Pay Tel vs Tranzparency
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pay Tel
Stay connected with loved ones. Receive instant alerts for messages and notifications. Easily view your balance and add funds, or send photos to inmates in eligible correctional facilities.
- Instant message alerts
- Unread message count
- Current balance visibility
- Add funds link
- Send photos to inmates
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Pay Tel app provides you with easy access to important functionality: Instant alerts for any notifications from Pay Tel™ or your inteleMESSAGE™ contacts. Current unread messages count indicator. Just press to open inteleMESSAGE™. Visibility to your current balance, and a link to the main PayTel.com site for Adding Funds. Send photos to inmates in eligible facilities.
Tranzparency
Read full descriptionHide full description
Imagine this...you are alone and in an unfamiliar place or environment in a dangerous life-threatening situation. Even worse, think of the person you love the most in the same predicament. How grateful would you feel knowing that with a touch of a button you or your loved one can immediately connect with the community, the authorities, and your closest confidants? TRANZPARENCY is that lifeline! TRANZPARENCY has an alarm that sounds when you need the attention of someone nearby for your protection. TRANZPARENCY has a button that connects with emergency services at any time. TRANZPARENCY has the ability to video chat and message with any of your chosen contacts, instantly sharing your location. The main feature of the TRANZPARENCY app is an SOS button designed to combine the following functions for dire emergencies: 1. Connect to emergency services. 2. Alerting all contacts and TRANZPARENCY subscribers in your immediate area that you need help. 3. Immediately starting a live video chat with chosen contacts and other TRANZPARENCY subscribers in the area. 4. Instantly sharing your location with pinpoint GPS accuracy via geolocation. TRANZPARENCY, your Personal Emergency Alert System (PEAS)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pay Tel at none against Tranzparency's 1. Pay Tel also leads on chart position (#207 vs unranked). Tranzparency's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Tranzparency sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pay Tel asks for nothing beyond the download.
Pay Tel ships an update every 2 months, Tranzparency every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pay Tel | Tranzparency |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.7 (140 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 6.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 140 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #207 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 96 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Pay Tel Communications | Tranzparency LLC |
Bugs and requests
Pay Tel
Reported bugs
21 issues- App crashes on launch or during use
- Login authentication errors persist across sessions
- Messages fail to send despite payment being deducted
- Messages don't appear in inbox despite being sent
- App logs out randomly while actively in use
Show 16 moreShow fewer
- Typing causes screen to flicker and delete message content
- Blank white screens when trying to view messages
- App won't work when Wi-Fi is enabled (Error 403)
- Incorrect notification counts
- Balance doesn't update after adding funds
- Video call invitations don't pop up or display
- Call connections drop mid-conversation
- Echo/feedback during calls
- Calls ring once then hang up immediately
- Account lockout with 'phone number doesn't belong to account' error
- PIN number errors preventing login
- App won't open on certain devices (iPhone specific issues)
- Messages appear days late
- Duplicate messages being sent and charged
- App freezes when typing long messages
- Website login doesn't sync with app login
Requested features
12 requests- Improved app stability and performance optimization
- Better customer service responsiveness (live chat, phone support)
- Reduced pricing for calls and messages
- Same-day video visit scheduling
- Better message persistence (don't delete on app exit)
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Improved call quality and connection stability
- Wi-Fi compatibility fix
- Better user interface design and navigation
- Automatic message saving/drafts
- Transaction history visibility
- Refund policy for failed transactions
- Faster fund processing and balance updates
Tranzparency
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Pay Tel
No in-app purchases
Tranzparency
- Tranzparency starter plan$9.99
