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.
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 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.
- Keyword-based message filtering
- Block unwanted SMS
- Clean inbox management
- Simple keyword entry
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Enter keywords from messages you don't want to see and no longer receive them. https://console.ron.digital/secret
Screenshots
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | SmartFilter for SMS | SMS Spam Filter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (169 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | 81.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 169 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 15 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jacob Grant | RON DIJITAL YAZILIM BILISIM PAZARLAMA VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI |
Customer experience
SmartFilter for SMS
SMS Spam 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 Spam 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 Spam Filter
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
Is SMS Spam Filter free?
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter?
Do SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Spam Filter?
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