# BrightChat vs So

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrightChat | So |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightchat-messaging-and-call/id1082880824/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/so-q/id6566190886/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **190** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 75.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 98 MB | 142 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [ShenXun Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1157647285) | [SoQ, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1758736668) |

## 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


### So

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/so-q/id6566190886)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Silver Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Additional Group | $4.99 | per month |
| Account Verification | $7.99 | per year |
| VIP Monthly Plan | $29.99 | per month |
| Business Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| 50,000 Q-Points | $4.99 | one-time |
| 100,000 Points | $9.99 | one-time |
| 250,000 Points | $24.99 | one-time |
| 500,000 Q-Points | $49.99 | one-time |
| One Million Q-Points | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*