Comparison

PhoneLeash vs Text SMS Forwarder

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

Head to head
About

PhoneLeash

Automatically forward incoming text messages from your iPhone to your email. Access texts from anywhere, receive alerts at work, or keep an archive of conversations. Your messages are encrypted and never sold.

Highlights
  • Automatic SMS forwarding to email
  • Access texts remotely
  • Receive alerts at work
  • International text access
  • Email archive of conversations
  • Encrypted message transit
Read full description

PhoneLeash automatically forwards texts that arrive on your iPhone to the email address of your choice—perfect for when your phone is in another room, or another country! See your texts in your email inbox, whether at work or just away from your iPhone. OTP-ONLY FORWARDING (NEW) Want just your verification codes? PhoneLeash can forward ONLY your one-time passcodes (OTP / 2FA codes) and skip all your regular texts. Perfect for keeping your login codes flowing to a second phone, a work device, or your email while you travel—without forwarding personal messages. Most SMS forwarders can't do this. Available as affordable OTP-only plans. SETUP (follow the step-by-step instructions in the app) 1. Install PhoneLeash 2. Enter your destination email 3. Install the packaged Shortcut (no need for any config, just Save and done!) 4. Create the Automation: "When I get a message containing [your keyword]" → run the PhoneLeash Shortcut. 5. Send yourself a test message, "Allow" the Shortcut. Done! WHAT YOU CAN DO • Access your texts when your phone is across the room • Get delivery, shipping, and appointment alerts at your work inbox • Get your texts while traveling internationally • Forward ONLY your 2FA / verification codes with OTP-only mode • Build an email archive of important conversations PRIVACY • Messages only transit through PhoneLeash's secure servers, while staying encrypted the whole way. They are not stored once processed. • PhoneLeash asks for Contacts permission to label your texts with both name and number. But this is optional, you can safely decline it without affecting functionality. • Your data is never sold, there are no ads. LIMITATIONS PhoneLeash is based on iOS Shortcuts and Automation, and that limits the feature set. Here are a few key limitations. • Attachments (photos, videos, audio) are not forwarded — only message text. • For group messages, the list of participants is not forwarded. Only the sender of the message and its content. • In high-traffic situations Shortcuts may not fire reliably, and some messages could be lost --- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Text SMS Forwarder

Features
Read full description

Text SMS Forwarder helps you organize and forward important text messages using rules that run on your device. Create rules by sender, keywords, and message content. Preview and test each rule before using it, choose one or more forwarding numbers, and review prepared messages and delivery history from a clear control center. Key features: • Smart, quick, and advanced rule builders • Sender and keyword matching • Optional message cleanup and text replacement • Apple Shortcuts integration for incoming-message automation • Review and send prepared forwards • Local message history and status tracking • Contact selection with optional Contacts access • Light and dark appearance Privacy first: Messages, rules, contacts, and activity are processed and stored on your device. The app does not upload your SMS content to a server. Setup requires Apple’s Shortcuts app. Follow the in-app guide to install the included shortcut and connect a personal Message automation. SMS forwarding availability depends on iOS, carrier support, and device settings.

Screenshots

PhoneLeash4 screens
Text SMS Forwarder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Text SMS Forwarder at none against PhoneLeash's 7. PhoneLeash's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. PhoneLeash sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Text SMS Forwarder asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhoneLeash ships an update every 6 days, Text SMS Forwarder every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PhoneLeash versus Text SMS Forwarder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoneLeashText SMS Forwarder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGEARANDROID LLCVishal Dalsania

In-app purchases

7 purchases

PhoneLeash

Subscriptions7
  • Personal OTP — Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Commercial OTP — Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Personal - Monthly$8.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Commercial Monthly$25.991 Month
  • Personal Semi-Annual$38.996 Months
  • Personal Annual$69.991 Year
  • Commercial — Semi-Annual$116.996 Months
None

Text SMS Forwarder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PhoneLeash free?
PhoneLeash is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Text SMS Forwarder free?
Text SMS Forwarder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PhoneLeash or Text SMS Forwarder have ads?
Neither PhoneLeash nor Text SMS Forwarder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhoneLeash or Text SMS Forwarder?
PhoneLeash ships an update every 6 days, and Text SMS Forwarder every 5 days. Most recently, PhoneLeash was updated on October 24, 2026 and Text SMS Forwarder on October 15, 2026.

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