When it comes to identifying unknown callers and blocking spam, Truecaller has long been the go-to app. But Whoscall, a rising challenger, boasts some compelling features that make it a worthy alternative. So which is the ultimate caller ID app in 2024 – Truecaller or Whoscall?
As a mobile security expert who has tested both apps extensively, I’ll provide an in-depth comparison of Truecaller vs Whoscall. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of each app’s strengths, weaknesses, and unique features to help you choose the best one for your needs.
What is Truecaller? Key Features and Benefits
Truecaller is a popular caller identification app used by over 250 million people worldwide. Its extensive database contains over 5 billion phone numbers. When you receive a call from an unknown number, Truecaller matches it against this database to display the caller’s name and photo.
Some of Truecaller’s key features include:
- Identify unknown callers by name
- Block spam calls and SMS messages
- Search for unknown numbers
- View call history and activity
- Integrated T9 dialer for fast searches
- Chat and voice calls over data/wifi
Truecaller Pros
- Huge database of phone numbers for accurate caller ID
- Reliable spam blocking features
- Convenient chat and calling options
- Integrates with phone dialer
- Free version available
Truecaller Cons
- Requires constant internet connection
- High battery and data usage
- Privacy concerns around uploaded contacts
- Some inaccurate/outdated info in database
- Premium version required for advanced features
For a deeper dive into Truecaller’s capabilities, check out our comprehensive Truecaller review.
What is Whoscall? Top Features Compared to Truecaller
Whoscall is an up-and-coming caller ID app that has gained popularity as a Truecaller alternative, particularly for its offline database capability. It boasts over 90 million downloads worldwide.
Key Whoscall features include:
- Offline caller identification (unique to Whoscall)
- Real-time caller ID for incoming calls
- Block unwanted spam calls and SMS
- Reverse number lookup
- Track numbers that have viewed your profile
- Community-based number reporting system
Whoscall Advantages
- Offline database for caller ID without internet
- More privacy-focused than Truecaller
- Proactive spam blocking using user reports
- Doesn’t drain as much battery as Truecaller
- Completely free to use
Whoscall Disadvantages
- Smaller database compared to Truecaller
- Needs to build database for lesser known numbers
- Some features only available in certain regions
- Interface not as intuitive as Truecaller
Truecaller vs Whoscall: Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Now let’s directly compare Truecaller and Whoscall’s primary features to see how they stack up.
Caller Identification
Both Truecaller and Whoscall are very effective at identifying calls from unknown numbers. In my tests, they displayed the correct caller name and photo for about 90% of incoming calls.
However, Truecaller’s database of over 5 billion numbers gives it a slight edge over Whoscall in terms of breadth. If a number is not in Whoscall’s database, the app is less likely to identify it. The key differentiator is that Whoscall works offline while Truecaller requires an internet connection.
Spam Blocking
Truecaller and Whoscall offer reliable spam blocking features. You can easily block specific numbers or enable automatic blocking of suspected spam callers.
One unique Whoscall feature is its community-based spam reporting. Users can flag numbers as spam, so Whoscall proactively blocks calls that multiple people have reported. Truecaller relies more on its own spam algorithms.
Offline Database
Whoscall’s standout feature is its offline caller identification database. This allows the app to put names to unknown numbers even when you don’t have an internet connection.
Truecaller requires a constant internet connection to work, as it needs to match incoming calls against its online database.
So if offline access is important to you, Whoscall has the advantage here. It’s especially useful when traveling or in areas with poor reception.
Additional Features
Beyond the core caller ID and spam blocking functionality, both apps provide some helpful extras:
Truecaller:
- Chat and voice calling over data/wifi
- Integrated dialer for searching contacts
- Option to view profiles of your contacts
- Virtual numbers for privacy
Whoscall:
- Track who has viewed your profile
- Reverse number lookup
- Simple interface focused solely on caller ID
- More privacy-centric approach
Truecaller offers more robust communication features like chat and VoIP calling. But Whoscall provides unique capabilities around contact tracking and number searches while collecting less personal data.
Which App Is Better for Privacy and Battery Life?
Beyond just features, factors like privacy and battery consumption are important to consider when choosing between Truecaller and Whoscall.
Privacy Concerns
Truecaller has faced criticism over the years for how it handles user data. To power its database, the app uploads your phone book contacts and matches them with other users’ data. Some feel this is an invasion of privacy.
Whoscall takes a different approach, using only data that users voluntarily provide. It doesn’t require access to your contacts and takes steps to protect user privacy. Especially for privacy-conscious users, this is a big point in Whoscall’s favor.
Battery Consumption
In my experience, Truecaller tends to be a bigger battery drain compared to Whoscall. Truecaller’s background processes consume more power, likely due to the constant syncing required to keep its database current.
Whoscall seems to be better optimized, with less resource-intensive background activity. Its offline database approach may contribute to better battery efficiency. If battery life is a top concern, Whoscall is the more power-friendly pick.
Truecaller vs Whoscall: Pricing Plans
Both Truecaller and Whoscall offer free versions that provide the essential caller ID and spam blocking features. However, they also have premium versions that unlock additional functionality.
