I tried using #PulseSMS for a little bit today, because I remember liking it back in 2018 when I actually paid for the service.
I downloaded it and disabled its networking access immediately through #CalyxOS' firewall.
Even though it wasn't able to download ads, it still had blank ad banners, pop-up "buy premium!" screens and premium feature teasers like a thumbs-up icon next to the most recently received text with some small text saying something like "Try reactions!" (which sends you to the TRY PREMIUM! page.
This is without any internet access. It's all just hard-coded into the app.
I don't have a problem with these guys charging for their app, or charging a REASONABLE subscription fee for the service (being able to send SMS through any web browser), but man, apps in 2024 are just SO horrid. :'(
The state of SMS in the FOSS world is still pretty bad.
I either have to live with flip-flopping between #AOSP Messages and #QUIK for the features I need, or whack a great deal of my #SMS history in order to reduce the db size so that #Fossify messages can run reasonably well without burning up my battery.
Ok, sorry for complaining. I'm thankful for #FOSS. :D