BrightChat vs So
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- End-to-end encrypted messages
- Encrypted audio and video calls
- Schedule messages
- Disappearing messages
- Group chats
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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.
So
Connect professionally and personally on a vibrant community platform. Create digital business cards, find job opportunities, and organize events. Earn real rewards for genuine interactions.
- Digital business cards
- Job browsing and applications
- Find people and create groups
- Organize events and meetups
- Earn real cash rewards
- Privacy controls
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Welcome to So-Q – Your All-in-One Hub for Real Connections! Discover the social app that brings professional networking, new friendships, and meaningful relationships into one vibrant community. Key Features: • Job Opportunities – Browse, post, and apply to jobs with ease. • People & Events – Find like-minded people nearby, create private/public groups, organize meetups, parties & events. • Digital Business Cards – Create & customize multiple cards, store in your secure in-app wallet, exchange or collect instantly – no more paper! • Earn Real Rewards – Send Q-Likes to show appreciation; turn points into real cash! • Privacy First – Full control: keep your profile, groups & connections private or go public. Whether you're networking in your city, meeting new people while traveling, or earning rewards through genuine interactions, So-Q makes it simple, fun, and rewarding. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BrightChat at none against So's 10. BrightChat also leads on ratings volume (190 vs 3). So's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, 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. So sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BrightChat asks for nothing beyond the download.
So 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 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, So every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BrightChat | So |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (190 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 190 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 weeks |
| 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 | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 142 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | ShenXun Inc | SoQ, Inc. |
Customer experience
BrightChat
So
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
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- 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
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- 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)
So
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BrightChat
No in-app purchases
So
- Silver Monthly Plan2 Months trial$4.991 Month
- Additional Group$4.991 Month
- Account Verification$7.991 Year
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- VIP Monthly Plan1 Month trial$29.991 Month
- Business Monthly$49.991 Month
- 50,000 Q-Points$4.99
- 100,000 Points$9.99
- 250,000 Points$24.99
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- 500,000 Q-Points$49.99
- One Million Q-Points$99.99









