Tech
Smartphones

7 of the best robocall blocking apps and tools for avoiding phone spam

Your jig is up, Unknown Caller.
By Haley Henschel  on 
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Our Top 7 Picks

Hiya (opens in a new tab)

Best Free App

An easy-to-use app with all the features you'd expect from a premium robocall blocking service, minus fees and ads.

The Good

  • Intuitive interface
  • No ads on free version
  • Large community of users contributing to its database
  • Free 3-day trial for paid plans

The Bad

  • Some users say it's a little slow
Pros & Cons

RoboKiller (opens in a new tab)

Best For Getting Revenge On Scammers

Don't get mad at robocallers — get even with RoboKiller's hilarious Answer Bots.

The Good

  • Free 7-day trial
  • Extremely entertaining and gratifying
  • Highly rated tech support
  • Sleek new redesign

The Bad

  • Expensive in the long run
Pros & Cons

Truecaller (opens in a new tab)

Best For Number Lookups

Extremely thorough (if a little invasive), this popular app is the next best thing to downloading a whole phone book on your smartphone .

The Good

  • Very accurate and efficient caller ID
  • Extended functionality if your contacts use it, too
  • Dark mode available

The Bad

  • Users say ads can be annoying
  • iOS app isn't as accurate as the Android version
  • Cooler paid features only available on Android
  • Other users can search for your number
Pros & Cons

TrapCall (opens in a new tab)

Best For Unmasking Calls

TrapCall basically forces anonymous callers to identify themselves — it's the closest thing to a bouncer for your smartphone.

The Good

  • Free one-week trial
  • Constantly updated blacklist

The Bad

  • Calls must be declined in order for the app to identify their source
  • $4.95 one-time activation fee (unless you sign up for an annual subscription)
Pros & Cons

YouMail (opens in a new tab)

Best For Businesses

With personal and professional plans available, YouMail combines useful voicemail tools and automatic spam blocking.

The Good

  • Explains why calls are blocked
  • Cloud-based visual voicemail
  • Custom voicemail greetings
  • Live customer support with paid plans

The Bad

  • Some users say setup is complicated
  • Free version has ads
Pros & Cons

Call Control Home (opens in a new tab)

Best For Landlines

This innocuous device identifies and protects your landline from robocallers and telemarketers with the help of a companion smartphone app.

The Good

  • No ongoing fees or subscriptions
  • Easy setup
  • Automatic updates

The Bad

  • Requires caller ID and a smartphone
Pros & Cons

TextKiller (opens in a new tab)

Best For Blocking Robotexts

If obnoxious robotexts give you more trouble than robocalls, consider this highly customizable, relatively new app from the people behind RoboKiller.

The Good

  • Free 7-day trial
  • Huge block list
  • Settings can be refined by keywords, email addresses, and phone number ranges

The Bad

  • Not available for Android yet
Pros & Cons

The spammers. The scammers. And you. Telemarketers and junk mail has evolved in the digital age to a behemoth of persistent trickery. In Scammed, we help you navigate a connected world that’s out for your money, your information, or just your attention.


If there's one thing people with iPhones and Android phones can agree on, it's this: Robocalls suck.

Personally speaking, robots call me more than my own mother does. A very concerned "Cynthia Arnold" gets in touch every week or so "in reference to your federal student loan," claiming she needs to discuss "repayment options with some new changes that have taken effect." (I don't have any federal student loans.) And then there's "Rich," a huffy gentleman who says he's calling me back regarding "the information that we spoke about, about bringing in $10,000 or more every 10 to 14 days." I wonder if I should introduce him to that down-and-out Nigerian prince in my inbox.

Despite me blocking them every time they call, Cynthia, Rich, and other prerecorded pests have continued to contact me from new numbers, sometimes with local area codes as a way of coaxing me to pick up the phone. (The Better Business Bureau calls this tactic "neighbor spoofing(opens in a new tab).") They used to be more irritating than anything, but they seem to be getting more and more aggressive over time.

Unwanted robocalls like these are annoying autodialers at best and illegal scams at worst, and they're part of an ongoing problem the Federal Communications Commission has been trying to crack down on for years. One report(opens in a new tab) conducted by the visual voicemail and robocall blocking software company YouMail estimates that about 50.5 billion robocalls were placed to U.S. consumers in 2021, which worked out to about 200 robocalls for every adult with a phone throughout the year.

That's down from a pre-pandemic peak of 58 billion robocalls placed in 2019 thanks to recent FCC enforcement actions, but still enough to make them the agency's single largest source of consumer complaints and No. 1 consumer protection priority, according to its latest Call Blocking Report(opens in a new tab).

