Callfilter.app vs RealCall

Callfilter.app is an Android app that blocks incoming calls according to rules set by the user. It can reject 8-digit numbers, numbers on a personal list, custom-pattern matches, or all incoming calls. Custom matching supports regular expressions, and users can choose to receive a notification when a call is rejected. CallFilter checks calls on the device through Android’s CallScreeningService API, using a local SQLite-based rule engine without remote database lookups. The maker describes it as offline, with no accounts or tracking. Its privacy policy says the app does not send personal data to external servers and does not use third-party SDKs, advertising networks, or tracking libraries. The app is free and open source, and the maker invites users to audit or contribute to the project on GitHub. It filters calls according to the user’s settings; it does not replace the phone app. The Play Store listing warns that some features may not work correctly on Samsung devices running Android 12 or later.

RealCall is a mobile app for caller ID and spam-call blocking on Android and iOS. It uses a database and AI-based modeling to identify spam and scam calls, and says it can block them before the phone rings. The app also offers reverse phone lookup, with listings of active robocallers and recordings. For texts, RealCall says GPT-4 detects and blocks fraudulent SMS messages. Its AI can also answer unwanted calls to occupy scammers, while user activity helps its system learn spammers’ calling patterns. Blocking settings are customizable, but AI Blocking requires a subscription. RealCall offers a free plan and advertises a free trial; its Subscription is billed Free for 7 days, then $4.49/Month after the free trial. The privacy policy says the app may collect call and text logs, contacts, voicemail recordings, and de-identified texts from callers outside a user’s contacts. Family Plan sharing is temporarily available on iOS only.