Flare vs Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Flare
This app streamlines group communication and organization by consolidating messages, events, attendance tracking, photo albums, and payment collection into a single platform. It offers robust privacy controls and engagement tools for various types of groups, from student organizations to alumni networks.
- Event creation and attendance tracking
- Group chats and announcements
- Photo albums and highlights
- Polls and points system
- Payment collection with Venmo
- File sharing and roster management
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Flare is the ultimate app for groups. Flare keeps your group connected, organized, and engaged—all in one app. Whether you’re running a student organization, campus council, alumni network, or a national community, Flare makes communication effortless and events unforgettable. Why Flare? Tired of juggling endless group chats, scattered files, and disorganized calendars? Flare brings everything together: messages, events, attendance, photos, polls, points and more. With privacy controls and high‑quality features, it’s the smarter way to manage your community. Key Features & Benefits: ▶ Events & Attendance – Create and share events with details, RSVPs, and reminders. Track attendance with QR codes, passcodes, geolocation, or ticketing. ▶ Group Chats & Announcements – Keep everyone in the loop with customizable chats and a dedicated announcement wall. Optional message approval gives admins control when needed. ▶ Albums & Highlights – Upload high‑quality photos (up to 5000px), save your favorite photos, and share approved highlights. ▶ Engagement Tools – Polls, points system, birthday reminders, and alumni engagement. ▶ Payments Made Easy – Sell tickets or collect payments with Venmo integration. ▶ Seamless Organization – Share files, manage rosters, connect with alumni, and build lasting group connections. Built for Privacy & Control: - Protect your chats with screenshot blocking and admin notifications - Admin can delete messages and suspend members - Settings to approve messages, highlights, and membership requests. Join 500,000+ users already using Flare to simplify communication and boost engagement!
Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
Connect with communities that matter to you by creating memes, sharing jokes, and sending direct messages. All posts, comments, and messages are anonymous, allowing for authentic self-expression. Find your people and engage in discussions without revealing your identity.
- Anonymous posting and messaging
- Community creation and joining
- Meme and joke sharing
- Direct messaging
- Authentic self-expression
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Sidechat is the best way to connect with the communities that matter to you most. Create memes, post jokes, share thoughts, slide into DMs, and more. All posts, comments, and messages are anonymous, so feel free to be your most authentic. Terms of Service: https://sidechat.notion.site/Sidechat-Terms-of-Use-d2f718ddad2f403b85bba67078fbdf18
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Flare at 97% against Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･'s 24%. Flare also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume 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. Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Flare asks for nothing beyond the download.
Flare holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.9K and 5.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Flare's written reviews are positive against 24% of Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･'s.
Flare ships an update every 4 days, Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･ every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Flare | Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (6.9K ratings) — better | 4.6 (5.1K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 96.9% of reviews — better | 24.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6.9K — better | 5.1K |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 9 days |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #112 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 196 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Flare App, Inc. | Flower Ave Inc |
Customer experience
Flare
Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
User reviews
Flare
From 6.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Efficient communication
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Organized and user-friendly
- 🎨 Great features like photo albums and calendars
- 💪 Comprehensive for large groups
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional technical issues with notifications and loading
- 🔒 Strict privacy settings can be limiting
- 💻 Lack of desktop/web version
Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
From 5.1K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ⭐ Amazing app for Swifties
- 🤗 Friendly and welcoming community
- 🎉 Fun and entertaining content
Room to improve
- 🤬 Rude and toxic comments
- 🔇 Lack of moderation and content control
- 🚫 Restricted access for non-college users
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with required college email
- 🐛 Verification code issues and app crashes
Bugs and requests
Flare
Reported bugs
2 issues- Notifications not always working properly
- Difficulty removing screenshots and photos
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to remove albums and events
- More customization options for admins
- Integration with personal calendars
Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
Reported bugs
3 issues- Verification code not being sent
- Frequent app crashes and login issues
- Accounts being locked out for no reason
Requested features
3 requests- Allow users to kick out disruptive members from group chats
- Improve content moderation to address harassment and hate speech
- Provide more options for non-college users to access the app
In-app purchases
Flare
No in-app purchases
Sidechat ｡･ﾟﾟ･
- Monthly$2.991 Month
- Sidechat Monthly (Early Bird)$4.991 Month
- Monthly$6.991 Month