You may think you'd be savvy enough to know whether someone trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty is a scammer. But as robocalls have increased in frequency over the past few years, they've gotten more convincing, too. (The FCC says(opens in a new tab) car warranty robocalls will often name-drop specific details about your vehicle and policy that make them seem more legit, for example.) Almost one in three Americans fell prey to phone scams last year, and about one in five were swindled multiple times, according to a study(opens in a new tab) conducted by the robocall blocking app Truecaller(opens in a new tab). The same research estimated an average loss of $502 per victim, up from $351 the year prior.

What is the best way to stop robocalls?

The FCC has promised(opens in a new tab) to go scorched-earth on this "scourge of illegal robocalls," which has lately included cease-and-desists(opens in a new tab) to voice service providers, hundreds of millions of dollars in fines against telemarketers, investigation partnerships (opens in a new tab)with 22 states, standards for so-called gateway providers that allow international calls into the U.S., establishing a Robocall Mitigation Database(opens in a new tab), and the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN(opens in a new tab), a protocol that helps phone companies authenticate caller ID info.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has also proposed(opens in a new tab) new rules that would force mobile carriers to block illegal automated text messages, or robotexts, one of the "latest scamming trends" the agency has on its radar.

But federal efforts alone won't be the answer to all of our robocall woes. "Advances in technology have unfortunately allowed illegal and spoofed robocalls to be made from anywhere in the world and more cheaply and easily than ever before," the FCC concedes(opens in a new tab). "That's why it's become more of a problem for consumers, and a more difficult problem to solve." Bad actors' constant rule-skirting has created an infinite game of whack-a-mole.

There's also the issue that many robocalls you get are, in fact, legal, and maybe even wanted — think appointment reminders and emergency alerts. (A robocall's legality depends on several factors, including the technology used to make it, whether it's to a landline or mobile number, and whether it's from a telemarketer who's gotten your consent.) Weeding out illegal calls in real time without blocking lawful calls is the "most complex part" of the agency's robocall smackdown, it says.

So where does that leave consumers? Along with ignoring calls from unknown or unfamiliar numbers (then blocking them) and listing your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry(opens in a new tab), the FCC endorses the use of robocall blocking technology.

Many major phone carriers offer apps for dealing with unwanted calls (ex: AT&T's ActiveArmor(opens in a new tab), Verizon's Call Filter(opens in a new tab), and T-Mobile's Scam Shield(opens in a new tab)), so check with yours to see what's available. Phone manufacturers like Apple and Google offer opt-in silencing services that prevent unknown numbers' calls from ringing, too. But if you don't think those tools are powerful enough — most don't actually stop robocalls; they just identify their sources or send them directly to voicemail — you've also got the option of downloading a robocall blocking app that's purpose-built to stop scammers in their tracks.

What's the best robocall blocker app?

First, some important fine print about these third-party solutions. The pros: Upfront costs for your average call blocker app aren't exorbitant, and most don't require much storage space on your phone. Oftentimes, you won't even be able to tell the app's there. (Some of them are capable of screening and blocking unwanted calls before a user's phone even rings.)

But as former Mashable tech reporter Ray Wong reported, that convenience comes at a cost:

"According to TechCrunch(opens in a new tab) and Dan Hastings, a security researcher at NCC Group, many top robocall blocking apps share your phone number with analytics firms and [upload] device information such as device type and software version to companies like Facebook without your explicit consent."

To further quote Wong: "Yikes!"

Not every robocall blocking app is an offender, mind you. But even if the one you use doesn't share or sell your data under the table, it probably still collects it. (Many apps rely on a crowdsourced database of numbers to cross-check anonymous callers with already-identified culprits, and those numbers have to come from somewhere — i.e., users' contacts lists.) It's safe to assume, then, that when you're using a third-party blocker app, you're putting personal information like your name, your IP address, and/or your smartphone's name, model, and operating system up for grabs.

All of that being said: If you can get past those privacy issues, installing a third-party robocall blocking app remains one of the best and most reliable ways to prevent robocallers, telemarketers, and even pesky political campaigns from reaching you on your smartphone. Just be sure to do your due diligence and pore over its privacy policy first so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

Here are seven robocall blocking apps and tools that we recommend looking into based on their features and user ratings.

