# SmartFilter for SMS vs Bouncer

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 (#108 vs unranked). On rating, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartFilter for SMS | Bouncer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [4.3 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartfilter-for-sms/id1271258894/reviews) | **[4.5 (516 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bouncer-spam-text-blocker/id1457476313/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 167 | **516** |
| Positive reviews | **75.4% of reviews** | 67.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#108** |
| Size | 25 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jacob Grant](https://appshunter.io/developer/1271258893) | [Daniel Bernal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762054635) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartFilter for SMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartfilter-for-sms/id1271258894)

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.

**Highlights:** Machine learning spam detection, Customizable filtering options, Filter unknown sender messages, Filter messages with URLs, Filter messages from email addresses, On-device message analysis

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.49 | per month |
| Yearly | $8.99 | per year |
| Leave a Tip! | $4.99 | one-time |
| One time | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Filters spam effectively
- 👍 Stops unwanted texts
- 👍 Life-improving quiet
- 👍 Set it and forget it
- 👍 Filters by keywords

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Keyword filter not working
- 🐛 Abandoned, old updates
- 🐛 Keyword function stopped
- 🐛 Letting through block words
- 🐛 Keyword filter does not work

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Sort into personalized folders
- Ability to filter specified short numbers
- User defined regex
- Delete all button for junk
- Immediately delete setting for certain words


### Bouncer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bouncer-spam-text-blocker/id1457476313)

**Currently charting:** #108 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works as advertised
- 🚀 Effective at filtering spam
- 🔒 Privacy-focused, open-source
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and stability issues
- 🤯 Deleted user's filter lists
- 🤔 Inconsistent performance
- 📱 Doesn't work across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Welcome screen buttons not working
- Filters not working as expected
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Automatic deletion of junk messages
- Ability to block entire area codes
- Integration with Apple Watch
- Customizable filter categories
- Regex support for advanced filtering


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartFilter for SMS free?

SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Bouncer free?

Bouncer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer?

Bouncer is rated higher. SmartFilter for SMS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Bouncer averages 4.5 from 516 ratings.

### Do SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer have ads?

Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor Bouncer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Bouncer?

SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and Bouncer every 5 months. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on November 11, 2026 and Bouncer on November 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*