# Cloud Answering Machine vs Clara

The clearest difference is rating: Clara at 4.6 against Cloud Answering Machine's 2.2. Clara also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (46% vs 11%). Cloud Answering Machine's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cloud Answering Machine sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Clara sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Clara holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Clara has 1.3K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of Cloud Answering Machine's written reviews are positive against 46% of Clara's.

Cloud Answering Machine ships an update every 2 months, Clara every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cloud Answering Machine | Clara |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-answering-machine/id1214710746/reviews) | **[4.6 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clara-ai-receptionist/id6757800516/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 11.1% of reviews | **45.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#171** |
| Size | 38 MB | 144 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Infinite Loop Development Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/463823475) | [44pixels](https://appshunter.io/developer/1743972891) |

## What reviewers say

### Cloud Answering Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-answering-machine/id1214710746)

This app provides a secondary virtual phone number hosted in the cloud, allowing you to manage calls and texts privately. Voicemails and SMS messages are delivered directly to your email or app, helping you avoid interruptions and prioritize work communications.

**Highlights:** Virtual phone number, Cloud-hosted, Voicemail via email, SMS messaging, Enhanced privacy, Call prioritization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cloud Answering Machine Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Cloud Answering Machine | $49.99 | per month |


### Clara

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clara-ai-receptionist/id6757800516)

**Currently charting:** #171 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

This AI receptionist handles incoming business calls, answers customer questions, and takes notes. It learns your business to provide professional service, ensuring no calls are missed and reducing interruptions for business owners.

**Highlights:** Automatic call answering, Learns business details, Handles customer questions, Takes call notes and summaries, Filters spam calls, Improves over time

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter plan - Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Starter plan - Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Starter plan - Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| Clara - Monthly | $39.99 | per month |
| Pro plan - Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Pro plan - Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Pro plan - Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Pro plan - Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Monthly Access | $49.99 | per month |
| Clara Pro - Monthly | $69.99 | per month |
| Pro plan - Monthly | $99.99 | per month |
| Monthly Access | $99.99 | per month |
| Monthly Access | $99.99 | per month |
| Starter Annual | $199.99 | per year |
| 3 Months Access | $249.99 | per 3 months |
| Clara - Annual | $399.99 | per year |
| Pro Annual | $499.99 | per year |
| Clara Pro Yearly | $699.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cloud Answering Machine free?

Cloud Answering Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Clara free?

Clara is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cloud Answering Machine or Clara?

Clara is rated higher. Cloud Answering Machine averages 2.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Clara averages 4.6 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do Cloud Answering Machine or Clara have ads?

Neither Cloud Answering Machine nor Clara shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cloud Answering Machine or Clara?

Cloud Answering Machine ships an update every 2 months, and Clara every 5 days. Most recently, Cloud Answering Machine was updated on September 30, 2026 and Clara on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*