# SMS client vs Receive SMS Online

The clearest difference is rating: Receive SMS Online at 3.2 against SMS client's 2.0. Receive SMS Online also leads on ratings volume (153 vs 2) and review sentiment (27% vs 17%). SMS client's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Receive SMS Online holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Receive SMS Online has 153 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of SMS client's written reviews are positive against 27% of Receive SMS Online's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMS client | Receive SMS Online |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-client/id379141837/reviews) | **[3.2 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/receive-sms-online/id1563627840/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **153** |
| Positive reviews | 16.8% of reviews | **27.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MacMedia](https://appshunter.io/developer/322441361) | [Mustafa Aboulfotouh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1468729288) |

## What reviewers say

### SMS client

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-client/id379141837)

Compose and send SMS messages from your Mac using your iPhone. This app connects to a companion Mac application, allowing you to manage contacts, send to individuals or groups, and utilize message templates. Confirmation on your iPhone is required for security.

**Highlights:** Send SMS from Mac, Utilize iPhone for sending, Access Apple Contacts, Send to individuals or groups, Import groups from CSV, Create message templates, View sending history

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⌨️ Easier typing on Mac keyboard
- ⏱️ Saves time for long messages
- ✅ Works as advertised (for some)
- 💡 Good idea for an app

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Must press send on iPhone
- 🔌 Connection drops frequently
- ⏳ Cumbersome setup and reconnection
- 📱 No incoming message display on Mac
- 💸 Waste of money/time

**Reported bugs**

- Send button not clickable
- Recipients overlayed on message
- Connection failed
- App crashes frequently
- Doesn't connect to iPhone

**Requested features**

- Enable automatic sending from Mac
- Allow iPhone app to run in background
- Display incoming messages on Mac
- Improve connection stability
- Simplify setup process


### Receive SMS Online

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/receive-sms-online/id1563627840)

Get temporary virtual phone numbers and email addresses to receive SMS and emails from anywhere in the world. Use these disposable credentials to verify websites and protect your personal number from spam. The service is free and continuously updated with new numbers and locations.

**Highlights:** Receive SMS on virtual numbers, Temporary phone numbers in USA, Canada, UK, France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Verify and register for websites, Receive emails online with temporary email addresses, Download email attachments, Disposable messages discarded after 2-3 days, New virtual numbers refreshed monthly

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works for some users
- 🚀 Quick service for some
- 😍 Very good app
- 👍 Great work
- 👍 Enjoyed the service

**What reviewers complain about**

-  anúncios Excessive ads
- 🐛 Cannot receive verification codes
- 🐛 Numbers are used
- 🐛 App is fake
- 🐛 Does not work

**Reported bugs**

- Spamming advertisements every 2-4 seconds
- Cannot receive verification codes
- Upgrade is a big mess
- Cannot receive code on old email
- Difficult to access account

**Requested features**

- Bring back old email option
- Bring back UK number
- Add more countries and rare numbers
- Fix the upgrade
- Improve the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SMS client free?

SMS client is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Receive SMS Online free?

Receive SMS Online is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SMS client or Receive SMS Online?

Receive SMS Online is rated higher. SMS client averages 2.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Receive SMS Online averages 3.2 from 153 ratings.

### Do SMS client or Receive SMS Online have ads?

Receive SMS Online shows ads; SMS client does not.

### Which is updated more often, SMS client or Receive SMS Online?

SMS client ships an update every 5 months, and Receive SMS Online every 5 months. Most recently, SMS client was updated on October 27, 2026 and Receive SMS Online on October 24, 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.*