Comparison
Phonely vs ScamBlocker: Which Digital Landline Is Better in 2026?
As the UK's traditional phone network is shut down ahead of the January 2027 switch-off, many households are comparing new digital landline providers. Both Phonely and ScamBlocker promise VoIP calling with AI-powered scam protection, but they are built for very different priorities.
ScamBlocker emphasises pre-call screening to stop fraudsters before they reach a vulnerable relative. Phonely combines scam blocking with transparent pricing, flexible call plans and simple hardware. This guide explains the key differences and helps you decide which service fits your household.
For a full overview see our guide to the best digital landline providers in the UK.
Quick comparison: Phonely vs ScamBlocker
Here are the key differences to help you decide.
Phonely's protection features are on the CallGuard plan. ScamBlocker offers a 5-layer AI system with pre-call screening and a family dashboard.
| Feature | Phonely (CallGuard plan) | ScamBlocker Home |
|---|---|---|
| UK-based provider | Yes (Phonely Ltd, Norwich) | Yes (We Are One 1 Ltd, London) |
| Headline price | £14.98/month (rising to £16.98) with 2,000 minutes | £14.99/month for 6 months, then £24.99/month |
| Setup fee & hardware | Free adapter on annual payment or on monthly CallGuard/CallGuard+ plans | £29 setup fee includes GA11 ATA; adapter remains provider's property until end of 12‑month term |
| Included minutes | 2,000 min to UK landlines + 2,000 min to UK mobiles | 2,000 minutes shared across UK landlines and mobiles |
| Contract & early termination | 18‑month minimum; early cancel = pay remaining months in full | 12‑month minimum; early cancel = return adapter or £40 fee + claw-back of introductory discounts |
| Out-of-bundle UK calls | 14p/min plus 10p call setup charge | 5p/min to UK landlines and major mobiles; higher (up to 80p/min) for other mobiles and Channel Islands |
| International calls | Pay-as-you-go; rates depend on destination (not included in minutes) | Blocked by default; add bundles (e.g. £5/month for 300–500 minutes) |
| Scam protection | CallGuard: automatic blocking, trusted person alerts, anti-fraud introductions, live call joining, keyword monitoring | 5-layer AI: whitelist, trust-score screening, voice challenge, real-time intent analysis, Payment Blocker + family dashboard |
| Data collection | Recordings and transcriptions stored 12 months on live accounts; accessible via dashboard | Caller numbers, timestamps, AI transcripts, optional voice fingerprints; shared with third parties (e.g. US transcription); logs/transcripts 90 days, blocked-call data 12 months |
Both providers aim to protect households from phone scams but take different approaches: ScamBlocker with pre-call AI screening; Phonely with transparent pricing, predictable allowances and UK-focused data handling.
What is ScamBlocker?
A digital landline with 5-layer AI screening
ScamBlocker is a consumer VoIP service from We Are One 1 Ltd. It connects an existing handset to broadband via a GA11 ATA adapter and promises to stop scammers before the phone rings. The service costs £14.99 per month for the first six months, then £24.99 per month, and requires a 12‑month minimum term. A £29 setup fee covers the adapter and number porting. Cancel within 14 days and you can return the equipment for a full refund; cancelling later triggers either a £40 fee or the return of the adapter, and any discounted months are re-billed at the standard price.
The home plan includes 2,000 minutes per month shared across UK geographic numbers and major mobile networks. Calls beyond the allowance are charged at 5p per minute to UK landlines and major mobiles, with higher rates (25–80p per minute) for other UK mobiles or Channel Islands numbers. International calls are blocked by default; you must purchase bundles (e.g. £5/month for 300–500 minutes to North America or India) to call abroad.
ScamBlocker's AI features and privacy
ScamBlocker markets five layers of AI protection: whitelisting of trusted numbers, trust-score checks against spam databases, a voice challenge asking unknown callers to identify themselves, real-time analysis of language for signs of fraud, and a Payment Blocker that notifies a family member if sensitive information or payment requests occur during a call. The company claims calls can be monitored via a family dashboard and that relatives can join calls to approve or decline transactions.
ScamBlocker's privacy policy states that the service collects incoming caller numbers, call timestamps, AI-screening transcripts and even voice fingerprints for whitelisted callers. Data is shared with third-party providers: Deepgram (voice transcription) in the USA and Supabase (database and authentication) in the EU. Call logs and transcripts are retained for 90 days, while blocked-call data is kept for 12 months. Customers concerned about international data transfers and AI-generated voice profiles should review these terms carefully.
