HomeWAV vs GettingOut
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HomeWAV
Connect with incarcerated loved ones through phone calls, video calls, and messaging. Manage funds, schedule visits, and receive notifications when they are available. This app facilitates communication and connection with inmates.
- Create free account
- Add and manage inmate contacts
- Manage funds and payment information
- Initiate phone and video calls
- Send messages to inmates
- Schedule onsite and remote visits
- Receive inmate login notifications
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HomeWAV Mobile App Features: - New to HomeWAV? Create a free account. - Returning visitor? Login with your username and password. - Fully registered and approved visitors will be able to choose the facility and add inmate. - See available funds, add funds or transfer funds. - Add, update or change credit/debit information. - Only pay for the minutes you use. No plans or packages. - Once logged in, the inmate will see you are available and can initiated a phone call, video call or message (*If allowed by facility). - Visitor will receive notification once inmate is logged in. - Easily schedule onsite visits (*If allowed by facility). - No scheduling required for remote video visitations. For best results, a WIFI connection and use of headset are suggested. Note: Not available at all facilities. Phone and video costs will vary.
GettingOut
Stay connected with incarcerated loved ones through easy communication. Send messages, photos, and videos, and manage contacts directly from your mobile device. This app facilitates reliable connections, helping to maintain relationships.
- Send and receive messages
- Send photos and videos
- Make deposits
- Manage contacts
- Stay connected on the go
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GTL’s GettingOut mobile app is rooted in the power of relationships. It provides simple and reliable communication between inmates and their family and friends -- allowing them to stay connected, even on the go! With our free mobile app, you can easily make deposits, send and receive messages with our new and improved messaging feature, send photos and videos (select facilities), manage contacts and more. Download the GettingOut app today!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HomeWAV at 3.8 against GettingOut's 1.9. HomeWAV also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 2 months). GettingOut's advantage is chart position (#37 vs #130). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
HomeWAV holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HomeWAV has 11K ratings behind it against 2.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of HomeWAV's written reviews are positive against 5% of GettingOut's.
HomeWAV ships an update every 5 weeks, GettingOut every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HomeWAV | GettingOut |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (11K ratings) — better | 1.9 (2.1K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 8.4% of reviews — better | 5.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 2.1K |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #130 | #37 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | HomeWAV | Telmate, LLC |
Customer experience
HomeWAV
GettingOut
User reviews
HomeWAV
From 11K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Able to communicate with loved ones
- 👍 Appreciate having the app to use instead of in-person visits
- 🤗 Great customer service
Room to improve
- 🐛 Constant login issues and app crashes
- 💰 Expensive and overpriced for the service provided
- 🔥 Unreliable video/audio quality and frequent disconnections
- 🤯 Frustrating and disappointing experience overall
GettingOut
From 2.1K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🙌 Ability to communicate with loved ones
- 🙂 Convenient messaging feature
- 👀 Video call option
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and glitches
- 💰 Expensive messaging and call costs
- 🤯 Unreliable and inconsistent performance
- 🔍 Difficulty depositing funds and managing accounts
- 🤖 Poor customer service and lack of support
Bugs and requests
HomeWAV
Reported bugs
3 issues- App frequently logs users out unexpectedly
- Video calls often freeze or disconnect
- Inability to receive notifications of incoming calls
Requested features
3 requests- Keep users logged in to avoid constant re-logins
- Improve video/audio quality and reliability
- Provide more affordable pricing options
GettingOut
Reported bugs
4 issues- Messages disappearing or not sending properly
- Inability to log in or access accounts
- Incorrect time stamps and sync issues
- Repeated prompts for app updates
Requested features
4 requests- Notification system for new messages
- Ability to save message drafts
- Improved photo and video sharing capabilities
- Easier account management and fund transfers
In-app purchases
HomeWAV
No in-app purchases
GettingOut
No in-app purchases
