Comparison

BrightChat vs So

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

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.

Highlights
  • Digital business cards
  • Job browsing and applications
  • Find people and create groups
  • Organize events and meetups
  • Earn real cash rewards
  • Privacy controls
Features
Read full description

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

BrightChat4 screens
So4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. So sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BrightChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
BrightChat versus So: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrightChatSo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (190 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings190 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB142 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperShenXun IncSoQ, Inc.

Customer experience

BrightChat

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

So

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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)

So

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrightChat

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

So

Subscriptions5
  • Silver Monthly Plan2 Months trial$4.991 Month
  • Additional Group$4.991 Month
  • Account Verification$7.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • VIP Monthly Plan1 Month trial$29.991 Month
  • Business Monthly$49.991 Month
One-time5
  • 50,000 Q-Points$4.99
  • 100,000 Points$9.99
  • 250,000 Points$24.99
Show 2 more
  • 500,000 Q-Points$49.99
  • One Million Q-Points$99.99

Questions

Is BrightChat free?
BrightChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is So free?
So is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrightChat or So?
So is rated higher. BrightChat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 190 ratings, while So averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do BrightChat or So have ads?
Neither BrightChat nor So shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrightChat or So?
BrightChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and So every 4 weeks. Most recently, BrightChat was updated on November 2, 2026 and So on November 4, 2026.

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