# Keybase vs SimpleX Chat

The clearest difference is rating: SimpleX Chat at 4.3 against Keybase's 3.5. SimpleX Chat also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (56% vs 42%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 323 and 268 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Keybase's written reviews are positive against 56% of SimpleX Chat's.

Keybase ships an update every 3 months, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Keybase | SimpleX Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (323 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keybase-crypto-for-everyone/id1044461770/reviews) | **[4.3 (268 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **323** | 268 |
| Positive reviews | 42.5% of reviews | **56.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#210** |
| Size | 127 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Keybase, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1044460764) | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) |

## What reviewers say

### Keybase

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keybase-crypto-for-everyone/id1044461770)

Securely message anyone on social media or other platforms without needing their personal contact information. All communications are end-to-end encrypted and accessible across multiple devices. This open-source platform is free and ad-free for all users.

**Highlights:** Secure messaging to social media users, End-to-end encryption, Multi-device support, Open source, Ad-free

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure communication
- 👍 Useful features like cloud storage and git repos
- 💡 Innovative crypto integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Lack of iPad support
- 👎 Sluggish performance

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Messaging issues and lost chats
- Unreliable file sharing

**Requested features**

- Add iPad app support
- Improve message threading and navigation
- Integrate with more social platforms
- Add password manager functionality


### SimpleX Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084)

**Currently charting:** #210 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

**Highlights:** No user identifiers, End-to-end encrypted messages, Disappearing messages, Incognito mode, Encrypted file and voice messages, Secret chat groups, Encrypted portable chat database

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
- 🔐 No phone number or personal data required
- 👤 Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
- 🚀 Fast message delivery when working properly
- 🎯 Decentralized and open-source architecture

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 📬 Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
- ⌨️ Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
- 🔌 Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
- 📱 iPad version not optimized

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
- Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
- Messages not appearing until app is opened
- Notifications not working despite correct settings
- Chat freezing and lag on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Read receipts option
- Typing indicators
- Bot maker feature like Telegram
- Multiple image attachment with descriptions
- Better emoji reaction selection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Keybase free?

Keybase is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Keybase or SimpleX Chat?

SimpleX Chat is rated higher. Keybase averages 3.5 out of 5 from 323 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 268 ratings.

### Do Keybase or SimpleX Chat have ads?

Neither Keybase nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Keybase or SimpleX Chat?

Keybase ships an update every 3 months, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Keybase was updated on October 6, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on October 16, 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.*