Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs SMS 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 Filter

Features
Read full description

Take control of unwanted texts without giving up your privacy. SMS Filter – Smart Filter organizes incoming SMS using custom rules based on message content or the sender’s phone number. Filtering happens locally on your iPhone. Your SMS content and contacts are never uploaded to our servers or collected by us. If you enable iCloud sync, only your filter rules are stored in your private iCloud account—not your messages or contacts. The app evaluates only messages from senders who are not in your Contacts, helping keep personal conversations untouched. Features: - Create custom rules using message content or phone numbers - Create unlimited filter rules - Organize matching messages into Transaction, Promotion, or Junk - Activate or deactivate any rule whenever you want - Filter only messages from senders outside your Contacts - Sync filter rules across your devices with iCloud - Works locally and offline - Supports Dark Mode

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
SMS Filter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SMS Filter at every 2 weeks against SmartFilter for SMS's every 2 months. SMS Filter also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and SMS Filter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus SMS Filter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSSMS Filter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings169 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob Grant春晖 王

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 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
1 purchases

SMS Filter

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$0.99

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SMS Filter free?
SMS Filter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Filter have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor SMS Filter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or SMS Filter?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and SMS Filter every 2 weeks. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on August 20, 2026 and SMS Filter on September 20, 2026.

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