Comparison

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.

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

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.

Highlights
  • AI-powered spam filtering
  • Customizable keyword rules
  • Automatic message categorization
  • On-device processing for privacy
  • Support for 10 languages
  • Trusted country filtering
Features
Read full description

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

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
Simply Filter SMS4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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 and Simply Filter SMS sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus Simply Filter SMS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSSimply Filter SMS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings)4.4 (65 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews82.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings169 — better65
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantAdi Ben-Dahan

Customer experience

SmartFilter for SMS

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

Simply Filter SMS

All ratings65 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive82.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.2%

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

Simply Filter SMS

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
3 purchases

Simply Filter SMS

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simply Filter SMS free?
Simply Filter SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS?
Simply Filter SMS is rated higher. SmartFilter for SMS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 169 ratings, while Simply Filter SMS averages 4.4 from 65 ratings.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor Simply Filter SMS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Simply Filter SMS?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and Simply Filter SMS every 9 days. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on August 20, 2026 and Simply Filter SMS on September 21, 2026.

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