NumBuster vs RealCall

NumBuster identifies unknown callers and helps users screen phone fraud, spam, and unwanted messages. Its Android app can display caller information during a call and check numbers from the call log. The iPhone app also provides caller information on the call screen and call-log checks, and can block phone numbers. The homepage describes an anti-spam SMS client for Android, while a web app provides phone-number checks and help categories covering free and paid features.

Users can review and rate numbers, contributing community information that may help others assess potential threats. NumBuster says telephone-number information comes from registered users’ activity, not a purchased subscriber directory. A free mobile app is available alongside LIGHT, SMART, and PRO+ subscriptions, whose features vary. Depending on the tier, paid features include removing ads, page access blocking, AI reports, additional page cards, anonymous checks, visitor identification, and more monthly checks. The privacy policy describes safeguards including encryption, access controls, monitoring, backups, and vulnerability management. Non-users can submit privacy and deletion requests through supported website mechanisms without installing the app or creating an account. Feature availability can vary by country, operating system, app version, device, provider, platform capability, or legal circumstances. The terms say the service and mobile apps are not intended for residents of the EU, Bahrain, or the UAE.

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.