# ChatSecure Messenger — Encrypted Messenger

> Free, open-source, encrypted XMPP messenger with OTR and OMEMO. (iPhone/iPad app by Chris Ballinger.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatsecure-messenger/id464200063 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chris Ballinger](https://appshunter.io/developer/433040866)
- Category: Social Networking, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 282 App Store ratings · 138 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 34 MB
- Languages: American English, Arabic, Catalan, Danish, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian and 19 more
- Released: 2011-12-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatsecure-messenger/id464200063/reviews.md

## What is ChatSecure Messenger?

ChatSecure is a free and open source messaging app that features OTR and OMEMO encryption over XMPP. You can create new accounts on public XMPP servers, or even connect to your own server for extra security.

Unlike other apps that keep you stuck in their walled garden, ChatSecure is fully interoperable with other clients that support OTR, OMEMO and XMPP.

ChatSecure only uses well-known open source cryptographic libraries to keep your conversations private. Other apps may make claims about 'military grade' security but, without publicly auditable source code and verifiable end-to-end encryption, you cannot be truly safe.

* XMPP with TLS certificate pinning.
* OTR for verifiable end-to-end encryption and forward secrecy.
* OMEMO for a mobile-friendly alternative to OTR.
* SQLCipher to locally encrypt conversation logs.
* Free and Open Source: https://github.com/chatsecure/chatsecure-ios

Follow @ChatSecure on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chatsecure

►► ChatSecure Donations
Subscribe to ChatSecure to help make developing free and open source privacy tools sustainable. We welcome any contribution to support ongoing development. The donation levels are currently $2.99/month, $5.99/month or $19.99/month. Here's what you get:

• Feel good supporting indie software
• Continued development and updates
• Help keep the app free for everyone

To manage your subscription:
• You can turn off auto-renewal via the main Settings app: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4098
• Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal.
• Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase.
• Visit the following URL to view our Privacy Policy: https://chatsecure.org/privacy/
• Visit the following URL for full terms of use: https://chatsecure.org/terms/

## Key features

- OTR encryption
- OMEMO encryption
- XMPP protocol
- TLS certificate pinning
- SQLCipher local encryption
- Open source

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $2.99 Donation | $2.99 | per month |
| $5.99 Donation | $5.99 | per month |
| $9.99 Donation | $9.99 | per month |


## What do users think of ChatSecure Messenger?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great app
- 🔒 Secure chat
- 👍 Intuitive setup
- 🚀 Reliable
- 👍 Excellent service
- 🚀 Works well
- 🔒 Encrypted
- 👍 Awesome

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes often
- 🐛 Buggy
- 🐛 Notifications not working
- 🐛 Messages not syncing
- 🐛 Stability issues
- 🐛 Freezes
- 🐛 Incompatible with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Disappearing messages

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Fails to send messages
- Notifications not working
- Syncing issues across devices
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Add group chat support
- Improve background support
- Add search functionality
- Customization options
- Improve message delivery reliability
- Restore Tor support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 138)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatsecure-messenger/id464200063/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Простота

*2026-06-11*

Потрясающий легкий интерфейс, отправка-проучение текста и очень хочется только аудио звонки. Такое приложение было бы подарком судьбы.

### 1/5 — Приложение заброшено уже много лет

*2026-05-21*

Концепт был неплохой, но сейчас приложение заброшено и давно не обновлялось. Секурностью и защищённостью в таких условиях и не пахнет.

### 5/5 — Check me out

*2026-04-08, version 5.0.4*

💕

### 4/5 — Liquid Glass needed!

*2026-03-31*

The app is very well, but add the Liquid Glass, and Reply context menu, please! And completely translate to Russian language!

### 3/5 — Настройки

*2024-08-01*

Нет выбора сервера и настроек TOR как на первом скриншоте, в остальном вроде работает. Разработчики поправьте пожалуйста

### 5/5 — Jabber

*2024-07-27, version 5.0.4*

Great app

### 5/5 — This has been my goto for Google Chat

*2024-07-19, version 5.0.4*

Easy to use. Allows for OTR. Used it for years.

### 5/5 — Пушок

*2024-05-15*

Хорошо рабочее

### 5/5 — Five minutes and jabber acrive

*2024-03-03*

Good complete, Java best )

### 5/5 — Онлайн

*2023-08-22*

Сообщения можно отправлять, только когда онлайн…

## Frequently asked questions about ChatSecure Messenger

### What is ChatSecure Messenger?

ChatSecure Messenger is a free and open-source messaging application that offers robust end-to-end encryption for your conversations. It utilizes OTR and OMEMO encryption protocols over the XMPP standard, ensuring your messages are private and secure.

### What are the key encryption features?

The app supports OTR (Off-the-Record Messaging) for verifiable end-to-end encryption and forward secrecy, and OMEMO, a mobile-friendly alternative to OTR. It also features TLS certificate pinning for XMPP connections and SQLCipher to locally encrypt conversation logs on your device.

### How is ChatSecure Messenger monetized?

The app itself is free and open source. However, it offers optional subscriptions for users who wish to support ongoing development and updates. These subscriptions are available at different monthly price points.

### Is ChatSecure compatible with other messaging apps?

Yes, ChatSecure is designed for interoperability. It can connect with other XMPP clients that support OTR, OMEMO, and XMPP, meaning you are not confined to a single platform's ecosystem.

### Who is this app for?

This app is ideal for users who prioritize privacy and security in their communications. It's particularly suited for those who value open-source software and want a messaging solution that is interoperable with the wider XMPP network.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0.4 — 2021-08-10

* Update dependencies
* Fix media SQLCipher WAL size
* Minor onboarding changes

### 5.0.3 — 2021-01-15

* Support for latest iPhone models
* Fixes for Xcode 12
* Update dependencies

### 5.0.2 — 2020-04-16

* Storage management of downloaded media messages
* Migrate to YapDatabase 4.0
* Update dependencies
* Use CryptoKit on iOS 13 for AES-GCM operations
* Resolve some dark mode issues

### 5.0.1 — 2020-02-17

v5.0.1:
* Fix receiving OMEMO media messages with 12-byte IV

v5.0:
* Dark Mode
* Removes Tor support
* Mac version available soon for macOS Catalina
* Miscellaneous bug fixes and performance improvements
* Now requires iOS 12 or higher

Changelog: https://github.com/chatsecure/chatsecure-ios/compare/v4.3.9...v5.0.1

### 5.0 — 2020-02-16

v5.0:
* Dark Mode
* Removes Tor support
* Mac version available soon for macOS Catalina
* Miscellaneous bug fixes and performance improvements
* Now requires iOS 12 or higher

Changelog: https://github.com/chatsecure/chatsecure-ios/compare/v4.3.9...v5.0

## Apps similar to ChatSecure Messenger

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Signal - Private Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669) | 4.7 (1,074,580) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Threema. The Secure Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578) | 4.3 (697) | $6.99 | Social Networking |
| [WhatsApp Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997) | 4.7 (18,429,129) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Telegram Messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807) | 4.0 (277,577) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Siskin IM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/siskin-im/id1153516838) | 3.7 (33) | Free | Social Networking |
| [Monal — XMPP Chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monal-xmpp-chat/id317711500) | 3.7 (133) | Free | Social Networking |

## More apps by Chris Ballinger

- [iBurn 2026](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iburn-2026/id388169740)

All apps by Chris Ballinger: https://appshunter.io/developer/433040866

## Related topics

[chris ballinger](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chris-ballinger) · [xmpp chat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xmpp-chat) · [xmpp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xmpp) · [xmpp messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xmpp-messenger) · [chats encrypted messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chats-encrypted-messenger)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*