Captio AI

Captio AI vs ClearCaptions

Captio AI vs ClearCaptions: FCC-funded phone-call captions in the US vs live captions for people in the room. Android, languages, live captioners and price.

Facts checked on each company's own pages. How we compare

ClearCaptions

by ClearCaptions

iPhone, iPad, home caption phone

vs

Captio AI

Our app

iPhone, iPad, Android

The short answer

Use ClearCaptions if you live in the US and need captions on phone calls: it is free through the FCC for eligible users, on an iPhone, an iPad or a home caption phone. Use Captio AI for conversations with people in the same room, which ClearCaptions describes only for phone calls, or if you use Android, speak another language or live outside the US. In the US you may want both: one for calls, one for the room, where on iPhone Captio AI can show who is talking by name.

Choose ClearCaptions if

you live in the US and need captions on phone calls and voicemail, on an iPhone, an iPad or a free home caption phone.

Choose Captio AI if

you need captions for people in the same room, want to see where a voice comes from (iPhone 16 and later), need languages other than English, live translation or an Android app, or you live outside the US.

Side by side

Captio AI vs ClearCaptions, feature by feature

Tap any fact to see the details and the page it comes from.

Captio AI vs ClearCaptions: features compared, facts checked 28 October 2026
Works onCaptio AI
Yes: iPhone, iPad, Android

On the App Store (also listed for Apple silicon Macs and Apple Vision) and on Google Play since October 2026.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Google Play listing

ClearCaptions
Yes: iPhone, iPad, home caption phone

The app runs on iPhone and iPad; the App Store also lists Apple silicon Macs and Apple Vision. ClearCaptions' pages name no Android app and none was found on Google Play. Eligible people can also get a free home ClearCaptions Phone.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Google Play listing, No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions)

Where it's availableCaptio AI
Yes: Worldwide

Available on the App Store and Google Play; prices differ by country.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Google Play listing

ClearCaptions
Partly: US and US territories

Only for people living in the US and its territories; its terms say the service is for people located in the United States. The app was not found in the UK, Canadian, Mexican, Australian or German App Stores.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, How It Works (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple listing, Nationwide (ClearCaptions)

Captions phone callsCaptio AI
No

Made for in-person speech picked up by the microphone, not for captioning phone calls.

Source: Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Yes, calls, voicemail, 911

Captions incoming and outgoing calls, voicemail, 3-way calls and 911 calls. The app gives you a separate ClearCaptions number; forward your mobile number to it to get captions on all incoming calls.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Mobile App Questions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions)

Captions video callsCaptio AI
No

It is not a video-call captioning service.

Source: Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
No, audio calls only

ClearCaptions' FAQ says the ClearCaptions Phone is only for audio calls, and its terms describe the app for telephone calls. No page describes video calls in the app.

Sources: Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions)

Captions people in the roomCaptio AI
Yes, from the phone's microphone

Speech in the room appears as text while the person is still talking.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
No, phone calls only

ClearCaptions' terms say the app is meant for its captioned telephone service, which captions telephone calls, and only the words of the person on the call are captioned. No ClearCaptions page mentions captions for people in the same room.

Sources: Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Five Tips for the ClearCaptions App: Your Guide to Mobile… (ClearCaptions), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions)

Human captionersCaptio AI
No

Captions are automatic.

Source: Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Partly: Sometimes; mostly speech recognition

ClearCaptions uses speech recognition software for most calls and, in some cases, a live communications assistant.

Sources: Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing

Languages for live captionsCaptio AI
Yes: 60+ languages

Captions and translation in 60+ languages, including speech that switches languages mid-sentence.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Partly: English only

ClearCaptions says its captions are currently only in English, and you must be able to communicate in English to qualify. Its terms of use still mention bilingual English/Spanish users.

Sources: Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Eligibility & sign-up (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), How It Works (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions)

Live translationCaptio AI
Yes, live, two-way mode

Live translation next to the original captions, with a two-way mode where each person reads the other in their own language.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Translator (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated

No ClearCaptions page describes translation. Captions are in English only.

Live captions without internetCaptio AI
Partly: Records offline, captions later

Live captions need internet. Without a connection it keeps recording and transcribes automatically when the phone is back online.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
No, needs internet

The app needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to caption calls.

Sources: Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), How It Works (ClearCaptions)

Shows who is talkingCaptio AI
Yes, live and saved; names by voice on iPhone

Separates speakers (Speaker 1, Speaker 2). On iPhone it can learn saved voices and show their names instead.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Recognize voices (Captio AI) (Captio AI), Live Captions (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated

Only the words of the other person on the call are captioned; nothing is said about labelling speakers on 3-way calls.

Source: Five Tips for the ClearCaptions App: Your Guide to Mobile… (ClearCaptions)

Remembers people's voicesCaptio AI
Yes, Recognize Voices (iPhone)

Save someone's voice once (about 20 seconds of talking, or an audio file) and their name and emoji show on every line they say, live and in saved recordings, instead of "Speaker 2". Voiceprints are made on the iPhone and never uploaded. When someone new talks for a while, Captio AI asks who it is. Free plan: your own voice plus one other person; Plus: more people.

