I love this app! It’s intuitive, fast, and makes managing contacts a breeze. Automatic sync, grouping, and quick search make it really practical. Highly recommended for anyone wanting an efficient, user-friendly contacts app.
Keep your contacts where they are and get what Apple Contacts never had: dated notes, reminders, gift ideas and tags.
1/5
AppStore Rating
APPLE CONTACTS ALTERNATIVE · OCTOBER 2026
The Best Alternative to Apple Contacts on iPhone
The best alternative to Apple Contacts on iPhone is Starrise Contacts. It works directly on the contacts you already have, so there is nothing to import and no account to create, and it adds what Apple Contacts is missing: dated notes, birthday and anniversary reminders, gift ideas, tags and reminders to keep in touch. The core features are free, on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Updated October 2026
Starrise Contacts at a glance
| What it is | A contacts app and personal CRM for iPhone, iPad and Mac |
|---|---|
| Works with | The contacts already on your device: iCloud, Google, Exchange and Outlook accounts |
| Account | None. Your contacts are never sent to us |
| Free features | Dated notes, birthday and anniversary reminders, gift ideas, tags and lists, a map of your contacts, widgets, Siri and Shortcuts |
| Pro features | Keep in Touch reminders, to-dos, Moments from notes, name days, business card scanner, AI note summaries and iCloud Sync through your own iCloud account |
| Price | Free to download; Pro $0.99 per month or $5.99 per year (US) |
| Made by | Coinlex, an independent developer in Germany |
WHAT APPLE CONTACTS IS MISSING
Everything Apple Contacts Never Gave You
HOW TO SWITCH
Switch from Apple Contacts in a Minute
1. Download Starrise Contacts
Get it free from the App Store and allow access to your contacts.
2. That’s It
Your iCloud, Google and Exchange contacts appear right away, and every change syncs back to them, so Apple Contacts stays up to date too.
3. Move It to Your Dock
Put it where Apple Contacts or the Phone app was, and add a widget for your favorites or upcoming birthdays.
Apple Contacts vs the alternatives
| App | Uses your iPhone address book | Account | Where your data lives | Notes and reminders | Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starrise Contacts | Yes, directly | None | On your device and in your own accounts | Dated notes, birthday and keep-in-touch reminders, gift ideas | Free; Pro $0.99/month or $5.99/year |
| Cardhop | Yes, directly | Flexibits account for Premium | In your own accounts | Notes and birthday notifications | Free basics; Premium $6.99/month or $56.99/year |
| Covve | Own app with card export | Covve sign-in | In Covve’s app | Notes and follow-up reminders | Free download; PRO from $4.99/month |
| Dex | Own database; sync via CardDAV (beta) | Required | Dex’s cloud | Notes, keep-in-touch and birthday reminders | No free plan; from $12/month billed yearly |
| Mesh | Own database; imports your address book | Required | Mesh’s cloud | Reminders to reconnect | Free up to 1,000 contacts; Pro $10/month |
| Apple Contacts | It is the address book | Your Apple Account | iCloud, Google or Exchange | One notes field; birthdays in Calendar | Free, built in |
We make Starrise Contacts. Facts about other apps are from the makers’ own websites and App Store listings, checked in October 2026 (US prices). More in the best contacts apps for iPhone and Apple Contacts vs Starrise Contacts.
Sources, checked in October 2026: flexibits.com/pricing · Cardhop on the App Store · covve.com · Covve on the App Store · getdex.com/pricing · Dex docs: two-way sync · me.sh/pricing · me.sh: Clay is now Mesh · Apple: Edit contacts on iPhone
CONTACTS APP FEATURES
Why Choose Starrise as Your Contacts App?
Notes
Starrise starts with great notes. Add multiple timestamped notes to any contact so you always remember the details that matter in every relationship.
Birthday Reminders
Never forget a birthday again. You can set birthday reminders for your contacts and even choose the exact time you’d like to get notified, so you always reach out right on time.
Custom Sorting
Organize your CRM your way. Sort contacts by last created, last opened, first name, last name, city, age, and many more options to keep your relationships organized.
Get Starrise Contacts on the AppStore
Start managing your personal relationships like a pro. Get the best contacts app for iPhone today.
Archive & Favorite
Got old phone numbers or emails you don’t need every day? Simply archive and hide them while favoriting the main one, so you always know the right contact detail to use.
