# Flash Text Message vs SMS Instant

The clearest difference is rating: SMS Instant at 4.0 against Flash Text Message's 1.1. SMS Instant also leads on review sentiment (12% vs 0%). Flash Text Message's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (7.1 vs 12.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flash Text Message sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and SMS Instant sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SMS Instant holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 60 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Flash Text Message's written reviews are positive against 12% of SMS Instant's.

Flash Text Message ships an update every 8 months, SMS Instant every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flash Text Message | SMS Instant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.1 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-text-message/id932814901/reviews) | **[4.0 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-instant/id1504179579/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **60** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **11.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 16 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.1** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blacktelio OÜ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1208089378) | [Hayato Shimizu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1207195348) |

## What reviewers say

### Flash Text Message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-text-message/id932814901)

Send full-screen SMS messages that appear directly on the recipient's screen, bypassing the usual message history. This offers a unique and fun way to communicate with contacts, though delivery may vary by operator and device.

**Highlights:** Full-screen message delivery, Messages not stored in history, Dismiss button only, Fun communication tool, SMS messaging

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 Flash Texts | $5.99 | one-time |
| 10 Flash Texts | $9.99 | one-time |
| 25 Flash Texts | $18.99 | one-time |
| 60 Flash Texts | $36.99 | one-time |
| 200 Flash Texts | $94.99 | one-time |


### SMS Instant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-instant/id1504179579)

Receive SMS messages anonymously with temporary phone numbers. Protect your private number by using disposable digits for service registrations and urgent SMS needs. Get a new number each time you open the app.

**Highlights:** Disposable phone numbers, Receive registration messages, Anonymous SMS reception, No registration required, Secure private number protection, New number on each launch

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (Monthly plan) | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium (Buying out) | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flash Text Message free?

Flash Text Message is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SMS Instant free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Flash Text Message or SMS Instant?

SMS Instant is rated higher. Flash Text Message averages 1.1 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while SMS Instant averages 4.0 from 60 ratings.

### Do Flash Text Message or SMS Instant have ads?

SMS Instant shows ads; Flash Text Message does not.

### Which is updated more often, Flash Text Message or SMS Instant?

Flash Text Message ships an update every 8 months, and SMS Instant every 5 months. Most recently, Flash Text Message was updated on October 14, 2026 and SMS Instant on October 7, 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.*