Source: Recognize voices (Captio AI) (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated
Shows where a voice comes fromCaptio AI
Yes, on iPhone 16 and later

With the iPhone flat on the table, a wave grows at the edge of the captions on the side the voice comes from, in that speaker's colour, while new words appear. It uses the iPhone's spatial microphones (not AirPods or an external mic), works in Live Captions and Live Translator, is calculated on the phone, and is free.

Source: Speaker direction (Captio AI) (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated
Alerts for soundsCaptio AI
Yes, sounds in the captions; alerts vibrate

Recognize Sounds (iPhone and iPad) writes sounds into the captions where they happen, like [doorbell rings], in Live Captions, Live Translator and uploaded files. A doorbell, knocking, a smoke alarm, a siren, a phone ringing or a baby crying makes the phone vibrate, with a notification when the screen is locked during a recording. It works while Captio AI is recording, not as an always-on alarm. Recognized on the phone; free; not on Android yet.

Source: Recognize sounds (Captio AI) (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated

No alerts for sounds around you are described. The home ClearCaptions Phone has a flashing light for incoming calls and FEMA emergency alerts.

Source: Captioned telephones: home phone (ClearCaptions)

Saves transcriptsCaptio AI
Yes, with audio, synced

Recordings are saved with their audio in a searchable library and synced to your account.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Captio AI privacy policy

ClearCaptions
Yes, if you choose; on your device

If you choose to save them, captions of past calls stay in the app's call log, only on your device. ClearCaptions says it keeps no record of your call log or caption history.

Sources: Mobile App Questions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing

AI summariesCaptio AI
Yes: Summary, key points, to-dos

Turns transcripts into summaries, key points, notes, to-dos and follow-up messages. Free plan: 3 summaries in total.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, AI Summary (Captio AI)

ClearCaptions
Not stated

No ClearCaptions page mentions summaries of calls.

Where speech is processedCaptio AI
Yes: Cloud; audio not stored on its servers

Speech is processed by third-party speech recognition after you agree. Audio is not stored on Captio AI's servers; content is never sold or used to train AI models.

Source: Captio AI privacy policy

ClearCaptions
Yes: Cloud; calls not kept after the call

The other person's voice goes to ClearCaptions' captioners and speech recognition. Its terms say neither the audio nor the transcription is kept, except voicemail for home phone users; saved captions stay on your device. The App Store label says the app collects no data.

Sources: Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing

Account neededCaptio AI
Partly: Optional

Sign in with Apple or Google to sync, or skip and use it on one phone.

Source: Captio AI privacy policy

ClearCaptions
Yes; name, DOB, last 4 of SSN

You sign up by phone or an online form so ClearCaptions can check you qualify. Registration asks for your full name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, address and phone number; you self-certify your hearing loss and no doctor's note is needed.

Sources: Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Eligibility & sign-up (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), New IP CTS Registration Requirements FAQs (Federal Communications Commission)

Free through a government programmeCaptio AI
No

No government funding programme; see captioai.app/organizations for licences through an organisation.

Source: Captio AI for organizations

ClearCaptions
Yes, FCC (IP CTS)

The FCC lists ClearCaptions, LLC with full certification to provide IP CTS. Calls are paid for from the federal TRS Fund.

Sources: Internet-Based TRS Providers (Federal Communications Commission), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions)

Free planCaptio AI
Yes: 100 free credits a day + 3 summaries

Free every day: 100 free credits a day for live captions or transcription, and 3 AI summaries in total.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Captio AI for AI assistants (llms.txt)

ClearCaptions
Yes: Free, no call limit, for eligible users

Free for eligible US residents whose hearing loss requires captions to use the phone: no contracts or fees, and no limit on how many calls you make with captions.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions)

Paid plansCaptio AI
Yes: US$14.99/month or US$79.99/year

Captio AI Plus on the US App Store, October 2026. No free trial. Prices differ by country.

Source: Apple App Store listing

ClearCaptions
No paid plans

The app is free with no in-app purchases on the US App Store (October 2026). An optional second home ClearCaptions Phone can be bought; its price isn't stated.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Apple listing, Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions)

Key differences

What actually sets them apart

Can ClearCaptions caption in-person conversations?

No. ClearCaptions describes its service for phone calls only: its terms say the app is meant for its captioned telephone service, and only the words of the person on the call are captioned. No ClearCaptions page mentions captions for people in the same room. Captio AI is made for that: it captions speech around you through the phone's microphone.

Sources: Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Five Tips for the ClearCaptions App: Your Guide to Mobile… (ClearCaptions), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)

Does Captio AI caption phone calls like ClearCaptions?

No. ClearCaptions captions incoming and outgoing calls, voicemail, 3-way calls and 911 calls. Captio AI is made for speech in the room and does not caption phone or video calls, so the two do different jobs.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Mobile App Questions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Live Captions (Captio AI)

Is ClearCaptions on Android?

No Android app was found. ClearCaptions says its app needs an iPhone or iPad, and no ClearCaptions app showed up on Google Play in October 2026. Captio AI is on iPhone, iPad and Android.

