Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs SMS Spam Filter

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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/

About

SMS Spam Filter

Block unwanted messages by entering keywords. This utility app helps you filter out spam and other messages you don't wish to receive, keeping your inbox clean. It's designed for simplicity and effectiveness in managing your SMS communications.

Highlights
  • Keyword-based message filtering
  • Block unwanted SMS
  • Clean inbox management
  • Simple keyword entry
Features
Read full description

Enter keywords from messages you don't want to see and no longer receive them. https://console.ron.digital/secret

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
SMS Spam Filter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmartFilter for SMS at 4.3 against SMS Spam Filter's 3.0. SmartFilter for SMS also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (169 vs 2). SMS Spam Filter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. SmartFilter for SMS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SMS Spam Filter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartFilter for SMS holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartFilter for SMS has 169 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 82% of SMS Spam Filter's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, SMS Spam Filter every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on August 20, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus SMS Spam Filter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSSMS Spam Filter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews81.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings169 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantRON DIJITAL YAZILIM BILISIM PAZARLAMA VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI

Customer experience

SmartFilter for SMS

All ratings169 ratings
Positive81.1%
Neutral7.7%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral6.6%
Negative18.0%

SMS Spam Filter

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral4.5%
Negative13.6%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Report functionality directly in message app
  • Mark messages sent to junk as safe
  • Option to be blissfully unaware of junk notifications

SMS Spam Filter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

SmartFilter for SMS

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
One-time2
  • Leave a Tip!$4.99
  • One time$19.99
None

SMS Spam Filter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SMS Spam Filter free?
SMS Spam Filter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter?
SmartFilter for SMS is rated higher. SmartFilter for SMS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 169 ratings, while SMS Spam Filter averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor SMS Spam Filter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and SMS Spam Filter every 15 months. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on August 20, 2026 and SMS Spam Filter on September 19, 2026.

Other comparisons