Best Free App
Specs
  • Price: Free for basic app; $3.99/month or $24.99/year for Hiya Premium
  • App Store rating: 4.5/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: 4.2/5 stars

Supported in every country around the globe, Hiya(opens in a new tab) (formerly Whitepages Caller ID & Security Call Blocker) is a free call blocking app that uses a massive database of profiles and "expansive algorithms" to analyze some 13 billion calls a month and give context to unknown numbers. Any number that contacts you is run through Hiya's database, and if there's a match, the app will automatically block the number; if there isn't a match, the call or text will go through.

Hiya's free Basic plan features incoming spam call detection with daily updates, spam reporting, and blocking by area code, as well as unlimited free lookups for spam, scam, and verified business numbers — all on a simple interface without any annoying ads. For a service that'll cost you zero dollars, it's surprisingly powerful (and the fact that it's ad-free is the cherry on top).

For $3.99 a month or $24.99 annually, you can upgrade to Hiya's Premium plan for more business and personal name lookups, more spam updates, and access to a downloadable, regularly updated caller ID database.

Read Hiya's privacy policy on its website.(opens in a new tab)

Best For Getting Revenge On Scammers
Credit: RoboKiller
Specs
  • Price: $4.99/month or $39.99/year
  • App Store rating: 4.5/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: 4.1/5 stars

Don't get mad at robocallers — get even. After proactively flagging a caller as spam using a predictive algorithm, the RoboKiller(opens in a new tab) app automatically blocks their number and sends them to its "Answer Bots," which play prerecorded messages to trick telemarketers and other unsolicited callers into thinking they're speaking to a real person. (You've got the option of making your own or choosing from RoboKiller's collection of Answer Bot voices, including Kermit the Frog and Ice T.) The resulting "conversations" are designed to mess with these scammers' call quotas in the hopes of putting them out of business — and yes, RoboKiller will record these conversations in case you want to listen to them later. Spoiler: Hilarity(opens in a new tab) often ensues(opens in a new tab).

Other RoboKiller highlights include "audio fingerprinting" technology that checks recordings against its database in real time, spam caller ID, an optional AI assistant that can pre-screen calls, customizable block/allow lists, spam text blocking (currently for iOS only), and scheduled call blocking for when you're expecting an important call. The app also got a sleek new redesign for 2022.

RoboKiller is owned by Teltech, a New York-based communications company. Read its privacy policy on its website.(opens in a new tab)

Best For Number Lookups
Credit: Truecaller
Specs
  • Price: Free for basic app; $10.99/quarter or $29.90/year for Truecaller Premium; $249/year for Truecaller Gold
  • App Store rating: 4.5/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: 4.5/5 stars

Boasting over 320 million global downloads, Truecaller(opens in a new tab) is primarily a caller ID tool that pledges to identify the name of any domestic or international caller, their approximate whereabouts, whether they're affiliated with a business, and the chance they're someone you might know — even if they're not in your contacts list. The app also lets you search for individual user profiles using a name or number and tells you whether another Truecaller user is available. (If not, you'll be able to see the approximate time they were last active.)

As far as spam blocking goes, Truecaller uses a database to match callers to profiles and pinpoint scammers. Any suspicious numbers are automatically blocked, although you're free to customize a blacklist. For even more features, you can upgrade to Truecaller Premium and Truecaller Gold to eliminate ads, see who viewed your Truecaller profile, and request other users' contact information. Android users also get access to its advanced Ghost Call(opens in a new tab), Announce Calls, Messaging Apps Caller ID (for Whatsapp, Line, Viber, and Telegram), Truecaller Chat(opens in a new tab), and Truecaller Voice(opens in a new tab) features.

Relatedly, users should be aware that the Truecaller app offers better accuracy on Android devices than Apple phones — though its iOS app did just get a sleeker, lighter, and more efficient overhaul(opens in a new tab) in late Aug. 2022. (A press release promises "10 times better spam, scam, and business call identification compared to previous versions of the app.") More improvements are in the works.(opens in a new tab)

Read Truecaller's privacy policy here(opens in a new tab) and find out how to remove yourself(opens in a new tab) from its searchable database(opens in a new tab).

Best For Unmasking Calls
Credit: trapcall
Specs
  • Price: $5.95/month or $59.40/year for TrapCall Basic; $9.95/month or $95.40/year for TrapCall Premium; $24.95/month or $239.40/year for TrapCall Ultimate
  • App Store rating: 4.2/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: 2.3/5 stars

Your jig is up, Unknown Caller. TrapCall uses ~patented technology~ that basically forces anonymous callers to identify themselves. It works like this: Once the app is installed on your phone, simply decline any call that comes up as "No Caller ID" to have TrapCall ring it back to you under its actual number in a matter of moments. 

