If you’ve been trying to send a message to someone in jail or prison, you’ve probably run into Securus. Maybe you downloaded the app, created an account, added money—only to find the message didn’t go through, or it cost more than you expected. You’re not alone. Many families feel stuck, wondering if there’s a better way to stay in touch without the frustration. There is. Here are the real alternatives to Securus, and one that might surprise you.
Why Securus frustrates families
Securus dominates the inmate communication market, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to use. Families regularly deal with confusing pricing, transaction fees, and messages that get rejected without clear reasons. The system is designed around contracts with facilities, not around making things simple for you. If you’ve ever spent twenty minutes on hold only to be told “check with the facility,” you know what I mean.
The core problem is that Securus locks you into a platform where you have little control. You pay per message, per photo, per minute—and sometimes for a “connection fee” on top of that. For a family trying to send a few messages a week, the cost adds up fast.
What to look for in a Securus alternative
Before I list specific options, it helps to know what actually matters when choosing a service. You want something that:
- Works with your facility (not all services are available everywhere)
- Has clear, upfront pricing
- Lets you send messages, photos, and maybe more without nickel-and-diming you
- Is easy to set up and use from your phone or computer
Also, many families want a service where the inmate can respond without extra fees. That’s a big one.
Direct facility messaging portals
Some jails and prisons have their own messaging systems that aren’t Securus. These are often provided by companies like GTL (now ViaPath) or Telmate. If your loved one’s facility uses one of these, you’ll need to sign up for that specific system. The advantage is that it’s the official channel—your messages will go through. The downside is that these systems often have the same high fees and clunky interfaces as Securus. It’s a lateral move, not a real upgrade.
Independent inmate messaging services
A growing number of companies offer messaging that bypasses the traditional phone/tablet monopoly. These services usually work by sending messages to a tablet or kiosk inside the facility, or by printing and delivering physical mail. Some, like InmateDB, let you send messages, photos, and letters entirely online. The inmate can respond using a tablet or kiosk, and you don’t have to deal with per-message fees or confusing add-ons.
InmateDB, for example, gives inmates access to AI chat, email, Wikipedia, dictionary, news, sports, lessons, trivia, and a private journal. You pay a flat monthly rate of $19.99 with a 5-day free trial. That’s one price for unlimited messaging and a bunch of extra tools. Compare that to Securus, where a single photo might cost you $0.25 to send and another fee for the inmate to view it.
Tablet-based alternatives
Many facilities now provide inmates with tablets that have their own messaging apps. These are often branded by the facility or the vendor (Securus, GTL, etc.). Tablets are convenient because the inmate can message you directly from their bunk. But again, the pricing is set by the vendor, and it’s rarely cheap. If you’re looking for a tablet-based option, check with the facility first to see which provider they use and what the rates are.
Old-fashioned mail still works
It sounds obvious, but many families forget that postal mail is still an option. It’s slow, and you can’t send photos as easily, but it’s free (except for stamps) and reliable. Some facilities scan incoming mail and deliver it digitally to the inmate’s tablet, which speeds things up. If you’re really stuck with Securus and nothing else works, a letter might be your best bet until you find a better service.
A straightforward alternative: InmateDB
After looking at all the options, I keep coming back to InmateDB as the cleanest solution for families who want to avoid the Securus runaround. It’s a web-based service, so you don’t need to install an app. You create an account, choose a plan, and start sending messages, photos, and letters. The inmate can text U.S. and Canada phone numbers from their account. The flat monthly fee means you know exactly what you’re paying, and the 5-day free trial lets you test it before committing.
It’s not available at every facility, so you’ll want to check their website to see if your loved one’s facility is supported. But if it is, it’s a far simpler experience than fighting with Securus.
Bottom line: Don’t settle for a bad system
You don’t have to accept endless fees and confusing rules just to send a message to someone you care about. Look into the specific options available at your facility, and if they’re all bad, consider a service like InmateDB that puts the control back in your hands. A 5-day free trial is worth the time if it saves you months of frustration.