Comparison

Call forward vs WhatCall

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

Head to head
About

Call forward

Easily redirect incoming calls to another number based on your line status. Generate custom codes for specific contacts or conditions like busy or no reply. Simplifies call forwarding setup across many countries.

Highlights
  • Redirect calls based on line status
  • Generate custom forwarding codes
  • Supports busy, no reply, or unavailable status
  • Works in numerous countries
  • One-touch setup for forwarding
Features
Read full description

Call forwarding (or call divert) is for redirect all your incoming calls to a specific number based on your line status (busy, no reply, no answer). "This appl. should have been provided as a basic feature from Apple." Tested and works in these countries: USA (At & T ), Canada (Forwarding must be activated with Roger), Mexico,Argentina,Brazil UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Russia,Romania, Hungary, Czech rep.,Croatia,Slovenia, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Portugal Kuwait, Arab Emirates,Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,India,Malaysia, Hong Kong,Thailand,Singapore Australia, New Zeeland (New codeset must be applied after install) And everywhere else. Installs with USA AT & T compatible codes (generic, works in almost all EU and Asia and Africa countries). The application generates call forward codes for any selected contacts. After the codes are generated, you can select the new contact and dial the forwarding code. Your GSM network will do the rest. You can set up separate contacts for busy, no reply or unavailable status or you can forward all incoming calls with the codes. Reviews: "This is a simple app, but convienent if you want to set up forwarding to different contacts and under different conditions. I use a 3rd party voicemail service and this quickly set me up with a one touch contact to start and stop forwarding. Yes, you can do this with out this application, but for 99 cents, it saved me a lot of typing and figuring out." - US appstore "I've been flying a lot between Germany and Switzerland therefore I own two mobile phones. Arriving in Germany I wanted to make the German iPhone working and to forward the incoming calls on the Swiss mobile to the voicemail. However, in a couple of days returning to Switzerland I intended to set up vice versa. This was a real PAIN with the iPhone factory settings... Now, with 'Call Forward' life became much easier: I can setup call forwarding with one click - and that's all. Simple, easy and great!" - Switzerland From our support mails: "hi I just downloaded this app n I want to send someones call to forward not all of my contacts just one person" This is not possible with GSM call forwarding, sorry!

About

WhatCall

This app allows you to bypass ringing and connect directly to someone's voicemail. It provides an instant missed call notification, giving you an excuse to have tried calling while avoiding actual conversation. It works globally on most networks, including landlines and mobiles.

Highlights
  • Instant voicemail connection
  • Missed call notification
  • Global network compatibility
  • Automatic dial code detection
  • Bypass ringing
  • Leave messages without conversation
Features
Read full description

Simply dial with WhatCall and the person you dial will receive an instant missed call from your number, while you are directed straight to their voicemail without ringing and any possibility of them answering your call. WhatCall helps you avoid returning or making a call when you don't really want to speak to someone, but gives you the excuse and proof that you tried! With WhatCall they'll even receive a missed call text message from their network if it supports that feature! WhatCall works in every country and on most networks that have a voicemail including landline and mobile. It automatically figures out all the dialling codes so you can go ahead and dial in the same local format you use on your iPhone (See screenshot examples for US, UK and Japan). Examples of where WhatCall is useful: - Calling in sick to work but don't want to speak to your boss and answer lots of awkward questions. With WhatCall your boss with think you tried calling them while you can leave a voicemail letting them know you won't be in to work. - Returning a call to a friend or partner when you're busy and don't have time to speak to them. WhatCall will connect you straight to voicemail allowing you to leave a message without spending precious time getting drawn into a conversation. - Leaving a message for someone you know is unable to answer the phone (eg. in a meeting or putting a baby to sleep) but may have forgotten to turn off their phone. WhatCall will direct your phone calls to their voicemail without ringing and disturbing them. - Leaving an important message for someone when you don't have time for a full conversation or to type out a long SMS message, use WhatCall and dial direct to voicemail instead.

Screenshots

Call forward4 screens
WhatCall4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WhatCall at Free against Call forward's $0.99. WhatCall also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.1) and review sentiment (54% vs 22%). Call forward's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (3.0 vs 15.0). On 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

WhatCall is free to download; Call forward costs $0.99 up front. WhatCall sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Call forward asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WhatCall holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatCall has 600 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Call forward's written reviews are positive against 54% of WhatCall's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Call forward ships an update every 13 months, WhatCall every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Call forward versus WhatCall: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCall forwardWhatCall
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating2.1 (7 ratings)4.2 (600 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.2% of reviews54.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7600 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS3.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGame4mobInnovative Developers LTD

Customer experience

Call forward

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative77.8%

WhatCall

All ratings600 ratings
Positive78.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative20.8%
Written reviews188 reviews
Positive54.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative43.1%

Bugs and requests

Call forward

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

WhatCall

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Calls go directly to person, not voicemail
  • Stuck on 'connecting' screen
  • Won't leave voicemail
  • Takes credits but doesn't work
  • Verification issues
Show 2 more
  • Rings the phone instead of going to voicemail
  • Instant call end

Requested features

2 requests
  • Option to display 'unknown' or 'unverified' number
  • Prerecorded voicemail feature

In-app purchases

None

Call forward

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

WhatCall

One-time5
  • 5 credit pack$2.99
  • 12 credit pack$5.99
  • 20 credit pack$7.99
Show 2 more
  • 30 credit pack$9.99
  • 40 credit pack$12.99

Questions

Is Call forward free?
Call forward costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is WhatCall free?
WhatCall is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Call forward or WhatCall?
WhatCall is rated higher. Call forward averages 2.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while WhatCall averages 4.2 from 600 ratings.
Do Call forward or WhatCall have ads?
Neither Call forward nor WhatCall shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Call forward or WhatCall?
Call forward ships an update every 13 months, and WhatCall every 5 weeks. Most recently, Call forward was updated on September 18, 2026 and WhatCall on September 29, 2026.

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