# Group Messages vs Group SMS

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Group Messages at none against Group SMS's 1. Group Messages also leads on iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 12.0). Group SMS's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Group SMS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Group Messages asks for nothing beyond the download.

Group Messages ships an update every 9 months, Group SMS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Group Messages | Group SMS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Size | 19 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **5.1.1** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shenzhen Brown Bear Technology Co., LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/480204138) | [KyongDon Um](https://appshunter.io/developer/1556429574) |

## What reviewers say

### Group Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/group-messages/id915278531)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Group SMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/group-sms-group-message/id1671152645)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Group Messages free?

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

### Is Group SMS free?

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

### Do Group Messages or Group SMS have ads?

Neither Group Messages nor Group SMS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Group Messages or Group SMS?

Group Messages ships an update every 9 months, and Group SMS every 2 months. Most recently, Group Messages was updated on September 27, 2026 and Group SMS on September 25, 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.*