Comparison

SMS Shield vs WideProtect SMS Blocker

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

Head to head
About

SMS Shield

This app uses machine learning to automatically filter unwanted SMS messages like promotions, phishing attempts, and scam texts. It also offers a unique mode for frequent travelers to block carrier messages and allows users to create custom block lists for specific numbers or keywords. All filtering is done offline, ensuring 100% privacy.

Highlights
  • Automatic spam filtering
  • Frequent traveler mode
  • Custom block list
  • Offline filtering for 100% privacy
  • Multi-lingual spam detection
  • Machine learning based identification
Features
Read full description

SMS Shield is a Machine Learning-based SMS spam filter for iPhone. We trained it on what spam SMS looks like by showing it tens of thousands of spam SMSs beforehand. SMS Shield then learns and, to a high degree of confidence, can identify spam even it haven't seen it before. Besides spam blocking, SMS Shield includes innovative features like Frequent Traveler Mode. Features: + Automatic Spam Filtering SMS Shield will automatically block SMS spam like promotions, ads, phishing and scam attempts at stealing your sensitive information (e.g. SMSs claiming to be from your bank). + Frequent Traveler Mode Enable this innovative feature during your business travels to block the often-annoying SMSs sent by mobile operators when visiting other countries (e.g. "Welcome to country X..."). + Custom Block List With custom block list, you can block SMSes from specific phone numbers or that include specific keywords. + 100% privacy guarenteed SMS Shield is an offline SMS filter. Meaning it does the filtering offline, on your device. All your texts are 100% private. + Multi-lingual spam detection SMS Shield detects spam in English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Swedish, and Arabic. If you would like us to add a specific language email us with spam texts you receive (as many as possible). ------------------------------ Available Subscriptions: GOLD: 1 year spam filtering subscription SILVER: ½ year spam filtering subscription CLASSIC: 1 month spam filtering subscription Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. To manage subscriptions or turn off auto-renewal go to your iTunes account settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.taphive.com/smsshield/privacypolicy.html Terms: https://www.taphive.com/smsshield/tou.html

About

WideProtect SMS Blocker

Effortlessly block unwanted SMS messages from promotions, scams, and political campaigns. Create custom filters using keywords or phone number patterns, or utilize smart rules to block entire regions. Protect your privacy with offline functionality and easy setup.

Highlights
  • Block SMS by keywords, numbers, short codes, or email
  • Smart rules for links, emails, and country blocking
  • Block SMS with images
  • Pre-configured patterns for multiple countries
  • Whitelisting for trusted numbers
  • Offline functionality and privacy-focused
  • Family sharing options
Features
Read full description

Tired of spam SMS from promotions, scams, or political campaigns? Take control and block unwanted messages effortlessly. Create your own filters using stop-words or phone number patterns, or set smart rules to block entire regions and countries. Get the power of ML filtering and community reported data. Start for FREE - 3 days to try ALL features. Upgrade to the full version and choose between a one-time purchase or a subscription plan that fits your needs. KEY FEATURES • Powerful Filters – Block SMS by keywords, phone number prefixes, short codes, or even email senders. • Smart Rules – Automatically block messages containing links or emails, or allow only your home country. • Advanced techniques - Blocks SMS messages with images in the text. • Pre-configured Patterns – Ready-to-use filters for the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Chile and India. • Whitelisting – Keep important messages safe by exempting trusted numbers. • Privacy First – Works fully offline with no registration or data collection. • Accessibility Ready – Supports VoiceOver, Dark Mode, and Dynamic Type fonts. • Family Sharing – Protect your whole family at a discounted price. • Easy to Use – Quick setup with a video guide in the help section. • iCloud Backup – Save and restore your custom settings anytime. IMPORTANT NOTICES • Don't forget to give permissions to filter SMS and MMS to WideProtect SMS Blocker extension through 'iPhone Settings -> Apps -> Messages -> Unknown & Spam'.. • WideProtect functionality is available via auto-renewable subscriptions OR one-time payment. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase, subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal, subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. FEEDBACK & SUPPORT Please write us email (dodatoklab@gmail.com) in case of any troubles or questions. LINKS Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://sites.google.com/view/vandrusik/wideprotect/privacy-policy

