SwitchboardFREE vs Carionex
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SwitchboardFREE
This app provides a virtual receptionist service, offering a free 084 number to route calls to multiple UK landlines or mobiles. Features include call queuing, missed call alerts via email/SMS, and an easy answer phone function.
- Free 084 number
- Call forwarding to multiple locations
- Call queuing
- Missed call alerts (email/SMS)
- Voicemail to email
- Follow Me feature with location-based routing
- Line identification (whisper)
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***** Top 20 FREE Business App!!!! ***** Never miss a call again with the app for the UK best selling Virtual Receptionist SwitchboardFREE. Utilising an innovative and user friendly interface which allows full control over standard and now also advanced features. Now featuring our innovative new 'Follow Me' feature. Simply add a location of interest (e.g, office, home), and provide a number you'd like us to redirect to when you arrive. Your iPhone will update us when you enter or exit the location and we will redirect your calls to the number you specified or to your mobile if you are on the road. All of this is done automatically! Get a FREE 084 number to route to any UK landline. Never miss a call again. Front your web pages, business card and adverts with a free 084 phone number connected to a powerful call manager which re-directs your calls to up to 5 separate locations. All UK landline re-directs are free with redirects to mobile phones at just 12p per minute plus VAT, paid for via pre-payment if required. With over 24,000 UK business and homeworkers already enjoying this powerful and free application, why not empower your business or organisation today! Call queuing for your business ---------- If you have limited lines into your office, we will queue the callers and put them through to you as soon as a line becomes free. Your customer will never hear the engaged tone again! No maintenance and no licensing fees ---------- We maintain the service at no cost to you. We also cover the performing rights expense, another cost saving. Missed call alert - Email and SMS ---------- Once a customer calls your number, we record the inbound CLI (The caller's phone number) when available; Should a customer hang up when they are on hold we will send their phone number to your email address in seconds so you can call them back. Easy answer phone ---------- If the caller has been on hold for more than two minutes, or your number calls out of hours, we give them the option to leave a voicemail. Once they have completed the message, we email it to you in seconds. This feature is so much better than an old-fashioned answer phone. Instantly re-routes your calls ---------- If you move offices permanently, or just for a day or a week or even an hour, you can re-route all your calls to the new office. This can be done via a simple web page instantly! In a disaster recovery situation you can re-route to an alternate location in seconds and continue to conduct business. Line Identification Option (whisper) ---------- Each number you obtain can be configured for a different purpose e.g. sales, admin, support etc. When you answer the call you will hear a short message which will identify the call. This allows you to personalise the way in which you greet each caller. Whether you operate more than one company from a single office or have home workers who need to identify between personal and business calls, this function will become invaluable to you! No cost to your business ---------- There is no set up fee or rental fee for this product. There is no increase in your phone charges or your phone bill. It is 100% free for businesses, sole traders or home workers based in the UK that have less than 50 employees. Choose your own "On Hold" music ---------- While your callers are waiting to be connected they are played "On Hold" music. You can choose what genre of music your customers get to hear from over 15 different choices currently available. Set open and close times ---------- When callers phone outside your normal opening hours, the call is recorded and sent via a missed call alert to your email, ensuring you never miss an opportunity. Customize your introduction and out of hours message ---------- The system allows you to quickly record a customer introduction or an out of hours message that reflects your opening times and or emergency contact number.
Carionex
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Carionex – Care Simplified Carionex is a modern all-in-one care management platform designed for domiciliary care agencies, carers, coordinators, managers, and family members. Built specifically for the UK care sector, Carionex helps care providers deliver safer, more efficient, and compliant care while reducing paperwork and administrative workload. From scheduling and care delivery to compliance, payroll, communication, and family engagement, Carionex brings everything together in one powerful platform. Key Features Smart Care Scheduling • Create and manage care rotas with ease • Assign carers based on availability and skills • Real-time schedule updates • Instant notifications for new and changed visits GPS Clock-In & Clock-Out • Verify visit attendance with GPS location tracking • Accurate visit recording • Real-time monitoring for office staff • Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Digital Care Records • Record detailed care notes during visits • Track client wellbeing and outcomes • Access client information securely • Maintain accurate care histories Electronic Medication Administration (eMAR) • Record medication administration digitally • Medication prompts and reminders • Missed medication alerts • Comprehensive medication history Care Plans & Risk Assessments • Access care plans on the go • Review risk assessments instantly • Update client records securely • Support person-centred care delivery Timesheets & Payroll • Automatic timesheet generation • Accurate working hour calculations • Payroll-ready reporting • Reduced administrative workload Leave Management • Submit leave requests from the app • Track approvals and balances • Manage staff availability efficiently Compliance & Auditing • Maintain accurate care records • Support CQC compliance requirements • Digital audit trails • Secure document storage Secure Internal Messaging • Built-in communication between office staff and carers • Reduce reliance on external messaging apps • Real-time message notifications • Secure care-related conversations • Unread message alerts and instant updates Family Portal • Family members can securely log in using the same Carionex app • View relevant client information and updates • Stay informed about care delivery • Improve communication between agencies and families • Enhance transparency and peace of mind Push Notifications • Instant notifications for messages and updates • Alerts for new visits and schedule changes • Important communication delivered in real time • Stay connected even when the app is closed Manager Dashboard • Monitor visit completion • View staff activity • Track compliance performance • Access operational insights in real time Designed For • Domiciliary Care Agencies • Home Care Providers • Care Coordinators • Registered Managers • Care Workers • Support Workers • Client Family Members Why Choose Carionex? • Reduce paperwork • Improve compliance • Save administrative time • Enhance care quality • Improve communication across teams • Keep families informed • Increase operational efficiency • Support better outcomes for clients Carionex empowers care providers to spend less time on administration and more time delivering exceptional care. Carionex – Care Simplified.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Carionex at every 3 weeks against SwitchboardFREE's every 7 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SwitchboardFREE ships an update every 7 months, Carionex every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SwitchboardFREE | Carionex |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 73.9% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Liquid11 Ltd | TradeAlgosuite Technologies Ltd |
In-app purchases
SwitchboardFREE
No in-app purchases
Carionex
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SwitchboardFREE free?
Is Carionex free?
Do SwitchboardFREE or Carionex have ads?
Which is updated more often, SwitchboardFREE or Carionex?
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