# SIM Scanner 2 vs SMS Instant

The clearest difference is rating: SMS Instant at 4.0 against SIM Scanner 2's 1.0. SMS Instant also leads on ratings volume (60 vs 1) and review sentiment (12% vs 0%). SIM Scanner 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SMS Instant sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SIM Scanner 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

SMS Instant holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS Instant has 60 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of SIM Scanner 2's written reviews are positive against 12% of SMS Instant's.

SIM Scanner 2 ships an update every 10 months, SMS Instant every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SIM Scanner 2 | SMS Instant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sim-scanner-2/id1465761631/reviews) | **[4.0 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-instant/id1504179579/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **60** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **11.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 7 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Due punto Tre S.r.l.s.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1127371018) | [Hayato Shimizu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1207195348) |

## What reviewers say

### SIM Scanner 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sim-scanner-2/id1465761631)

Identify the mobile operator for prepaid SIM cards from major Italian carriers. Excludes business lines, subscription SIMs, and smaller MVNOs. Information is for guidance only and may not be error-free or fully updated.

**Highlights:** Identify prepaid SIM operators, Supports major Italian carriers (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Kena, Ho, Iliad), Excludes business and subscription SIMs, Information for guidance purposes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### SMS Instant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-instant/id1504179579)

Receive SMS messages anonymously with temporary phone numbers. Protect your private number by using disposable digits for service registrations and urgent SMS needs. Get a new number each time you open the app.

**Highlights:** Disposable phone numbers, Receive registration messages, Anonymous SMS reception, No registration required, Secure private number protection, New number on each launch

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (Monthly plan) | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium (Buying out) | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SIM Scanner 2 free?

SIM Scanner 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SMS Instant free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SIM Scanner 2 or SMS Instant?

SMS Instant is rated higher. SIM Scanner 2 averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SMS Instant averages 4.0 from 60 ratings.

### Do SIM Scanner 2 or SMS Instant have ads?

Both SIM Scanner 2 and SMS Instant show ads.

### Which is updated more often, SIM Scanner 2 or SMS Instant?

SIM Scanner 2 ships an update every 10 months, and SMS Instant every 5 months. Most recently, SIM Scanner 2 was updated on October 2, 2026 and SMS Instant on October 7, 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.*