Comparison

SMS Shield vs Gandalfone

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

Gandalfone

This app filters unwanted spam, phishing, and promotional messages from your inbox. It offers customizable controls like blacklists and whitelists, ensuring your messages are private and secure as all filtering occurs on your device.

Highlights
  • Intelligent spam filtering
  • Phishing attempt detection
  • Customizable blacklists and whitelists
  • On-device privacy
  • Personalized SMS filtering rules
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Gandalfone, the ultimate solution to keep your messaging experience clean, organized, and free from unwanted distractions. Say goodbye to spam, and hello to a clutter-free inbox! Why Gandalfone? Intelligent Spam Filtering: Our advanced algorithms work tirelessly to filter out spam, phishing attempts, and unwanted promotional messages. Enjoy an inbox that's focused solely on what matters to you. Customizable Controls: Tailor your SMS filtering with personalized settings. Create and manage blacklists, whitelist essential contacts, and set up custom rules that suit your messaging needs. Privacy-Focused: Your privacy is our priority. All filtering happens on your device, ensuring your messages remain private and secure. Support and Feedback Your feedback helps us grow and improve. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us through the app or our support email.

Screenshots

SMS Shield4 screens
Gandalfone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Gandalfone at 62% against SMS Shield's 17%. Gandalfone also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (3.6 vs 3.2). SMS Shield's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (138 vs 17). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Gandalfone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gandalfone holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS Shield has 138 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of SMS Shield's written reviews are positive against 62% of Gandalfone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMS Shield ships an update fortnightly, Gandalfone every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SMS Shield versus Gandalfone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMS ShieldGandalfone
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (138 ratings)3.6 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews61.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings138 — better17
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaphive GmbHAudrey SOBGOU ZEBAZE

Customer experience

SMS Shield

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

Gandalfone

All ratings16 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative31.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative30.8%

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

Gandalfone

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Gandalfone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMS Shield free?
SMS Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gandalfone free?
Gandalfone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SMS Shield or Gandalfone?
Gandalfone is rated higher. SMS Shield averages 3.2 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while Gandalfone averages 3.6 from 17 ratings.
Do SMS Shield or Gandalfone have ads?
Neither SMS Shield nor Gandalfone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMS Shield or Gandalfone?
SMS Shield ships an update fortnightly, and Gandalfone every 2 months. Most recently, SMS Shield was updated on November 11, 2026 and Gandalfone on November 3, 2026.

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