Keep the filter. Answer the calls you miss.
AT&T ActiveArmor vs Vicem: when each fits
AT&T ActiveArmor, free with every AT&T wireless plan, blocks fraud and spam calls or sends them to voicemail, set in its app. Vicem is an AI with its own number that answers the calls you miss, turns away scam calls by what the caller says, and says it’s an AI.
Dated.
What are the facts?
| Question | AT&T ActiveArmor | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AT&T ActiveArmorFree with every AT&T wireless plan; ActiveArmor Advanced $7 a month | VicemFrom $24 a month, your US or Canadian number included. Free for 3 days. |
| Countries | AT&T ActiveArmorFor AT&T wireless customers | VicemLocal numbers: 68 countries. Forwarding in many countries |
| Languages it answers in | AT&T ActiveArmorNot stated on the pages we read | Vicem37 languages |
| A number of its own to give out | AT&T ActiveArmorNo: it filters calls to your AT&T line | VicemYes, with an email and a page |
| Works with your phone off | AT&T ActiveArmorNot stated on the pages we read | VicemYes |
| Answers the caller, or only screens | AT&T ActiveArmorBlocks unwanted calls or sends them to voicemail, your choice | VicemAnswers and talks with the caller |
| Tells callers it’s an AI | AT&T ActiveArmorNot stated on the pages we read | VicemYes, on every call |
Checked on October 14, 2026
- AT&T ActiveArmor: AT&T, ActiveArmor
When the other is better.
Which one fits you?
Choose AT&T ActiveArmor when:
- You’re on AT&T and want spam blocked at no charge. AT&T, ActiveArmor
- You want to choose: block unwanted calls, or send them to voicemail. AT&T, ActiveArmor
- You want spam blocking and fraud alerts in one app. AT&T, ActiveArmor
Choose Vicem when:
- Scam calls still reach you from numbers that look clean.
- Real people call and you can’t always pick up.
- You want every missed call answered and written down.
Credit where it’s due.
What does AT&T ActiveArmor do well?
- It’s built to block spam calls and detect fraud. AT&T, ActiveArmor
- You choose to block unwanted calls or send them to voicemail. AT&T, ActiveArmor
- It comes free with every AT&T wireless plan. AT&T, ActiveArmor
In their own words.
Where does AT&T ActiveArmor stop?
- AT&T says it may not detect all threats.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- It may block calls you want; settings can change that.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- It needs a compatible phone and the ActiveArmor app.AT&T, ActiveArmor
Checked on October 14, 2026
And the calls you miss?
A spam filter keeps known spam numbers out.
Vicem answers the real calls you miss, and turns scam calls away.
How do they compare?
| What it does | AT&T ActiveArmor | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Works when your phone is off | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Books into your calendar during the call | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Emails the caller back | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Its own number, email and page | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Speaks the caller’s language | Does not apply | Vicem37 languages |
| Asks you before anything important | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Anyone can check what it did | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Works on any phone | AT&T ActiveArmorA compatible phone, with the ActiveArmor app | VicemYes |
| Calls for you | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Waits on hold for you, up to the time you set | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Cancels a subscription for you and gets the reference | Does not apply | VicemYes, with Vicem Plus |
| Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you | AT&T ActiveArmorBlocks or sends to voicemail, your choice | VicemYes |
| Tell it who you’re expecting: they ring straight through | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Always an AI, never a call center | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Never gives out your passwords or codes | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Never says yes to extras you didn’t approve | Does not apply | VicemYes |
| Never gives out your address or where you are without asking you | Does not apply | VicemYes |
Only what Vicem does today; a dash means not stated or doesn’t apply.
- AT&T ActiveArmor: AT&T, ActiveArmor
Not either, or.
Use both.
Keep AT&T ActiveArmor on: it stops known spam numbers before your phone rings. Forward the calls you miss to Vicem.
Step by step.
How do you switch?
- Get your Vicem: your first US or Canadian number is included.
- Forward missed calls to that number with your phone company’s codes.
- AT&T: dial **004*, your Vicem number and #, then press call.
- Call yourself from another phone and let it ring out.
What do people ask?
Is AT&T ActiveArmor enough to stop spam calls?
AT&T says it may miss threats; forward missed calls to Vicem.
Does Vicem work with AT&T?
Yes: dial **004*, your Vicem number and #, and missed calls reach Vicem.
Does Vicem say it’s an AI?
Yes: every call starts by saying it’s an AI.
Want it answering your calls?
Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t. Free for 3 days.
Start free trial