Map
Explore your contacts’ addresses on an interactive map. See who lives nearby or instantly open your preferred maps app to get directions and plan a visit.
Quick Action Buttons
Follow up with one tap. Starrise lets you set your preferred app — WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Instagram — or actions like creating events, all just one tap away.
YOUR COMPLETE CONTACTS APP
Everything the Best Contacts App Should Have…
CONTACTS APP PRO
Go Pro — The Ultimate Contacts App
Moments from Notes
Starrise works for you even when you're not looking. Notes quietly recognize upcoming moments like birthdays, meetups, and plans you've mentioned. When the day arrives, your iPhone reminds you with a gentle notification, so you follow up at exactly the right moment. Automatic relationship management, running in the background.
Business Card Scanner
Grow your contacts effortlessly. The Business Card Scanner captures details with remarkable accuracy, turning each card into a beautifully structured contact. Simply point your camera, tap to confirm, and the new relationship is ready to manage.
AI Notes Summary
Catch up on any relationship in seconds. AI Note Summary turns your long CRM notes into clear, concise summaries — highlighting what matters most about each contact. It keeps the context, removes the noise, and makes every conversation easier to pick up.
iCloud Sync
Starrise stays in sync everywhere. Contacts, notes, gift ideas, and files are perfectly up to date across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Everything you add or change is available instantly on all your devices. Seamless CRM continuity, wherever you are.
Voice Add
Just say it. Starrise Contacts takes care of the rest. Add contacts using your voice. Simply speak details like a name or phone number, and the app transcribes your words and places everything in the right fields automatically. No typing, no corrections. It’s a faster, more natural way to capture contact details the moment you get them.
Keep in Touch Reminders
Decide how often you want to catch up with someone: every week, every month, twice a year, or any rhythm you like. Starrise counts from the last time you were in touch and reminds you when it’s time.
REVIEWS
Our users speak for Starrise Contacts
Super intuitive contacts app that immediately convinces with easy handling, clear design, and practical functions!
Starrise Contacts has replaced the iPhone system app for me. Very intuitive with many customization options. I’m looking forward to future updates!
Started using the notes and birthday features and it’s super convenient!
The app has completely changed how I manage my contacts. Very clear and intuitive to use. The notes feature is perfect for keeping track of everything. In addition, you get quick responses from support and the app is constantly being further developed. Absolutely recommended!
I love tracking my contacts and there are no better options out there. This is a lot better also than the more expensive options. Also great customer support as they add requested features quickly.
Really cool to use, super intuitive and practical!
I can absolutely recommend the Contacts app! It is very clearly designed and I have quick access to important information and notes about friends and acquaintances.
Very nice app. The ability to define direct communication methods for individual contacts helps a lot.
This app is perfect. The UI is very clean, pretty and full of function I need. Very pleasure if the development have add syncecontact on app. Redcomment to all people need new app for management contacts
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Starrise Contacts is the best alternative to Apple Contacts for most people: it works directly on your existing contacts with no account, and adds dated notes, birthday reminders, gift ideas, tags and keep-in-touch reminders.
No. Starrise Contacts reads and edits the same contacts as Apple Contacts, in your iCloud, Google or Exchange accounts. You can keep using both apps side by side, and deleting Starrise Contacts leaves your contacts untouched.
You can use Starrise Contacts for everything you do in Apple Contacts: calling, messaging, editing and searching. Put it on your Home Screen or Dock, and add its widgets for quick access.
Yes. Starrise Contacts is free to download, and its core features, including notes, birthday reminders, gift ideas, tags and the map, are free. An optional Pro subscription adds Keep in Touch reminders, to-dos, a business card scanner and iCloud Sync.
Yes. Starrise Contacts is a native Mac app as well, so it can also replace the Contacts app on your Mac. More: Starrise Contacts for Mac.
PRICING
Our Transparent Pricing
Standard
Free
on the App Store
- All Basic Features, excl. Pro
- iPhone, iPad & Mac: one app, every device
- No subscription needed
- Upgrade to Pro anytime
Pro
$0.99
per month
or $5.99 per year
- All Basic Features
- Keep in Touch Reminders
- iCloud Sync
- Moments from Notes
- To-dos with Reminders
- AI Note Summary
- Name Days
- Restore Deleted Contacts
- Business Card Scanner
- Voice Add
One Pro subscription unlocks Pro on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Prices in the US App Store.
