Comparison

SMS Forwarder vs Tropa Connect

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

Head to head
About

SMS Forwarder

Automatically forward SMS messages from your iPhone to various platforms like email, Slack, WhatsApp, and more. Filter texts based on keywords or patterns, and receive verification codes directly on your preferred services. Offers a free tier with a monthly limit and a Pro version for unlimited forwarding.

Highlights
  • Automatic SMS forwarding
  • Forward to email, Slack, WhatsApp, Discord, Teams, Telegram
  • Forward verification codes
  • Customizable text filters
  • Webhook integration
  • Activity log
  • No account or Fwrd servers
Features
Read full description

Fwrd automatically forwards text messages from your iPhone to Email, Slack, WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, another phone or iMessage, or your own webhook. Set it up once and every matching SMS is passed on as it arrives. FORWARD VERIFICATION CODES Get one-time passcodes and 2FA codes where you actually are: a work Slack channel, a family WhatsApp chat, your inbox, or a second phone. Great for shared accounts, team logins, and codes sent to a phone you don't carry. CHOOSE WHICH TEXTS GET FORWARDED Filters decide which texts reach Discord, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Telegram and webhooks: only texts with certain words, only texts that look like a verification code, or only at certain hours. Check any filter first with Try a Text. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add a destination in Fwrd. 2. Add Fwrd's ready-made shortcut and set up its Message automation in Apple's Shortcuts app. Fwrd walks you through every tap. 3. New texts that match are forwarded automatically, even while your iPhone is locked. Email, another phone and WhatsApp send through their own Shortcuts actions, with Fwrd handing over the text. Discord, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Telegram and webhooks are sent by Fwrd directly from your iPhone. WORKS WITH ZAPIER, MAKE AND N8N Point a webhook at Zapier, Make or n8n to send each text on to Google Sheets, Notion, or any other app. SEE EVERY DELIVERY Activity shows what was forwarded, where it went, and anything that failed. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account and no Fwrd servers. Texts go straight from your iPhone to the apps you choose, and your forwarding history stays on your iPhone. Forwarding needs your iPhone to be on and online. FREE AND PRO Forward 15 texts a month for free. One text counts once, even when it goes to several destinations. Fwrd Pro removes the limit. Privacy Policy: https://fwrdsms.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Tropa Connect

Features
Read full description

Tropa is a client for a secure connection with an existing access key. Add a compatible configuration, choose a server, and connect. Important: Tropa does not sell subscriptions, issue keys, or provide its own server catalog. You need an active key from your service provider or administrator. The key determines the configuration, servers, and protocols available to you. Data protection during connection Tropa helps create a secure connection from an existing configuration and manage it without entering network parameters by hand. The level of protection depends on the protocol, key settings, selected server, and network conditions. Tropa features 1. Secure connection. Use an existing configuration to create a connection based on your key settings. 2. Key-based activation. Paste the key manually or open the link you received when this method is supported by your configuration. 3. Clear validation results. Tropa confirms successful activation and shows when a key is invalid, blocked, or no longer active. 4. Available server list. Choose the servers included in your key configuration. 5. Connection controls and status. Create or end the connection from the main screen and see its current state at a glance. 6. Key details. Review the configuration name, expiration date, and other information when supplied by your provider. 7. Key replacement. Add a new key when the current one expires or when you need another configuration. 8. Automatic startup. Let Tropa create the connection automatically according to your selected settings. 9. Ad-free interface. Essential controls stay visible without advertising interruptions. How to get started 1. Obtain an active compatible key from your provider or administrator. 2. Open Tropa and add the key using one of the available methods. 3. Wait for the activation confirmation. 4. Select a server from the list loaded for your key. 5. Allow the device to create a network connection the first time, then tap Connect. After activation, Tropa keeps the essential controls on the main screen. You can check the connection state, choose another available server, open the key details, or disconnect. If the key is no longer active, replace it with a new key issued by your provider. Who Tropa is for The app is intended for users who already received a compatible key and want a secure connection without configuring protocols manually. Tropa works on Wi-Fi and mobile networks and keeps the ready configuration in one focused interface. Server availability, expiration information, supported features, speed, and connection stability depend on your key, selected server, internet provider, and current network conditions. Tropa cannot renew or restore a third-party key without its provider. Use the app in accordance with the service rules and the laws applicable in your country.

Screenshots

SMS Forwarder4 screens
Tropa Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tropa Connect at none against SMS Forwarder's 7. Tropa Connect also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). SMS Forwarder's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). On price and ads 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. SMS Forwarder sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Tropa Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMS Forwarder ships an update every 2 days, Tropa Connect fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SMS Forwarder versus Tropa Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMS ForwarderTropa Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size179 MB93 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlan TomTropa

In-app purchases

7 purchases

SMS Forwarder

Subscriptions7
  • Fwrd Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Fwrd Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Fwrd Pro Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Fwrd Pro Annual$29.991 Year
  • Fwrd Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Fwrd Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Fwrd Pro Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
None

Tropa Connect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMS Forwarder free?
SMS Forwarder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tropa Connect free?
Tropa Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SMS Forwarder or Tropa Connect have ads?
Neither SMS Forwarder nor Tropa Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMS Forwarder or Tropa Connect?
SMS Forwarder ships an update every 2 days, and Tropa Connect fortnightly. Most recently, SMS Forwarder was updated on November 9, 2026 and Tropa Connect on October 31, 2026.

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