# SMS client vs magicApp Calling & Messaging

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMS client | magicApp Calling & Messaging |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-client/id379141837/reviews) | **[4.7 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magicapp-calling-and-messaging/id463926997/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **26K** |
| Positive reviews | 16.8% of reviews | **49.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MacMedia](https://appshunter.io/developer/322441361) | [MAGICJACK VOIP SERVICES LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534194883) |

## 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


### magicApp Calling & Messaging

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magicapp-calling-and-messaging/id463926997)

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Incoming-only calls + texting | $3.49 | per month |
| Outgoing-only calls + texting | $3.49 | per month |
| Incoming and Outgoing calls | $3.99 | per month |
| magicJack Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| magicJack Canadian | $5.99 | per month |
| $4.99 magicJack International minutes credit | $4.99 | one-time |
| SMS for Canadian Numbers | $4.99 | one-time |
| Texting and SMS upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 magicJack International minutes credit | $9.99 | one-time |
| $20.00 magicJack International minutes credit | $19.99 | one-time |
| $19.99 magicJack International minutes credit | $19.99 | one-time |
| $40.00 magicJack International minutes credit | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*