RealCall vs Should I Answer?
RealCall
realcall.aiShould I Answer?
shouldianswer.netSide by side
| Figure | RealCall | Should I Answer? |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Spam Call Blocking Apps | 8.4 (#6) | 7.5 (#21) |
| Spec score · Call blocker apps | 8.4 (#7) | 8.0 (#12) |
| Call blocking | The site says RealCall identifies spam and scam calls and can block them before the phone rings. | The Android app can optionally block unwanted calls automatically, though this may not work on every phone model. |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, United States | Brno, Czech Republic |
| Purpose | RealCall provides spam call blocking and caller ID for global users. | Should I Answer is a community-based service and mobile app that protects against unwanted calls, telemarketing, and expensive outgoing calls. |
| Support | The support page lists [email protected] for account and data management and other issues, and [email protected] for media inquiries. | Users can report app issues from the Android app, which attaches application logs to the report. |
Plans
RealCall
- Subscription$4.49 a month
- Subscription$12.99, paid once
- Subscription$35.99 a year
Should I Answer?
- Android appFree
- iOS automatic database updatesPrice not published
In their own words
RealCall
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.
Should I Answer?
Should I Answer? is a community-based service and mobile app for identifying and guarding against unwanted calls, telemarketing, and expensive outgoing calls. Its database combines community reviews with phone number ratings and is refreshed daily. On Android, the app can check a locally stored database without an internet connection and can optionally block unwanted calls automatically. The maker warns that automatic blocking may not work on every phone model. On iOS, number ratings appear in CallerID during calls or in Call History through the call blocking and identification extension. The service is also available on the web and as an extension. The Android app requires Android 4.1 or higher; Android 6 and newer require permissions for contacts, call information, and drawing over other apps. The Android manual says the local database stores phone numbers and statistics, while user reviews can be downloaded from the web service. The Android plan is free. An iOS automatic database updates plan has no listed price and includes a one-month trial period and free phone number information search.