Pigeonly
Pigeonly: What It Is, How It Works, Prices and Free Plan Explained
- 50+
- States Covered
- 3,000+
- Facilities Supported
- 3 of 5
- Services Offered
- Yes
- Mobile App Available
Pigeonly Inmate Communication Overview
What is Pigeonly and how does it work? Pigeonly is a print-and-mail service for families of incarcerated people. You type your message and upload photos through pigeonly.com or the Pigeonly app. Pigeonly prints your message on physical paper and mails it to the facility on your behalf. Because Pigeonly delivers as standard postal mail it works at any facility that accepts incoming mail including federal prisons, state prisons, and county jails. Pigeonly has sent over 15 million photos and letters and maintains current facility compliance rules for over 4,000 facilities.
How much does Pigeonly cost and what is the Forever Free Plan? Pigeonly offers a Forever Free Plan that allows a limited number of monthly letters and photos at no charge. This makes Pigeonly one of the only print-and-mail services with a free option. Paid plans offer unlimited correspondence and additional features. Visit pigeonly.com for current plan pricing. Pigeonly recommends sending no more than five photos per envelope unless the specific facility allows more. Photo and content rules are shown at upload based on facility-specific compliance data.
What is Pigeonly used for? Pigeonly is used for sending letters and color photos to inmates at facilities without electronic messaging contracts, sending photos to facilities where JPay or other digital platforms only print in black and white, and sending correspondence without per-message stamp costs. Pigeonly also offers additional services at some plans including inmate search, phone account management, and facility rule lookups. The Pigeonly app for iOS and Android handles all services from your smartphone.
How does Pigeonly compare to TextBehind? Pigeonly and TextBehind both convert digital messages to physical printed letters. Pigeonly has a Forever Free Plan with limited monthly letters at no cost while TextBehind charges approximately $0.49 per page with no subscription. Pigeonly maintains facility-specific compliance rules for over 4,000 facilities and shows restrictions at upload which reduces mail rejection rates. Both services work at any facility that accepts postal mail. Pigeonly is generally better for families who send letters regularly. TextBehind is simpler for occasional use.
Pigeonly Services
Communication services offered by Pigeonly and what each one includes.
Messaging
Compose messages through the Pigeonly app that are printed as physical letters and mailed to the inmate.
Included in subscription plan. Physical delivery via postal mail, typically 3 to 7 days. Works at virtually all facilities that accept standard mail.
Set Up MessagingVideo Calls
Pigeonly does not offer video visitation services.
For video visits, use GettingOut, ConnectNetwork, or Securus depending on the facility.
Photo Sharing
Upload photos through the Pigeonly app that are printed and mailed as physical photo prints.
Included in subscription plan. Printed on photo-quality paper. Must comply with facility content guidelines.
Set Up Photo SharingPhone Calls
Low-cost calling plans that help reduce the per-minute cost of inmate phone calls.
Pigeonly's calling service works alongside the facility's phone system. Rates and availability vary by state.
Set Up Phone CallsMoney Transfer
Pigeonly does not handle commissary deposits or money transfers.
For money transfers, use JPay, ConnectNetwork, or the facility's contracted money provider.
Pigeonly Coverage
Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.
Facility Types
Geographic Coverage
All 50 states, physical mail service works at any mail-accepting facility
Coverage Notes
Pigeonly's letter and photo services work at virtually any facility that accepts standard postal mail. Phone service coverage is more limited and varies by state. Families should verify phone plan availability for their specific state.
Facilities Served by Pigeonly
Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.
Pigeonly Pricing Overview
Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.
Pigeonly Fee Schedule
- Monthly Subscription
- Includes letters and photos per month. Higher tiers available.
- ~$9.99/month
- Printed Letter
- In subscription. Additional letters at per-letter rate.
- Included
- Photo Print
- In subscription. Additional photos at per-photo rate.
- Included
- Phone Calling
- Prepay plan, rates vary by state. Lower than standard facility rates.
- Varies
Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the Pigeonly website before use.
Pigeonly — Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of Pigeonly.
Strengths
- Physical letter delivery works at virtually all 3,000+ facilities regardless of digital infrastructure.
- Subscription model makes costs predictable for families who write regularly.
- Phone plans can significantly reduce per-minute calling costs.
- Works at federal facilities where digital messaging options are very limited.
- Family-friendly company with a community-focused mission.
