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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

MobileRecharge vs Rebtel

MobileRecharge 4.7★ · Free to download 45
Winner Rebtel
Rebtel 4.8★ · Free to download 55

Rebtel has a slight edge over MobileRecharge, primarily due to its more consistent call quality and a wider range of services, despite both apps facing significant user complaints regarding reliability and customer support.

Full reviews: MobileRecharge · Rebtel

Both MobileRecharge and Rebtel allow users to send international top-ups and make calls, but both struggle with reliability, transaction failures, and poor customer support. Rebtel, however, offers clearer call quality when it works and has a larger user base, suggesting a slightly more established service.

Head to head

Features and Services edge: RebtelR2R14R35R70
MobileRecharge MobileRecharge primarily focuses on mobile top-ups and data packages, with users appreciating its ease of use for this core function when it works R2R14R35. Some users wish for more payment options like Cash App R2.
Rebtel Rebtel offers international calling and mobile top-ups. Users value its ability to call international numbers, including non-mobile ones R70, and some find it reliable for important calls like job interviews .
Ease of Use tieR1R2R15R20
MobileRecharge MobileRecharge receives mixed reviews on ease of use. Some find it simple and fast R2R20, while others complain about a cumbersome process, taking up to half an hour for a single recharge R1. Issues like letters not showing in contact search and slow loading of operator lists also hinder usability R15.
Rebtel Rebtel is generally considered easy to use for making calls and sending money . However, many users report significant difficulties with the signup process, specifically not receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) for verification .
Reliability and Performance tieR3R4R7R13
MobileRecharge MobileRecharge suffers from significant reliability issues. Many users report failed recharges where money is deducted but the top-up isn't received R7R13R19. The app is described as slow R4 and buggy, requiring restarts for transactions to succeed R15. Processing times for credit have also increased R3.
Rebtel Rebtel also has substantial reliability problems. Calls frequently cut off or fail to connect R70. Users report issues with credit not reflecting correctly and top-ups not being received . The app is described as temperamental on iPhones , and some users experience charges for unsuccessful calls R104 or even just for ringing R85.
Price and Value tieR11R12R18R54
MobileRecharge MobileRecharge users find the service is getting expensive, with minimum recharge amounts increasing and processing fees rising R11R12R18. Some feel they are not getting the advertised amount or are being charged twice R54.
Rebtel Rebtel is considered economical by some users , but others complain about unfair pricing, high rates , and being charged for ringing R85. There are also reports of inaccurate rates and double taxation and being charged for top-ups that don't deliver the expected value .
Customer Support tieR13R16R32R38
MobileRecharge MobileRecharge's customer service is widely criticized for being unresponsive. Users report no replies to emails R32R38R48 and a lack of a contact number R50. Issues like being logged out after purchase and inability to log back in also point to poor account management support R13R16.
Rebtel Rebtel's customer support is also a major pain point. Users describe it as difficult to reach a human , with support tickets being closed without resolution . Automated responses are common , and some users report no help available besides a useless bot . Issues with payment card management also go unresolved by support .
Pick MobileRecharge if

You prioritize a simple interface for mobile top-ups and are willing to risk occasional transaction failures and unresponsive customer support for potentially competitive rates R2R14R35.

Pick Rebtel if

You frequently make international calls and need a service that, when it works, offers clear sound quality and affordable rates, despite potential issues with call drops and customer service .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly concerning failed transactions and poor customer support, which aligns with the typical negative skew of recent app reviews. Rebtel has a much larger volume of reviews, which might amplify the perception of issues, but also indicates a wider user base. The free-to-download nature of both apps means that some negative feedback might stem from users expecting premium service without paying, but the core complaints about money being taken without service delivery are serious for both.

