Inmate Inbox vs Pay Tel
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Inmate Inbox
This app facilitates real-time communication between users and incarcerated individuals. It allows for sending and receiving messages, as well as sharing photos, helping to maintain connections with loved ones.
- Real-time messaging
- Photo sending
- Account management
- Contact list management
- Stay connected on the go
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Our “Inmate Inbox” Mobile app is free to download and will allow you to stay connected with your family and friends. Enjoy real time communications with your loved ones while on the go. Features Include: -Managing Account & Contacts List -Sending and Receiving Messages in Real-time -Sending Photos to Inmate (Delivered once approved by Jail Staff) Pricing: -Message cost and Photos cost will vary based on the Facility.
Pay Tel
Stay connected with loved ones. Receive instant alerts for messages and notifications. Easily view your balance and add funds, or send photos to inmates in eligible correctional facilities.
- Instant message alerts
- Unread message count
- Current balance visibility
- Add funds link
- Send photos to inmates
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The Pay Tel app provides you with easy access to important functionality: Instant alerts for any notifications from Pay Tel™ or your inteleMESSAGE™ contacts. Current unread messages count indicator. Just press to open inteleMESSAGE™. Visibility to your current balance, and a link to the main PayTel.com site for Adding Funds. Send photos to inmates in eligible facilities.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Inmate Inbox at 3.1 against Pay Tel's 1.6. Inmate Inbox also leads on review sentiment (16% vs 4%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). Pay Tel's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and chart position (#206 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Inmate Inbox sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Pay Tel asks for nothing beyond the download.
Inmate Inbox holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 126 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of Inmate Inbox's written reviews are positive against 4% of Pay Tel's.
Inmate Inbox ships an update every 2 months, Pay Tel every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on July 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Inmate Inbox | Pay Tel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (88 ratings) — better | 1.6 (126 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 16.1% of reviews — better | 3.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 88 | 126 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #206 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stewart | Pay Tel Communications |
Customer experience
Inmate Inbox
Pay Tel
Bugs and requests
Inmate Inbox
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Pay Tel
Reported bugs
21 issues- App crashes on launch or during use
- Login authentication errors persist across sessions
- Messages fail to send despite payment being deducted
- Messages don't appear in inbox despite being sent
- App logs out randomly while actively in use
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- Typing causes screen to flicker and delete message content
- Blank white screens when trying to view messages
- App won't work when Wi-Fi is enabled (Error 403)
- Incorrect notification counts
- Balance doesn't update after adding funds
- Video call invitations don't pop up or display
- Call connections drop mid-conversation
- Echo/feedback during calls
- Calls ring once then hang up immediately
- Account lockout with 'phone number doesn't belong to account' error
- PIN number errors preventing login
- App won't open on certain devices (iPhone specific issues)
- Messages appear days late
- Duplicate messages being sent and charged
- App freezes when typing long messages
- Website login doesn't sync with app login
Requested features
12 requests- Improved app stability and performance optimization
- Better customer service responsiveness (live chat, phone support)
- Reduced pricing for calls and messages
- Same-day video visit scheduling
- Better message persistence (don't delete on app exit)
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- Improved call quality and connection stability
- Wi-Fi compatibility fix
- Better user interface design and navigation
- Automatic message saving/drafts
- Transaction history visibility
- Refund policy for failed transactions
- Faster fund processing and balance updates
In-app purchases
Inmate Inbox
- inmateinbox$5.99
- InmateInbox$10.99
- InmateInbox$15.99
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- InmateInbox$20.99
Pay Tel
No in-app purchases
