The rise of mobile devices has ushered in an era where calls from unknown numbers are a regular occurrence. Whether it’s a telemarketer, a scam artist, or just a missed call, it’s easy to feel frustrated with unknown callers. This is where reverse number lookup services come in handy. By simply entering the phone number, the service scans its database to provide real-time information about the owner of the number. But which reverse number lookup service should you use? We've compiled a list of the top reverse number lookup services available, from their pricing, accuracy, and features, so you can make an informed decision.
**Truecaller**
Let's start with one of the most popular reverse number lookup services, Truecaller. Truecaller is a free service that boasts over 250 million users in over 190 countries. Its biggest selling point is its crowd-sourced phone directory, which is constantly updated by millions of users worldwide. This makes it extremely accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, Truecaller allows you to block spam calls and messages, as well as view the last seen of unknown numbers on WhatsApp without saving their information. However, it is important to note that Truecaller collects information about users from their phone books, social media profiles, and more. So, if you are concerned about your privacy, this might not be the service for you.
**Whitepages**
Another popular option is Whitepages. Unlike Truecaller, Whitepages is a paid service. However, its pricing is quite affordable, with the basic plan starting at $1/month. Whitepages provides not only information about phone numbers but also about email addresses and addresses associated with the owner of the number. Its database is updated regularly, making it very accurate. Additionally, it offers features such as background checks, criminal records, and public records searches. This makes it a great option for those who want more than just basic information about the owner of a phone number.
**Intelius**
Intelius is another paid service that offers more than just reverse number lookup. It provides background checks, public records searches, and people search options. Its pricing starts at $0.95 for an initial report and goes up from there based on the amount of information you want. Intelius boasts access to billions of records and has been in operation for over two decades, making it one of the most established services on this list. However, its pricing can be expensive for those who only want to search for phone numbers.
**BeenVerified**
BeenVerified is a popular option among many users because of its user-friendly interface and its ability to search for multiple types of information at once. Its price point is also quite affordable, with one report costing only $1. It offers more information than just reverse phone lookup, including criminal and financial information, social media profiles, and more. Like other services on this list, it collects public records to provide its information. However, its accuracy can be hit or miss with some users reporting receiving inaccurate or incomplete information.
**Google**
Inclusion of Google in this list of reverse phone lookup services may come as a surprise to some. Google's Phone app is a great option for Android users. Whenever there is an incoming call, if the number is not saved in your contacts, Google automatically shows the information available for that number. This includes the caller's ID, whether it's spam or genuine, and the possibility of it being a scam. Additionally, Users can copy and paste the number from an unknown call into the search bar in Google to access more information from various sources. This is a free option that can provide basic information. However, it is not as up-to-date as other options on this list, and its accuracy can be hit or miss.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, reverse number lookup services are incredibly helpful in identifying unknown callers and avoiding scams and spam calls. There are numerous services available, free and paid, but it really comes down to your priority when it comes to pricing, accuracy, and features. If you want a crowd-sourced database with reasonable accuracy and free of cost, Truecaller is a good bet. Whitepages is a great option for those who want a paid service and more in-depth information, such as criminal records and background checks. On the other hand, Intelius provides access to billions of records, including public records, and is a great option if you want more than just reverse phone lookup. BeenVerified is a user-friendly service with affordable pricing, but its accuracy can be inconsistent. Finally, Google's Phone app is a free option that can provide basic information but may not be as up-to-date as other services on this list. Ultimately, finding the best service for you depends on your personal needs and priorities. With that said, it's always worth checking out a few options and testing them out to see which one works best for you.