Frequently asked

Do MobileRecharge and Rebtel have reliable customer support?
No, both MobileRecharge and Rebtel receive widespread criticism for unresponsive and unhelpful customer support, with users reporting no replies to emails, difficulty reaching human agents, and unresolved issues R32R38R48R50.
Are there hidden fees or unexpected charges with these apps?
Users of both apps report unexpected charges and issues with pricing. MobileRecharge users mention increasing processing fees and minimum recharge amounts R12R18, while Rebtel users complain about being charged for ringing, unsuccessful calls, and inaccurate rates R85R104.
Can I trust these apps for sending international top-ups?
Many users report significant issues with failed top-ups where money is deducted but the recipient does not receive the credit, leading to accusations of scams for both MobileRecharge and Rebtel R7R13R19R34.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] MobileRecharge 5/5 · US good: I like it simple to do , hope they put cash app on this app and keep it simple
  2. [R14] MobileRecharge 5/5 · US Good App Easy to use: 👌
  3. [R35] MobileRecharge 5/5 · US Best way to top up a phone: I find this app to be fast easy an quick and honest to send minutes over seas to family and friends easy an hassle free I never had a problem I hope it keep been easy like this very good app .
  4. [R70] Rebtel 2/5 · US crapshoot: calling works 30-50% of the time. if it doesn’t, it’s on you to check for app updates (which is nearly every month or more). really frustrating. i only keep it because it’s the only app i know where you can call reach intl numbers even if they’re not mobile - but if i find something more reliable, i’ll switch in a heartbeat.
  5. [R1] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Unusable: I recharge a number every month; and it takes A FULL HALF HOUR every time. You need to go through about 40-50 menu option to recharge THE SAME NUMBER. (I’m searching for alternatives today!)
  6. [R15] MobileRecharge 3/5 · US Bugs: Great app so far. Have a few concerns. Whenever I do a contact search, the letters I type don’t show. Secondly, when selecting a mobile operator, takes forever to load list. I mostly have to restart app several times to just for a transaction to be successful. For those reason, I give a 3 star. By the way, I use an iPhone 7 with the latest software updates
  7. [R20] MobileRecharge 5/5 · US Great app: This app is the best it’s fast it’s simple and it’s always completes the top up
  8. [R3] MobileRecharge 3/5 · US Takes forever for the credit to process: Before the credit will send almost instantaneously but now it takes way to long
  9. [R4] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Needs update: The app is very slow and isn’t getting anything done please update it, I’ve used it for years, I may have to delete it.
  10. [R7] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Es mala la aplicación: Es muy mala, hice una recarga y me salió fallida y no me devolvieron el dinero
  11. [R13] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Please Do Not Use I Repeat: I tried to recharge a friends phone and she didn’t receive the airtime and I tried to login and check the app I was logged out and I have been debited for the transaction. Each time I tried to login it says login failed….Kindly return my money because I was unable to login into the app after making purchased
  12. [R11] MobileRecharge 5/5 · US It really Good App: But expensive Money currency
  13. [R12] MobileRecharge 3/5 · US Great Service but getting expensive: This has been a great service over the years. However the minimum recharge amounts have gone up and the processing fees are getting expensive. The service should have smaller recharge amounts and think about finding ways to reduce their processing fees.
  14. [R18] MobileRecharge 3/5 · US Sending fees: So far there’s no problem with my transactions but they charge me $1.73 for sending $10 and take $12.23 from me. So to whom am I paying the €50? Need answer!!
  15. [R54] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US SCAM - Avoid using this app: My experience with this app has been really disappointing. I used it three times on two different operators and the amount advertised is not the amount that you receive when you top up your phone. You end up getting only half of the amount advertised. They also charged me twice. I sent an email and received a bot reply. Don’t waste your money.
  16. [R16] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Made a account: I made a an account and I sent money and now I can’t log in it says it’s wrong…I received an email but then it logged me out and I can’t get back in. If I can’t get back on in the morning I will notify my bank that it is fraud!!!!
  17. [R32] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Not responding: Customer service is not responding to email and there is number to contact them.
  18. [R38] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US No recomendable: Me cobraron el envio de la rechaga y no se envio nada, traté de contactar a servicio al cliente y no responden
  19. [R48] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US I need my money back: My card was billed and I didn’t get any top up! I text and no reply! INEED MY MONEY BACK! I NEED MY BLOODCLAAAT MONEY BACK!!
  20. [R50] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Give me my money back! These people are scammers: Listen here! Now I have to be on the phone disputing with my bank. They placed the credit I sent on pending for about 2 whole hours and never sent the credit. I got a notification from my bank saying the charge went through. When I returned to the app it shows “no successful recharges” and my brother never received the credit. So where did my money
  21. [R85] Rebtel 1/5 · US Charging for just ringing: This app charges a min per ringtone!
  22. [R104] Rebtel 2/5 · US Charges for nothing: I lost more than 30 minutes of my credits to unsuccessful calls that ended up charging me a minute or two. This is the worse.
  23. [R19] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US r: when I start sending recharge like 2/3 times was successfully receive it then start saying you’re recharge is failed when it’s saying failed. They’re still take money from my account and my family members did not received a recharge. This has to be fixed it. know I can’t send it. Keep saying failed failed..
  24. [R34] MobileRecharge 1/5 · US Beware of Scammers: Beware of this app! They have stolen my money after recharging my phone and showing no results or top off for 15 days for 15gig. Lost money from these scammer so beware! I have removed all cards on file and deleted this scammer cheating app!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store