NoScams vs Malwarebytes Mobile Security for scam texts

Updated October 23, 2026

Malwarebytes Mobile Security is a broad security app whose text filtering and Scam Guard checker are free on iPhone. NoScams does one job, scam texts, with every check on your iPhone, nothing collected, and a plain reason for every verdict. If you want a free filter inside a bigger security suite, Malwarebytes is a good choice. If you want a focused app that keeps your texts on your phone, that's NoScams.

This comparison is written by NoScams. We've stuck to what each company publishes about itself and noted when we checked. If something here is out of date, email support@noscams.app and we'll fix it.

At a glance

	NoScams	Malwarebytes Mobile Security
What it is	One job: scam texts	Security suite: texts, calls, web, VPN
Automatic text filtering	Paid: $1.99/month, $14.99/year (7 days free), or $29.99 once	Free
"Is this a scam?" checks	Free, unlimited: paste or share a text, email, link, or screenshot	Free: Scam Guard, an AI chat for texts, links, and screenshots
Explains each verdict	Yes, in plain English	Scam Guard answers in chat
Account	None	Optional, according to Malwarebytes
Data collected	None. Every check stays on your iPhone	Per its App Store label: purchases, identifiers, and usage linked to you; contacts and text messages collected but not linked to you
Calls	No	Call protection is paid
Requires	iOS 17 or later	iOS 18 or later

Malwarebytes details are from its App Store listing and help center, checked October 23, 2026. NoScams is coming soon to the App Store.

Where Malwarebytes is stronger

Free filtering. Malwarebytes' text filtering is free on iPhone. NoScams charges for automatic filtering (checks are free).
More than texts. If you also want call protection, web protection, or a VPN in one app, Malwarebytes covers them in its paid plans.
A track record. Malwarebytes has a long history in security software and 111,000 App Store ratings at 4.5 stars.

Where NoScams is different

Your texts stay on your phone. NoScams checks every text on your iPhone and doesn't collect any data. Malwarebytes' privacy label says it collects contacts and text messages (not linked to your identity) to make the app work.
No account, no suite. Nothing to sign up for and nothing else running.
A reason for every verdict. Each check tells you exactly why: where the link really goes, which company it imitates, and which tricks it uses.
Built to avoid false alarms. NoScams never filters verification codes or texts whose links go to the company's real website, and every rule update is tested against real company messages before it ships.
One purchase for the family. Paid plans work with Apple Family Sharing for up to six people.

Both work within Apple's limits

Every text filter app on iPhone, including both of these, only sees regular texts (SMS, MMS, and RCS) from senders you don't know. None of them can see iMessages or texts from your contacts. That's Apple's design, and it's good for your privacy.

Which should you choose?

Choose Malwarebytes if you want free filtering and like having calls, web, and VPN protection in the same app.
Choose NoScams if you want a single, private app for scam texts that explains every verdict and never sends your texts anywhere.

Either way, you can check any text free right now with our scam text checker.

Questions

Is Malwarebytes' text filter really free on iPhone?

Yes. Malwarebytes' help center lists SMS protection, Scam Guard, and ad blocking as free on iOS. Call protection and web protection are paid (checked October 23, 2026).

Can I use both?

iPhone lets you pick a text message filter app in Messages settings. Apple's documentation describes one enabled filter, so plan on choosing one.

Is NoScams available yet?

NoScams is coming soon to the App Store. In the meantime, the free checker on this site uses the same rules as the app.

Sources

Facts checked October 23, 2026.