Limitations
- Physical mail delivery is slower than digital messaging, typically 3 to 7 days.
- No video visitation or money transfer services.
- Phone service availability is limited by state and not available everywhere.
- Subscription cost applies even in months with reduced communication.
- Not a real-time communication option. It should not be used as the sole communication method.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pigeonly
Common questions from families about using Pigeonly.
- What is Pigeonly?
- Pigeonly is a print-and-mail service that converts digital messages and photos into physical printed letters delivered to inmates. You type your message and upload photos through pigeonly.com or the Pigeonly app, and Pigeonly prints and mails the letter to the facility on your behalf. Pigeonly has sent over 15 million photos and letters and works at any facility that accepts standard mail.
- How does Pigeonly work?
- Create an account at pigeonly.com or on the Pigeonly app for iOS or Android. Search for the facility and add the inmate. Type your message and upload photos. Select your plan and submit your order. Pigeonly prints your message and mails it to the facility. Delivery typically takes three to seven business days. Pigeonly shows facility-specific photo and content rules at upload to reduce rejection rates.
- How much does Pigeonly cost?
- Pigeonly offers a Forever Free Plan that allows a limited number of monthly letters and photos at no charge. Paid plans offer unlimited correspondence and additional features. Visit pigeonly.com for current plan pricing as rates may change. Pigeonly is generally more cost-effective than per-stamp electronic messaging for families who send letters regularly.
- What is the Pigeonly Forever Free Plan?
- The Forever Free Plan is Pigeonly's no-cost tier that allows a limited number of monthly letters and photos at no charge. It is one of the only free options for sending inmate mail. The free plan has monthly limits on the number of letters and photos. For unlimited correspondence, upgrade to a paid Pigeonly plan. Visit pigeonly.com to see the current free plan limits and paid plan options.
- Does Pigeonly have an app?
- Yes. The Pigeonly app is available for iOS and Android. Search for Pigeonly in the App Store or Google Play. The app allows you to type messages, upload photos, manage your plan, and track orders from your smartphone. All features available on pigeonly.com are accessible through the app.
- What is Pigeonly used for?
- Pigeonly is used for sending letters and color photos to inmates at facilities without JPay or electronic messaging contracts, sending photos to facilities where digital platforms print only in black and white, and sending correspondence without per-stamp costs. Pigeonly works at any facility that accepts standard postal mail including federal prisons, state prisons, and county jails.
- Does Pigeonly work at federal prisons?
- Yes. Pigeonly works at federal Bureau of Prisons facilities because it delivers as standard postal mail. CorrLinks is the only electronic messaging platform for federal prisons but CorrLinks does not support photo attachments. Pigeonly is the main option for sending photos to federal prison inmates since it prints and mails physical copies.
- How many photos can I send through Pigeonly?
- Pigeonly recommends sending no more than five photos per envelope unless the specific facility allows more. The photo limit varies by facility. Pigeonly shows facility-specific photo and content rules at upload before you submit your order. This helps avoid mail rejection due to exceeding the facility's photo limits.
- What is Pigeonly customer service?
- Pigeonly customer service is available through pigeonly.com. Contact them if a letter was not delivered or if there are billing or account issues. Include your order confirmation number when contacting support. Pigeonly also has a help center on their website with answers to common questions about plans, delivery, and facility rules.
- What is the difference between Pigeonly and TextBehind?
- Pigeonly has a Forever Free Plan with limited monthly letters at no cost while TextBehind charges approximately $0.49 per page with no subscription. Pigeonly maintains facility-specific compliance rules for over 4,000 facilities and shows restrictions at upload. TextBehind is simpler for occasional use. Both work at any facility that accepts postal mail. Pigeonly is generally better for families who send letters regularly.
Compare Pigeonly With Other Providers
See how this provider stacks up against the alternatives.
Related Providers
Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.
TextBehind
25+ states
TextBehind: What It Is, How It Works and How to Send Letters to Any Inmate
View GuideSmartInmate
20+ states
SmartInmate by Smart Communications: What It Is and How to Set Up Video Visits and Messaging
View GuideJPay
35+ states
JPay: What It Is, How Stamps Work and How to Send Money to State Prison Inmates
View GuideGet Started with Pigeonly
Visit the official Pigeonly website to create your account, or browse supported facilities and compare alternatives to find the best option for your family.