SMS Import / Export vs Welefon
Side-by-side comparison of two open source alternatives
SMS Import / Export
SMS Import / Export imports and exports SMS and MMS messages, call logs, contacts, and blocked numbers from and to (ND)JSON / ZIP files. (Contacts import and export are currently functional but considered experimental.) It does not require root. The primary author of SMS Import / Export is Thomas More. Others have contributed code and translations. The software is copyright 2021-2025, and is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. SMS Import / Export is a sibling project to sms-db, a Linux tool to build an SQLite database out of collections of SMS and MMS messages in various formats. sms-db will hopefully eventually be able to import ZIP files created by SMS Import / Export, and to export its database to ZIP files that can be imported by SMS Import / Export.
Welefon
Welefon is a Phone App that is simple and modern at the same time. You can dial numbers and receive calls. It does not do anything you do not need, e.g. provide a contact list that your system contact App alrady contains. The special feature of Welefon is an API that allows a seamlessly integration of other apps in your phone experience. The Welefon source code contains an example App that uses the API in the folder apidemoapp. Using this API, other Apps can receive details about the current calls. Like the deprecated PhoneStateListener of Android, this contains the phone number. In contrast to the PhoneStateListener, you do not need to fear the removal of the API. Additionally, Welefon includes details of calls in the background, e.g. calls that are in the state "hold". Welefon can receive additional caller details from other Apps. This can be a caller name, a caller details action and a RemoteView. The received caller name is shown as you expect it, completly independent of the system contact list. If a detail action is provided, then you can tap on the name to jump directly to the right place in the other App. The RemoteViews are the method that allows Widgets on your homescreen. The same method can be used to show additional details and controls in the call screen. This allows showing any extra details. Of course this is safe and secure: The Welefon API can only be used with your permission.
| Feature | SMS Import / Export | Welefon |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later | GPL-3.0-only |
| Install sources | F-DroidGitHubIzzyOnDroid | F-Droid |
| Categories | ProductivitySMSMessaging | ProductivitySMSMessaging |
| Features | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking |
| Platforms | Android | Android |
| Website | ||
| Source code |