Virtual Line vs Purple Visits
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Virtual Line
This app provides a business-quality mobile VoIP solution, allowing users to make high-quality calls over Wi-Fi or cellular data. It's ideal for avoiding roaming charges and offers free user-to-user calls. Users can also get UK landline numbers for inbound calls or port existing numbers.
- Mobile VoIP solution
- High-quality calls over Wi-Fi/3G/4G
- Avoid roaming charges
- Free user-to-user calls
- Inbound UK landline numbers
- Number porting
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“Virtual Landline” is a business quality Mobile VoIP solution from Buzz Connect that allows you to make high quality calls from your smartphone or tablet using a Wi-Fi or 3G/4G data connection. Used as a means of avoiding roaming charges away from home, users can experience big savings with calls back to the UK! User to user calls are free. Why not choose one of our UK landline numbers for inbound calls, or even port your home/office number to make a fully integrated mobile solution?” ***VOIP OVER 3G/4G - IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE READ*** Be aware that some mobile network operators prohibit or restrict the use of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) over their network. They may prohibit the use of VoIP over their network or impose additional fees and/or charges when using VoIP over their network. By using Virtual Landline for iOS over 3G/4G, you agree to familiarize yourself with and abide by any restrictions your cellular carrier imposes and agree that Buzz Networks Ltd will not be held liable for any charges, fees or liability imposed by your carrier for using Virtual Landline for iOS over their 3G/4G network.
Purple Visits
Connect with loved ones through secure, high-definition video calls. This platform makes family contact easier and more cost-effective than in-person visits, allowing multiple participants to join from various locations.
- Secure video calls
- High-definition video
- Up to 3 additional participants
- Visit from home or work
- Cost-effective alternative to travel
- Show loved ones around your home
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The Purple Visits secure video calling system keeps you and your loved one connected with a fully secure and compliant platform used within secure establishments. Feel closer than a phone call when you’re unable to visit with a fully immersive HD* video calling experience that has been designed to make family contact easier and more cost affective than visiting in person. • Video calls, don’t settle for just hearing them, see them too with a purple visits video call, the whole family can get involved with up to 3 additional participants being verified to accompany you on your video call. • Visit from home, The Purple Visits video calling system allows you to have a video calling option when visiting in person would simply be impossible. • Call from work, the purple visits video calling system doesn’t limit you to one location, you can use the system to video call from anywhere with a reliable broadband or 4G** connection. • Call from the grandma’s, Add Grandma as an additional participant and take your video call round there, if grandma has been verified (easily done through the app) then feel free to let her join in on call too! • Cost affective, our users are saving hundreds of pounds in travel and childcare costs every time by video calling instead. • Show them around, the purple visits platform has been designed for you to show your loved one around the home, go ahead and flip the camera and show them the family pet or your latest decorating masterpiece. Visitor feedback: “We have been using the purple visits system for three months now and are extremely grateful that it is available for our son” “Before purple visits were introduced, I was unable to visit my son in Jersey, now we have visited virtually every week and its really lifted his spirits” “Being able to video call during my lunch break has made things so much better. We video chat every Wednesday and Friday!” *HD calling is limited by your device and your connectivity, in order to achieve HD quality video calls you must be connected to a good quality and reliable WIFI signal and have a HD quality camera within your device. **Data charges may apply if connecting via mobile internet. Contact your provider for details We're always excited to hear from you! If you have feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at: help@purplevisits.com or follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/purplevisits @purplevisits
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Purple Visits at 92% against Virtual Line's 50%. Purple Visits also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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.
Purple Visits holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 57 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Virtual Line's written reviews are positive against 92% of Purple Visits's.
Virtual Line ships an update every 8 months, Purple Visits every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Virtual Line | Purple Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (36 ratings) | 4.9 (57 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 92.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 36 | 57 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 108 MB | 102 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Buzz Networks Ltd (Connect) | Made Purple |
Customer experience
Virtual Line
Purple Visits
Bugs and requests
Virtual Line
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Purple Visits
Reported bugs
12 issues- Camera twists on iPhone
- Video stops/switches off with slight movement
- Face recognition issues causing call interruptions
- System locks out after covering face
- Bold text on iPhone causes connection issues
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- System picks up background images/objects
- Bugged when connected to a monitor
- Cannot change address
- Call gets rejected even when slots are visible
- Video cuts out frequently
- Pixelated and buffering issues
- Login issues after phone breaks
Requested features
10 requests- Ask about prison first during registration
- Increase call duration to 1 hour
- Option to pay for prisoner food/drink during visit
- Countdown timer for visit duration
- Improve camera stability and recognition
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Allow easier device switching
- Remove fully booked time slots from visibility
- Ensure prisoners are brought on time for calls
- Provide a 'test shot' feature for camera setup
- Allow longer video calls for overseas connections
In-app purchases
Virtual Line
No in-app purchases
Purple Visits
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Virtual Line free?
Is Purple Visits free?
Which has better reviews, Virtual Line or Purple Visits?
Do Virtual Line or Purple Visits have ads?
Which is updated more often, Virtual Line or Purple Visits?
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