SmartFilter for SMS vs SMS Filter+
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SmartFilter for SMS
This app intelligently filters unwanted SMS messages using machine learning. It offers extensive customization options to tailor filtering rules and ensures user privacy by analyzing messages directly on the device.
- Machine learning spam detection
- Customizable filtering options
- Filter unknown sender messages
- Filter messages with URLs
- Filter messages from email addresses
- On-device message analysis
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Spam texts are annoying, and sometimes dangerous. SmartFilter works with your iPhone's built-in message filtering to sort them out before they land in your inbox — turn it on once and it runs automatically from then on. Set your own rules, or install ready-made packs for toll scams, fake tax notices, gift card cons, crypto pitches, delivery scams, job and loan scams, phishing, and election spam. Two more packs route marketing texts and receipts into their own folders. Messages can go to Junk, Promotions, Transactions, or straight to your inbox — you decide. Paste in a real message and tap the words that matter, and SmartFilter writes the rule for you. Save test messages so you can check your setup any time you change something. And if you want to know why a message ended up where it did, SmartFilter shows you the exact path it took. Your rules sync across your devices with iCloud. Report junk, or tell SmartFilter it got one wrong, right from the Messages app — no extra steps. SmartFilter also catches spam that tries to sneak past filters using lookalike letters and hidden characters. Every message is analyzed on your phone. Nothing you receive is ever sent to a server — that's not a policy, it's how the app works. SmartFilter is free to use, with a limit on how many filters you can save. Subscribe monthly, yearly, or once for good to unlock unlimited filters, every premium pack, regex and case-sensitive matching, test messages, and alternate app icons. Already a supporter from an earlier version? You're covered — no need to buy again. SmartFilter is made by one independent developer. If it's working for you, a review goes a long way. For in-app purchases and subscriptions, see https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
SMS Filter+
This app provides professional SMS filtering to block spam and unwanted MMS messages. Customize filters based on phone numbers, keywords, or regular expressions to automatically sort messages. Enjoy uninterrupted focus by silencing junk messages without notifications.
- Automatic message classification
- Customizable spam filters
- Filter by phone number, text, keywords, regex
- Block unwanted MMS messages
- Silent junk message notifications
- Privacy-focused processing
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This is a safe, efficient and professional SMS filter. You can customize your own filters to help you filter spam and MMS messages from unknown phone numbers. What it does: Automatically classify your messages, filter junk messages, let you avoid being disturbed by spam during work, rest or when you are on your phone(such as gaming or reading). Privacy matters: All verification activities occur in a closed and secured process provided by iOS, without the need to connect to the network throughout, and SMS Filter+ will not read, collect or tag your messages. Customize your filters: Filter your messages like a pro, support check phone numbers, text, containing multiple keywords, start/end with keywords, match with Regular Expression and other advanced features. How it works: When a message comes, SMS Filter+ will always go through your Allow, Transaction and Promotion filters. Once there is any filter made a match, messages automatically classified into the corresponding folder. If those filters can not make a match, then SMS Filter+ will go through your Junk filters, message will be filtered if it matched as spam. Notifications & Badge If a message classified as Allow, Transaction and Promotion, you will still get notifications and unread badge on the Message app icon, if a message filtered as spam, you won’t get any notifications and there is no unread badge.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SmartFilter for SMS at Free against SMS Filter+'s $0.99. SmartFilter for SMS also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 58%). SMS Filter+'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and chart position (#187 vs unranked). On rating, 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
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download; SMS Filter+ costs $0.99 up front. SmartFilter for SMS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SMS Filter+ asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for SmartFilter for SMS against 4.2 for SMS Filter+. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 169 and 216 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 58% of SMS Filter+'s.
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, SMS Filter+ every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 20, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartFilter for SMS | SMS Filter+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (169 ratings) — better | 4.2 (216 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews — better | 57.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 169 | 216 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #187 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jacob Grant | 奕才 杨 |
Customer experience
SmartFilter for SMS
SMS Filter+
Bugs and requests
SmartFilter for SMS
Reported bugs
10 issues- Keyword blocking only sometimes works
- Keyword function stopped working
- Letting through texts with block words
- Spam-detection model not working well
- ML not working, legitimate messages filtered as spam
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- Allow Words filter not working
- Report SMS doesn't work
- Spam still shows notification icon
- Spam still comes in to inbox with alerts
- False positives inevitable at the start, retraining could be easier
Requested features
8 requests- Sort into personalized folders
- Ability to filter specified short numbers
- User defined regex
- Delete all button for junk
- Immediately delete setting for certain words
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Report functionality directly in message app
- Mark messages sent to junk as safe
- Option to be blissfully unaware of junk notifications
SMS Filter+
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SmartFilter for SMS
- Monthly$4.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
- Leave a Tip!$4.99
- One time$19.99
SMS Filter+
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
Is SMS Filter+ free?
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Filter+?
Do SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Filter+ have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Filter+?
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