SmartFilter for SMS vs Bouncer
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/
Bouncer
This app acts as a powerful spam blocker and text filter, allowing users to regain control over unwanted SMS messages. It effectively blocks scam texts, political messages, phishing attempts, and junk SMS, keeping your inbox clean and private.
- Advanced text message filtering
- Complete privacy protection
- Smart message blocking with custom filters
- Automatic notification control
- Seamless integration with Messages app
- Advanced filtering rules (PCRE)
- 100% transparent and open source
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Stop unwanted SMS and text messages with Bouncer, the powerful spam blocker and text filter that puts you back in control. Block scam texts, political messages, phishing attempts, and junk SMS instantly. A perfect and private alternative to expensive SMS blockers like Robokiller. Features: - Advanced Text Message Filter: Block unwanted SMS, stop spam texts, and filter junk messages automatically. Bouncer detects and stops promotional texts, political SMS spam, scam messages, and phishing attempts. Keep your inbox clean from unwanted text notifications. - Complete Privacy Protection: Your text messages never leave your phone. No servers involved - all SMS filtering happens on your device. - Smart Message Blocking: Create custom filters to block specific SMS keywords, stop unwanted texts from specific numbers, and filter out any type of junk messages. Perfect for stopping political texts, blocking scam SMS, and filtering promotional messages. - Automatic Notification Control Stop notifications from spam texts and junk SMS automatically. Only get alerted for messages that matter. - Easy SMS Management: Works seamlessly with your Messages app to block unwanted texts. No complicated setup - just install and start blocking spam messages instantly - Advanced Filtering Rules (PCRE): Use powerful regular expressions to create custom text filters and stop any type of unwanted SMS. - 100% transparent and open source: Check out the code on GitHub: https://github.com/afterxleep/Bouncer Stop spam texts today with Bouncer - your personal SMS spam blocker and text message filter!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SmartFilter for SMS at Free against Bouncer's $9.99. SmartFilter for SMS also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (75% vs 67%). Bouncer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and chart position (#101 vs unranked). On rating, 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
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download; Bouncer costs $9.99 up front. SmartFilter for SMS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Bouncer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bouncer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 167 and 516 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 67% of Bouncer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, Bouncer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartFilter for SMS | Bouncer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (167 ratings) | 4.5 (516 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews — better | 67.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 167 | 516 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #101 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jacob Grant | Daniel Bernal |
Customer experience
SmartFilter for SMS
Bouncer
User reviews
SmartFilter for SMS
From 167 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Filters spam effectively
- 👍 Stops unwanted texts
- 👍 Life-improving quiet
- 👍 Set it and forget it
- 👍 Filters by keywords
Room to improve
- 🐛 Keyword filter not working
- 🐛 Abandoned, old updates
- 🐛 Keyword function stopped
- 🐛 Letting through block words
- 🐛 Keyword filter does not work
Bouncer
From 516 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Works as advertised
- 🚀 Effective at filtering spam
- 🔒 Privacy-focused, open-source
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
Room to improve
- 🐛 Bugs and stability issues
- 🤯 Deleted user's filter lists
- 🤔 Inconsistent performance
- 📱 Doesn't work across devices
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
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 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
Bouncer
Reported bugs
3 issues- Welcome screen buttons not working
- Filters not working as expected
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Automatic deletion of junk messages
- Ability to block entire area codes
- Integration with Apple Watch
- Customizable filter categories
- Regex support for advanced filtering
In-app purchases
SmartFilter for SMS
- Monthly$1.491 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
- Leave a Tip!$4.99
- One time$19.99
Bouncer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
Is Bouncer free?
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer?
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer?
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