Comparison

SmartFilter for SMS vs RoboVeto

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

RoboVeto

Read full description

RoboVeto automatically filters spam and unwanted SMS messages before they reach your inbox — no servers, no accounts, no data ever leaving your phone. HOW IT WORKS RoboVeto integrates with Apple's built-in SMS filtering system. Messages from unknown senders are checked against your active filters on your device. If a match is found, the message is silently moved to your Spam folder in the Messages app. Your messages never leave your device. FILTER CATEGORIES (Free) • Political — campaign fundraising, PAC messages, political ads • Scams & Fake Offers — fraudulent links, fake prizes, credential theft FILTER CATEGORIES (Pro) • Sales & Marketing • Sweepstakes & Prizes • Dating & Romance • Adult Content • Financial & Crypto • Health & Pharma • Social Media • Retail Promotions • Travel Spam • Gambling • Recruiting Spam • Custom Categories — create your own keyword filters for anything PRO FEATURES • All 13 filter categories unlocked • Custom categories with keyword control 100% PRIVATE RoboVeto runs entirely inside Apple's sandboxed filter extension — an isolated process with zero network access. It never reads your message history, never connects to the internet, and never sends anything anywhere. Not to us, not to anyone. GETTING STARTED After installing, go to Settings → Messages → Message Filtering and select RoboVeto. That's it. Filtering starts immediately. You only need to revisit the app if you want to upgrade or change your filter settings. SUBSCRIPTION RoboVeto Pro is available as an auto-renewing annual subscription. • Free 14-day trial • $4.99/year after trial • Cancel anytime in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions • Payment charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://roboveto.app/privacy

Screenshots

SmartFilter for SMS4 screens
RoboVeto4 screens

Verdict

The call

SmartFilter for SMS and RoboVeto are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 RoboVeto sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
SmartFilter for SMS versus RoboVeto: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartFilter for SMSRoboVeto
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (169 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings169 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob GrantANDREA KATHERINE BRUNNER

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

RoboVeto

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

RoboVeto

Subscriptions1
  • RoboVeto Pro14 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is SmartFilter for SMS free?
SmartFilter for SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RoboVeto free?
RoboVeto is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SmartFilter for SMS or RoboVeto have ads?
Neither SmartFilter for SMS nor RoboVeto shows ads.

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