Comparison

CaptionMate vs TheSignLife

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

Head to head
About

CaptionMate

This app offers free, real-time captions for phone calls, benefiting individuals with hearing loss. It supports multiple devices and languages, ensuring private and accessible communication. Users can retain their existing phone numbers and access past transcripts.

Highlights
  • Real-time call captioning
  • FCC-certified and free for eligible users
  • Captions both sides of calls
  • AI-powered private captioning
  • Customizable font sizes and colors
  • Supports over 100 languages
  • Access past call transcripts
Features
Read full description

CaptionMate provides free, real-time captions for both sides of your phone calls. Certified and funded by an FCC-administered program, CaptionMate is available at no cost to individuals with hearing loss in the US. Whether you're using a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, CaptionMate is here to assist you with your accessibility needs. It works seamlessly across your devices to support your communication, wherever you are. WHY CHOOSE CAPTIONMATE? • FCC-certified and free for eligible individuals • Caption both sides of your calls • Your calls stay private with AI-powered captioning • Customizable font sizes, colors, and language options • Supports over 100 captioning languages • Access past call and voicemail transcripts anytime • Responsive customer support and setup assistance available KEEP YOUR CURRENT NUMBER Stay connected without changing your phone number. Enable call forwarding in the app and continue using your existing number with CaptionMate. BUILT FOR EVERYDAY AND PROFESSIONAL USE Whether you are calling family, attending a meeting, or dialing into a video conference, CaptionMate gives you the tools to stay engaged, productive, and independent. Experience clear, confident conversations with CaptionMate. CaptionMate is intended for individuals with hearing loss and is funded through a federal program that ensures equal access to phone communication. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. For more information, please visit our website at www.captionmate.com or email us at support@captionmate.com.

About

TheSignLife

Features
Read full description

TheSignLife VRS (Video Relay Service) supports Deaf sign language users to communicate more independently using live video calls with BSL (British Sign Language) interpreters. You can connect quickly with NRCPD registered interpreters for everyday life, work, appointments, phone calls, and important conversations. The app also supports document translation, making it easier to manage work and personal tasks with confidence. Designed to be easy to use, fast, and reliable, our VRS gives you clear communication in your control - anytime, anywhere. The app is compatible with Access to Work (ATW) funding, Direct Payments, and private funding.

Screenshots

CaptionMate4 screens
TheSignLife3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CaptionMate at monthly against TheSignLife's every 3 months. CaptionMate also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.2). On price, ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CaptionMate ships an update monthly, TheSignLife every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CaptionMate versus TheSignLife: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCaptionMateTheSignLife
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (268 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings268 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMezmo CorporationTheSignLife

Bugs and requests

CaptionMate

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Missed calls and voicemails
  • Calls bouncing back and not ringing
  • No voicemail alerts
  • App crashes during incoming calls
  • Calls appearing as 'scam likely'
Show 2 more
  • App glitches preventing access to calling screen
  • Registration issues due to referral codes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Fix calls showing as 'scam likely'
  • Implement incoming call vibration
  • Allow registration without referral code
  • Address issues for autistic users
  • Improve call routing/ringing reliability

TheSignLife

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CaptionMate

No in-app purchases

None

TheSignLife

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CaptionMate free?
CaptionMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TheSignLife free?
TheSignLife is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CaptionMate or TheSignLife have ads?
Neither CaptionMate nor TheSignLife shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CaptionMate or TheSignLife?
CaptionMate ships an update monthly, and TheSignLife every 3 months. Most recently, CaptionMate was updated on October 14, 2026 and TheSignLife on October 15, 2026.

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