Comparison

Bar Talk vs DefaultSMS

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

Head to head
About

Bar Talk

This app allows users to send large, animated messages displayed on their device's screen to catch someone's attention from a distance. It offers customization options for messages, colors, and transitions, suitable for various social or emergency situations.

Highlights
  • Customizable animated messages
  • 11 color options
  • 4 transition styles
  • Up to 20 stored messages
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Bar Talk is the world's first visual social networking app! You're in a crowded bar and you want to get the attention of that attractive member of the opposite sex on the other side -- Bar Talk is the answer! Bar Talk displays huge animated messages on the screen of the iPhone or iPod Touch that are sure to catch the eye of that person you want to meet! Bar Talk can store up to 20 customized messages and display them in 11 different colors using four transition styles. Besides the bar/club scene, Bar Talk can be used to send messages to that cute person who: - Pulls up next to you at a red light - Works in the building across the street - Is riding on the bus that is about to pull away - Many more! Other situations where Bar Talk may be useful: - Sending a message to a waiter/waitress in a crowded restaurant - Signaling for help in emergency situations Features of Bar Talk include: - Up to 20 customized messages - Messages can be displayed in 11 different colors and three sizes - Four different eye-catching transition styles in three speeds - Apps from Seaside Apps are always ad free! Try Bar Talk tonight and break the ice with that person you want to meet!

About

DefaultSMS

This app allows you to set your preferred messaging applications like Telegram or WhatsApp as the default for handling SMS and tapping on phone number links. It acts as a redirector, ensuring convenience and privacy by processing all data on-device.

Highlights
  • Set default messaging app
  • Redirect SMS and link taps
  • Supports Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal
  • On-device data processing
  • Easy setup
  • Privacy-focused
Read full description

Popular messaging platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal has yet to support the new Default Apps option in Settings, which would have allowed your iPhone to automatically use these apps instead of the stock Messages app for sending messages or when you tap on phone numbers or message links. That's why we've made DefaultSMS - It acts as a redirector to enable you to set your Default Messaging App as Telegram, WhatsApp or Signal!  When you tap on a phone number anywhere on your phone, the system will prompt you to ask if you would like to call or message. Once you've set DefaultSMS up, you can directly open your favourite messaging app, in place of the default stock Messages app, for ultimate convenience! We have also designed the app with privacy in mind, ensuring that all processes are done on device, with no phone numbers or data logged anywhere in app. It simply accepts the details that the system provides, and passing it along to the messaging app that you prefer. Setup is easy too. Simply set DefaultSMS as your default messaging app in the Settings app, and choose your desired messaging app in DefaultSMS. Note: DefaultSMS is a product made by an independent developer, and is not supported, endorsed or affiliated with WhatsApp Messenger, Telegram Messenger or Signal Messenger, in any way or form.

Screenshots

Bar Talk4 screens
DefaultSMS2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DefaultSMS at 4.7 against Bar Talk's 3.0. DefaultSMS also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 37 months). Bar Talk's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 18.2). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

Bar Talk costs $0.99 and DefaultSMS $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DefaultSMS holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bar Talk ships an update every 37 months, DefaultSMS every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Bar Talk versus DefaultSMS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBar TalkDefaultSMS
Price$0.99$0.99
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23 — better
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#137#125 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSeaside AppsVincent Neo

Customer experience

Bar Talk

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DefaultSMS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bar Talk

No in-app purchases

None

DefaultSMS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bar Talk free?
Bar Talk costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DefaultSMS free?
DefaultSMS costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bar Talk or DefaultSMS?
DefaultSMS is rated higher. Bar Talk averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DefaultSMS averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Bar Talk or DefaultSMS have ads?
Neither Bar Talk nor DefaultSMS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bar Talk or DefaultSMS?
Bar Talk ships an update every 37 months, and DefaultSMS every 3 weeks. Most recently, Bar Talk was updated on October 2, 2026 and DefaultSMS on October 9, 2026.
Which is more popular, Bar Talk or DefaultSMS?
Bar Talk currently peaks at #137 in the App Store charts, and DefaultSMS at #125. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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