# Blacktel vs SMS io

The clearest difference is rating: SMS io at 4.4 against Blacktel's 2.4. SMS io also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (78 vs 14). Blacktel's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (27% vs 11%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blacktel sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $16.49 per month and SMS io sells 20 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMS io holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS io has 78 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of Blacktel's written reviews are positive against 11% of SMS io's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Blacktel ships an update every 2 months, SMS io weekly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blacktel | SMS io |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.4 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blacktel/id1440329351/reviews) | **[4.4 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **78** |
| Positive reviews | **26.9% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 51 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blacktelio OÜ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1208089378) | [APPLOX](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843634912) |

## What reviewers say

### Blacktel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blacktel/id1440329351)

Obtain virtual phone numbers from various countries for calls, SMS, and faxes. Manage multiple numbers simultaneously without needing physical SIM cards. Offers a free service for basic communication needs and paid options for extended use.

**Highlights:** Virtual phone numbers, Multiple numbers per device, Calls, SMS, and fax, Call forwarding, Voicemail, SMS to email, Trash SIM for verifications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Charge 1000 Credits monthly | $16.49 | per month |
| Charge 2500 Credits monthly | $38.99 | per month |
| Charge 5000 Credit monthly | $81.99 | per month |
| Charge 7500 Credits monthly | $99.99 | per month |
| Credit 500 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Credit 1000 | $15.99 | one-time |
| Credit 2500 | $38.99 | one-time |
| Credit 5000 | $79.99 | one-time |
| Credit 7500 | $99.99 | one-time |


### SMS io

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507)

This app provides temporary virtual phone numbers to receive SMS verification codes online. It's useful for sign-ups, protecting your personal number, and verifying accounts on various internet platforms without using your real SIM card.

**Highlights:** Receive SMS verification codes online, Temporary virtual phone numbers, Protect personal number privacy, Supports over 160 countries, Coin-based pay-as-you-use system, Fast and secure SMS delivery

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly 4 Credits | $3.99 | per month |
| SMS Verification - Weekly Lite | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly 5 Credits | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly 7 Credits | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly 8 Credits | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly 9 Credits | $8.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription for 10 Coins | $9.99 | per month |
| Weekly Subscription for 10 Coins | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Virtual Number - Weekly 15 Credits | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly 25 Credits | $24.99 | per month |
| Get 1 SMS Verification Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Receive SMS Code: 3 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Get 4 Verification Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| 5 Coins: SMS Number Code | $4.99 | one-time |
| Get 6 Virtual SMS Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| Receive SMS Number: 7 Coins | $6.99 | one-time |
| 8 Coins to Verify Code | $7.99 | one-time |
| 9 Virtual Verification Coins | $8.99 | one-time |
| Get 10 SMS Code Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 25 Credits | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blacktel free?

Blacktel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SMS io free?

SMS io is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Blacktel or SMS io?

SMS io is rated higher. Blacktel averages 2.4 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while SMS io averages 4.4 from 78 ratings.

### Do Blacktel or SMS io have ads?

SMS io shows ads; Blacktel does not.

### Which is updated more often, Blacktel or SMS io?

Blacktel ships an update every 2 months, and SMS io weekly. Most recently, Blacktel was updated on October 19, 2026 and SMS io on October 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*