Which one is better, the Bark Phone or the iPhone with Bark? What’s the difference? I am thinking the device with software already integrated is more robust for monitoring. What y’all think?
The Bark phone is essentially a special device with deep-level parental monitoring software already integrated. It offers unbreakable restrictions and monitoring. Since the device comes with pre-installed software, any changes to it are not possible.
Whereas the Bark app has to be installed on an iPhone for it to work. Imagine an app for parental monitoring. Thats what it is. Both provide comprehensive monitoring, but as you know, every app has its cons, so do your research before committing to one specific software.
Look, a Bark phone is a Samsung device with pre-installed software; you don’t have to install a separate app, and can monitor your kids’ activities on that phone.
The iPhone+Bark app is just like another app where you can block certain concerning content, monitor the device, and use parental control features. But iOS limits what third-party apps can do, so monitoring isn’t as deep or system-level as on a Bark Phone.
In my opinion, you shouldn’t get caught between the two when you have better options out there. I use Xnspy and didn’t need to get a separate device for it to use, just one-time access to the device to install the app. After that, you can monitor the target device and pass commands remotely. The app offers plenty of useful features like screen recorder, block app access, alerts, etc., so choose wisely. 
Well, for me, both services pretty much do the same thing. If you want a hardware OS integrated parenting software, then go for Bark phone; otherwise, there are better monitoring app options in the market.
For maximum parental control features, you can use Bark phone, but for surface-level monitoring like web content filtering, blocking app access, and tracking location, go for the Bark app. But the app might be hard to bypass iOS restrictions, as Apple security regulations are not to be toyed with.
Good question. Been in the same situation myself where I couldn’t decide which monitoring app I should get, and honestly, given iOS restrictions, there are few good options inthe market. Then a friend recommended me Xnpsy.
The app was a breeze to install on iPhone, and didn’t need any special permissions. After installation, the app works in stealth mode without disturbing the functionality of the device. Also, Xnspy offers more comprehensive features than any other app out there. So I’d suggest, give it a try, you might find it better. 
Here is a simple explanation, hope it helps.
Bark Phone = phone + parental controls natively embedded, very hard to bypass.
iPhone with Bark = a regular iPhone with Bark app controls layered on top, limited by Apple’s permissions.
As an Android fan i’d love to add my two cents. So a Bark phone is just an Android device with the Bark parental controls already installed. While the Bark app itself is hard to install on an Iphone so, they are providing a more conventional option for iOS users by providing an Android device with the app pre-installed.
Let’s be honest, iOS is like a closed garden where nothing is allowed without permissions, while Android is easier to handle when it comes to monitoring apps.
Yeah, right, get another monitoring app or device, like our bills aren’t already high…
You can use the built-in parental control features of the device, like Find My, Screen Time limit, and Family Sharing, for monitoring. No need to waste your money on these so-called apps… Just an opinion… 