Comparison

Hamilton Mobile CapTel vs OnlyDeaf

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

Head to head
About

Hamilton Mobile CapTel

This app provides real-time captions for phone calls, enabling individuals with hearing loss to communicate more effectively. It offers features like customizable captions, voicemail with captions, and call forwarding, all accessible on your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Real-time call captioning
  • Captioned voicemail
  • Customizable caption display
  • Call forwarding and custom caller ID
  • Choice of captioning assistance
  • Call log with caption review
Features
Read full description

Communicating over the phone can be challenging for people with hearing loss, which can discourage them from staying connected. That, in turn, can lead to conditions such as isolation and loneliness. With Captioned Telephone, people with hearing loss can stay connected over the phone by listening while reading captions of what’s said. Many have found this to be an invaluable solution that keeps them connected to what, and who, is important. For more than 20 years, Hamilton® CapTel® has made more than 400 million captioned telephone calls possible for people who have difficulty hearing over the phone — all at no cost to the user. The Hamilton Mobile™ CapTel® app delivers the same Hamilton CapTel experience customers have enjoyed at home or the office for years — and now it’s available at your fingertips wherever you go. It's secure, fast, incredibly accurate and easy to use. The app syncs seamlessly with your iOS device contacts so you can place a call with a single tap. Features include: • Captions on both incoming and outgoing calls • Built-in Voicemail with captions • Call Forwarding and Custom Caller ID • Choice of captioning preference: Auto (computer-generated) or Assisted (operator facilitated) • Customizable captions for easy reading — choose font style, color and size • Direct access to customer care 24/7/365 • Ability to access your call log and review captions • Browser Caption Viewing – simultaneous viewing of captions on a larger screen Hamilton Mobile CapTel is a snap to install — just download the app and follow the directions. You’ll be prompted to register and create an account with Hamilton CapTel. Simply log in and you’ll be placing and receiving calls in moments! If talking on the phone has been an obstacle due to hearing loss, now’s the time to connect again with what matters most in your life. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. Automatic speech recognition software generates captions of what the other party to the call says, and, in certain circumstances, a live communications assistant may be included on the call to make needed corrections and/or add call details. The captions are then sent to the phone. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. To learn more, visit fcc.gov. Third-party charges may apply: the Hamilton CapTel phone requires high-speed internet access (Wi-Fi capable) and in some cases, may require telephone service. When using Hamilton CapTel on a smartphone or tablet and not on Wi-Fi, a data plan is required. Hamilton CapTel may be used to make 911 calls but may not function the same as traditional 911 services. For more information about the benefits and limitations of Hamilton CapTel and Emergency 911 calling, visit HamiltonCapTel.com/911. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. Copyright ©2025 Hamilton Relay. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a/ Hamilton Telecommunications. The Hamilton Mobile CapTel app is only available for use in the United States.

About

OnlyDeaf

This app is a dating platform designed for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and ASL users. It offers a safe and accessible space to connect with others, build authentic relationships, and foster a sense of community.

Highlights
  • Connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing singles
  • Accessible design and interface
  • Safe and secure with verification
  • Customizable profiles
  • Global community connections
  • Group chats for community building
Features
Read full description

OnlyDeaf is a social app built for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Create a profile, complete onboarding, and verify yourself with a short intro video. Stay connected through a visual-first feed, reels, threads, search, and direct messages in one community space. What you can do in this release: - Build your profile and connect with the community - Share posts and watch reels - Join threads and conversations - Search profiles and content - Send direct messages - Use intro-video verification to help keep the community authentic Why OnlyDeaf: - Designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users - Supports ASL-first and text-friendly communication - Focused on trust, accessibility, and real community connection - Built for mobile with a clean, fast experience OnlyDeaf is free to download and use. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Hamilton Mobile CapTel4 screens
OnlyDeaf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OnlyDeaf at 4.6 against Hamilton Mobile CapTel's 3.5. OnlyDeaf also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (64% vs 38%). Hamilton Mobile CapTel's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. OnlyDeaf sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Hamilton Mobile CapTel asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OnlyDeaf holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Hamilton Mobile CapTel's written reviews are positive against 64% of OnlyDeaf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hamilton Mobile CapTel ships an update every 2 months, OnlyDeaf every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Hamilton Mobile CapTel versus OnlyDeaf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamilton Mobile CapTelOnlyDeaf
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (29 ratings)4.6 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.5% of reviews64.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings29 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB83 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperHamilton Relay IncAdam Wells

Customer experience

Hamilton Mobile CapTel

All ratings29 ratings
Positive58.6%
Neutral17.2%
Negative24.1%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral23.1%
Negative38.5%

OnlyDeaf

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.7%

In-app purchases

None

Hamilton Mobile CapTel

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

OnlyDeaf

Subscriptions3
  • OnlyDeaf+2 variants$6.991 Month
  • OnlyDeaf Plus$7.991 Month
  • OnlyDeaf AI Pro$24.991 Month
One-time2
  • 50 extra truth checks$4.99
  • 150 extra truth checks$9.99

Questions

Is Hamilton Mobile CapTel free?
Hamilton Mobile CapTel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OnlyDeaf free?
OnlyDeaf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hamilton Mobile CapTel or OnlyDeaf?
OnlyDeaf is rated higher. Hamilton Mobile CapTel averages 3.5 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while OnlyDeaf averages 4.6 from 13 ratings.
Do Hamilton Mobile CapTel or OnlyDeaf have ads?
Neither Hamilton Mobile CapTel nor OnlyDeaf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hamilton Mobile CapTel or OnlyDeaf?
Hamilton Mobile CapTel ships an update every 2 months, and OnlyDeaf every 4 days. Most recently, Hamilton Mobile CapTel was updated on October 3, 2026 and OnlyDeaf on October 13, 2026.

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