# SMS Virtual vs Lively

The clearest difference is rating: SMS Virtual at 3.1 against Lively's 1.3. SMS Virtual also leads on ratings volume (33 vs 3). Lively's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SMS Virtual sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Lively sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMS Virtual holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS Virtual has 33 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

SMS Virtual ships an update every 5 months, Lively every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMS Virtual | Lively |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.1 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-virtual-temp-phone-number/id6741067963/reviews)** | [1.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lively/id6749562172/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **33** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 43.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 36 MB | 209 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.3** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Basel Al Jafari](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838981803) | [Lively Technology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1831182184) |

## What reviewers say

### SMS Virtual

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-virtual-temp-phone-number/id6741067963)

This app offers temporary virtual phone numbers to receive SMS verification codes. It's designed for users who need to register on online platforms without revealing their personal number, enhancing privacy and simplifying account verification.

**Highlights:** Virtual numbers for SMS reception, Privacy protection, Easy account verification, Global reach for international platforms, Receive codes within the app

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50 credits | $0.49 | one-time |
| 100 credits | $0.99 | one-time |
| 500 credits | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 credits | $8.99 | one-time |


### Lively

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lively/id6749562172)

Connect with friends and family through live streaming, content sharing, and virtual gifting. Earn real money from your posts and live events, with options for both free and premium memberships.

**Highlights:** Discover friends and family in real-time, Share lifestyle posts and live streams, Earn real money from content and gifts, Send and receive virtual gifts (cookies), Private and public live streaming options, Cash out earnings to a bank account

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Platinum monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Platinum yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| 50 Cookies | $5.79 | one-time |
| 100 Cookies | $11.49 | one-time |
| 200 Cookies | $22.99 | one-time |
| 500 Cookies | $57.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Cookies | $114.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Cookies | $229.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Cookies | $579.99 | one-time |
| 8000 Cookies | $919.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SMS Virtual free?

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

### Is Lively free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SMS Virtual or Lively?

SMS Virtual is rated higher. SMS Virtual averages 3.1 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while Lively averages 1.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do SMS Virtual or Lively have ads?

SMS Virtual shows ads; Lively does not.

### Which is updated more often, SMS Virtual or Lively?

SMS Virtual ships an update every 5 months, and Lively every 4 days. Most recently, SMS Virtual was updated on November 4, 2026 and Lively on November 5, 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.*