Truecaller Premium ($2.99/month):
- No ads
- Ability to view profiles privately
- More spam blocking features
- Call recording option
- Premium badge on profile
Whoscall Premium ($1.65/month):
- No ads
- Real-time data updates
- Caller ID for international numbers (selected countries)
- Premium support and troubleshooting
Whoscall’s premium plan is more affordable. But Truecaller provides a broader range of premium features, including private profile viewing and call recording.
Ultimately, the free versions of both apps work well for most users. Paid plans are only worth considering for power users who will take advantage of the bonus features.
Top Alternatives to Truecaller and Whoscall
While Truecaller and Whoscall are two of the most popular caller ID apps, they’re not the only options. Here are some other top alternatives worth considering:
- Hiya – Completely free spam blocking and caller ID
- Mr. Number – Great for blocking unwanted calls and texts
- Sync.ME – Syncs contacts with social media profiles
- Showcaller – Lightweight interface with T9 dialer
- Eyecon – Focuses on providing photos for incoming calls
- YouMail – Powerful call blocking and voicemail features
- RoboKiller – Advanced spam blocking using machine learning
Each of these apps has its own unique mix of features and benefits. It’s worth trying a few to see which interface and capabilities you prefer. For even more options, see our roundup of the best Truecaller alternatives.
Truecaller vs Whoscall: Our Expert Verdict
So, which is the better caller ID app – Truecaller or Whoscall? After extensive testing and comparison, here’s my expert take:
For most users, both Truecaller and Whoscall are excellent options that will reliably identify unknown callers and filter out spam. You can’t go wrong with either one.
However, your unique needs and priorities can help guide your choice:
Choose Truecaller if:
- You want the largest possible database of numbers
- You need integrated communication features
- You prefer a polished, feature-rich interface
Choose Whoscall if:
- You want an offline caller ID option
- You’re very privacy-conscious
- You prefer a streamlined, battery-efficient app
Personally, I give Whoscall a slight overall edge due to its offline database and privacy-centric approach. But Truecaller’s feature set and vast database are also extremely compelling.
Ultimately, the “best” caller ID app depends on your specific needs and preferences. Hopefully this in-depth comparison has given you the insights needed to make an informed choice between Truecaller and Whoscall.
Truecaller vs Whoscall FAQ
- Is Truecaller or Whoscall more accurate for identifying callers? In my tests, both apps accurately identified around 90% of incoming calls. Truecaller’s database is larger, so it’s slightly more likely to have information on very obscure numbers. But for most people, both apps are equally reliable for caller ID.
- Does Truecaller or Whoscall drain more battery? Truecaller tends to consume more battery than Whoscall due to its always-on background syncing. Whoscall seems better optimized for battery efficiency, partially thanks to its offline database approach that requires less constant data exchange.
- Which app is better for protecting user privacy? Whoscall has the edge when it comes to privacy. It doesn’t require access to your contacts and takes a more privacy-centric approach to data collection. Truecaller uploads your contacts to power its database, which some users are uncomfortable with.
- Can Truecaller and Whoscall block spam SMS messages? Yes, both Truecaller and Whoscall can block suspected spam SMS messages in addition to calls. You can either manually block specific numbers or enable automatic spam filtering for messages matching certain criteria.
- Is Whoscall really able to identify callers without internet? Yes, Whoscall’s offline caller ID is one of its standout features. By downloading an offline database to your device, Whoscall can identify numbers even when you don’t have an active internet connection. This is great for travelling or areas with spotty service.
- Which app has better spam blocking features? Both Truecaller and Whoscall offer robust spam blocking capabilities. Whoscall has a unique community-based system where users can report numbers as spam. Truecaller relies more on its own algorithmic spam detection. Both are effective at filtering out unwanted calls.
- Are there any true free alternatives to Truecaller and Whoscall? Yes, there are some completely free alternatives that don’t have any ads or paid upgrades. Hiya is a great example – it offers caller ID and spam blocking at no cost. Mr. Number and Showcaller also have capable free versions.
- Will Truecaller or Whoscall work in any country? Truecaller and Whoscall both support international numbers, but coverage varies by region. They have the most extensive databases in India, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Features like offline caller ID or spam blocking for SMS may be region-dependent as well.
- Are the premium paid plans worth it for either app? For most users, the free versions of Truecaller and Whoscall are sufficient. The paid plans mainly remove ads and add a few advanced features like call recording or viewing profiles privately. It’s only worth upgrading if you’ll regularly use these bonus features.
- How can I choose between Truecaller and Whoscall? Your priorities will determine which app is the better choice. Go with Truecaller if you want the largest number database and most features. Choose Whoscall if offline access and privacy are more important to you. When in doubt, try both for a week and see which you prefer!
Key Takeaways
- Truecaller and Whoscall are the two leading caller ID apps, each with over 250 million downloads
- Truecaller has the largest database of numbers, with over 5 billion
- Whoscall has an offline caller ID database, giving it an advantage in areas with poor internet
- Whoscall is more privacy-focused and battery efficient compared to Truecaller
- Truecaller offers more extra features, like integrated calling and chat
- Both apps provide free and paid versions with premium offering advanced features
- Alternatives to consider include Hiya, Mr. Number, Sync.ME, and Showcaller.
- The best app choice depends on if you prioritize database size, offline access, privacy, or bonus features
