# BrightChat vs Flyby Messaging

The clearest difference is rating: Flyby Messaging at 5.0 against BrightChat's 4.6. Flyby Messaging also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%). BrightChat's advantage is ratings volume (190 vs 6). On price, update cadence, 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.

Flyby Messaging holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrightChat has 190 ratings behind it against 6, 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 100% of Flyby Messaging's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrightChat | Flyby Messaging |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightchat-messaging-and-call/id1082880824/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flyby-messaging/id1551851989/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **190** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ShenXun Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1157647285) | [Jonah Walker](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551851991) |

## What reviewers say

### BrightChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightchat-messaging-and-call/id1082880824)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure and private communication
- 👍 Easy to use and clean interface
- 🚀 Works smoothly for most users
- 💰 Free to use
- ✨ Gets better with updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable message sending/receiving
- ⏳ Long delays in message delivery
- ❌ Cannot receive verification codes
- 🚫 No option to unblock users
- 🐛 Bugs in group chat tagging

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Flyby Messaging

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flyby-messaging/id1551851989)

This app offers private conversations without tracking or data collection. Connect with others anonymously by scanning QR codes and easily sever connections permanently when no longer needed. Ideal for group projects, dating, and professional networking.

**Highlights:** Anonymous login, QR code connections, Customizable display names, Permanent connection severing, Privacy-focused design, No user tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrightChat free?

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

### Is Flyby Messaging free?

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

### Which has better reviews, BrightChat or Flyby Messaging?

Flyby Messaging is rated higher. BrightChat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while Flyby Messaging averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do BrightChat or Flyby Messaging have ads?

Neither BrightChat nor Flyby Messaging shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BrightChat or Flyby Messaging?

BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and Flyby Messaging every 3 weeks. Most recently, BrightChat was updated on November 2, 2026 and Flyby Messaging on November 3, 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.*