Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs Message Keyword 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

Message Keyword Filter

This utility helps manage SMS messages by filtering content based on keywords and senders. It utilizes iOS system extensions for secure, private message classification without data leakage.

Highlights
  • Keyword-based SMS filtering
  • Sender-specific filtering
  • Automatic message classification
  • Secure iOS system extensions
  • Privacy protection
  • Easy-to-use interface
Read full description

Are you looking for a simple and secure tool for classifying and filtering SMS messages? You can add keywords and senders according to your needs, and SMS messages containing specified keywords will be automatically classified and filtered based on your settings. The app uses iOS system extensions to securely identify the content of SMS messages and protect your privacy, with no risk of any data leakage. The app is easy to use, secure, and protects your personal privacy while helping you manage your SMS messages with ease.

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
Message Keyword Filter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SmartFilter for SMS at Free against Message Keyword Filter's $0.99. SmartFilter for SMS also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 31%) and ratings volume (169 vs 1). Message Keyword Filter's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.3). On update cadence, 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

SmartFilter for SMS is free to download; Message Keyword Filter costs $0.99 up front. SmartFilter for SMS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Message Keyword Filter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Message Keyword Filter holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartFilter for SMS has 169 ratings behind it against 1, 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 31% of Message Keyword Filter's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus Message Keyword Filter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSMessage Keyword Filter
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.3 (169 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews — better30.8% of reviews
Number of ratings169 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantPlaneta Pigra Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

SmartFilter for SMS

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

Message Keyword Filter

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive30.8%
Neutral30.8%
Negative38.5%

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

Message Keyword Filter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

SmartFilter for SMS

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$1.491 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
One-time2
  • Leave a Tip!$4.99
  • One time$19.99
1 purchases

Message Keyword Filter

One-time1
  • Support developer$2.99

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Message Keyword Filter free?
Message Keyword Filter costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Message Keyword Filter?
Message Keyword Filter is rated higher. SmartFilter for SMS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 169 ratings, while Message Keyword Filter averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Message Keyword Filter have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor Message Keyword Filter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Message Keyword Filter?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and Message Keyword Filter every 2 months. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on October 12, 2026 and Message Keyword Filter on October 14, 2026.

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