Comparison

BrightChat vs TEXIAN

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

TEXIAN

Connect with fellow supporters of Texas independence, engage in organizing activities, and track your progress within the movement. This platform facilitates communication, petition signing, event RSVPs, and networking among like-minded individuals.

Highlights
  • Real-time supporter feed
  • Direct messaging with read receipts
  • Group creation and joining
  • Petition signing and event RSVPs
  • Relational organizing tools
  • Gamified recognition system
  • Livestreams and video library
Features
Read full description

TEXIAN is the official organizing platform of the Texas Nationalist Movement, purpose-built for Texans who believe in self-governance and Texas independence. TEXIAN is a complete organizing tool designed to help you connect with fellow supporters, take meaningful action, and build the movement county by county. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH TEXIAN: Stay Connected • A real-time feed with posts, images, videos, and GIFs from supporters across Texas • Direct messages with read receipts, typing indicators, and media sharing • Join and create groups around shared interests or your local county • Follow other supporters and build your personal network Take Action • Browse and sign petitions that matter to the movement • RSVP to events happening in your area with GPS-verified check-ins • Access talking points so you're always ready for conversations about Texas independence • Track active campaigns and see real-time progress Build Your Network • Relational organizing tools to track your personal outreach • Log conversations and follow up with contacts • See your county's organizing strength on the dashboard Earn Recognition • Earn points for meaningful actions — not just clicking around • Rise through five tiers from Citizen to Founder • Complete missions, earn badges, and maintain streaks • Compete on your county leaderboard and see how your area stacks up Watch & Learn • Livestreams from TNM leadership and events • On-demand video library with movement content • Live chat, polls, and Q&A during broadcasts Stay Informed • Push notifications for events, petitions, and movement updates • County-level news and activity • "What's New" announcements when features drop TEXIAN is built by the Texas Nationalist Movement for the Texas Nationalist Movement. No algorithms deciding what you see. No ads. No data harvesting. Just Texans organizing for independence. Download TEXIAN and join the movement. Subscription Terms: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews monthly unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://texian.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://texian.app/privacy

Screenshots

BrightChat4 screens
TEXIAN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BrightChat at none against TEXIAN's 3. BrightChat also leads on ratings volume (190 vs 26). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. TEXIAN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.29 per month. BrightChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for BrightChat against 4.6 for TEXIAN. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrightChat has 190 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of BrightChat's written reviews are positive against 71% of TEXIAN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, TEXIAN fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
BrightChat versus TEXIAN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrightChatTEXIAN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (190 ratings) — better4.6 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings190 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB42 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperShenXun IncTEXAS NATIONALIST MOVEMENT INC.

Customer experience

BrightChat

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

TEXIAN

All ratings26 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

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)

TEXIAN

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrightChat

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

TEXIAN

Subscriptions3
  • Texian$4.291 Month
  • 1836 Club$18.491 Month
  • Insider$36.001 Month

Questions

Is BrightChat free?
BrightChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TEXIAN free?
TEXIAN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrightChat or TEXIAN?
BrightChat is rated higher. BrightChat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while TEXIAN averages 4.6 from 26 ratings.
Do BrightChat or TEXIAN have ads?
Neither BrightChat nor TEXIAN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrightChat or TEXIAN?
BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and TEXIAN fortnightly. Most recently, BrightChat was updated on November 2, 2026 and TEXIAN on November 3, 2026.

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