Comparison

BrightChat vs Chat

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BrightChat

This app provides secure and private communication through end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls. It offers features like scheduled and disappearing messages, as well as group chats for staying connected with loved ones.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messages
  • Encrypted audio and video calls
  • Schedule messages
  • Disappearing messages
  • Group chats
Features
Read full description

BrightChat is a free, simple, and trusted messenger that connects anyone anywhere. Secure calls and messages based on state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption technology. Privacy and security are the core of our values. Respect for your privacy and protection of your data are our top priority. Every private message and call is secured by end-to-end encryption so that no one, including us, can read your messages or listen to your conversations except yourself and the intended recipients. Main features: * Secure messages with end-to-end encryption End-to-end encrypted messaging to give you peace of mind about your data security. * Encrypted real-time audio and video calls Crystal-clear audio & video let you hear your friends or family as if they were right there with you. * Scheduling messages Compose your messages ahead of time and choose when they get sent. You can send messages in advance, like friend's birthdays, or even schedule to send messages at midnight so that your friends can receive them in the morning. * Disappearing messages Set a timer that automatically deletes your messages after a certain interval. * Group Chats Use group chats to stay connected with friends and family.

About

Chat

This secure messaging app connects you with friends and family globally using your phone's internet. It offers fast, end-to-end encrypted communication without subscriptions or ads. Easily access contacts and keep in touch, even with offline message storage.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Free messaging
  • No subscription required
  • Fast message delivery
  • Offline message storage
  • Profile photo upload
Features
Read full description

Chat-In is an app that allows you messaging with your friends and family. Chat-In which is compatible with IOS smartphones uses your phone Internet connection (4G,3G,2G or Wi-Fi) for your communication. Keep in touch with your loved ones! And even it is easy to use, fast, secure and free! WHY Chat-In? FREE: No subscription fee, no adds and always free. You can send messages for free whenever you like and wherever you are. Chat your friends who are all over the world without any international SMS fee.(*) SECURE: Our mission is to send your messages concealing from third parties. Chat-In encrypts messages with End- to- End -Encryption and do not share them. FAST: We know that your messages are important and that is why we are transferring them instantly. NO SUBSCRIPTION: No need to subscribe or log on. Chat-In easily access to your contacts without any need for you to remember username and it gets you to keep in touch with your friends. OFFLINE MESSAGES: Don't panic! when your phone is turned off or when you don't have Internet connection. Chat-In keeps your last messages until you reopen the app. ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS: You can know the time of seen messages You can upload any photo that you like to your profile Try it and discover more! (*) Data charges may apply.

Screenshots

BrightChat4 screens
Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BrightChat at 75% against Chat's 23%. BrightChat also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (190 vs 20). Chat's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BrightChat holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrightChat has 190 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of BrightChat's written reviews are positive against 23% of Chat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, Chat every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
BrightChat versus Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrightChatChat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (190 ratings) — better3.5 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews — better23.3% of reviews
Number of ratings190 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB101 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShenXun IncKALE ILERI TEKNOLOJI

Customer experience

BrightChat

All ratings189 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral2.1%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative18.8%

Chat

All ratings20 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive23.3%
Neutral20.0%
Negative56.7%

Bugs and requests

BrightChat

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • Cannot receive verification codes (UK, +262)
  • Long delays in sending or receiving messages
  • Messages do not send or receive for long periods
  • Cannot unblock users
  • Delete user option not working
Show 10 more
  • Bug where @ tagging in group chats doesn't work on iPhone
  • Impossible to add members after last update
  • No landscape mode on iPad
  • Unable to connect using mobile data since version 1.20.37
  • Computer version login issues (password reset needed)
  • Contact disappeared on computer version
  • Words with 'pp' cannot be sent
  • Notifications received but app doesn't open or show information
  • All connections gone after upgrading
  • Cannot log in on iPhone after latest update (no next step after password)

Requested features

13 requests
  • Add parental controls (contact restrictions, website blocking)
  • Make secure internet app with parental controls
  • Make double checkmarks more visible
  • Add landscape mode for iPad
  • Allow viewing messages and attachments in landscape mode
Show 8 more
  • Add zoom functionality for messages/attachments
  • Implement a simple poll feature in group chats
  • Create a 'note to self' section
  • Add ability to draw in messages
  • Add possibility to directly respond to messages
  • Add night mode/different color themes
  • Add password login option for computer version
  • Allow editing sent text (contradicts other reviews)

Chat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrightChat

No in-app purchases

None

Chat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrightChat free?
BrightChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chat free?
Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrightChat or Chat?
BrightChat is rated higher. BrightChat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while Chat averages 3.5 from 20 ratings.
Do BrightChat or Chat have ads?
Neither BrightChat nor Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrightChat or Chat?
BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chat every 9 days. Most recently, BrightChat was updated on November 2, 2026 and Chat on November 2, 2026.

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