When it comes to protecting yourself from unwanted spam calls and identifying unknown numbers, Truecaller and Showcaller are two of the most popular free caller ID apps available. But which one is the better choice in 2024?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll take a close look at the features, benefits, drawbacks, and pricing of both Truecaller and Showcaller. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which app is the right fit for your needs.
What is Truecaller?
Truecaller is a widely used caller identification app that helps users screen calls, block spam, and search for unknown numbers. Some of its key features include:
Key Features of Truecaller
- Identify unknown calls and see names, photos and more
- Automatically block spam calls and SMS
- Search for unknown numbers in Truecaller’s database
- Integrated call recording
- Back up contacts to Google Drive
- Premium features like ad-free interface, call announce, private contact viewing
Pros and Cons of Truecaller
Pros:
- ✓ Extensive database of over 5 billion numbers globally
- ✓ Blocks spam and fraud calls effectively
- ✓ Convenient call recording
- ✓ Ad-free premium version
Cons:
- ✗ Requires access to contacts which raises privacy concerns
- ✗ Can be a battery drain if running constantly in background
- ✗ Some useful features limited to paid version
Truecaller Pricing
Truecaller offers both free and premium versions. The free app includes all the core features like caller ID, spam blocking and number lookups.
Truecaller Premium costs $2.99/month or $26.99/year and provides an ad-free experience, 30 contact requests per month, the ability to view profiles privately, a call announce feature that speaks the caller ID, and more.
For a more detailed look at Truecaller’s features, pros, and cons, see this full Truecaller review.
Whoscall is another leading caller ID app to consider. For a detailed comparison, check out Truecaller vs Whoscall.
What is Showcaller?
Showcaller is a popular Truecaller alternative that identifies unknown numbers and helps block spam calls and SMS. Its key features include:
Key Features of Showcaller
- Caller identification with name and photo
- Offline phone number database
- Block spam calls and messages
- Search phone numbers
- Call recording
- Small app size of only 7MB
Pros and Cons of Showcaller
Pros:
- ✓ Doesn’t consume much battery in background
- ✓ Blocks spam calls effectively
- ✓ Built-in call recorder
- ✓ Small app size
Cons:
- ✗ Smaller database compared to Truecaller
- ✗ Some features require upgrade to Remove Ads version
- ✗ Interface not as polished as Truecaller
Showcaller Pricing
Like Truecaller, Showcaller has a free version that includes basic features like caller ID, spam blocking, and number lookups.
The Remove Ads version costs $1.49 as a one-time payment and removes ads.
Eyecon is another popular Truecaller alternative worth considering. See how it compares in this Truecaller vs Eyecon breakdown.
Truecaller vs Showcaller: Head-to-Head Comparison
Now let’s directly compare Truecaller and Showcaller in a few key areas:
Spam and Fraud Call Detection
Both apps are very effective at detecting and blocking spam calls thanks to their large user-generated databases of spam numbers. However, Truecaller’s database of over 5 billion numbers gives it an edge over Showcaller.
Winner: Truecaller
Caller Information Database
Again, Truecaller wins out here with its much more extensive database of phone numbers and user profiles. With over 320 million monthly active users, its database is comprehensive.
Showcaller’s database is still sizable though, and has the advantage of an offline mode that doesn’t require internet access.
Winner: Truecaller (unless offline access is important)
Call Recording
Both Truecaller and Showcaller have built-in call recording functionality. The interfaces are very similar and easy to use in both apps. This one is a tie.
Winner: Tie
Pricing and Value
The free versions of both Truecaller and Showcaller offer good value, with all the essential features most users need. For paid versions, Showcaller is a bit cheaper at $1.49 one-time compared to Truecaller’s monthly/yearly subscriptions. But Truecaller Premium provides more features.
Winner: Depends on your needs. For free, Truecaller. For paid, Showcaller if you just want no ads, Truecaller if you want premium features.
Battery Consumption
Due to its smaller app size and more basic feature set, Showcaller generally consumes less battery power than Truecaller, especially when running in the background.
Winner: Showcaller
Privacy and Security
Both Truecaller and Showcaller require access to your contacts and call history to work. However, Truecaller has faced more scrutiny around its privacy policies and use of user data.
Showcaller makes a point of emphasizing that it never uploads users’ phonebooks to its servers. So it gets the slight edge.
Winner: Showcaller
Which App Should You Choose?
So which caller ID app is best in 2024? It depends on your specific priorities:
- If you want the most comprehensive database and don’t mind paying for extra features, go with Truecaller. Its database is unmatched.
- If you care more about battery life and privacy, and prefer a simple, no-frills app, Showcaller is a great choice. Its offline database is also handy if you have limited internet access.
- If cost is a concern, the free version of either app will suffice for most users. But Showcaller’s one-time paid option is more affordable than Truecaller Premium.
Ultimately, both Truecaller and Showcaller are excellent at identifying mystery calls and blocking spam. You can’t go wrong with either one. The best choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences around pricing, features, and privacy.
If robocalls are your main concern, RoboKiller is another top spam blocking app to consider alongside Truecaller and Showcaller. See how it stacks up in this Truecaller vs RoboKiller comparison.
FAQ
- Is Truecaller safe to use?
Truecaller is generally safe to use, but there have been some privacy concerns. The app requires access to your contacts and call history, which it uses to build its database. Truecaller says it does not sell user data to third parties. However, using any third-party app that accesses personal information carries some risk. Make sure you understand the privacy policies before using.
If you’re looking for other Truecaller alternatives, YouMail is another option. Check out this YouMail vs Truecaller comparison for more details.
- Does Showcaller work without internet?
Yes, one of Showcaller’s advantages is an offline database mode. This allows the app to identify some numbers even without an active internet connection. The offline database may not be as comprehensive as the online one, but it’s a handy feature if you have limited data or cell reception. Keep in mind that updating the database periodically does require internet access.
- How do I block spam calls on Truecaller?
Truecaller automatically blocks calls from numbers that have been reported as spam by a large number of users. You can also manually block specific numbers. To do so:
- Open the Truecaller app
- Go to the Blocking tab
- Tap “Block a number”
- Enter the number you want to block
- Tap the Block button
You can view and manage your blocked numbers in the Blocking section of the app.
- Is Showcaller available for iPhone?
Yes, Showcaller is available for both Android and iOS devices. You can download it from the Google Play Store on Android phones or the App Store on iPhones. Some features may vary slightly between the two versions, but the core caller ID and spam blocking functionality is the same.
- How do I record calls on Truecaller?
To record calls with Truecaller:
- Open the Truecaller app
- Go to the Settings menu
- Tap “Call Recording”
- Toggle on the “Record calls” option
Once enabled, Truecaller will automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls. You can access the recordings later from the Calls tab in the app. Note that call recording laws vary by country and region, so make sure you have permission from the other party before recording.
Key Takeaways
- Truecaller and Showcaller are both effective, free caller ID and spam blocking apps
- Truecaller has a larger database and more features, but can impact battery life
- Showcaller is a more lightweight app with offline database access
- Truecaller costs more for its premium version, while Showcaller has an affordable paid option
- Showcaller is better for privacy, Truecaller is better for features
- The free versions of both apps are sufficient for most users
