SmartFilter for SMS vs Simply Filter SMS
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/
Simply Filter SMS
This app automatically filters unwanted text messages on your iPhone or iPad. It uses AI and customizable rules to sort messages from unknown senders into categories like Junk, Promotions, or Transactions, all processed on your device for privacy.
- AI-powered spam filtering
- Customizable keyword rules
- Automatic message categorization
- On-device processing for privacy
- Support for 10 languages
- Trusted country filtering
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Take back control of your inbox. Simply Filter SMS is a privacy-first, open-source text message filter for iPhone and iPad. Create keyword rules and smart filters to automatically move unwanted messages from unknown senders to Junk, Promotions, or Transactions - completely on-device. What's new in this version: • Export & Import Filters - Share your filter setup with a friend. Export from Filter Tools in the menu and send the file. • Test Your Filters - Redesigned with live results so you can see matches instantly. • Help - Redesigned with FAQs and a Get Started guide. • Accent Color - Pick an accent from the menu; buttons and icons follow it across the app. In case you missed, here's what was updated recently: • Regex Filters - Create powerful pattern-matching filters using regular expressions for precise control. • AI Filtering - Automatic filtering is AI-powered, smarter and more accurate, with support for 10 languages including English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and more. • Trusted Countries - Automatically allow messages from specific countries by phone prefix. • 11 Languages - The app is available in English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Simplified Chinese. • Accessibility Support - Fully usable with VoiceOver, Voice Control, Dynamic Type, and Reduce Motion. • Native iPad Support - Full iPad experience with sidebar navigation and optimized layouts for larger screens. • Tip Jar - Support the app's development with an optional tip. Simply Filter SMS is free forever. • Multiple bug fixes and performance improvements.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Simply Filter SMS at every 9 days against SmartFilter for SMS's every 2 months. Simply Filter SMS also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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 and Simply Filter SMS sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for SmartFilter for SMS against 4.4 for Simply Filter SMS. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 169 and 65 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 83% of Simply Filter SMS's.
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, Simply Filter SMS every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on August 20, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartFilter for SMS | Simply Filter SMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (169 ratings) | 4.4 (65 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | 82.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 169 — better | 65 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jacob Grant | Adi Ben-Dahan |
Customer experience
SmartFilter for SMS
Simply Filter SMS
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
Simply Filter SMS
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
Simply Filter SMS
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
Questions
Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
Is Simply Filter SMS free?
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS?
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS?
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