Securus Mobile vs Inmate Canteen
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Securus Mobile
Stay connected with incarcerated loved ones through video calls, messaging, and photo sharing. Manage your account, send money for purchases, and receive balance alerts. Services may vary by location.
- Video calling
- Digital messaging
- Photo/video/eCard sharing
- Prepaid calling
- Account management
- Fund incarcerated accounts
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From the leader in corrections technology, Securus Mobile allows you to stay in touch, no matter the distance. With our industry-best application, you can connect with your incarcerated loved one, as well as send money for purchases like media and communications… all in just a few clicks, right from your phone or tablet. Securus Mobile gives you the power to take video calls from your loved one, send and receive digital messages in real time, as well as manage your Securus account (with personal options like adding contacts, enabling notifications, balance alerts and autopay) in one convenient spot! Please note: Services vary by location – please visit securustech.net for additional information, frequently asked questions and additional ways to support your loved one. From intake through release, Securus is always here to help. The Securus Mobile App Offers: • Prepaid Calling • Video Calling • Digital Messaging • Photo, Video and eCard Sharing • Securus Debit Incarcerated Account Deposits • International Funding and Connections • …and so much more.
Inmate Canteen
Connect with incarcerated individuals through a dedicated communication platform. Send messages, make video calls, and conduct voice calls to stay in touch with loved ones.
- Message inmates
- Video calls
- Voice calls
- Inmate communication
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Contact inmates through the Turnkey's Inmate Canteen. This application serves as a communication platform allowing users to message, video and voice call with inmates.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Securus Mobile at 4.6 against Inmate Canteen's 1.2. Securus Mobile also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (66K vs 86). Inmate Canteen's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Securus Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Securus Mobile has 66K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Securus Mobile's written reviews are positive against 0% of Inmate Canteen's.
Securus Mobile ships an update every 6 weeks, Inmate Canteen monthly. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.
| Parameter | Securus Mobile | Inmate Canteen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (66K ratings) — better | 1.2 (86 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 13.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 66K — better | 86 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #44 — better | #183 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 101 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES LLC | TWVending Inc. |
Customer experience
Securus Mobile
Inmate Canteen
Bugs and requests
Securus Mobile
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login issues and account problems
- Scheduled video visits not working
- Messages and photos not being delivered
- Frequent app crashes and technical difficulties
Requested features
5 requests- Improve video call quality and reliability
- Provide better customer support and communication
- Reduce fees and make service more affordable
- Add notification features for messages
- Improve app stability and reduce bugs
Inmate Canteen
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Securus Mobile
No in-app purchases
Inmate Canteen
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Securus Mobile free?
Is Inmate Canteen free?
Which has better reviews, Securus Mobile or Inmate Canteen?
Do Securus Mobile or Inmate Canteen have ads?
Which is updated more often, Securus Mobile or Inmate Canteen?
Which is more popular, Securus Mobile or Inmate Canteen?
Other comparisons
