Comparison

Simply Filter SMS vs 5BB Connect

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simply Filter SMS

This app automatically filters unwanted text messages on your iPhone or iPad. It uses AI and customizable rules to sort messages from unknown senders into categories like Junk, Promotions, or Transactions, all processed on your device for privacy.

Highlights
  • AI-powered spam filtering
  • Customizable keyword rules
  • Automatic message categorization
  • On-device processing for privacy
  • Support for 10 languages
  • Trusted country filtering
Features
Read full description

Take back control of your inbox. Simply Filter SMS is a privacy-first, open-source text message filter for iPhone and iPad. Create keyword rules and smart filters to automatically move unwanted messages from unknown senders to Junk, Promotions, or Transactions - completely on-device. What's new in this version: • Export & Import Filters - Share your filter setup with a friend. Export from Filter Tools in the menu and send the file. • Test Your Filters - Redesigned with live results so you can see matches instantly. • Help - Redesigned with FAQs and a Get Started guide. • Accent Color - Pick an accent from the menu; buttons and icons follow it across the app. In case you missed, here's what was updated recently: • Regex Filters - Create powerful pattern-matching filters using regular expressions for precise control. • AI Filtering - Automatic filtering is AI-powered, smarter and more accurate, with support for 10 languages including English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and more. • Trusted Countries - Automatically allow messages from specific countries by phone prefix. • 11 Languages - The app is available in English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Simplified Chinese. • Accessibility Support - Fully usable with VoiceOver, Voice Control, Dynamic Type, and Reduce Motion. • Native iPad Support - Full iPad experience with sidebar navigation and optimized layouts for larger screens. • Tip Jar - Support the app's development with an optional tip. Simply Filter SMS is free forever. • Multiple bug fixes and performance improvements.

About

5BB Connect

Manage your 5BB services, including bill payments and account updates, all within a single application. Get quick access to support and stay connected with your service plan.

Highlights
  • Effortless bill payments
  • Consolidated account management
  • Direct support contact
  • Plan upgrades and downgrades
  • Stay connected features
Features
Read full description

Quick & Easy Bill Payments: Pay your bills effortlessly in just a few clicks, saving time and hassle. Account Management: Access all your accounts in one app, making upgrades, downgrades, and updates easy. Contact Support: Reach out to our support team or call center directly for fast assistance whenever you need it. Benefits: Convenience: Manage everything from your account to support in a single place. Efficiency: Save time with quick actions, from payments to getting help. Stay Connected: Always keep your connection active and manage your plan with ease.

Screenshots

Simply Filter SMS4 screens
5BB Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Simply Filter SMS at 83% against 5BB Connect's 20%. Simply Filter SMS also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.4) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). 5BB Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. Simply Filter SMS sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 5BB Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simply Filter SMS holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simply Filter SMS has 65 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Simply Filter SMS's written reviews are positive against 20% of 5BB Connect's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simply Filter SMS ships an update every 9 days, 5BB Connect every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Simply Filter SMS versus 5BB Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimply Filter SMS5BB Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (65 ratings) — better2.4 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings65 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB109 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAdi Ben-DahanGLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

Customer experience

Simply Filter SMS

All ratings65 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive82.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.2%

5BB Connect

All ratings13 ratings
Positive30.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative61.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Simply Filter SMS

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
None

5BB Connect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simply Filter SMS free?
Simply Filter SMS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 5BB Connect free?
5BB Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simply Filter SMS or 5BB Connect?
Simply Filter SMS is rated higher. Simply Filter SMS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while 5BB Connect averages 2.4 from 13 ratings.
Do Simply Filter SMS or 5BB Connect have ads?
Neither Simply Filter SMS nor 5BB Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simply Filter SMS or 5BB Connect?
Simply Filter SMS ships an update every 9 days, and 5BB Connect every 2 months. Most recently, Simply Filter SMS was updated on October 12, 2026 and 5BB Connect on October 4, 2026.

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