Pay Tel vs Getting out Messaging
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
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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.
Getting out Messaging
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Stay connected with loved ones through a secure and user-friendly messaging experience designed to make communication simple and convenient. Search for inmates by facility and identification details, add contacts, and maintain meaningful conversations through a moderated messaging system. An AI-powered writing assistant can help you compose thoughtful messages, improve wording, and communicate more effectively. Manage your contacts, organize relationships, receive message status updates, and stay informed with notifications about message delivery, moderation results, and important account activity. The app also includes privacy and account management features such as passcode protection, Face ID and Touch ID authentication, secure profile settings, and AI data consent controls. Customize your profile and manage your contact information through a clean, modern interface. The free version includes up to 5 AI assistant messages per day, 10 outgoing messages per day, and access to a limited selection of facilities in the inmate search. Premium subscribers receive: Unlimited AI assistant sessions Unlimited messaging with contacts Full access to available facilities in the search system This application contains auto-renewable subscriptions and In-App Purchases: Weekly — $4.99 Monthly — $12.99 Yearly — $39.99 One-Time Purchase — $59.99 Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime through your device settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wXhTwUV_KByp_-vSltHftfUmK7YOzk0jS6nmSbi1Erg/edit
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pay Tel at none against Getting out Messaging's 5. Pay Tel also leads on chart position (#186 vs unranked). Getting out Messaging's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 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. Getting out Messaging sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Pay Tel asks for nothing beyond the download.
Pay Tel ships an update every 4 months, Getting out Messaging every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.
| Parameter | Pay Tel | Getting out Messaging |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.6 (126 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 3.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 126 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #186 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pay Tel Communications | JTCounty OU |
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
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- 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)
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- 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
Getting out Messaging
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Pay Tel
No in-app purchases
Getting out Messaging
- Weekly$4.997 Days
- Weekly-Tria3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Monthly$12.991 Month
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- Yearly$39.991 Year
- Lifetime$59.99
