Finding the Best Reverse Phone Lookup of 2024
Discovering a missed call on your phone from an unknown number can be a frustrating experience. While you’ll naturally be curious about the caller’s identity, you could also worry that it may be someone you don’t want to speak to or a sales call you’d rather avoid. As a result, you may be reluctant to return the call and could miss out on speaking to someone who had a legitimate reason to contact you.
With a reverse phone lookup, you can discover the mystery caller’s identity within seconds by putting the number into an app and then seeing the details of its registered owner. But with many apps providing different levels of detail on the person you’re looking up, choosing the right solution isn’t always easy.
To help you find the best reverse phone lookup service for your needs, we’ve reviewed and compared some of the top options on the market.
What are reverse phone lookup apps?
Reverse phone lookup apps allow you to search phone number details and see information about the organization or individual who owns the number.
Some people use these apps if they have missed a call from an unknown number and would like to check who the person or company is before calling back. Alternatively, you may use one of these apps if you receive a phone bill that includes calls to a number you don’t recognize.
As a general rule of thumb, it is typically easier and less expensive to find information about landlines than cell numbers, although it is still possible to find details about the latter.
Depending on the service you choose, you can normally access reverse phone lookups either through a web browser or mobile app.
Note that even an accurate phone number lookup service may be of little use if you’re having difficulty with nuisance or spam calls from automated numbers. These callers often use techniques known as spoofing to disguise their identity. This involves the spammer manipulating the caller ID to give the impression the call is originating from a local or safe number.
How to choose the right reverse phone lookup app for your needs
When you’re searching for the best reverse phone lookup app, try to find a service that gets its information from public records. You can then feel reassured that the company hasn’t engaged in any underhand, or possibly illegal, activity to obtain its information.
If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, look for a service that offers a simple and user-friendly interface, as many of the most intuitive apps work in much the same way as traditional internet search engines. All you’ll need to do is type in the number and then you’ll see all the information held about it.
If you already have an idea about the geographical origin of the call, consider an app that will allow you to target your lookups to a particular state or country. Alternatively, you may want to choose a tool that enables you to customize the kind of data you receive. For example, you could request details about an individual’s social media presence or employment status.
As with any service, you should also check the level of customer support available when choosing an app. As well as offering help centers and FAQs, some of the best reverse phone number lookup services provide phone, live chat, or email support.
Also, consider looking for a provider that offers all the software integrations you need, which is especially important in a business setting. Some apps have integrations that allow you to simultaneously search hundreds of numbers, while others will work alongside your customer relationship management software.
When it comes to cost, this typically depends on the level of detail you require about the number you’re searching. Although there are several free services available, these may not provide all the details you need and your reports could be limited to basic details such as an individual's name or approximate location.
How do reverse phone lookup apps work?
When you use a reverse phone lookup app, you can either receive a single report for a one-off fee or, if you frequently receive calls from unknown numbers, you can sign up for a monthly subscription to the service.
With a subscription-based service, companies will often bundle your phone number finder app together with other people and background check services. As a result, some of the more detailed paid reports include information such as:
- Photos
- Addresses
- Levels of education
- Social media profiles
- Other associated numbers
- Links to any messenger apps
- Criminal record details
Some apps also allow you to listen to the outgoing message on the answering service of the number you’re searching.
Several providers carry deals and special offers when you take out a plan, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for any discounts that will keep costs down. For instance, some services offer discounts if you’re looking up a high volume of numbers, while others offer new customers a certain number of lookups for free or a quota of free lookups per month.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using reverse phone lookup apps?
Searching a phone number on a reverse lookup app can enable you to find the details of a person who has been contacting you, before you return the call. Likewise, these services also allow you to check that a person or a company contacting you is really who they claim to be.
Are reverse phone lookup apps safe and reliable?
The reliability of the data you receive will depend on the provider you choose. Furthermore, you are more likely to receive an accurate phone number lookup with a paid service. In terms of your own data, the best phone lookup services will also have vigorous privacy policies for their customers.
Can people see if they’ve been searched for with a reverse phone lookup app?
No, the person you have looked up will never know that you have checked their details. Likewise, the best reverse phone search apps should also ensure your search history isn’t visible to other users.