How do Phonely's plans compare?
Phonely offers three residential plans. The CallGuard plan closely aligns with ScamBlocker's protection focus. It costs £14.98 per month (rising to £16.98) and includes:
- VoIP adapter and number porting — Phonely provides a free VoIP adapter worth £49.99 when you pay annually or when you're on a monthly CallGuard or CallGuard+ plan. There is an 18‑month minimum term; cancelling early means paying for the remaining months.
- Inclusive minutes — CallGuard includes 2,000 minutes to UK landlines and 2,000 minutes to UK mobiles per month, so 4,000 minutes in total. Exceeding the allowance costs 14p per minute plus a 10p call-setup fee.
- CallGuard features — Automatic call blocking, nomination of trusted contacts who can join live calls, quiet-hour settings, anti-fraud introductions that warn callers they are being recorded, unlimited call blocking, call recording, real-time alerts and call transcriptions.
- Call recording and transcription — Phonely records and transcribes calls so that you or a trusted person can listen back. Recordings and transcripts are kept for 12 months on active accounts.
Phonely also offers a cheaper Digital Landline plan (£9.97/month rising to £11.97) with 800 minutes, and a higher-tier CallGuard+ plan (£29/month rising to £31) with the same minutes and additional features. All plans require an internet connection and come with an 18‑month contract.
What makes Phonely different?
While ScamBlocker and Phonely both provide AI-driven call protection, their philosophies differ:
- Transparent pricing and lower ongoing cost — ScamBlocker's introductory price jumps to £24.99/month after six months and requires a £29 setup fee. Phonely's CallGuard costs £14.98/month (rising to £16.98) with no separate setup fee when paying annually, and no claw-back of introductory discounts if you cancel early.
- Predictable allowances vs. fair-use caps — Phonely includes 2,000 minutes to UK landlines and 2,000 to UK mobiles (4,000 total); ScamBlocker includes 2,000 minutes shared across landlines and mobiles and markets this as "unlimited". Phonely states its minute limits openly and charges a flat per-minute rate for overages.
- Plug-and-play hardware — Phonely's VoIP adapter is designed for simple installation. The adapter is free on annual payment or on monthly CallGuard/CallGuard+ plans; otherwise you return it if you leave early. ScamBlocker's GA11 adapter remains the provider's property until the end of the 12‑month term.
- Data minimisation — Phonely records and transcribes calls for your own reference and stores them for 12 months. ScamBlocker collects AI-screening transcripts, timestamps and optional voice fingerprints and shares them with third-party processors. Privacy-conscious households may prefer Phonely's simpler data practices.
Pricing comparison: looking beyond the headline
At first glance, ScamBlocker's introductory price (£14.99/month) seems similar to Phonely's CallGuard (£14.98/month), but the long-term costs differ. After six months, ScamBlocker jumps to £24.99/month, while Phonely increases modestly to £16.98/month. ScamBlocker also charges a £29 setup fee and a £40 early-termination or adapter-return fee. Phonely's adapter is free on annual payment or on monthly CallGuard/CallGuard+ plans, and there is no separate early-termination fee; you simply settle the remaining contract months.
For households that use more than the included minutes, out-of-bundle rates also matter. ScamBlocker charges 5p per minute for UK landlines and major mobiles and much higher rates for other mobiles and Channel Islands numbers. Phonely charges 14p per minute plus a 10p call setup fee if you exceed your minutes. International calls are blocked by default on ScamBlocker; you must pay for bundles. Phonely offers pay-as-you-go rates for international destinations (rates vary; not included in minutes).
Keep your existing landline number and switch to digital voice easily with Phonely.
Switching is simple and you can keep your existing number.
If you want straightforward pricing without setup charges or steep price rises after the intro period. View Phonely's plans →
Is ScamBlocker safe?
Designed to stop scam calls, but consider the data implications
The service is designed to stop scam calls before they connect. However, prospective customers should consider the data implications. ScamBlocker's privacy policy notes that the service collects call transcripts and may create voice fingerprints for whitelisted callers. Data is processed by Deepgram in the United States and Supabase in the EU, and call logs and transcripts are stored for up to 90 days while blocked call data is kept for 12 months. Some users may be uncomfortable with this level of data collection and overseas processing.
Phonely's call recordings and transcriptions are kept for up to 12 months and are accessible via your account or the Trusted Person App. The recordings exist to provide evidence in the event of a scam and are not shared with third-party AI providers. Both services require an internet connection and will not work during power cuts; you should keep a mobile phone for emergencies.
