# FreebieSMS vs SMS io

The clearest difference is rating: SMS io at 4.4 against FreebieSMS's 2.0. SMS io also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (78 vs 2). FreebieSMS's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FreebieSMS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SMS io sells 20 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMS io holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS io has 78 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 11% and 11% positive.

FreebieSMS ships an update every 4 months, SMS io weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FreebieSMS | SMS io |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freebiesms-send-sms/id464089527/reviews) | **[4.4 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **78** |
| Positive reviews | **11.4% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Infinite Loop Development Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/463823475) | [APPLOX](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843634912) |

## What reviewers say

### FreebieSMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freebiesms-send-sms/id464089527)

Send free SMS messages to a wide range of international destinations. Access a comprehensive list of supported countries for your messaging needs. Terms and conditions are available on the developer's website.

**Highlights:** Send SMS to multiple countries, International SMS support, Free messaging service, Terms and conditions available, Source code available on request

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Send SMS | $0.99 | one-time |


### SMS io

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507)

This app provides temporary virtual phone numbers to receive SMS verification codes online. It's useful for sign-ups, protecting your personal number, and verifying accounts on various internet platforms without using your real SIM card.

**Highlights:** Receive SMS verification codes online, Temporary virtual phone numbers, Protect personal number privacy, Supports over 160 countries, Coin-based pay-as-you-use system, Fast and secure SMS delivery

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

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly 4 Credits | $3.99 | per month |
| SMS Verification - Weekly Lite | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly 5 Credits | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly 7 Credits | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly 8 Credits | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly 9 Credits | $8.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription for 10 Coins | $9.99 | per month |
| Weekly Subscription for 10 Coins | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Virtual Number - Weekly 15 Credits | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly 25 Credits | $24.99 | per month |
| Get 1 SMS Verification Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Receive SMS Code: 3 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Get 4 Verification Coins | $3.99 | one-time |
| 5 Coins: SMS Number Code | $4.99 | one-time |
| Get 6 Virtual SMS Coins | $5.99 | one-time |
| Receive SMS Number: 7 Coins | $6.99 | one-time |
| 8 Coins to Verify Code | $7.99 | one-time |
| 9 Virtual Verification Coins | $8.99 | one-time |
| Get 10 SMS Code Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 25 Credits | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FreebieSMS free?

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

### Is SMS io free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FreebieSMS or SMS io?

SMS io is rated higher. FreebieSMS averages 2.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while SMS io averages 4.4 from 78 ratings.

### Do FreebieSMS or SMS io have ads?

SMS io shows ads; FreebieSMS does not.

### Which is updated more often, FreebieSMS or SMS io?

FreebieSMS ships an update every 4 months, and SMS io weekly. Most recently, FreebieSMS was updated on October 21, 2026 and SMS io on October 19, 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.*