Comparison 
4.7 ★ from 136+ ratings · 100K+ users
Delete Contacts vs Contact Cleanup
Veteran contact-merger app, has been on the App Store for ~12 years. Here's an honest side-by-side — what they're good at, where we differ, and when to pick which.
4.7 ★ from 136+ ratings · 100K+ users Feature comparison
| Feature | Delete Contacts | Contact Cleanup |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe-to-delete card interface | ✓ | — |
| On-device processing only | ✓ | Partial — some cloud features |
| Duplicate scanner with cross-account merge | ✓ | ✓ |
| 30-day on-device trash | ✓ | — |
| Export to CSV / Excel / vCard | ✓ | vCard only |
| App Store rating | 4.7 ★ / 136 ratings | Varies — older app, mixed reviews |
| 27 language localizations | ✓ | — |
| iOS 17+ native stack | ✓ | — |
| One-time lifetime option | ✓ | — |
Where Contact Cleanup shines
- ✓ Long market presence — well-known name
- ✓ Free tier covers basic duplicate detection
- ✓ Familiar UI for users who've used it for years
Best for: Users who already trust the brand from years of use and don't need a modern UX.
Where we go further
- → UI design hasn't been refreshed for modern iOS — feels dated
- → Not specifically built for iOS 17+ stack
- → Card-based swipe UX absent — uses checkbox lists
- → Cloud upload is on by default in some setups
FAQ
Delete Contacts vs Contact Cleanup — FAQ
How is Delete Contacts different from Contact Cleanup?
Both find and merge duplicates. Delete Contacts adds a Tinder-style swipe interface for bulk-cleaning your address book one card at a time, plus a 30-day on-device trash, CSV/Excel export (not just vCard), and a modern iOS 17+ native UI. Contact Cleanup has the longer market presence; Delete Contacts has the more modern stack.
Can I use both apps?
Technically yes — they both operate on the same iOS Contacts framework. Practically, pick one to avoid confusion about which trash holds what.
Is Delete Contacts cheaper than Contact Cleanup?
Both are paid apps. Delete Contacts offers a one-time lifetime unlock ($12.99) alongside subscriptions, which Contact Cleanup typically doesn't. For long-term use, the lifetime option is often the better deal.
Ready to feel proud of your contact list?
Join iPhone owners around the world who manage hundreds of contacts with the most intuitive, gesture-first cleanup tool.
Requires iOS 17 • 13.5 MB download We respect Contact Cleanup — they were here first and serve many happy users. This comparison is meant to help you decide, not to dismiss them. See Contact Cleanup on the App Store →