Keybase vs Igloo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Keybase
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.
- Secure messaging to social media users
- End-to-end encryption
- Multi-device support
- Open source
- Ad-free
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Keybase is a messaging platform where: • you can write securely to any twitter, reddit, facebook, github, and hacker news user • you don't need to know someone's phone number or email address • all messages are secure, end-to-end encrypted • multi-device: your messages survive and transfer with encryption to new phones & computers Keybase is so much more. It is: • free for everyone, and free of ads • open source (https://github.com/keybase/client) • multi-platform, w/apps for macOS, Linux, and Windows (https://keybase.io/download) By using the Keybase app you agree to the following terms: • you'll be a nice Internet person Keybase for mobile is brand new and we yearn for feedback. Inside the app, click the gear icon and then choose "feedback" to send us a summary of your experience.
Igloo
This IRC client has been completely re-engineered for enhanced performance and stability. It offers a refined user experience with a redesigned interface, simultaneous file transfers, and optimized bouncer integration. Enjoy secure communication, versatile file sharing, and extensive customization options.
- Multi-file DCC/XDCC transfers
- Redesigned user interface with themes
- Optimized for bouncers (ZNC)
- Comprehensive network support
- SSL/TLS encryption
- Inline media viewing
- VoiceOver accessibility
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Introducing the new Igloo: a complete overhaul delivering an IRC Client with enhanced performance and stability. This latest version, reengineered from the ground up, offers a refined user experience while maintaining the simplicity and versatility you expect from Igloo. What's New: • Multi-File DCC/XDCC: Enhanced to support simultaneous file transfers, now conveniently stored locally for immediate access. • Redesigned User Interface: A cleaner, more intuitive UI paired with a selection of themes, elevating your chat experience. • Optimized for Bouncers: Advanced features tailored for a seamless experience with popular bouncers like ZNC. Core Features: • Comprehensive Network Support: Compatible with all IRC networks, including Freenode, Libera, Rizon, EFnet, and more. • Secure Communication: Ensured by SSL/TLS encryption. • ZNC Integration: Seamless integration with ZNC and a Push Notification module (https://push.igloo.app). • Versatile File Sharing: File, image, audio, and video sharing supported through platforms like Arxius.io and Imgur.com. • Enhanced Input Completion: For channels, nicks, and commands. • Inline Media Viewing: Experience inline media display for a more engaging chat environment. • Customization and Compliance: Customize your experience with inline nick coloring, full formatting with 99 color support, and adherence to IRCv3 standards. • VoiceOver Accessibility: Enhanced accessibility features including VoiceOver integration to support our vision-impaired users. We're committed to evolving Igloo based on your feedback. If there are features you'd like to see in future updates, please let us know at contact@igloo.app or join us at #igloo on iglooirc.com. Terms of Service: https://igloo.app/terms Privacy Policy https://igloo.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Igloo at 5.0 against Keybase's 3.5. Igloo also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). Keybase's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (323 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Igloo sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Keybase asks for nothing beyond the download.
Igloo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Keybase has 323 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 42% and 43% positive.
Keybase ships an update every 3 months, Igloo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Keybase | Igloo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (323 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 42.5% of reviews | 43.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 323 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 127 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Keybase, Inc. | Eskimo Software |
Customer experience
Keybase
Igloo
User reviews
Keybase
From 323 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure communication
- 👍 Useful features like cloud storage and git repos
- 💡 Innovative crypto integration
Room to improve
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Lack of iPad support
- 👎 Sluggish performance
Igloo
From 1 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎨 Clean, minimalistic, and modern interface
- 🚀 Fast and responsive app performance
- 🔗 Seamless bouncer integration with IRCv3 support
- 📱 Best IRC client available for iOS/iPadOS
- 💬 Active developer with responsive support
Room to improve
- 💰 Expensive pricing compared to competitors
- 🔄 Forced upgrade from previous version with license non-transfer
- 😤 Developer has dismissive and snarky attitude in responses
- 📵 Cannot stay connected in background (Apple limitation)
- 🚫 Misleading 'free' app store listing (trial only)
Bugs and requests
Keybase
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Messaging issues and lost chats
- Unreliable file sharing
Requested features
4 requests- Add iPad app support
- Improve message threading and navigation
- Integrate with more social platforms
- Add password manager functionality
Igloo
Reported bugs
10 issues- App disconnects when screen turns off or app backgrounded
- Theme selection not persisting between app launches
- User list menu jumps unexpectedly on tap
- Link opening requires multiple taps instead of single tap
- Copy/paste functionality hidden and unintuitive
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Some servers fail to connect
- Cannot open certain IRC networks
- Whois/whowas functionality issues with saved conversations
- Trial license not showing in Apple account for cancellation
- iPad view support initially broken in V3
Requested features
15 requests- Restore /ignore command for blocking users
- IRCv3 CHATHISTORY extension implementation
- DCC file transfer support
- Ability to hide/disable Slap function
- Color customization for usernames
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- Disable part/quit message spam
- Customizable timestamp formats
- Multi-line copy/paste selection
- Long-term chat log retention
- Reorderable server lists
- Icon selection for servers
- Hideable user list in portrait mode on iPad
- Automatic configuration sync across devices
- Keep screen from timing out during sessions
- Theme selection persistence
In-app purchases
Keybase
No in-app purchases
Igloo
- Monthly License$0.991 Month
- Yearly License$7.991 Year
- Free TrialFree
- Lifetime License$19.99
