Comparison
KeyUp vs Zello: an honest comparison.
Zello is the best-known push-to-talk app. KeyUp is new and built around the watch. Here is how they differ, with sources for every Zello fact.
Zello facts last checked . Sources link to Zello’s own pages.
| Topic | KeyUp | Zello |
|---|---|---|
| Price for a crew of 15 | Crew 15: $39.99 a month for the whole crew (about $2.67 per person). Free during the beta. | Zello Work Core: $8.00 per user per month, or $6.80 billed annually. For 15 users: $120.00 a month, or $102.00 billed annually. source |
| Free option | Free for up to 3 people, including work use. | Zello Friends & Family is free, for non-commercial use only. Zello Work has a 14-day free trial. source 1source 2source 3 |
| Smartwatch | Standalone Wear OS app: turn the crown or raise your wrist to talk, even with the screen off; works without the phone over Wi-Fi or LTE. Tested on Pixel Watch 3. | Zello does not list a Wear OS or Apple Watch app on its website or app store pages. source 1source 2source 3 |
| iPhone | Works in Safari today, no install. A native iPhone app is planned after the beta. | Native iPhone and iPad app. source |
| Computer | Web app and a dispatch console in any browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook). | Dispatch Hub desktop app for Windows 10+ and macOS 12+, plus a web-based admin console. source 1source 2 |
| Two-way radios | Radio Bridge (beta): software on a small computer with a USB audio interface links one room to one radio. Free during the beta, then $25 a month. Not yet tested with real radio hardware. Talking to the radio needs a valid FCC business radio license; listen-only works with any radio. | Zello Bridge (Windows, 64-bit) with third-party radio gateways, plus gateways with Zello built in. Zello does not sell the gateways. source |
| Transcripts and AI | Transcripts on Crew plans and up (20 hours a month on Crew 15). AI assistant on every plan with your own AI key. | Transcription, translation, AI summaries and an AI assistant on the Plus plan ($15 per user per month). source 1source 2 |
| Encryption | Rooms, messages and regular calls encrypted in transit. Private 1-to-1 calls (beta) are end-to-end encrypted. | Zello Work: 256-bit AES audio and TLS; 1-to-1 messages end-to-end encrypted unless Message Vault is on. source |
| History | Room history kept 7 days (Free), 30 days (Family), 90 days (Crew). Rewind is optional and per person. | Message Vault archive for up to two years on Zello Work. source |
| Without internet | Needs Wi-Fi or mobile data. | Needs Wi-Fi or mobile data. source |
| Track record | New, in beta. | 100M+ Google Play downloads; SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and HIPAA listed in its Trust Center. source 1source 2 |
Where Zello is stronger
- A long track record at large scale, with big-name customers.
- Security certifications (SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) for buyers who require them.
- A native iPhone app and a native desktop dispatch app.
- Radio gateways tested with named hardware, some with Zello built in.
- Enterprise tools: single sign-on, device management, on-premise servers, 24/7 support, SDK and API.
- Very large channels and more AI features on its Plus plan.
When KeyUp may fit better
- Your crew talks from Wear OS watches, hands-free, with the screen off.
- You want one flat price for the whole crew instead of paying per user.
- People join from any browser, including iPhone in Safari and a dispatch console, without installing anything.
- A small team that wants free use for up to 3 people, work included.
Try KeyUp without installing anything.
Run a shift in your browser, or join the beta for Android and Wear OS. Free during the beta.
Zello is a trademark of its owner. KeyUp is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Zello. Zello facts come from Zello’s own website, help center and app store pages, checked October 3, 2026; they can change, so check Zello’s site for current details. Found something out of date? Email [email protected] and we’ll fix it.