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
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.
Captio AI vs ClearCaptions, feature by feature
Tap any fact to see the details and the page it comes from.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Works onThe phone you already have decides what you can use. | Yes: iPhone, iPad, AndroidOn 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 | Yes: iPhone, iPad, home caption phoneThe 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 availableSome services only work in one country. | Yes: WorldwideAvailable on the App Store and Google Play; prices differ by country. Sources: Apple App Store listing, Google Play listing | Partly: US and US territoriesOnly 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 callsPhone calls are a separate job from conversations in the room. | NoMade for in-person speech picked up by the microphone, not for captioning phone calls. Source: Live Captions (Captio AI) | Yes, calls, voicemail, 911Captions 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 callsZoom, Teams and Meet calls on the same device. | NoIt is not a video-call captioning service. Source: Live Captions (Captio AI) | No, audio calls onlyClearCaptions' 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 roomSpeech picked up by the phone's microphone, for face-to-face conversations. | Yes, from the phone's microphoneSpeech in the room appears as text while the person is still talking. Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI) | No, phone calls onlyClearCaptions' 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 captionersA person checking the captions, for when every word matters. | NoCaptions are automatic. Source: Live Captions (Captio AI) | Partly: Sometimes; mostly speech recognitionClearCaptions 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 captionsThe number of spoken languages it can caption live. | Yes: 60+ languagesCaptions and translation in 60+ languages, including speech that switches languages mid-sentence. Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI) | Partly: English onlyClearCaptions 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 translationFor a conversation in a language you don't read. | Yes, live, two-way modeLive 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) | Not statedNo ClearCaptions page describes translation. Captions are in English only. |
| Live captions without internetPlanes, basements, hospitals and trips abroad often have no signal. | Partly: Records offline, captions laterLive 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) | No, needs internetThe app needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to caption calls. Sources: Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), How It Works (ClearCaptions) |
| Shows who is talkingWithout it, a group conversation is one block of text. | Yes, live and saved; names by voice on iPhoneSeparates 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) | Not statedOnly 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 voicesCaptions that say "Mum" instead of "Speaker 2", every time she talks. | 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) | Not stated |
| Shows where a voice comes fromAt a busy table, knowing where to look helps you follow who is talking. | Yes, on iPhone 16 and laterWith 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) | Not stated |
| Alerts for soundsDoorbells, alarms and a baby crying, as a notification. | Yes, sounds in the captions; alerts vibrateRecognize 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) | Not statedNo 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 transcriptsTo read a lecture, appointment or meeting again later. | Yes, with audio, syncedRecordings are saved with their audio in a searchable library and synced to your account. | Yes, if you choose; on your deviceIf 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 summariesKey points and to-dos from a long transcript. | Yes: Summary, key points, to-dosTurns 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) | Not statedNo ClearCaptions page mentions summaries of calls. |
| Where speech is processedOn the phone or in the cloud, and whether audio is kept. | Yes: Cloud; audio not stored on its serversSpeech 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 | Yes: Cloud; calls not kept after the callThe 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 neededSome people want to open the app and start, with no sign-up. | Partly: OptionalSign in with Apple or Google to sync, or skip and use it on one phone. Source: Captio AI privacy policy | Yes; name, DOB, last 4 of SSNYou 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 programmeSome services are paid for by public programmes for eligible users. | NoNo government funding programme; see captioai.app/organizations for licences through an organisation. Source: Captio AI for organizations | 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 planWhat you can do without paying. | Yes: 100 free credits a day + 3 summariesFree 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) | Yes: Free, no call limit, for eligible usersFree 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 plansPrices as listed by the company, with the country and date. | Yes: US$14.99/month or US$79.99/yearCaptio AI Plus on the US App Store, October 2026. No free trial. Prices differ by country. Source: Apple App Store listing | No paid plansThe 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) |
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)
Where each one wins
Where ClearCaptions is the better choice
Phone calls, voicemail and 911 calls are captioned for free for eligible US users, with no limit on the number of calls, paid for through the FCC.
Sources: Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Mobile App Questions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Internet-Based TRS Providers (Federal Communications Commission), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions)
A live communications assistant can caption some calls. Captio AI has no human captioners.
Sources: Using your caption phone (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI)
If you'd rather not use a smartphone, eligible people get a free home caption phone with a large touchscreen, setup at home and training.
Sources: No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions), Captioned telephones: home phone (ClearCaptions)
Its terms say ClearCaptions keeps neither the audio nor the captions of a call, and saved captions stay only on your device.
