10 Alternatives to Trapcall

Lately, it seems like every time the phone rings, it’s a telemarketer, a recording, or a computer. Some lucky people only need to worry about a few a week, while other people get countless of them day in and day out. It can make the idea of picking up the phone the stuff of nightmares, especially when you don’t know which ones are just an everyday annoyance and which ones might be recording you to use voice clips for a scam.

Trapcall is an attempt to give a little power back to cellphone users by showing hidden or private numbers when they call you. This is great if you are plagued by prank calls, marketing calls, or the seemingly millions of cold calls that happen each day. Trapcall costs money and has a real mix of reviews, so if you’re looking for a service similar to Trapcall without actually getting Trapcall, try these ten great alternatives to Trapcall.

1. Truecaller

Truecaller is a great phone app. Not only can it identify private callers, it also adds avatars to all callers, whether you have them in your contacts or not. It also allows you to search for numbers that call, block numbers, make calls from the app, see availability of contacts (if they also use Truecaller), and other useful tasks.

2. WhosCall

WhosCall isn’t an app, but a website that uses reverse number lookups to identify callers who don’t hide their number. I list this here because I get a lot of cold calls from companies who do present their number as well as those who don’t. Searching this site usually tells me who they are. I can then block them in my phone, which is just as effective as using an app. However, it isn’t very effective when it comes to private numbers.

3. Hiya

Hiya is a simple app that unmasks hidden numbers and allows you to block them. You can also block spam with the companion app Robocall Radar. The app is as simple as can be with a clean UI, fast identification, and clear labeling, either known caller or ‘Suspected spam’. It’s simple and effective to use.

4. Calls Blacklist PRO

Calls Blacklist PRO is another great alternative to Trapcall. It is a premium app that enables you to identify private numbers, blacklist certain numbers, whitelist certain numbers, create a journal of telemarketer calls, and block by using a prefix. All very useful tools in the fight to make your phone your own and cut down on the noise pollution. The app is lightweight and works well, without any fuss. It’s cheap, too, and seems to block a lot of cold calls, especially from those foreign call centers. I just block the Indian and Chinese prefix codes altogether using this app and the number of calls has reduced a lot.

5. Call Blocker

Call Blocker is a small, tidy app that does just what it needs to do. It allows you to block all unknown or private numbers, blacklist any specific number, whitelist those you trust, create a running log of calls, and configure a lot of the specifics of how this app works. It doesn’t do anything the others in this list don’t, but it does everything well and doesn’t cost anything, either. The app is ad supported and there is the option of in-app purchases, but nothing intrusive.

6. Extreme Call Blocker

Other than the name, there isn’t anything extreme about Extreme Call Blocker, but what it does, it does well. It is an Android app that allows you to block calls, block SMS, create blacklists or whitelists, create schedules, and enable encrypted messaging and an invisible mode, should you need it. It’s a good app that also allows you to report telemarketers who break the rules or otherwise annoy you. It’s a premium app, but worth the money if you get hassled a lot.

7. Mr. Number-Block calls & spam

Mr. Number-Block calls & spam does exactly what it says on the tin. It allows you to block cold calls and spam SMS from anywhere in the world. You can block private or unknown numbers or send them directly to voicemail. You can also report any identifiable numbers and more.

8. SMS blocker, call blocker

SMS blocker, call blocker is an Android app that helps stop spam SMS and calls. It allows you to block calls and messages, create a blacklist, automatically delete spam, and block all private or unknown numbers. You can also block notifications from unknown numbers, which is a neat feature.

9. Call Bliss

Call Bliss is an iOS app that strengthens the Do Not Disturb function and can block calls depending on your location. Excellent for use at work or play where you don’t want to be bugged by telemarketers. It also allows you to create blocklists, create groups of callers, suppress all calls, and a host of other features. It knows its job and does it well, too, but it does come with a price tag; $9.99.

10. Should I Answer?

Should I Answer? is both a website and app that provides number lookup services. The app shows a number rating depending on whether it is linked to spam or not, presumably if the number is presented. It also enables you to block private or unknown numbers, block calls from foreign countries or premium numbers, and other features. The website allows you to look up numbers from all over the world.