# Virtual SIM vs SMS io

The clearest difference is rating: SMS io at 4.4 against Virtual SIM's 3.6. SMS io also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and review sentiment (11% vs 0%). Virtual SIM's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Virtual SIM sells 4 one-off in-app purchases 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 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SMS io has 78 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Virtual SIM's written reviews are positive against 11% of SMS io's.

Virtual SIM ships an update every 5 weeks, SMS io weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Virtual SIM | SMS io |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-sim-sms-activate/id6745871744/reviews) | **[4.4 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **78** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **11.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 58 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mansur Kuziaev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1760094539) | [APPLOX](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843634912) |

## What reviewers say

### Virtual SIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-sim-sms-activate/id6745871744)

Obtain temporary virtual phone numbers for SMS verification and online sign-ups. Protect your personal number from spam and unwanted exposure while ensuring privacy and security during online activities.

**Highlights:** Disposable virtual numbers, SMS reception without a SIM, Privacy protection, Clear pricing, Supports various services, Instant number activation

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Few tokens | $2.99 | one-time |
| Several tokens | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lot's of tokens | $22.99 | one-time |
| Huge amount of tokens | $33.99 | 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 Virtual SIM free?

Virtual SIM 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, Virtual SIM or SMS io?

SMS io is rated higher. Virtual SIM averages 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while SMS io averages 4.4 from 78 ratings.

### Do Virtual SIM or SMS io have ads?

SMS io shows ads; Virtual SIM does not.

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

Virtual SIM ships an update every 5 weeks, and SMS io weekly. Most recently, Virtual SIM was updated on September 30, 2026 and SMS io on October 14, 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.*