Comparison
Kivvie vs WhitelistVideo: which whitelist-only YouTube app fits your family?
WhitelistVideo and Kivvie both start from the same idea: block everything on YouTube except the channels a parent approves. The difference is mostly in platform coverage, pricing shape, and what happens after setup.
Short answer
Both apps do the core job: nothing plays until a parent approves the channel. WhitelistVideo adds a Chrome extension Kivvie does not have. Kivvie covers iOS, Android and Android TV / Google TV natively, with per-child profiles, curated channel packs, and a free tier with no time limit.
WhitelistVideo is best for
Families who need a Chrome extension, or want to manage the whitelist by chatting through WhatsApp or Telegram.
Kivvie is best for
Families who want a native iOS and Android app, separate profiles per child, curated channel packs to get started fast, and a free plan with no trial countdown.
| Feature | WhitelistVideo | Kivvie |
|---|---|---|
| Core mechanic | Whitelist-only: block everything, allow approved channels. | Whitelist-only: nothing appears until a parent approves the channel. |
| iOS app | Uses Apple’s FamilyControls API to restrict YouTube access in Safari and other browsers, rather than a dedicated whitelist player. | Native iOS app built specifically as a whitelist-only YouTube player. |
| Android app | Native Android app with a Full YouTube mode and a separate Curated Feed mode. | Native Android app that is whitelist-only by default, no standard YouTube mode to fall back to. |
| Chrome extension | Yes, a Chrome extension is available for browser-based filtering. | No browser extension. Kivvie is app-based on iOS and Android plus a web parent dashboard. |
| Android TV / Google TV app | Yes, a dedicated TV app that always runs in Curated Feed mode. | Yes, the native Android app runs on Android TV and Google TV, whitelist-only by default. |
| Shorts | Blocked by default and cannot be disabled on any plan. | Shorts are not part of the player. There is no Shorts surface to disable. |
| Child profiles | Per-plan child limits (1 on free trial, unlimited on paid plans), with a single whitelist model per child. | Dedicated child profiles with independent approved-channel lists, channel packs, and per-child settings. |
| Curated channel packs | Not a built-in feature; parents build each whitelist manually or via chat commands. | Curated channel packs let parents install a themed bundle of pre-vetted channels in one step. |
| Parent management style | Web/Android dashboard plus chat-based control through WhatsApp and Telegram. | Parent web dashboard, with device pairing via setup code for child devices that do not need a Google sign-in. |
| Device pairing without child sign-in | Not a documented feature; setup generally expects the child device to run the app directly. | Setup codes let a child device pair to a profile with no Google account required on that device. |
| Free plan | Time-limited free trial only, capped at 3 channels and 1 child. | Ongoing free plan (not a trial) with 1 child profile and 5 approved channels. |
| Paid pricing | Basic $6.99/month (30 channels), Premium $14.99/month (100 channels), Lifetime $299 one-time. | Monthly $4.99, yearly $49, lifetime $99, all with unlimited children and channels. |
| Best role | Families who specifically need a Chrome extension alongside YouTube whitelisting. | Families who want a whitelist that covers phones, tablets and the TV, with per-child profiles and lower ongoing cost. |
Where Kivvie fits
Kivvie is not trying to replace every parental control tool. It is a focused YouTube safety layer. Parents use Kivvie when they want access to useful YouTube channels without giving children the standard YouTube feed.
The whitelist model is simple: no channel appears until a parent approves it. That removes the hardest parts of YouTube safety in one move: Shorts, comments, recommendations, autoplay rabbit holes, and unknown creators.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is WhitelistVideo the same idea as Kivvie?
Yes, both use a whitelist-only model: nothing plays until a parent approves the channel. The mechanics are similar, but platform coverage and pricing differ.
Does WhitelistVideo have an Android TV app and Kivvie does not?
No, both do. WhitelistVideo has a dedicated Android TV/Google TV app, and Kivvie's native Android app also runs on Android TV and Google TV, whitelist-only by default.
Which one is cheaper?
Kivvie’s paid plans are lower cost: $4.99/month or $49/year versus WhitelistVideo’s Basic at $6.99/month. Kivvie also has an ongoing free plan rather than a time-limited trial.
Does Kivvie have a Chrome extension like WhitelistVideo?
No. Kivvie is a native iOS and Android app plus a web parent dashboard. If you specifically need in-browser filtering on a computer, WhitelistVideo’s Chrome extension covers that gap today.
Try whitelist-only YouTube
Set up Kivvie in about 2 minutes. Approve channels, install the child app, and keep the standard YouTube feed out of the picture.
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