# Area Codes vs SMS Online

The clearest difference is rating: Area Codes at 4.8 against SMS Online's 4.3. Area Codes also leads on ratings volume (8.2K vs 108). SMS Online's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Area Codes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SMS Online sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Area Codes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Area Codes has 8.2K ratings behind it against 108, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Area Codes's written reviews are positive against 85% of SMS Online's.

Area Codes ships an update every 9 months, SMS Online every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Area Codes | SMS Online |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (8.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/area-codes/id302877550/reviews)** | [4.3 (108 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-online-sms-verification/id6547871787/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8.2K** | 108 |
| Positive reviews | **92.3% of reviews** | 85.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | **15.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VersaEdge Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/301294952) | [Huseyin Varelci](https://appshunter.io/developer/1757682971) |

## What reviewers say

### Area Codes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/area-codes/id302877550)

Instantly find area codes for any location in North America, including the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Search for a city to discover its associated area codes without needing an internet connection.

**Highlights:** Quick area code lookup, Search city for area codes, North America coverage, Offline functionality, US territories included

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad Removal | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔍 Helpful for screening calls
- 💡 Useful for work and personal use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with accuracy
- 🔍 Lacks advanced features (e.g., favorites, time zone)

**Reported bugs**

- Some users report issues with older devices
- Occasional freezing or crashes reported

**Requested features**

- Add ability to save favorite area codes
- Include time zone information with area code lookup


### SMS Online

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-online-sms-verification/id6547871787)

Receive SMS messages securely and privately using virtual phone numbers. Ideal for account verification on various online services and apps, offering a disposable second number for enhanced privacy and convenience.

**Highlights:** Instant disposable numbers, Easy SMS reception, Simple account verification, Enhanced privacy, Transparent pricing, Virtual numbers for WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Virtual Number Unlimeted SMS | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Virtual Number Unlimited SMS | $11.99 | per month |
| Virtual Number 1 Credit | $9.99 | one-time |
| Virtual Number 3 Credit | $14.99 | one-time |
| Virtual Number 5 Credit | $19.99 | one-time |
| Virtual Number 9 Credit | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and easy performance
- 👍 User friendly interface
- 👍 Smooth and easy to use
- 👍 Convenient and helpful
- 👍 Works good and trusted

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Fake app
- 🐛 Fraud scam
- 🐛 Another fee after subscribe
- 🐛 No live chat support

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription issues
- Delayed or no number delivery

**Requested features**

- Ability to receive calls
- Promo code availability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Area Codes free?

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

### Is SMS Online free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Area Codes or SMS Online?

Area Codes is rated higher. Area Codes averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8.2K ratings, while SMS Online averages 4.3 from 108 ratings.

### Do Area Codes or SMS Online have ads?

Area Codes shows ads; SMS Online does not.

### Which is updated more often, Area Codes or SMS Online?

Area Codes ships an update every 9 months, and SMS Online every 6 months. Most recently, Area Codes was updated on October 18, 2026 and SMS Online on October 18, 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.*