Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs Halo Time

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

Halo Time

Features
Read full description

Halo lets companies track their employee's time and get track of all the Jobs. It lets you add images, and documents to the app. Lets user track their hours and see the history of all the tracked time.

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
Halo Time4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Halo Time at none against SmartFilter for SMS's 4. Halo Time also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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 $1.49 per month. Halo Time asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, Halo Time every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SmartFilter for SMS versus Halo Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSHalo Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings169 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantUS SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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

Halo Time

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
None

Halo Time

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Halo Time free?
Halo Time is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or Halo Time have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor Halo Time shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartFilter for SMS or Halo Time?
SmartFilter for SMS ships an update every 2 months, and Halo Time every 6 days. Most recently, SmartFilter for SMS was updated on October 23, 2026 and Halo Time on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons