Comparison

CaptionMate vs Deaf Live Caption

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 provides real-time captions for both sides of phone calls, making conversations accessible for individuals with hearing loss. It offers customizable features and supports over 100 languages, allowing users to stay connected and productive.

Highlights
  • Real-time captions for both call sides
  • AI-powered transcription
  • Customizable font sizes and colors
  • Supports over 100 captioning languages
  • Access past call and voicemail transcripts
  • Keep current phone number
  • FCC-certified and free for eligible users
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 or tablet, 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 with AI-powered captions • 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

Deaf Live Caption

This app converts spoken words into large, easy-to-read captions in real time. It's designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, seniors, and anyone needing a clearer way to follow conversations in various settings.

Highlights
  • Real-time speech-to-text captions
  • Large, readable text
  • One-tap start and stop
  • Dark mode
  • Multiple speech recognition languages
  • Clean, accessible interface
Features
Read full description

Deaf Live Caption turns nearby speech into large, easy-to-read captions in real time. It is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, seniors, and anyone who wants a clearer way to follow conversations. With one tap, spoken words appear on your screen as large captions, making it easier to understand people around you in everyday moments. Use Live Caption when talking face to face, at home, in meetings, during appointments, while traveling, or whenever speech is difficult to hear clearly. The simple interface keeps the focus on what matters most: reading the conversation. Features: • Real-time speech-to-text captions • Large, readable text for easier viewing • Simple one-tap start and stop controls • Dark mode for low-light environments • Multiple speech recognition languages • Clean interface designed for accessibility • Helpful for deaf users, hard-of-hearing users, and seniors Live Caption does not try to make conversations complicated. It gives you a clear, readable screen so you can follow speech more comfortably and confidently. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

CaptionMate4 screens
Deaf Live Caption4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CaptionMate at none against Deaf Live Caption's 2. CaptionMate also leads on ratings volume (285 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Deaf Live Caption sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per year. CaptionMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Deaf Live Caption holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CaptionMate has 285 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CaptionMate ships an update monthly, Deaf Live Caption every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CaptionMate versus Deaf Live Caption: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCaptionMateDeaf Live Caption
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (285 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings285 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMezmo Corporation荣花 吴

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

Deaf Live Caption

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CaptionMate

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Deaf Live Caption

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Pro$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$39.99

Questions

Is CaptionMate free?
CaptionMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Deaf Live Caption free?
Deaf Live Caption is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CaptionMate or Deaf Live Caption?
Deaf Live Caption is rated higher. CaptionMate averages 4.8 out of 5 from 285 ratings, while Deaf Live Caption averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do CaptionMate or Deaf Live Caption have ads?
Neither CaptionMate nor Deaf Live Caption shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CaptionMate or Deaf Live Caption?
CaptionMate ships an update monthly, and Deaf Live Caption every 4 weeks. Most recently, CaptionMate was updated on November 3, 2026 and Deaf Live Caption on October 25, 2026.

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