Comparison

GroupMe vs Global

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

Head to head
About

GroupMe

Easily connect with friends, family, and colleagues through group chats, direct messages, and shared media. Add anyone via phone or email, control notifications, and express yourself with custom emojis and internet content.

Highlights
  • Add contacts via phone number or email
  • SMS chat for non-app users
  • Customizable notifications
  • Exclusive emoji and GIF support
  • Shared media gallery
  • Direct messaging
  • Web access
Features
Read full description

GroupMe - the free, simple way to stay in touch with the people who matter most. Family. Roommates. Friends. Coworkers. Teams. Vacations. Greek Life. Bands. Faith Groups. Events. “Lifechanger.... utterly indispensable” -Gizmodo START CHATTING Add anyone to a group via their phone number or email address. If they don’t have the app, they can start chatting over SMS immediately. CONTROL NOTIFICATIONS You’re in charge! Mute specific chats, or the entire app – you can even leave or end group chats. SAY MORE THAN WORDS With an extensive set of exclusive emoji, you can express yourself in a whole new way. THE WHOLE INTERNET IN YOUR GROUP Meme images, search for and send GIFs and videos, and see content shared from URLs displayed in the chat. SHARE NOW, RELIVE LATER The gallery saves your memories. Easily explore the photos and videos shared in your group now, or later. LEAVE TEXTING BEHIND With direct messages, you can use all the features you love for group chat, but one-on-one. CHAT WHEREVER YOU ARE Including from your computer at groupme.com Stay in touch whether you’re separated by a hallway or a hemisphere. Get your group together. We want to hear your feedback! Support: https://aka.ms/groupmesupport Twitter: @GroupMeSupport Facebook: facebook.com/groupme Instagram: @GroupMe Love, Team GroupMe NOTE: SMS chat currently available in US only. Standard text messaging rates may apply. Privacy Policy: https://groupme.com/privacy Made with love in Seattle

About

Global

This application provides a software-based call system for various industries, including hospitality, healthcare, and retail. It offers features like PTT intercom, temporary calling, and location positioning to meet remote wireless communication needs.

Highlights
  • PTT intercom functionality
  • Temporary calling system
  • Location positioning
  • Industry-specific solutions
  • Remote wireless communication
Features
Read full description

Global-PTT is used in catering, hotels, hospitals, retail, production workshops and other remote wireless call work needs. It has developed a software call system. The system includes software functions such as PTT intercom, temporary calling, and location positioning. Meet the needs of various industries.

Screenshots

GroupMe4 screens
Global4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GroupMe at 4.7 against Global's 3.8. GroupMe also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (1.6M vs 12). Global's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and review sentiment (43% vs 30%). On price, ads, monetization model 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. GroupMe sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Global asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GroupMe holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GroupMe has 1.6M ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 30% of GroupMe's written reviews are positive against 43% of Global's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GroupMe ships an update weekly, Global every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
GroupMe versus Global: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGroupMeGlobal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.6M ratings) — better3.8 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews29.7% of reviews42.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6M — better12
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#9 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size389 MB47 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperSkype Communications S.a.r.lGLOBAL-PTT LLC

Customer experience

GroupMe

All ratings1,559,166 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,632 reviews
Positive29.7%
Neutral12.0%
Negative58.3%

Global

All ratings11 ratings
Positive54.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

Bugs and requests

GroupMe

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to log in or account issues
  • Problems with adding/removing group members
  • Disappearing messages and chat history
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to delete/edit messages
  • Announcement mode for admins
  • Pinned messages
  • Improved group management features
  • Better cross-device/platform sync

Global

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

GroupMe

One-time10
  • Most Wanted Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Michigan Wolverines Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Wisconsin Badgers Emoji Pack$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Florida Gators Emoji Pack$0.99
  • March Madness Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Most Wanted 2 Emoji Pack$0.99
  • University of Alabama Emoji Pack$1.99
  • University of Texas Emoji Pack$1.99
  • Adventure Time$1.99
  • University of Notre Dame Emoji$1.99
None

Global

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GroupMe free?
GroupMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Global free?
Global is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GroupMe or Global?
GroupMe is rated higher. GroupMe averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6M ratings, while Global averages 3.8 from 12 ratings.
Do GroupMe or Global have ads?
Neither GroupMe nor Global shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GroupMe or Global?
GroupMe ships an update weekly, and Global every 14 months. Most recently, GroupMe was updated on November 6, 2026 and Global on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons