# GettingOut vs Pay Tel

The clearest difference is ads: Pay Tel at none against GettingOut's shown. Pay Tel also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). GettingOut's advantage is rating (1.9 vs 1.6) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 126). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

GettingOut holds the better App Store score, 1.9 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GettingOut has 2.1K ratings behind it against 126, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 5% of GettingOut's written reviews are positive against 4% of Pay Tel's.

GettingOut ships an update every 2 months, Pay Tel every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GettingOut | Pay Tel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.9 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gettingout/id907226423/reviews)** | [1.6 (126 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pay-tel/id1593243820/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 126 |
| Positive reviews | **5.1% of reviews** | 3.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | #186 |
| Size | 33 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Telmate, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/907226426) | [Pay Tel Communications](https://appshunter.io/developer/1593243822) |

## What reviewers say

### GettingOut

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gettingout/id907226423)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Send and receive messages, Send photos and videos, Make deposits, Manage contacts, Stay connected on the go

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🙌 Ability to communicate with loved ones
- 🙂 Convenient messaging feature
- 👀 Video call option

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Notification system for new messages
- Ability to save message drafts
- Improved photo and video sharing capabilities
- Easier account management and fund transfers


### Pay Tel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pay-tel/id1593243820)

**Currently charting:** #186 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Instant message alerts, Unread message count, Current balance visibility, Add funds link, Send photos to inmates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Enables communication with incarcerated loved ones
- 📹 Video calling functionality available
- 💬 Messaging feature when working properly
- ✅ App works smoothly after recent updates (per some users)
- 🎯 Easy to add funds/make payments

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- ❌ Messages fail to send or display
- 🔌 Constant login errors and authentication failures
- ⏱️ Extremely slow loading times
- 🔄 App randomly logs users out mid-session

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GettingOut free?

GettingOut is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pay Tel free?

Pay Tel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GettingOut or Pay Tel?

GettingOut is rated higher. GettingOut averages 1.9 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Pay Tel averages 1.6 from 126 ratings.

### Do GettingOut or Pay Tel have ads?

GettingOut shows ads; Pay Tel does not.

### Which is updated more often, GettingOut or Pay Tel?

GettingOut ships an update every 2 months, and Pay Tel every 4 months. Most recently, GettingOut was updated on September 25, 2026 and Pay Tel on September 22, 2026.

### Which is more popular, GettingOut or Pay Tel?

GettingOut currently peaks at #33 in the App Store charts, and Pay Tel at #186. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*