# Virtual Number vs SMS Activate

The clearest difference is rating: SMS Activate at 4.8 against Virtual Number's 3.7. Virtual Number's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Virtual Number sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and SMS Activate sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMS Activate holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively.

Virtual Number ships an update every 6 days, SMS Activate every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Virtual Number | SMS Activate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-number-receive-sms/id6760222356/reviews) | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-activate-receive-sms/id6803568639/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 45 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harun CINBIRT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883339690) | [林辉 朱](https://appshunter.io/developer/6802502074) |

## What reviewers say

### Virtual Number

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-number-receive-sms/id6760222356)

Get temporary virtual phone numbers to receive SMS messages online. Protect your privacy by using these numbers for online registrations and verification codes without revealing your personal number. It offers a fast and easy interface with numbers from multiple countries.

**Highlights:** Virtual phone numbers, Receive SMS instantly, Multiple countries available, OTP verification, No registration required, Fast and easy interface

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Add Credits | $0.99 | one-time |
| Add Credits | $4.99 | one-time |
| Add Credits | $9.99 | one-time |


### SMS Activate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-activate-receive-sms/id6803568639)

Receive SMS verification codes online using virtual numbers from over 180 countries. Protect your privacy by not sharing your real phone number during account registration and verification. Manage your number status and SMS history for clearer use.

**Highlights:** Receive SMS verification codes online, Virtual numbers for over 180 countries, Temporary and longer-term number rental, Enhanced privacy by not sharing real number, View number status and SMS history, Extended keyboard for faster code input

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 gold coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| 9 gold coin | $1.99 | one-time |
| 12 gold coin | $2.99 | one-time |
| 25 gold coin | $4.99 | one-time |
| 45 gold coin | $9.99 | one-time |
| 85 gold coin | $19.99 | one-time |
| 200 gold coin | $39.99 | one-time |
| 450 gold coin | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Virtual Number free?

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

### Is SMS Activate free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Virtual Number or SMS Activate?

SMS Activate is rated higher. Virtual Number averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SMS Activate averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.

### Do Virtual Number or SMS Activate have ads?

Neither Virtual Number nor SMS Activate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Virtual Number or SMS Activate?

Virtual Number ships an update every 6 days, and SMS Activate every 4 days. Most recently, Virtual Number was updated on November 5, 2026 and SMS Activate 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.*