Screenshots

SMS Shield4 screens
WideProtect SMS Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WideProtect SMS Blocker at 73% against SMS Shield's 17%. WideProtect SMS Blocker also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.2) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. SMS Shield sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and WideProtect SMS Blocker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WideProtect SMS Blocker holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 138 and 153 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of SMS Shield's written reviews are positive against 73% of WideProtect SMS Blocker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMS Shield ships an update fortnightly, WideProtect SMS Blocker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SMS Shield versus WideProtect SMS Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMS ShieldWideProtect SMS Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (138 ratings)4.5 (153 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews73.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings138153 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaphive GmbHValerii Andrusyk

Customer experience

SMS Shield

All ratings138 ratings
Positive49.3%
Neutral8.0%
Negative42.8%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral3.6%
Negative79.8%

WideProtect SMS Blocker

All ratings150 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral4.7%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive73.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative25.0%

User reviews

SMS Shield

From 138 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works well for some users
  • 👍 Filters spam effectively for some
  • 👍 Good for blocking specific keywords for some
  • 👍 Worth the price for some users
  • 👍 Privacy-focused (messages stay on device)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work for many users
  • 🐛 Fails to filter obvious scams
  • 🐛 Still receives spam texts
  • 🐛 Sends legitimate texts to junk
  • 🐛 Requires manual spam addition

WideProtect SMS Blocker

From 153 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Effective spam blocking
  • 👍 Filters unwanted texts
  • 👍 Blocks area codes
  • 👍 Blocks political texts
  • 👍 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't block texts from email addresses
  • 🐛 New icon is disliked
  • 🐛 Lifetime license confusion/controversy
  • 🐛 Does not work for some users
  • 🐛 Spam texts still get through

Bugs and requests

SMS Shield

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Filters out legitimate texts
  • Doesn't block known spam
  • Requires manual input for blocking
  • No response from support
  • Doesn't block SMS from email
Show 9 more
  • Machine learning is ineffective
  • App still filtering after cancellation
  • App doesn't work after iOS update
  • Keywords not being blocked
  • False positives (blocking important messages)
  • Cannot cancel subscription in-app
  • App asks for sensitive permissions
  • Free trial doesn't work as advertised
  • Fails to modify records when classifying SMS

Requested features

6 requests
  • More blocking of SMS scams
  • Option to mark SMS as spam or not spam
  • Ability to whitelist keywords
  • Better machine learning/training
  • Improved support responsiveness
Show 1 more
  • One-time purchase option

WideProtect SMS Blocker

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Texts from email addresses are not blocked
  • New icon is considered ugly
  • Lifetime license terms are unclear and have led to user dissatisfaction
  • App does not work for some users
  • Spam texts with specific keywords are not blocked
Show 5 more
  • Notifications are still received on Apple Watch
  • Cannot edit or remove blocked phrases
  • App incorrectly flags legitimate messages (e.g., USAA)
  • Cannot enter '+' symbol when blocking numbers
  • App is considered useless by some users

Requested features

5 requests
  • Clarification on lifetime license terms
  • Ability to edit or remove phrases
  • Improve blocking of texts from email addresses
  • Address Apple Watch notification issues
  • Improve accuracy in flagging legitimate messages

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SMS Shield

Subscriptions3
  • Classic7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Silver7 Days trial$3.996 Months
  • Gold7 Days trial$8.491 Year
4 purchases

WideProtect SMS Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • Full version for 1 year$13.991 Year
  • Full family version for 1 year$34.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime license$34.99
  • Lifetime family license$69.99

Questions

Is SMS Shield free?
SMS Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WideProtect SMS Blocker free?
WideProtect SMS Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMS Shield or WideProtect SMS Blocker?
WideProtect SMS Blocker is rated higher. SMS Shield averages 3.2 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while WideProtect SMS Blocker averages 4.5 from 153 ratings.
Do SMS Shield or WideProtect SMS Blocker have ads?
Neither SMS Shield nor WideProtect SMS Blocker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMS Shield or WideProtect SMS Blocker?
SMS Shield ships an update fortnightly, and WideProtect SMS Blocker every 3 weeks. Most recently, SMS Shield was updated on November 11, 2026 and WideProtect SMS Blocker on November 7, 2026.

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