Get more features than Gabb, without compromising safety

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1,200+ popular apps, rated for safety

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No social media
No web browser

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Choose your own mobile plan

Compare Pinwheel to Gabb

Pinwheel combines peace of mind for you with sleek, modern phone models for your child.
Features
Pinwheel
Gabb
Blocks 100% of spam and stranger calls and text
Read any text message remotely, even deleted ones
1,200+ vetted apps with safety ratings
Multiple music streaming apps
Lock contacts or apps based on time of day
No social media or web browser
GPS Locator

Choose your phone. Choose your carrier.

Pinwheel is the only phone designed for kids and teens that allows you to choose your cellular provider. You can add Pinwheel to your family plan, or choose an affordable one from our partners.
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See why thousands of parents are choosing Pinwheel over Gabb phones

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Why Pinwheel
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Pinwheel vs. Gabb Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pinwheel available in the UK?

Yes! Pinwheel offers free standard shipping from our warehouse in the UK. 

Gabb is not available in the UK.

What apps are available on Pinwheel that I can't get on Gabb?

Pinwheel's App Library contains more than 1,200 vetted apps with in-depth safety ratings, including popular apps like Duolingo, Google Classroom and Maps and Spotify.

No busy parent has the time or energy to evaluate every app, so Pinwheel's dedicated app team provides easy-to-understand ratings for each app in the library, along with what you need to know before adding an app to your child's phone.

Gabb includes a limited number of apps (less than 100), many of which are proprietary to Gabb, like Gabb Music and maps. Gabb doesn't allow adding most outside apps.

How can I see my child's text messages and call history?

Parents and caregivers can remotely view a child's entire text and call history on Pinwheel's Caregiver Portal from their own device. Even if a child deletes a text message, it will still show up on the portal for the parent.

Does Pinwheel allow social media?

While parents can choose to download nearly any app, social media and adult apps are not allowed.

How can I manage who my child can communicate with?

With Pinwheel, nobody can call or text the phone who isn't on the Safelist of approved contacts. Parents can limit the phone to emergency contacts at school and at night, but enable friends, family, coaches, or neighbors during other modes. Once your child is ready, you can give them the ability to manage their own contacts.

Gabb has a proprietary algorithm to block callers, so strangers could still get through. Gabb states that more than 90% of unwanted calls and texts are block, versus 100% on Pinwheel.

What mobile provider can I use?

Pinwheel phones work on most major mobile providers, so you can choose the one you like.

How can I manage my child's screen time?

For a Pinwheel, caregivers can schedule when their kids can use specific features. Modes like "school mode," "everything mode," and "family time mode" change every app, contact, and routine on the phone to lock or unlock features, contacts and apps depending on the time of day.

The only mode on the Gabb phone is full access to everything on the phone. You can't turn off calls and texts during school or bedtime, change it to an "emergency contacts only" device, or turn on just the piano practice apps.