Dex is a powerful networking CRM in the cloud. If you would rather keep your relationships on your own devices, without an account or a monthly bill of $12 or more, Starrise Contacts takes a different approach.
Updated October 2026
Two different approaches
Dex is a cloud service. You create an account, connect LinkedIn, Gmail or Outlook, your calendar and messaging apps, and Dex builds a database of your network on its servers.
Starrise Contacts is an app on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. It works on the address book you already have, needs no account, and your contacts never leave your device. With Pro, your notes and reminders sync through your own iCloud account. More on this in private personal CRM.
Side by side
| Starrise Contacts | Dex | |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Not needed | Required |
| Where your data lives | Your device and your own iCloud | Dex’s cloud |
| Works on your iPhone address book | Yes, directly | Two-way sync via CardDAV (beta) |
| Keep-in-touch reminders | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Birthday reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Notes per contact | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free; Pro $0.99/month or $5.99/year | From $12/month billed yearly; no free plan |
Dex facts from getdex.com and its App Store listing on 11 October 2026; US prices. In the App Store, Dex Premium is listed at $19.99 per month or $143.99 per year.
Starrise Contacts is the better fit if…
- you don’t want your contacts on another company’s servers,
- you want one app for your whole address book, not a second database next to it,
- you want notes, birthday reminders, gift ideas, to-dos and Keep in Touch reminders for friends and family as much as for work,
- you use iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Sources
Facts about other apps were checked on 11 October 2026 on the pages below.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Dex alternative without an account?
Yes. Starrise Contacts needs no account and works on the contacts already on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Your contacts never leave your device, and with Pro your notes sync through your own iCloud account.
Does Starrise Contacts work with my Google and Exchange contacts?
Yes. Starrise Contacts works with your whole address book, including iCloud, Google and Exchange contacts, so there is nothing to import and nothing to keep in sync by hand.
Is there a free Dex alternative?
Starrise Contacts is free to download, and notes, birthday reminders, gift ideas and the map are free. Keep in Touch reminders are part of Starrise Contacts Pro, which costs $0.99 per month or $5.99 per year in the US.
GET STARRISE CONTACTS
Try Starrise Contacts for free
Starrise Contacts works on the contacts already on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. No account, nothing to import. Free to download, with an optional Pro subscription.
Free on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Pro costs $0.99 per month or $5.99 per year in the US.