor activity, provide limited timed access, block access when needed, and manage Windows PCs, Android devices, and supported smart TVs with a local-first approach. Add 30 minutes and have a device automatically shut off when time is up, start with soft monitoring before moving to firm blocking, and manage the household without handing over control to a mandatory cloud service.
Completely free for Windows and Android in standalone modeTimed access can shut a device off automatically when granted time runs outSwitch between background monitoring and active blocking as neededReview usage, screenshots, and logs before deciding how to step in
Unlimited devices stay free
Grow beyond one phone or one PC without turning every new screen into a pricing decision.
Local-first by default
Keep everything at home with standalone or self-hosted setups, then add hosted convenience only if you want it.
Features that go beyond a simple timer
Blanket Fortress spans Android device modes, a parent phone remote, and a Windows web interface built for rules, review, and day-to-day household management.
Launcher replacement, categories, and remote local dashboards
Switch between a full child home screen and Background Mode, configure per-app and per-category limits, and manage Android devices over the local network.
Time balances from a parent's phone
Add, spend, and deduct screentime allowance remotely, then push time directly to children's devices from the parent remote app and widget.
Rules, screenshots, logs, and usage history
Review active windows, session logs, summaries, usage charts, sensitive keyword alerts, and remote device actions from the Windows web interface.
Built for the screens that actually shape family life
Blanket Fortress fits mixed-device households, not just a single-device timer or a phone-only dashboard. That matters when real homes span laptops, tablets, TVs, and phones at the same time.
Android
Usage monitoring, app limits, quiet hours, launcher replacement mode, and a parent-controlled browser path.
Household management
Parents can review activity from a PC-based manager or a phone-oriented remote app, with centralized control when a local manager is running.
Supported smart TVs
A self-hosted manager can extend oversight to more of the screens that actually matter at home.
Start simple, stay local, add convenience only if you want it
Families can use Blanket Fortress directly on a device, expand to a self-hosted manager for broader household control, or choose an optional cloud path for easier remote access.
Standalone
Install directly on a Windows PC or Android device for a simple setup with local monitoring and control.
Self-hosted manager
Run one local manager when you want centralized reporting, broader household coverage, and smart TV control.
Optional Blanket Fortress Cloud
Choose hosted convenience for away-from-home access without making cloud dependency the default path.
Visibility first, enforcement when needed
Parents can review usage history, monitor device state, and apply controls from the available management surfaces while keeping the setup local-first.
Want updates as Blanket Fortress expands?
Join the mailing list to be notified when we're ready for public beta testing.
Why parents stick with it
Features that reduce friction for parents while keeping guardrails in place
The goal is not just to block things. It is to save parents time, make exceptions easier to handle, and give enough context to respond before a bad habit becomes a bigger safety problem.
Spend less time negotiating shutoff moments
Timed access, scheduled unlocks, and daily limits reduce the constant back-and-forth around when screen time is supposed to end.
Handle exceptions without losing the boundary
Temporary unlocks, add/spend/deduct allowance tools, and remote time grants let parents say yes when needed without dismantling the whole system.
See enough context to act confidently
Usage summaries, session logs, screenshots, and keyword alerts help parents understand what happened before they change rules or step in.
Keep controls practical across the whole house
Android devices, Windows PCs, parent phones, and local-network dashboards all work together so parents are not managing each screen in isolation.
FAQ
A quick look at how Blanket Fortress fits into real family routines, not just how it is priced or hosted.
How does Blanket Fortress save parents time day to day?
It cuts down on repetitive enforcement work. Daily limits, quiet hours, scheduled unlocks, temporary exceptions, and remote allowance tools mean parents do not have to manually police every device transition themselves.
How does it help keep kids safer online?
Blanket Fortress combines prevention and review. Parents can block apps and categories, require work completion before access, monitor usage history, review screenshots, and use sensitive keyword detection on Windows to flag concerning activity for follow-up.
Can I manage things without taking the device out of my child's hands?
Often, yes. Android devices can expose a local-network web dashboard, Windows machines host the same web interface over the local network, and the parent remote app can adjust screentime balances and apply time from a phone.
What if I need softer controls before I need hard blocking?
That is a supported path. Families can start with background monitoring, summaries, and usage review, then turn on stricter app, category, device, or user rules when a situation needs more structure.
Is it really free?
Yes. Blanket Fortress is free for Windows and Android in standalone mode, and self-hosted managers are free as well. Only the optional Blanket Fortress Cloud service is paid.
Do I need the cloud service?
No. You can use Blanket Fortress with standalone or self-hosted setups and keep everything local. Cloud is only there for families who want simpler remote access.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. Standalone and self-hosted setups work without internet access. An internet connection only matters if you choose the optional cloud path.
Is there a device limit?
No. Blanket Fortress is built to stay free for as many devices as your household needs.