# Virtual SMS vs SMS activate | Virtual SIM

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Virtual SMS at 78% against SMS activate | Virtual SIM's 26%. Virtual SMS also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.1) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). SMS activate | Virtual SIM's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Virtual SMS sells 17 one-off in-app purchases and SMS activate | Virtual SIM sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Virtual SMS holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Virtual SMS's written reviews are positive against 26% of SMS activate | Virtual SIM's.

Virtual SMS ships an update every 6 weeks, SMS activate | Virtual SIM every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Virtual SMS | SMS activate | Virtual SIM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-sms-virtual-number/id6499100920/reviews)** | [3.1 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-activate-virtual-sim/id6661027967/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 17 | **19** |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 25.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [凤娥 赵](https://appshunter.io/developer/1681548200) | [Aleksandr Nesterov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1404263700) |

## What reviewers say

### Virtual SMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-sms-virtual-number/id6499100920)

This app provides a secure and convenient way to receive temporary SMS messages globally. It allows users to register for various online services without revealing their personal phone number, ensuring digital privacy and protection from spam.

**Highlights:** Global temporary numbers in 200+ countries, No SIM card required for registration, Supports 2000+ mainstream apps, Advanced spam and junk message interception, Local and offline message interception, Protects personal phone number from leaks

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 一次性号码 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码单次激活(地区一) | $0.99 | one-time |
| 15 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |
| VIP短信号码按天租用(地区一) | $1.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码单次激活(地区二) | $1.99 | one-time |
| 按天租用(地区二) | $2.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码单次激活(地区三) | $2.99 | one-time |
| 30 Gold | $3.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码按天租用(地区三) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码单次激活(地区四) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码租用(套餐D) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码单次激活(地区五) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 60 Gold | $6.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gold | $9.99 | one-time |
| 短信号码租用(套餐Z) | $17.99 | one-time |
| 200 Gold | $19.99 | one-time |
| 400 Gold | $34.99 | one-time |


### SMS activate | Virtual SIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-activate-virtual-sim/id6661027967)

This app provides virtual phone numbers for receiving SMS messages, enhancing online privacy and security. It simplifies account creation on various services by offering disposable second numbers for quick and easy verification without exposing your real phone number.

**Highlights:** Disposable virtual numbers, Receive SMS online, Account verification, Privacy protection, Transparent pricing, Instant number assignment

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tokens | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tokens | $6.99 | one-time |
| Tokens | $22.99 | one-time |
| Tokens | $33.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Virtual SMS free?

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

### Is SMS activate | Virtual SIM free?

SMS activate | Virtual SIM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Virtual SMS or SMS activate | Virtual SIM?

Virtual SMS is rated higher. Virtual SMS averages 3.9 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while SMS activate | Virtual SIM averages 3.1 from 19 ratings.

### Do Virtual SMS or SMS activate | Virtual SIM have ads?

Neither Virtual SMS nor SMS activate | Virtual SIM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Virtual SMS or SMS activate | Virtual SIM?

Virtual SMS ships an update every 6 weeks, and SMS activate | Virtual SIM every 3 weeks. Most recently, Virtual SMS was updated on September 18, 2026 and SMS activate | Virtual SIM on September 22, 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.*