A better voicemail, or an answer?
YouMail vs Vicem: when each fits
YouMail blocks spam, screens unknown callers and gives you a voicemail you can read. Vicem is an AI that answers the calls you miss, in any country, and takes the message.
Dated.
What are the facts?
| Question | YouMail | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Price | YouMailFree plan; paid plans from $7.99 a month (App Store) | VicemFrom $24 a month, your US or Canadian number included. Free for 3 days. |
| Countries | YouMailUS and Canadian phone numbers | VicemLocal numbers: 68 countries. Forwarding in many countries |
| Languages it answers in | YouMailDoesn’t talk with callers; it takes voicemail | Vicem37 languages |
| A number of its own to give out | YouMailYes, a second number on every plan | VicemYes, with an email and a page |
| Works with your phone off | YouMailTakes a voicemail | VicemYes |
| Answers the caller, or only screens | YouMailScreens: asks unknown callers who they are | VicemAnswers and talks with the caller |
| Tells callers it’s an AI | YouMailNot stated on the pages we read | VicemYes, on every call |
| Books appointments | YouMailNot listed among its features | VicemYes, into your calendar |
| Tells you what happened | YouMailVoicemail written out: 100 a month on the free plan | VicemA summary of every call; urgent ones reach you at once |
Checked on October 12, 2026
- YouMail: App Store: YouMail, YouMail, home page, YouMail, plans
When the other is better.
Which one fits you?
Choose YouMail when:
- You want free voicemail with spam filtered out. YouMail, plans
- You want a free second number. YouMail, plans
- You’re in the US or Canada, and callers leave messages. YouMail, home page
Choose Vicem when:
- Your callers hang up at the beep.
- You want callers answered, not recorded.
- You live outside the US and Canada.
Credit where it’s due.
What does YouMail do well?
- Robocalls and scammers are blocked “before they ring.” YouMail, home page
- It replaces your phone company’s voicemail with one you can read. YouMail, home page
- It asks unknown callers who they are before your phone rings. App Store: YouMail
- Every plan, free included, comes with a second number. YouMail, plans
In their own words.
Where does YouMail stop?
- When you don’t pick up, it takes a voicemail.YouMail, home page
- It supports US and Canadian phone numbers.YouMail, home page
- The free plan writes out 100 voicemails a month.YouMail, plans
Checked on October 12, 2026
What do callers hear?
With voicemail, a greeting and a beep.
With Vicem, a voice that answers and asks what they need.
How do they compare?
| What it does | YouMail | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Works when your phone is off | YouMailVoicemail only | 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 | YouMailA number only | 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 | YouMailAndroid and iPhone | 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 | YouMailYes | 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.
- YouMail: YouMail, home page, YouMail, plans, App Store: YouMail
Step by step.
How do you switch?
- Turn off YouMail’s voicemail forwarding with your phone company’s code.
- Get your Vicem: your first US or Canadian number is included.
- Forward missed calls to that number with your phone company’s codes.
- Call yourself from another phone and let it ring out.
What do people ask?
Is Vicem a YouMail alternative?
For missed calls, yes: Vicem answers instead of recording.
Can I keep YouMail?
Not as your voicemail: missed calls can go to only one.
How do calls get to Vicem?
You forward the calls you miss to Vicem’s own number.
Want it answering your calls?
Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t. Free for 3 days.
Start free trial