Other considerations
Marketing claims vs. contracts — ScamBlocker markets its plan as "no contract" on the homepage but imposes a 12‑month term with penalties for leaving early. Phonely openly advertises its 18‑month contract and fair-use limits.
Number porting — Both services allow you to keep your existing phone number. ScamBlocker's porting is marketed as free but is effectively included in the £29 setup fee.
Service during power cuts — VoIP services rely on broadband and will not work without electricity. ScamBlocker's terms explicitly note that the service may fail during power cuts and recommend keeping a mobile phone for emergencies. Phonely's terms provide similar guidance; Phonely also offers a free mobile app so you can make and receive calls on your smartphone when the home line is down.
Who should choose which?
When ScamBlocker may suit you
ScamBlocker may appeal to families who want pre-call AI screening with voice challenges, real-time intent analysis and Payment Blocker monitoring; are comfortable with a 12‑month contract, a £29 upfront fee and higher out-of-bundle rates; and don't mind that call data is processed by third-party AI providers and stored overseas.
When Phonely may be better
Phonely may be the right choice if you want comprehensive scam protection combined with transparent pricing and predictable minute allowances; prefer lower ongoing costs without an upfront setup fee and a smaller price hike after promotional periods; value privacy and prefer that call data stays within the UK, with recordings stored only for your reference; or need simple, plug-and-play hardware and clear support for trusted contacts joining calls.
Digital voice guide for over 60sTrusted by police forces · Used by Trading Standards · Thousands of UK households protected
Final verdict: Phonely or ScamBlocker?
Both providers aim to protect vulnerable households from phone scams, but they take different approaches.
ScamBlocker offers an impressive AI feature set, including real-time intent analysis and a Payment Blocker, but its pricing is high and its "no contract" marketing hides a 12‑month term with early-termination penalties. It also charges extra for international calls, has higher overage rates and collects detailed call transcripts and voice fingerprints. Phonely delivers strong scam protection through its CallGuard plan, offers generous minute allowances, lower long-term pricing and a free adapter on annual payment or on monthly CallGuard/CallGuard+ plans. Its call-recording features are designed to give you evidence after suspicious calls and do not involve third-party AI processing. For households seeking straightforward pricing, plug-and-play hardware and comprehensive protection, Phonely is often the better fit. If you prioritise cutting-edge AI screening and are comfortable with the higher price and data-sharing model, ScamBlocker might be worth considering.
Explore Phonely's plansLooking for transparent pricing and scam protection?
If you want comprehensive scam blocking, trusted person support, lower long-term costs and UK-focused data handling, explore Phonely's CallGuard plans and see how protected calling should feel.
Protect your home phone nowPhonely is trusted by police forces, Trading Standards, Neighbourhood Watch and the Alzheimer's Society, and has been featured on the BBC.
View press coverageFrequently asked questions
Phonely vs ScamBlocker: pricing, safety, data privacy and digital landline comparison
ScamBlocker is a consumer VoIP digital landline from We Are One 1 Ltd. It connects an existing handset to broadband via a GA11 ATA adapter and uses a 5-layer AI system to stop scammers before the phone rings. It costs £14.99/month for the first six months, then £24.99/month, with a 12‑month minimum term and £29 setup fee.
ScamBlocker is designed to stop scam calls before they connect. However, the service collects call transcripts and may create voice fingerprints; data is processed by Deepgram in the USA and Supabase in the EU. Call logs and transcripts are stored for up to 90 days. Phonely's call recordings are kept for 12 months and are not shared with third-party AI providers.
Yes. ScamBlocker imposes a 12‑month minimum term despite marketing "no contract" on the homepage. Early cancellation triggers either a £40 fee or return of the adapter, and introductory discounts are clawed back. Phonely openly advertises its 18‑month contract with no separate early-termination fee.
Yes. Phonely supports number porting so you can keep your existing landline number when you switch to a digital landline. Both Phonely and ScamBlocker allow you to port your existing number.
Both offer scam protection: ScamBlocker with pre-call AI screening, voice challenges and Payment Blocker; Phonely CallGuard with automatic blocking, trusted person alerts and anti-fraud introductions. Phonely typically suits households that want transparent pricing, lower long-term cost and UK-only data handling. ScamBlocker may suit those who prioritise cutting-edge AI screening and accept higher pricing and third-party data processing.
Other comparisons
See all providers in our best digital landline UK guide.
