Comparison

Callblock vs BlackList Messages

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Callblock

This app helps you block unwanted telemarketing calls on your iPhone. It uses a large, constantly updated directory to identify and filter out spam calls, offering a high accuracy rate. While it cannot block calls with no caller ID, it significantly reduces interruptions from telemarketers.

Highlights
  • Blocks telemarketing calls
  • Large directory of telemarketers
  • High identification accuracy
  • Customizable caller list
  • iOS call blocking integration
Features
Read full description

Callblock is the first app that lets you stop telemarketing phone calls in iOS (https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/07/callblocks-new-ios-app-will-block-calls-from-over-2-million-telemarketers/), with the world’s biggest directory of telemarketers – now over 3,000,000 classified entries from over 100 countries! The app identifies 86.7 percent of telemarketing calls correctly with a false-positive rate of only 1.7 percent on average. Note: Callblock *cannot* block calls with no caller ID – this is an iOS limitation, but most telemarketers don’t block their caller IDs. The app is free to try for one month then will renew automatically using your Apple account for $1.99 monthly or $19.99 yearly afterwards – you can cancel anytime by going to your account settings in iOS or iTunes. See Callblock’s terms of use at https://callblockapp.com/terms and privacy policy at https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/7907565. You love your iPhone – except sometimes the phone part and, in particular, the telemarketers often on the other end of the line. Telemarketers make 148 million annoying, time-wasting calls per day according to consumer-group Private Citizen and do-not-call lists (where available) do not work (and weren’t even meant to for many types of telemarketers) according to governments themselves. Callblock helps prevent these calls. The app blocks unwanted telephone calls not iMessage, SMS, or MMS messages. To enable Callblock to block calls: 1. tap the “Settings” app, 2. tap “Phone” > “Call Blocking & Identification”, then 3. toggle the “Callblock” switch on. To unblock calls, go to the “Callblock” app. To add, remove, or reclassify a missing or misclassified caller, tap the “Add caller” button. Enabling Callblock or making changes in the app may require up to a minute to take effect. If you have questions or comments, follow and message us: • https://www.facebook.com/callblockapp • https://www.instagram.com/callblockapp/ • https://twitter.com/callblockapp ••• Callblock was created and is maintained by Rocketship, an award-winning app studio whose mission is to design and develop the finest mobile and web experiences.

About

BlackList Messages

Block unwanted SMS messages by customizing your blacklist with various criteria. Create a whitelist to exempt specific contacts from being blocked. Never worry about SMS spam again with this productivity tool.

Highlights
  • Block unwanted SMS messages
  • Customize blacklist criteria
  • Create a whitelist for exceptions
  • Prevent SMS spam
  • Supports iPhone and iPod
Read full description

Block unwanted SMS text messages with this app! Customize your blacklist as you see fit. You can block unwanted messages with various selection criteria that you choose. This app also supports a whitelist where you can enter exceptions to messages that you don't want to be blocked. Never worry about SMS spam again!

Screenshots

Callblock4 screens
BlackList Messages3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BlackList Messages at none against Callblock's 2. Callblock's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (3.3 vs 3.0). On price, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Callblock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. BlackList Messages asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Callblock holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Callblock has 50 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Callblock's written reviews are positive against 40% of BlackList Messages's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Callblock ships an update every 2 months, BlackList Messages every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Callblock versus BlackList Messages: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCallblockBlackList Messages
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (50 ratings) — better3.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews53.9% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings50 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRocketship AppsEmanuele Floris

Customer experience

Callblock

All ratings51 ratings
Positive54.9%
Neutral9.8%
Negative35.3%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive53.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative42.1%

BlackList Messages

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

Bugs and requests

Callblock

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Does not work on iOS 14
  • App won't stop loading
  • Bug prevents unblocking calls
  • Error enabling extension
  • Does not work with passcode protection
Show 1 more
  • Lost subscription status after upgrade

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to see blocked calls log
  • Option to provide updates to categories
  • Improved blocking for local number spoofing
  • Clearer indication of active blocking
  • Dark mode option

BlackList Messages

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Callblock

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly1 Month trial$19.991 Year
None

BlackList Messages

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Callblock free?
Callblock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BlackList Messages free?
BlackList Messages is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Callblock or BlackList Messages?
Callblock is rated higher. Callblock averages 3.3 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while BlackList Messages averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Callblock or BlackList Messages have ads?
BlackList Messages shows ads; Callblock does not.
Which is updated more often, Callblock or BlackList Messages?
Callblock ships an update every 2 months, and BlackList Messages every 4 months. Most recently, Callblock was updated on October 21, 2026 and BlackList Messages on October 21, 2026.

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