Comparison

Potatso vs SMS Virtual

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Potatso

This powerful network tool enhances your mobile experience by creating a clean network environment. It supports various proxy protocols and offers smart routing rules to optimize data usage and speed, making it suitable for both new and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Supports Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, Socks, HTTP(s) proxy
  • Seamless background operation
  • Works on cellular data and Wi-Fi
  • Custom DNS support
  • Smart routing rules for Chinese users
  • QR code, URI, and manual input for proxies
Features
Read full description

Potatso is a Mihomo (Clash) compatible network proxy tool for iPhone and iPad. Import your servers or subscriptions, choose how your traffic is routed, and keep an eye on your connections. == Multiple Proxy Protocols == Manage servers using Shadowsocks, ShadowsocksR, HTTP(S), SOCKS5 (including TLS), VLESS (including Reality), VMess, Trojan, Hysteria2, AnyTLS, and Snell. == Imports and Subscriptions == Import through links, files, or QR codes, or add servers manually. Bring in supported servers, policy groups, rules, and DNS settings from Clash/Mihomo, V2Ray/Xray, and Surge configurations. Check the import preview for compatibility details. Keep subscriptions and remote resources up to date with automatic updates, while retaining your local changes to subscribed configurations. == Flexible Routing == Switch between Rule, Global, and Direct modes. Select nodes manually or let policy groups choose automatically. Add custom rules, install community rule sets, and manage GeoIP/GeoSite data to route traffic to suit your setup. == Live Connection Details == See upload and download speeds, traffic charts, and active connections, including their matched rules and proxy chains. == Custom DNS == Configure DNS servers and domain-based resolution policies, with support for DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS. == Widgets and Quick Controls == Check connection status, control your connection, and switch between available nodes from Home Screen widgets. On iOS 18 and later, use the Control Center connection toggle. == Potatso Pro == Pro lets you create multiple profiles, run node latency tests, and remove ads. Choose a monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Prices are shown in the app. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and renewal is charged within 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. == Before You Connect == Potatso does not provide proxy servers. Use your own servers or an existing proxy subscription. == Privacy Policy == https://www.potatso.com/docs/privacy == Terms of Use == https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ == Feedback and Support == hi@potatso.com

About

SMS Virtual

Get disposable virtual phone numbers to receive SMS messages online. Ideal for account verification and protecting your privacy without needing a physical SIM card. Enjoy transparent pricing and a simple process for temporary number use.

Highlights
  • Disposable virtual numbers
  • Receive SMS online
  • Account verification
  • Privacy protection
  • Transparent pricing
  • Temporary number use
Features
Read full description

We provide virtual numbers for receiving SMS messages. Online security and Privacy with our virtual number service. Ideal for quick and effortless SMS reception, our platform is your go-to solution for creating accounts on various services and applications. Experience the convenience of a disposable second number. Key Features: - Access to Disposable Numbers: Obtain a secondary number in seconds for all your online needs. - SMS Reception: Conveniently receive SMS online, bypassing the need for physical SIM cards. - Account Verification: Easily verify accounts on different platforms without using your real phone number. - Privacy Protection: Safeguard your actual phone number from unnecessary exposure. - Transparent and Fair Pricing: Experience our clear and reasonable pricing policy with no hidden costs. Simple Usage Process: 1) Select Service: Choose the country and specify the service you need from our list. For unlisted services, opt for the "any other" category. 2) Activation and Pricing: View the activation cost after selecting your country and service. If your balance is low, simply add credits. 3) Number Utilization: Copy the provided number and use it on your chosen service, website, or app. 4) SMS Reception: Receive the SMS directly in the app, typically within a 20-minute window. If no SMS is received before the number expires, you won't be charged. Note: The duration for using a one-time number is capped at 20 minutes. Enhance your online interactions with our user-friendly app, designed for seamless SMS reception, account activation, and privacy maintenance. Ideal for those seeking a temporary, secondary number for texting, account registration, or other online activities. The time of using a one-time number is limited to 20 minutes. Terms of Use: https://app.smsvirtual.org/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Potatso4 screens
SMS Virtual4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SMS Virtual at none against Potatso's shown. SMS Virtual also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 58%) and chart position (#161 vs unranked). Potatso's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Potatso sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and SMS Virtual sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SMS Virtual holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.2K and 30K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Potatso's written reviews are positive against 90% of SMS Virtual's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Potatso ships an update every 5 days, SMS Virtual monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Potatso versus SMS Virtual: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPotatsoSMS Virtual
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (6.2K ratings)4.6 (30K ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.2% of reviews89.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.2K30K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#161 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB59 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperPotatso Lab LTDTecrow LLP

Customer experience

Potatso

All ratings6,212 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral3.6%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews498 reviews
Positive58.2%
Neutral9.0%
Negative32.7%

SMS Virtual

All ratings29,594 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews7,635 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative7.0%

User reviews

Potatso

From 6.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient and stable
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure connection
  • 💰 Free to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional disconnections
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues with iOS 15
  • 📈 Lacks speed/latency testing
  • 🗑️ Difficult to delete proxies

SMS Virtual

From 30K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable and consistent
  • 💰 Very affordable
  • 🚀 Fast SMS delivery
  • 🔒 Maintains privacy
  • 🔥 Excellent customer support

Room to improve

  • ⏱️ Time limits on phone numbers
  • 🔢 Limited number of SMS per number
  • 🚫 Some numbers not compatible with certain services
  • 📵 Occasional issues with number availability

Bugs and requests

Potatso

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Subscription links not working
  • Smart routing mode causing issues
  • Frequent disconnections on cellular network

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for V2Ray protocol
  • Implement a 'delete all proxies' feature
  • Introduce a speed/latency test option
  • Provide macOS version

SMS Virtual

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Numbers sometimes already registered
  • Activation credits not always received

Requested features

3 requests
  • Expand number selection for more services
  • Increase number of SMS per number
  • Extend time limits on phone numbers

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Potatso

Subscriptions4
  • Potatso Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro - Ad-Free Experience$5.991 Year
  • Potatso Pro Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Potatso Pro Yearly Offer1 Year trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Potatso Pro Lifetime$44.99
7 purchases

SMS Virtual

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Number3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Annual Number$39.991 Year
One-time5
  • 1 Activation$0.29
  • 5 Activations$0.99
  • 10 Activations$1.99
Show 2 more
  • 15 activations$2.99
  • Number Change$3.99

Questions

Is Potatso free?
Potatso is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SMS Virtual free?
SMS Virtual is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Potatso or SMS Virtual?
SMS Virtual is rated higher. Potatso averages 4.4 out of 5 from 6.2K ratings, while SMS Virtual averages 4.6 from 30K ratings.
Do Potatso or SMS Virtual have ads?
Potatso shows ads; SMS Virtual does not.
Which is updated more often, Potatso or SMS Virtual?
Potatso ships an update every 5 days, and SMS Virtual monthly. Most recently, Potatso was updated on November 2, 2026 and SMS Virtual on November 5, 2026.

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