# SMS Arrow vs Messages

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SMS Arrow at none against Messages's 3. SMS Arrow also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Messages's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 74 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Messages sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SMS Arrow asks for nothing beyond the download.

SMS Arrow ships an update every 74 months, Messages daily. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMS Arrow | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (428 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **428** |
| Positive reviews | — | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 74 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Essentially Precise](https://appshunter.io/developer/1228034013) | [Kailashben Radadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1753646507) |

## What reviewers say

### SMS Arrow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-arrow/id1228034014)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591)

This communication platform streamlines your messaging and calling experience. It offers instant messaging, group chats, media sharing, and direct calling. Manage multiple accounts, set reminders from conversations, and organize all your messages in a unified inbox.

**Highlights:** Dual app accounts, Instant messaging and media sharing, End-to-end message encryption, Reminders from conversations, Voice and video calls, Unified message inbox, Spam protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SMS Arrow free?

SMS Arrow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Messages free?

Messages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do SMS Arrow or Messages have ads?

Messages shows ads; SMS Arrow does not.

### Which is updated more often, SMS Arrow or Messages?

SMS Arrow ships an update every 74 months, and Messages daily. Most recently, SMS Arrow was updated on October 26, 2026 and Messages on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*