# SMS io vs GuardNumber

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GuardNumber at none against SMS io's 10. GuardNumber also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SMS io sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. GuardNumber asks for nothing beyond the download.

SMS io ships an update weekly, GuardNumber every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMS io | GuardNumber |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-io-virtual-verification/id6756608507/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **85** | — |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 61 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [APPLOX](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843634912) | [Semih Silistre](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879757209) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 ideal for sign-ups and account verification without using your personal number, offering a secure and private solution across many countries.

**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 (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly 4 Credits | $3.99 | per month |
| SMS Verification - Weekly Lite | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Virtual Number: Weekly 8 Credits | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly 8 Credits | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly 9 Credits | $8.99 | per month |
| 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 |
| 8 Coins to Verify Code | $7.99 | one-time |
| Get 10 SMS Code Coins | $9.99 | one-time |


### GuardNumber

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guardnumber/id6760973731)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SMS io free?

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

### Is GuardNumber free?

GuardNumber is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do SMS io or GuardNumber have ads?

SMS io shows ads; GuardNumber does not.

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

SMS io ships an update weekly, and GuardNumber every 2 days. Most recently, SMS io was updated on October 31, 2026 and GuardNumber on October 31, 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.*