TrapCall also offers automatic spam blocking using a regularly updated blacklist, so if a telemarketer or robocaller on said list reaches out to you, they'll be deterred with a "this number disconnected or no longer in service" message. 

Want even more from TrapCall? Splurge on a Premium or Ultimate package to unlock the ability to record incoming calls, get voicemails as texts or emails, enable missed call alerts, and look up more than 10 numbers a month. Note that there's a one-time $4.95 activation fee if you pay monthly, but TrapCall will waive it if you sign up for an annual plan or the Ultimate tier.

Like RoboKiller, TrapCall is owned by Teltech — read its privacy policy on its website(opens in a new tab).

Best For Businesses
Credit: YouMail
Specs
  • Price: Free for basic app; $7.99/month for YouMail Plus; $14.99/month for YouMail Solo; $24.99/month for YouMail Growth; $39.99/month for YouMail Small Business
  • App Store rating: 4.7/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: 4.4/5 stars

As far as call blocking goes, YouMail(opens in a new tab) works similarly to other apps on this list in that it uses software to identify and stop robocalls automatically; any caller it identifies as a scam will be played a message that states number is out of service. The app then alerts you with an explanation for the blocking. (“An IRS scam was blocked," for example.)

But YouMail kicks things up a notch when it comes to voicemails, replacing your phone's existing service with a "visual voicemail" feature that stores your messages in the cloud so you can access them anywhere. Any robocallers that somehow make it through are instantly banished to a spam folder.

Business owners in need of a robocall blocking service would be wise to shell out for one of its Professional plans: On top of everything offered in the free and Plus plans, they include at least one extra line; a virtual receptionist with custom greetings recorded by professional voice talent; personalized menus (e.g., "Press 1 for sales"); conference call recording; and an auto-reply feature that sends callers a text message when you can't answer the phone. Especially for companies on the smaller side, it's a solid option for an all-in-one phone system.

Read YouMail's privacy policy on its website.(opens in a new tab)

Best For Landlines
Credit: Call Control
Specs
  • Price: Price: $149.99 for call blocker device, smartphone app is free
  • App Store rating (app):: 4.5/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating (app): 4.2/5 stars

A good 37 percent of U.S. households(opens in a new tab) still have a working landline phone as of March 2021, and if you live in one of them, you probably know very well by now that they're not safe from robocalls, either. 

Fortunately, they're no match for Call Control Home(opens in a new tab), an automated call blocker in the form of a compact, innocuous box that works with any phone line with a cord. Once it's plugged into your landline, simply pair the device with the companion Call Control app on your smartphone and its "Community IQ" technology will use a crowdsourced list of reported scams to identify unwanted callers and block them before they can even connect. The app can also be used to set quiet hours, create a personal block list, and view recent calls to your home phone.

What's great about Call Control Home is that it doesn't require any ongoing fees and its app is completely free to install and use. However, if you want robocall blocking for your smartphone in addition to your landline, you'll have to shell out for Call Control Premium(opens in a new tab) ($29.99 a year). The free version of the app lets you manage your landline but doesn't actually protect the smartphone on which it's installed.

Read Call Control's privacy policy for its smartphone app on its website.(opens in a new tab)

Best For Blocking Robotexts
Credit: TextKiller
Specs
  • Price: Free for basic app; $3.99/month or $29.99/year for TextKiller Premium
  • Apple Store rating: 4.4/5 stars
  • Google Play Store rating: N/A

If obnoxious robotexts give you more trouble than robocalls, check out TextKiller(opens in a new tab), a relatively new app from the people behind RoboKiller. Its paid Premium plan will instantly protect you from over 100,000,000 known phone scams, with a massive global block list and a predictive SMS blocking algorithm that can flag an incoming text as spam in 0.01 seconds. You can refine those settings further based on unlimited keywords, email addresses, and phone number ranges. (A free version of the app is also available, FYI, but it limits you to five keywords, scraps the AI, and pulls from a much smaller blacklist.)

TextKiller was only available for iOS at the time of writing, just like RoboKiller's built-in spam text blocking feature, but we'll update this story if an Android version goes live.

Read Teltech's privacy policy on its website.(opens in a new tab)

More in Smartphones

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Haley Henschel

Haley is a Mashable shopping reporter based in Chicago. Before joining the team, she covered politics for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, wrote about exotic pet ownership for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, and blogged for several Jersey Shore stars. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games and hanging out with her parrot (Melon) and dog (Pierogi). You can follow her on Twitter at @haleyhenschel(opens in a new tab) or reach her via email at [email protected](opens in a new tab).


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