# Timed Text Message vs Ghost

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ghost at 60% against Timed Text Message's 0%. Ghost also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.1) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 8 months). Timed Text Message's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Timed Text Message sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Ghost sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ghost holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ghost has 7.7K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Timed Text Message's written reviews are positive against 60% of Ghost's.

Timed Text Message ships an update every 8 months, Ghost every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Timed Text Message | Ghost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.1 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timed-text-message/id956796909/reviews) | **[4.6 (7.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghost-second-phone-number/id6466671844/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **7.7K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **60.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 19 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Blacktelio OÜ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1208089378) | [Openlife AI Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896485364) |

## What reviewers say

### Timed Text Message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timed-text-message/id956796909)

Schedule delayed SMS messages for fun, reminders, or planning. Send special "Flash-Text-Messages" that appear directly on the recipient's screen and are not stored in their message history.

**Highlights:** Schedule delayed SMS, Send Flash-Text messages, Full-screen message display, Messages not stored in history, Use for reminders and planning

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

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


### Ghost

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghost-second-phone-number/id6466671844)

Get a private, local phone number to stop spam and protect your identity. Receive texts, make unlimited calls, and use a temporary number for online sign-ups and transactions without revealing your real number.

**Highlights:** Temporary phone number, Unlimited calls, SMS verification codes, Local area codes, VPN protection, Spam shielding, No contracts or SIMs

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

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Spam Call Blocker | $4.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| VPN Protection | $9.99 | per 2 months |
| Premium | $14.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $14.99 | per year |
| Pro | $17.99 | per year |
| Multi Plan Plus - 10 Numbers | $19.99 | per 2 months |
| Multi-Plan - 10 Numbers | $19.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $24.99 | per month |
| Pro | $29.99 | per month |
| Premium | $29.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $39.99 | per month |
| Pro | $49.99 | per 2 months |
| Pro | $139.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cuts spam calls
- 🔒 Keeps personal number private
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 👍 Transparent about costs
- 👍 Separate work and personal calls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Verification issues
- 🐛 Unable to send/receive messages
- 🐛 Unavailable area codes
- 🐛 Billing and subscription problems
- 🐛 Unreliable performance

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to delete conversations
- Inconsistent number availability
- Verification texts not received
- Calls not connecting properly

**Requested features**

- Allow multiple numbers and number switching
- Improve 2FA and verification process
- Add more customization and settings options
- Enhance call and messaging capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Timed Text Message free?

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

### Is Ghost free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Timed Text Message or Ghost?

Ghost is rated higher. Timed Text Message averages 1.1 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Ghost averages 4.6 from 7.7K ratings.

### Do Timed Text Message or Ghost have ads?

Neither Timed Text Message nor Ghost shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Timed Text Message or Ghost?

Timed Text Message ships an update every 8 months, and Ghost every 8 days. Most recently, Timed Text Message was updated on October 8, 2026 and Ghost on October 14, 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.*