Comparison

SMS vs Message Archive

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

Head to head
About

SMS

Send and receive SMS and MMS messages across your devices seamlessly. Your messages stay synced and accessible from your mobile device or web browser, using your existing phone number. It offers easy setup and secure cloud integration.

Highlights
  • Cross-device SMS and MMS sync
  • Cloud integration for message backup
  • Use your own phone number
  • Seamless syncing across devices
  • Easy setup
Features
Read full description

Stay connected everywhere with SMS Plus — the easy way to send and receive SMS messages using your personal flip phone number. SMS Plus allows you to send and receive SMS and MMS messages across your devices seamlessly. Whether you're using your mobile device or a web browser, your messages stay synced and accessible whenever you need them. KEY FEATURES Cross-Device SMS Sync Send and receive SMS and MMS messages across supported devices. Cloud Integration Your messages stay in sync automatically, securely stored and accessible anytime. Easy Setup No technical skills needed — start syncing your messages in minutes. Use Your Own Number SMS Plus works with your existing flip phone number — just like your native SMS app.

About

Message Archive

Easily view and search your archived SMS messages on your iPhone. Preserve important conversations, create personal backups, and access media attachments. This app prioritizes your privacy by keeping all data on your device.

Highlights
  • View archived conversations
  • Search by contact or phone number
  • Display photos and media
  • Sort by recent messages
  • Works completely offline
  • Data stays on device
Features
Read full description

PRESERVE YOUR MESSAGE HISTORY Message Archive lets you view and search your archived messages on iPhone. Perfect for preserving conversations or keeping a personal backup of important messages. FEATURES • View all your archived conversations • Search by contact name or phone number • Display photos and media attachments • Sort by most recent messages • Works completely offline • All data stays on your device HOW IT WORKS 1. Import your message archive folder 2. Choose your storage option (offline or linked) 3. Browse and search your message history PRIVACY FIRST Your messages never leave your device. No cloud services, no data collection, no tracking. Message Archive reads your archive files locally - your privacy is absolute. STORAGE OPTIONS Choose between: • Save to Device - Full offline access, uses device storage • Link Only - Access files from iCloud or external location, saves space PERFECT FOR • Preserving important conversations • Creating message backups • Legal or personal records • Keeping message history

Screenshots

SMS4 screens
Message Archive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SMS at 5.0 against Message Archive's 3.0. SMS also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SMS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
SMS versus Message Archive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMSMessage Archive
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTawlq. IncDaniel Kennedy

In-app purchases

None

SMS

No in-app purchases

None

Message Archive

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMS free?
SMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Message Archive free?
Message Archive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SMS or Message Archive?
SMS is rated higher. SMS averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Message Archive averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do SMS or Message Archive have ads?
Neither SMS nor Message Archive shows ads.

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