Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs Spam Text Blocker

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

Spam Text Blocker

This app filters out unwanted spam and scam texts, keeping your inbox clean and organized. It intelligently sorts messages into categories, ensuring you only see important communications. Advanced AI detects and blocks deceptive texts, protecting you from financial loss.

Highlights
  • Spam text blocking
  • Scam detection
  • Inbox organization
  • Transaction/Promotion sorting
  • AI-powered filtering
  • Privacy-focused
Read full description

Say goodbye to annoying spam texts, cluttered inboxes, and tricky scams. Keep your inbox for those texts you actually care about. TextShield shields your text message inbox with advanced filtering and intelligent sorting that keeps your inbox clean. NO MORE SPAM TEXTS Over 350 million spam texts are sent each day. Our advanced filtering system ensures that these unwanted messages won't reach your inbox. NO MORE INBOX CLUTTER Can't find your real messages between the reminders, codes, and updates? TextShield efficiently organizes your inbox so that important messages stand out. We support filtering into Transactions, Promotions folders, as well as any of 12 subfolders such as Reminders, Orders, Coupons, etc. NO MORE SCAMS Text scams steal about $10 billion each year. TextShield uses sophisticated scam detection algorithms to ensure that only real, meaningful texts get through. Our advanced AI analysis can identify 99.6% of deceptive texts and makes sure that they don't make their way into your inbox. PRIVACY-FIRST We don't show ads or do anything with your data that you wouldn't expect. We don't ask for any personal information, nor do we want it. TEXTSHIELD PRO Put spam blocking and text sorting on auto-pilot with our auto-updating smart rules and proactive threat detection. Available for $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year, both with a 7-day free trial. These subscriptions provide access to all TextShield features and services. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY By using TextShield, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Terms of Service: https://textshield.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://textshield.io/privacy SUPPORT & FEEDBACK If you ever need help, or have something you'd like us to add to TextShield, please send us an email at support@textshield.io. We offer dedicated support and respond personally to each and every email.

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
Spam Text Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

SmartFilter for SMS and Spam Text Blocker both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Spam Text Blocker's. Spam Text Blocker's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 $1.49 per month and Spam Text Blocker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 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 Spam Text Blocker. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 169 and 137 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of SmartFilter for SMS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Spam Text Blocker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, Spam Text Blocker every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus Spam Text Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSSpam Text Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings)4.4 (137 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings169 — better137
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantFathomTel, Inc.

Customer experience

SmartFilter for SMS

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

Spam Text Blocker

All ratings119 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral2.5%
Negative12.6%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Spam Text Blocker

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
2 purchases

Spam Text Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • TextShield Pro - Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • TextShield Pro - Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spam Text Blocker free?
Spam Text Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartFilter for SMS or Spam Text Blocker?
Spam Text Blocker is rated higher. SmartFilter for SMS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 169 ratings, while Spam Text Blocker averages 4.4 from 137 ratings.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Spam Text Blocker have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor Spam Text Blocker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Spam Text Blocker?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and Spam Text Blocker every 6 weeks. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on October 12, 2026 and Spam Text Blocker on October 15, 2026.

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