Prison Call vs Cell2CellTalk

When someone you love is in prison, staying connected matters more than ever. But the high cost of prison-to-mobile phone calls can create a barrier. Many families look for affordable alternatives to the standard mobile-rate calls and two services that stand out are Prison Call and Cell2CellTalk. While both offer solutions to bring down the cost of prison calls, there are meaningful differences in their pricing, transparency, ease of use, and overall value. In this comparison, we’ll examine both services closely so you can make an informed decision and choose the cheapest and most reliable prison call option for your situation.

Why Virtual Landlines Are Key

Before we dive into the comparison, it’s helpful to understand the underlying technology. Most UK prisons allow inmates to call only approved numbers from the PIN-phone system. When those numbers are mobile lines, the cost to the prisoner (and indirectly to the family) can be very high. By contrast, when the number is a landline or a virtual landline number, the cost drops significantly. A specialist provider like Prison Call or Cell2CellTalk issues a landline number to you, which forwards to your mobile. The prisoner calls the landline rate, they’re charged less, you pick up as normal. This method is legal, straightforward, and widely used to provide cheap prison calls. With this understanding, let’s compare how each service stacks up.

Cost Comparison & Real-World Savings

Cost is a top concern for families. A typical call from prison to a mobile might cost around 25 p per minute. If you’re receiving a 20-minute call five times a week, that can add up to over £100 per month. That’s a heavy burden.

Prison Call offers virtual landline calls from as little as ~3p per minute, meaning that you can double or tripple your calling credit. Cell2CellTalk, according to their website, advertises PAYG landline numbers “from only 1.9p/min” for 01/02 numbers and monthly bundles “from only 0.67p/min” for volume users. While these rates look very competitive on the surface, many users find that the effective cost to the family, after top-ups, bundles, and usage patterns, ends up being higher than the headline figure.

So while both services offer savings, if your priority is maximum cost reduction with no surprises, Prison Call tends to deliver clearer savings over time.

Setup Speed & Ease of Use

When someone is behind bars and waiting for contact, setup speed matters. With Prison Call, the process is simple: sign up online, select your virtual landline number, give it to your loved one to add, and you’re ready-to-go in many cases the same day.

With Cell2CellTalk, you also select your 01/02 or 08 number and top-up or subscribe. Their site says “we instantly (in seconds not hours) get you a number and set it ready to use.” However, in practice some users report more steps, bundle setup, and potential delays in verifying the number with the prison. If speed and simplicity are key, Prison Call may offer a smoother experience.

Reliability & Prison Compatibility

One of the most important factors is whether the number you’re given will indeed be accepted by the prison and whether the call will go through reliably.

Prison Call works with families to ensure the number is approved by the prison’s PIN-phone list and provides support if issues arise. Because the system is designed for compatibility with the UK prison phone network, reliability tends to be high.

Cell2CellTalk states that they supply both 01/02 numbers and freephone 0808 numbers, and note that “please check that the prison will accept freephone numbers on your loved one’s PIN not sure? then try before you buy!” This suggests some risk of compatibility issues when using freephone options. For peace of mind, Prison Call’s emphasis on compatibility and support gives them an edge.

Transparency, Hidden Costs & Contracts

Transparent pricing is vital for budget-conscious families. Prison Call advertises no hidden fees, no setup fees, clear pricing — allowing you to budget with confidence.

Cell2CellTalk is competitive but carries more complexity: PAYG rates, monthly bundles, top-up requirements, freephone vs landline options. Their pricing structure can involve varying rates depending on the number type and use. For instance: “Freephone numbers from only 4.9p/min” and bundles with minute allowances.

For families wanting straightforward and predictable costs, the simpler model offered by Prison Call is easier to manage.

Customer Support & Reputation

When problems occur, and in the world of prison phone systems, they sometimes do, good support counts.Prison Call has built a strong reputation for responsive, UK-based support with positive feedback from users about their helpfulness and reliability.

While Cell2CellTalk offers support and notes “online UK support super responsive – super experienced.” Their broader service complexity means some users report variable support experiences. If you want a service you can rely on easily, clarity in support is a factor in favour of Prison Call.

Why Affordable Calls Are So Important

While we’ve explored pricing and features, it’s worth stepping back to remember why affordable calls matter. According to the UK government and prison reform organisations: staying in touch with family and friends is strongly linked to better outcomes for prisoners less reoffending, better mental health, smoother reintegration. When call costs force less frequent contact, the toll can be emotional and practical. By choosing a service that helps you stay connected without high cost, you’re helping maintain relationships, hope and stability.

Prison Call vs Cell2CellTalk

Both services aim to help you make cheaper prison calls — but for most families, Prison Call offers the stronger all-round package:
- Lower and more predictable per-minute costs
- Faster, simpler setup
- Strong reliability and prison compatibility
- Transparent pricing with fewer hidden variables
- Support focused on families in prison situations

Cell2CellTalk can still be a valid option, especially for those comfortable navigating bundles and minor complexities, and who want ultra low rate promotions. But if you want a dependable, hassle-free solution for cheap prison phone calls, Prison Call stands out.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to save on prison calls and stay connected with your loved one, now is the time to act. Sign up with Prison Call today and benefit from a virtual landline that allows cheaper calls, longer conversations and less stress.

👉 Start your virtual landline now at Prison Call

When it comes to comparing differnt services, the differences go far beyond the surface. While both promise cheaper prison calls, the real experience for families is shaped by how reliable, transparent, and supportive the service is.

Prison-Calls.com has strong marketing and attractive rates, but it has also earned a mixed reputation for reliability and customer service. Prison Call, meanwhile, has built a name for being straightforward, easy to use, and trustworthy—a service designed to make a stressful situation a little bit easier.

For most families, the combination of clear pricing, good support, and reliable service makes Prison Call the better overall choice. In the context of prison communication, where every minute counts and trust matters, that difference can be huge.