Comparison

SMS client vs magicApp Calling & Messaging

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

Head to head
About

SMS client

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
Read full description

Type SMS messages on your Mac computer and send them via your iPhone. This iPhone client application requires Mac version of SMS sender, which can be downloaded from the App Store. Your iPhone and the Mac computer must be on the same network. Other features of SMS client and SMS sender: - auto connecting to iPhone SMS client - reading recipients directly from Apple Contacts - sending messages to an individual recipient or to a group - import a group from a csv file - creating message templates - history of sending - recent recipients list Sending the SMS message must be confirmed on the iPhone due to security reasons - this confirmation is a feature of the Apple developing environment, in which the "SMS client" application is written. It is not possible to send a message without such a confirmation. !!! Important connection information !!! Both your Mac and your iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. SMS sender and SMS client use a standard Apple Bonjour service for discovering devices on the network, applications use an arbitrary port number between 49152 and 65535 (as any other third-party application). If SMS sender is not able to find your iPhone on the network, it seems that ports 49152-65535 are blocked in your computer or in the router. Then, restart the router, the computer and relaunch the application on your iPhone.

About

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Get a second phone number for personal or business use without needing a new SIM card. Enjoy unlimited calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada, even while traveling abroad over Wi-Fi. Manage calls with features like caller ID, voicemail, and call blocking.

Highlights
  • Second phone number
  • Unlimited U.S. & Canada calling
  • Unlimited U.S. & Canada texting
  • Wi-Fi calling for travel
  • Caller ID, voicemail, call blocking
  • Choose U.S. area code
Read full description

magicApp is the most affordable & simple way to get a second phone number on your mobile phone. You can use your magicApp second line for your personal or business needs and enjoy unlimited calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada. magicApp makes it possible to have different phone numbers without having to switch out your SIM and at an affordable monthly. You can easily AND quickly switch from your magicApp phone number to your actual phone number. MAGICAPP FEATURES * Choose a U.S. phone number from any available area code * Unlimited calling to the U.S and Canada* * Send or receive unlimited text messages to U.S. and Canadian numbers** * Traveling? Make calls over Wi-Fi so you never have to worry about roaming charges when abroad! * Unlimited calling to other magicJack customer worldwide * Caller ID, voicemail, call blocking, block anonymous callers and call forwarding * Caller ID pulled from your mobile phone contact list, so you always know who is calling * Cheaper than the rest of the apps out there AND AD FREE! EXISITNG MAGICJACK DEVICE CUSTOMER? magicJack customers can enjoy texting to any U.S. or Canadian number** using magicApp - your friends & family don't have to download the app to text! Calls to your magicJack number rings on your smartphone at the same time so you never miss a call. Download now and login to magicApp with your existing magicJack email and password to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi. NEW: Now available to magicJack device customers with Canadian numbers, you can add the option to text with your Canadian phone number for a small annual fee through the app store. TURN YOUR IPAD INTO A PHONE Connect your tablet to the internet, download magicApp and start making calls from your iPad. Use magicApp on devices running iOS14 or higher. Find out more on www.magicJack.com *Texting to international numbers is not available and texts to some US mobile numbers may not be delivered. Unlimited calling to numbers within the United States and Canada, and unlimited texting and other services provided by magicJack®, are based on normal, non-excessive use. A combination of factors is used to determine excessive use, including but not limited to the relative use when compared to the average magicJack® user, the number of unique numbers called, calls forwarded, minutes used, texts sent/received and other factors. Unlimited calling does not include calls to Alaska or the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada or calls to non-8YY calling card, platform, conference, or chat lines, for which additional fees will apply. Subject to our Subscriber Agreement located here: http://www.magicjack.com/action/saps/. **Canadian magicJack numbers require a separate subscription for texting.

Screenshots

SMS client2 screens
magicApp Calling & Messaging4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: magicApp Calling & Messaging at 4.7 against SMS client's 2.0. magicApp Calling & Messaging also leads on review sentiment (49% vs 17%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). SMS client's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). 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. magicApp Calling & Messaging sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. SMS client asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

magicApp Calling & Messaging holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: magicApp Calling & Messaging has 26K 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 49% of magicApp Calling & Messaging's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMS client ships an update every 5 months, magicApp Calling & Messaging fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SMS client versus magicApp Calling & Messaging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMS clientmagicApp Calling & Messaging
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (2 ratings)4.7 (26K ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.8% of reviews49.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings226K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB67 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMacMediaMAGICJACK VOIP SERVICES LLC

Customer experience

SMS client

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews184 reviews
Positive16.8%
Neutral6.0%
Negative77.2%

magicApp Calling & Messaging

All ratings25,677 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews445 reviews
Positive49.0%
Neutral8.1%
Negative42.9%

User reviews

SMS client

From 2 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

magicApp Calling & Messaging

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Excellent call quality
  • 💰 Affordable pricing
  • 🌍 Works internationally
  • 🔍 Useful for maintaining a US number
  • 🤖 Reliable service for over 15 years

Room to improve

  • 🤖 Frequent app crashes and bugs
  • 🤖 Unreliable connectivity issues
  • 🤖 Poor customer support
  • 🤖 Deactivation of accounts without notice
  • 🤖 Inability to transfer or port out numbers

Bugs and requests

SMS client

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Send button not clickable
  • Recipients overlayed on message
  • Connection failed
  • App crashes frequently
  • Doesn't connect to iPhone
Show 2 more
  • Disconnects when phone goes to sleep
  • Disconnects when app is in background

Requested features

10 requests
  • Enable automatic sending from Mac
  • Allow iPhone app to run in background
  • Display incoming messages on Mac
  • Improve connection stability
  • Simplify setup process
Show 5 more
  • Enable USB connection option
  • Allow sending without unlocking iPhone
  • Improve computer UI
  • Allow sending messages without touching the phone
  • Import message folders

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App freezes phone when answering calls
  • Missed calls not showing up in the app
  • Text messages getting deleted or out of order
  • Inability to log in or access account
  • Subscription issues and billing problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for MMS and texts from short codes
  • Implement two-factor authentication for security
  • Allow users to sign in on multiple devices
  • Provide more ringtone options
  • Improve integration with native iOS features

In-app purchases

None

SMS client

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

magicApp Calling & Messaging

Subscriptions5
  • Incoming-only calls + texting$3.491 Month
  • Outgoing-only calls + texting$3.491 Month
  • Incoming and Outgoing calls$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • magicJack Premium$4.991 Month
  • magicJack Canadian$5.991 Month
One-time7
  • $4.99 magicJack International minutes credit$4.99
  • SMS for Canadian Numbers$4.99
  • Texting and SMS upgrade$9.99
Show 4 more
  • $9.99 magicJack International minutes credit$9.99
  • $20.00 magicJack International minutes credit$19.99
  • $19.99 magicJack International minutes credit$19.99
  • $40.00 magicJack International minutes credit$39.99

Questions

Is SMS client free?
SMS client is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is magicApp Calling & Messaging free?
magicApp Calling & Messaging is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SMS client or magicApp Calling & Messaging?
magicApp Calling & Messaging is rated higher. SMS client averages 2.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while magicApp Calling & Messaging averages 4.7 from 26K ratings.
Do SMS client or magicApp Calling & Messaging have ads?
Neither SMS client nor magicApp Calling & Messaging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMS client or magicApp Calling & Messaging?
SMS client ships an update every 5 months, and magicApp Calling & Messaging fortnightly. Most recently, SMS client was updated on October 8, 2026 and magicApp Calling & Messaging on October 15, 2026.

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