# Fanytel vs Receive SMS

The clearest difference is rating: Receive SMS at 4.5 against Fanytel's 3.4. Receive SMS also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 244). Fanytel's advantage is chart position (#195 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Fanytel sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Receive SMS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Receive SMS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 244 and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Fanytel's written reviews are positive against 40% of Receive SMS's.

Fanytel ships an update every 2 months, Receive SMS every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fanytel | Receive SMS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (244 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fanytel-virtual-phone-number/id1548244239/reviews) | **[4.5 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/receive-sms-multiple-sim/id1639778516/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 244 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 38.8% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#195** | — |
| Size | 43 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zeust Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696570314) | [Ayoub El Omrani](https://appshunter.io/developer/1326480886) |

## What reviewers say

### Fanytel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fanytel-virtual-phone-number/id1548244239)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Obtain private virtual phone numbers from various countries for calls and SMS. Protect your personal number online, maintain privacy, and establish a global presence with local numbers. Ideal for separating personal and professional communication.

**Highlights:** Private virtual phone numbers, SMS verification for apps, Free incoming calls and SMS, International calling and SMS, VIP business lines, Complete anonymity

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fanytel Business Credit $1.99 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fanytel Business Credit $2.99 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Fanytel Business Credit $4.99 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Fanytel Business Credit $9.99 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Fanytel Business Credit $14.99 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Fanytel Business Credit $24.99 | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful and responsive customer support
- 💰 Affordable virtual phone numbers
- 🎯 Easy setup and user-friendly interface
- 📱 Works well for receiving calls
- ✅ Good for separating personal and work calls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Numbers stop working after purchase
- 📵 Cannot receive SMS/OTP messages reliably
- ❌ Calls drop frequently mid-conversation
- 🔐 Account security issues and unauthorized access
- 💳 Credit/payment system problems

**Reported bugs**

- Login fails with 'invalid token' error
- Cannot sign in on iPad with Apple Sign-in
- App incompatible with iOS 26
- SMS messages not received despite enabled notifications
- Calls fail to go through with 'error not registered'

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option for interface
- 24/7 customer support availability
- MMS/picture message support
- Cryptocurrency payment option
- Multiple number call indicators


### Receive SMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/receive-sms-multiple-sim/id1639778516)

Receive SMS messages online using real SIMs and dynamic sender IDs to protect your personal number. Get instant SMS delivery and temporary email addresses for anonymous online access.

**Highlights:** Receive SMS online, Hide personal phone number, Instant SMS delivery, Temporary email addresses, Fake identity generator, SSN validator

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Version | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good app
- 💡 Useful for getting codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Numbers don't work
- 🐛 Can't receive messages
- 🔋 Bloated with ads
- 💰 Forces you to pay

**Reported bugs**

- Numbers are invalid
- Verification codes not received
- App crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Add chat functionality
- Improve verification process


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fanytel free?

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

### Is Receive SMS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Fanytel or Receive SMS?

Receive SMS is rated higher. Fanytel averages 3.4 out of 5 from 244 ratings, while Receive SMS averages 4.5 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Fanytel or Receive SMS have ads?

Both Fanytel and Receive SMS show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Fanytel or Receive SMS?

Fanytel ships an update every 2 months, and Receive SMS every 3 weeks. Most recently, Fanytel was updated on November 7, 2026 and Receive SMS on November 7, 2026.

---

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