Sources: Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Apple App Store listing, Mobile App Questions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions)
Where Captio AI is the better choice
It captions people in the same room and keeps the recording with its audio for summaries and to-dos. ClearCaptions describes its service for phone calls only.
Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI), Captio AI privacy policy, AI Summary (Captio AI), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Five Tips for the ClearCaptions App: Your Guide to Mobile… (ClearCaptions), About ClearCaptions (FAQ) (ClearCaptions)
Recognize Voices (iPhone): save someone's voice once and their name shows on every line they say, like "Mum" instead of "Speaker 2", live and in saved recordings. Voiceprints stay on the iPhone.
Source: Recognize voices (Captio AI) (Captio AI)
Speaker Direction (iPhone 16 and later): with the phone flat on the table, a wave at the edge of the captions shows which side the voice comes from, so you know whose face to look at.
Source: Speaker direction (Captio AI) (Captio AI)
Recognize Sounds (iPhone and iPad): sounds around you are written into the captions where they happen, like "[doorbell rings]", and kept in the saved recording. A doorbell, a smoke alarm or a baby crying also makes the phone vibrate while Captio AI is recording.
Source: Recognize sounds (Captio AI) (Captio AI)
It captions 60+ languages and translates conversations live, where ClearCaptions captions English only. It works on Android as well as iPhone and iPad, and outside the US, without an account or an eligibility check.
Sources: Apple App Store listing, Live Captions (Captio AI), Live Translator (Captio AI), Features & accessibility (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), Eligibility & sign-up (FAQ) (ClearCaptions), How It Works (ClearCaptions), Terms of Use (ClearCaptions), Google Play listing, Apple App Store listing, Mobile Phone Captions App (ClearCaptions), Google Play listing, No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free) (ClearCaptions), Captio AI privacy policy, New IP CTS Registration Requirements FAQs (Federal Communications Commission)
Try Captio AI free
It depends on where you are
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 situationA 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.
A doctor's appointment in person
ClearCaptions is for phone calls. Captio AI captions the appointment and keeps the recording.
Captions for this situationA 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 situationYou 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.
A conversation in Spanish or another language
ClearCaptions captions English only. Captio AI captions 60+ languages and translates live.
Captions for this situationFacts 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
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
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More comparisons
Captio AI vs InnoCaption
US phone-call caption app with live stenographers or automatic captions, free through the FCC for eligible people with hearing loss.
Captio AI vs Rylo (formerly Nagish)
US phone-call caption app, free through the FCC for eligible users, with free in-person captions (Live Transcribe) and a desktop app for video calls.
Captio AI vs Rogervoice
French app that captions phone calls in real time for deaf and hard of hearing people; since October 2026 it also captions in-person conversations.
Sources
Every page this comparison uses, with the date we checked it.
Captio AI
- Live Captions - Captio AI on the App StoreApple App Store, checked 28 October 2026
- Captio AI on Google PlayGoogle Play, checked 28 October 2026
- Live CaptionsCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Live TranslatorCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Recognize Voices: Captions That Show Who Is Talking by NameCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Speaker Direction: See Where a Voice Is Coming FromCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Recognize Sounds: Doorbells and Alarms in Your CaptionsCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Privacy PolicyCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- AI SummaryCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Captio AI for organizationsCaptio AI, checked 28 October 2026
- Captio AI for AI assistants (llms.txt)Captio AI, checked 28 October 2026
ClearCaptions
- ClearCaptions Mobile (App Store, US)Apple App Store, checked 28 October 2026
- Mobile Phone Captions AppClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Google Play search for "ClearCaptions" (US)Google Play, checked 28 October 2026
- No-Cost Caption Phone for Hearing Impaired (Why it's free)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- How It WorksClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Terms of UseClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Apple iTunes Lookup API, ClearCaptions Mobile app id 1389230518, UK storefrontApple, checked 28 October 2026
- NationwideClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Mobile App Questions (FAQ)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Features & accessibility (FAQ)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Five Tips for the ClearCaptions App: Your Guide to Mobile CaptionsClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- About ClearCaptions (FAQ)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Using your caption phone (FAQ)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Eligibility & sign-up (FAQ)ClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- Captioned telephones: home phoneClearCaptions, checked 28 October 2026
- New IP CTS Registration Requirements FAQsFederal Communications Commission, checked 28 October 2026
- Internet-Based TRS ProvidersFederal Communications Commission, checked 28 October 2026
- Apple iTunes Lookup API, ClearCaptions Mobile app id 1389230518, US storefrontApple, checked 28 October 2026
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.