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Google Play listing, No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Google Play listing

Does ClearCaptions use real people for captions?

Sometimes. ClearCaptions says it uses speech recognition for most calls and, in some cases, a live communications assistant. Captio AI's captions are automatic.

Sources: Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)

Does ClearCaptions caption other languages or translate?

No. ClearCaptions says its captions are only in English, and you must be able to communicate in English to qualify. Captio AI captions conversations in 60+ languages and translates them live.

Sources: Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Eligibility & sign-up (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), How It Works (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI), Live Translator (Captio AI)

What does each one cost?

ClearCaptions is free for eligible US users, with no limit on the number of calls, paid from the FCC's TRS Fund. Captio AI is free with 100 free credits a day; Captio AI Plus costs US$14.99 a month or US$79.99 a year on the US App Store (October 2026).

Sources: Apple App Store listing, Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Internet-Based TRS Providers (Federal Communications Commission), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Captio AI for AI assistants (llms.txt)

Honest take

Where each one wins

Where ClearCaptions is the better choice

Where Captio AI is the better choice

Try Captio AI free

Which one should you use?

It depends on where you are

ClearCaptions

Calling your doctor or the pharmacy

In the US, ClearCaptions captions the call for free if you are eligible. Captio AI doesn't caption phone calls.

Captions for this situation
ClearCaptions

A captioned phone at home

Eligible people get a free ClearCaptions home phone with a large screen, set up at home. Captio AI is an app on your own phone.

Captio AI

A doctor's appointment in person

ClearCaptions is for phone calls. Captio AI captions the appointment and keeps the recording.

Captions for this situation
Captio AI

A family dinner or a group

Captio AI captions the table and labels each speaker. On iPhone it names the people whose voices you saved, and on iPhone 16 and later it shows which side a voice comes from. ClearCaptions captions calls only.

Captions for this situation
Captio AI

You use an Android phone

ClearCaptions' app needs an iPhone or iPad, and no Android app was found. Captio AI is on Google Play, for conversations in the room.

Captio AI

A conversation in Spanish or another language

ClearCaptions captions English only. Captio AI captions 60+ languages and translates live.

Captions for this situation
How we compare

Facts you can check, not opinions.

From their own pages

Every fact comes from the company's website, help pages, privacy policy or store listing. Tap any fact to see the page it comes from.

Checked 28 October 2026

Each source has the date we opened it. If a company doesn't say something publicly, the table says "Not stated" instead of guessing.

We make Captio AI

So it's described with the same rules as every other app, limits included, and each page says where the other app is the better choice.

Something out of date? hello@captioai.app

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is ClearCaptions free in the US?

Yes, for eligible people: you certify that your hearing loss requires captions to use the phone, and the FCC's TRS Fund pays for the calls. There is no limit on the number of calls, and no doctor's note is needed. Captio AI, for conversations in the room, is free with 100 free credits a day in any country, and Captio AI Plus removes the limit.

Can I use ClearCaptions for in-person conversations, like at the doctor's office?

ClearCaptions doesn't describe that. Its pages and terms describe captions for phone calls, and only the words of the person on the call are captioned. For speech in the same room you need a live caption app such as Captio AI, which captions people around you through the phone's microphone.

Is there a ClearCaptions app for Android?

None was found. ClearCaptions says its mobile app needs an iPhone or iPad, and no ClearCaptions app showed up on Google Play in October 2026, though its terms of use still mention Android. Captio AI is on Google Play, for conversations in the room.

Does ClearCaptions work in Spanish?

ClearCaptions says its captions are currently only available in English, and you must be able to communicate in English to qualify; its terms of use still mention bilingual English and Spanish users. Captio AI captions conversations in the room in 60+ languages, including Spanish, and translates them live.

Can I use ClearCaptions in Canada or the UK?

No. ClearCaptions is available in the United States and its territories only, and the app wasn't found in the UK, Canadian, Mexican, Australian or German App Stores in October 2026. Captio AI is available worldwide on the App Store and Google Play.

Do I keep my own phone number with ClearCaptions Mobile?

The app gives you a new ClearCaptions number. You can share that number, or forward your mobile number to it so every incoming call is captioned; voicemails then go to the ClearCaptions app. Captio AI doesn't use a phone number: it captions people in the room through the microphone.

Does ClearCaptions caption Zoom or FaceTime calls?

ClearCaptions doesn't describe it. Its FAQ says the ClearCaptions Phone is only for audio calls, and its terms describe the app for telephone calls. Captio AI doesn't caption FaceTime or Zoom calls either: it is made for speech in the room.

Do I need both ClearCaptions and Captio AI?

If you live in the US, you may: a call-caption service like ClearCaptions for phone calls, and a live caption app like Captio AI for people in the same room, such as at a family dinner or a doctor's appointment. At a family dinner, Captio AI on iPhone can show who is talking by name, and on iPhone 16 and later which side the voice comes from. They do different jobs.

Try Captio AI

Free to start, iPhone and Android

Sources

Every page this comparison uses, with the date we checked it.

Captio AI

ClearCaptions

Published 28 October 2026. App names and trademarks belong to their owners. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies it compares.