Comparison

SMS Filter vs Junkman

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

Head to head
About

SMS Filter

Take control of your incoming text messages by filtering out spam, junk, and unwanted SMS/MMS. Create custom rules based on keywords, patterns, or regular expressions to blacklist or whitelist messages. An optional yearly subscription offers advanced spam protection with a spammers database and statistical analysis.

Highlights
  • Customizable filtering rules
  • Filter by text patterns, keywords, regexp
  • Blacklist/Whitelist messages
  • Test rules on sample messages
  • Spam Protection subscription
  • Spammer database
  • Statistical spam analysis
Read full description

Stop being distracted with spam, junk or other unwanted text messages, including SMS and MMS. With SMS Filter, you now at last have a control of incoming text messages. Features: - create your own list of rules to filter your incoming text messages - filter incoming text messages by text patterns, keywords, or regexp - blacklist or whitelist messages that match particular rule - test your rules on test message Pro feature: Spam Protection subscription. Stay protected from massive spam attacks, let you messages be checked with our spammer database - for only $2.99 yearly (price varies by country). Spam Protection works following way: - when several users receive the same SMS from same sender during short period of time - that looks like a massive spam mailing. Once we detect that mailing, we treat next messages from that sender as a spam, and sender - as spammer. - once sender is marked as spammer, new messages from this sender to subscribers are filtered. A list of such senders is our spammer database. - once message is marked as spam, we use statistical algorithms to analyze text in it. In case new SMS message is sent from unknown phone number to subscriber, and it is similar to known spam messages, we filter it either. Support: support@deftapps.com Privacy & Terms of Service - We highly respect your privacy. You can find our Privacy Policy here http://deftapps.com/SMSFilter/privacy_policy.html - You can view our Terms of Service here http://deftapps.com/SMSFilter/terms_and_conditions.html Note about Spam Protection subscription: - 14-day trial - Spam Protection is provided to you on a subscription basis for the yearly term. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at the end of trial period. - 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. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

About

Junkman

This app intelligently filters incoming text messages, categorizing them as normal, junk, transaction, or promotional. It utilizes advanced machine learning and a dedicated spam database to block unwanted messages, operating entirely offline for enhanced privacy. Users can also create custom rules for precise control over message filtering.

Highlights
  • AI-powered message classification
  • Spam and threat database
  • Customizable rule lists with Regex support
  • Offline operation
  • Reporting extension for incorrect classifications
  • Time schedules for filtering
Features
Read full description

Junkman is the most powerful SMS filtering app for iOS. It can classify incoming messages as normal, junk, transaction or promotion. It will not classify old messages. It works completely locally on your device without the need for any network connectivity. It is written to filter all kinds of unwanted text messages, including betting, political, scam messages and company advertisements. Junkman primarily uses a state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm called Smart Filter, that is trained with thousands of messages in English, French and Turkish languages. This results in an artificial intelligence which can classify the message contents. The Smart Filter can differentiate between normal (conversations etc.), transaction (bank OTP messages, shipping information, doctor appointments, etc.) and junk (promotional, gambling, unsolicited, spam etc.) messages instantly. It treats all promotion messages as junk. Junkman also has a spam and threat database with special filters to detect and filter the most invasive junk messages without the need for the Smart Filter. In case you would like to override the classification of the automated filters, you can add rules to one of the Allowed, Junk, Transaction and Promotion lists in the app. The rule lists let you write much more powerful rules than most of the competing apps. They can work on both the sender or the content of a message and they accept any input including regular expressions (Regex). They are also simpler to manage than other apps. If you think the Smart Filter did not classify one or more messages correctly, you can report them from the Messages app (iPhone only) for review. The more wrong classifications you report, the better the Smart Filter gets! Features of Junkman: • Smart Filter: A state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm that can classify any message in English or Turkish as normal, junk or transaction • Spam and Threat Database: A database that includes special filters which can be updated immediately using instant notifications when necessary • Proactive Filter: A special algorithm to directly filter the most invasive junk messages without the need for the Smart Filter • Rule lists, supporting any input, including powerful regular expressions (Regex) • Time schedules to customize filtering times • Under Attack Mode: A mode that can help with text message attacks • Reporting Extension support to report messages that you think were not classified correctly by the Smart Filter (iPhone only) • Configuration testing that lets you check any message to see the classification in real time • iCloud sync support for sender lists to sync information between your devices • Detailed VoiceOver design for better accessibility support • Dark mode support • Interoperability with Begone - Spam Call Blocker and Directory Junkman is the successor of SMS Checker app. ----- Junkman works completely locally on your device. It does not collect, store or transmit any data you enter into it. It does not collect, store or transmit any information from the messages it filters. Junkman respects the privacy of its users with utmost importance. End user license agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SMS Filter3 screens
Junkman4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Junkman at 4.3 against SMS Filter's 3.7. Junkman also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 27%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months). SMS Filter's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, 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. SMS Filter sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per year and Junkman 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

Junkman holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Junkman has 122 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of SMS Filter's written reviews are positive against 60% of Junkman's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMS Filter ships an update every 8 months, Junkman every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SMS Filter versus Junkman: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMS FilterJunkman
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (14 ratings)4.3 (122 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews59.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14122 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIurii MozharovskyiKerem Erkan

Customer experience

SMS Filter

All ratings14 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral13.3%
Negative60.0%

Junkman

All ratings120 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative14.2%
Written reviews187 reviews
Positive59.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative34.2%

Bugs and requests

SMS Filter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Junkman

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App stops filtering after iOS updates without user notification
  • Filtering fails silently with no indication to user
  • Unread message count shows incorrectly
  • Rule checker feature was removed in recent updates
  • Transaction filter overrides junk filter incorrectly
Show 4 more
  • App requires manual restart after updates to resume filtering
  • False positives on legitimate delivery and payment notifications
  • Compatibility issues with iOS 26.1 and later versions
  • Messages remain in junk even after adding sender to allowed list

Requested features

10 requests
  • Ability to move or recover misclassified messages from junk folder
  • Automatic local notifications when filtering stops working
  • Whitelist/allowlist feature for trusted contacts
  • Option to automatically delete spam instead of just filtering
  • Simplified one-click spam reporting process
Show 5 more
  • Better documentation of smart filter behavior
  • Unified filter rule list with priority/precedence system
  • Separate filter profiles for different filtering levels
  • Support for additional languages and regional spam patterns
  • Sandbox rule testing without requiring actual messages

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SMS Filter

Subscriptions1
  • Spam Protection14 Days trial$2.991 Year
7 purchases

Junkman

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Pack7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Pro Pack7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time5
  • Small cup of tea$0.99
  • Large cup of tea$1.99
  • Teapot!$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Samovar!!$4.99
  • Pro Pack - Lifetime$124.99

Questions

Is SMS Filter free?
SMS Filter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Junkman free?
Junkman is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMS Filter or Junkman?
Junkman is rated higher. SMS Filter averages 3.7 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Junkman averages 4.3 from 122 ratings.
Do SMS Filter or Junkman have ads?
Neither SMS Filter nor Junkman shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMS Filter or Junkman?
SMS Filter ships an update every 8 months, and Junkman every 3 weeks. Most recently, SMS Filter was updated on November 3, 2026 and Junkman on November 7, 2026.

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