eMates vs BFF Messenger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
eMates
Facilitates easy and frequent communication between prisoners and their loved ones. Aims to reduce self-harm by fostering connections and aids in prisoner rehabilitation for release.
- Easy prisoner communication
- Secure messaging
- Reduced self-harm
- Release preparation assistance
- Frequent and varied communication
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eMates (emailaprisoner.com) has the following goals: To help family and friends communicate easily and frequently with Prisoners. To reduce thoughts of self-harm/suicide through increased communication. To assist Prisoners in preparation for release with multiple partner agencies. Communication is a major factor in Prison life and the lack of it can have horrendous consequences. eMates offers a quick, efficient, secure alternative method of communication for Prisoners, their families, friends, legal professionals and related organisations - meaning Prisoners can receive more frequent and varied communication. Documentation continually states Prisoners who are able to maintain family ties are 6 times less likely to re-offend. Please check the locations page to see what features are available at what establishment: https://www.emailaprisoner.com/content/locations
BFF Messenger
Connect globally with a secure messaging and calling app designed for privacy. Easily make calls, chat in groups, and share life's moments with advanced encryption and biometric security features.
- Secure messaging and calling
- Email registration
- Group chat functionality
- QR code friend adding
- Biometric chat encryption
- Multiple message sharing options
- Nearby user matching
- Intelligent address book management
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BFF has adopted the highest standards in privacy protection and encryption technology, redefining the meaning of interpersonal connections for global users seeking reliable international social networking platforms, cross-border chat tools, and communication services. This is a space specifically designed to promote friendship, where users' privacy is fully protected and all functions are designed with security as the core, specifically to meet the diverse needs of global users in different scenarios such as travel, cross-border e-commerce, international student exchanges, financial transactions, and socializing/dating. The main functions include: 1. You can register immediately using email without providing any additional information; Even during business trips, you can quickly create an account. 2. The provided audio and video calling functions are very convenient to use, just like having an additional phone number; When contacting relatives and friends abroad, there is no need to worry about phone bills. 3. It has a group chat function that allows you to freely express your ideas; For example, exchanging opinions in interest discussion groups to avoid being influenced by social pressure. 4. You can quickly share your ID card number or QR code, and you can add friends or join groups immediately by scanning; During offline gatherings, you can also quickly form temporary groups and add companions. 5. Adopting an independent encryption protection mechanism, supporting fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, or password lock settings, it can ensure the security of chat privacy even when using public devices. 6. Provide multiple ways to share the bits and pieces of life, allowing you to express yourself in various ways; You can easily share travel photos, food reviews, or mood essays. 7. Can quickly match people nearby, helping you easily expand your social circle; During business trips or travels, you can quickly meet local partners and learn about the local customs and traditions. 8. Equipped with intelligent address book and group management functions, it can help you efficiently manage social relationships; Work groups and family/friend groups can be classified and managed to avoid information confusion. 9. Support multiple types of chat messages, including text, emoticons, images, image-based voice annotations, voice messages, videos, files, encrypted files, self destruct messages, timed deletion messages, etc.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: BFF Messenger at 80% against eMates's 4%. BFF Messenger also leads on rating (4.1 vs 2.0) and ratings volume (18 vs 1). eMates's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. BFF Messenger sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. eMates asks for nothing beyond the download.
BFF Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BFF Messenger has 18 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of eMates's written reviews are positive against 80% of BFF Messenger's.
eMates ships an update fortnightly, BFF Messenger every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | eMates | BFF Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (1 ratings) | 4.1 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 4.5% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 167 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Unilink Technology Services | BFF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD. |
Customer experience
eMates
BFF Messenger
Bugs and requests
eMates
Reported bugs
32 issues- App crashes frequently
- Messages fail to send or are lost
- Messages fail to receive
- Login screen freezes or doesn't respond
- Cannot log in even with correct credentials
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- Account registration errors
- Password reset functionality not working
- Money added to account but not usable
- Apple Pay not accepted despite being advertised
- App freezes for several seconds upon opening
- Contacts disappear or duplicate
- Video calls not working
- Multi-factor authentication codes not received or invalid
- Emails marked as sent but appear as drafts
- No notifications for replies
- App crashes after updates
- Scanned reply pages not appearing
- Scrolling issues within the app
- Identity verification link not working
- Error messages when trying to upload ID or face scan
- App not connecting to the server
- Old messages disappearing or blank screens
- Photos attached multiple times and charged
- Dates on sent/received emails changing
- Support email addresses bounce back
- Neatphone facility connection problems
- App not refreshing and showing old messages
- Video visit requests disappearing
- Email sending process disappears mid-way
- Unable to schedule video visits
- App not user-friendly
- Confusing credit system
Requested features
18 requests- Improve app stability and reliability
- Fix message sending and receiving issues
- Resolve login and account access problems
- Address payment and credit issues
- Enhance customer support responsiveness
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- Improve message delivery speed
- Fix video call functionality
- Ensure Apple Pay compatibility
- Streamline registration process
- Fix password reset and account recovery
- Provide clear instructions for account crediting
- Resolve multi-factor authentication issues
- Improve user interface and experience
- Add notifications for replies
- Allow saving contacts
- Make app more robust and less buggy
- Address issues with image uploads
- Provide clear communication on prison staff reliance
BFF Messenger
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
eMates
No in-app purchases
BFF Messenger
- VIP Weekly Pass$0.99
- SVIP Weekly Pass (1.49)$1.49
- VIP Monthly Pass$3.99
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- SVIP Monthly Pass$5.99
- VIP Yearly Pass$30.99
- SVIP Yearly Pass$46.49









