# FaceTime vs Messages

The clearest difference is device support: Messages at 5 against FaceTime's 3. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for FaceTime against 4.1 for Messages. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27K and 38K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 40% of FaceTime's written reviews are positive against 45% of Messages's.

FaceTime ships an update every 6 months, Messages every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FaceTime | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/facetime/id1110145091/reviews)** | [4.1 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 27K | **38K** |
| Positive reviews | 40.3% of reviews | **45.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### FaceTime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/facetime/id1110145091)

Connect with loved ones through high-quality audio and video calls. Share experiences like watching videos or listening to music together, collaborate on projects, and enhance your calls with fun effects and improved audio quality. Easily invite anyone to join, regardless of their device.

**Highlights:** Video and audio messaging, SharePlay for synced media, Screen sharing with remote control, Real-time document collaboration, Web link invitations for non-Apple users, Advanced mic modes and video effects, Seamless call handoff between devices

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💕 Seamless and reliable video calling
- 🔍 Excellent audio and video quality
- 🤝 Great for staying connected with friends and family
- 🎨 Fun features like Animoji and Memoji
- 🌐 Compatibility with non-Apple devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent call drops and connection issues
- 🔇 Audio cutting out or not working
- 🔍 Blurry or low-quality video
- 🤯 Confusing UI changes and button placements
- 🔋 Phone overheating during calls

**Reported bugs**

- Calls not connecting or dropping unexpectedly
- Inability to mute or unmute during calls
- Duplicate participants in group calls
- Screen sharing not working as expected
- Automatic call receiving with speaker on

**Requested features**

- Add filters and fun effects
- Improve screen sharing functionality
- Implement a video voicemail feature
- Allow mirroring of asymmetric faces
- Provide an option to permanently display the camera button


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473)

Communicate with contacts through unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents. Supports iMessage for Apple devices and RCS, SMS, and MMS for others. Features include message editing, unsending, and scheduling.

**Highlights:** Send unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents, iMessage, RCS, SMS, and MMS support, Edit and unsend messages, Schedule messages, Message effects and stickers, Group chat features, Messages in iCloud

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable messaging
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption
- 👍 Seamless integration with Apple devices
- 💡 Fun features like Memoji and stickers
- 🤝 Easy group chat management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Limited search functionality
- 📤 Inability to delete messages for others
- 🔔 Lack of typing indicators in group chats
- 📱 Incompatibility with non-Apple devices

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not delivering consistently
- App crashing or freezing on launch
- Issues with iCloud sync and message history
- Problems with location sharing and privacy

**Requested features**

- Ability to schedule messages
- Option to lock specific conversations
- More customization options for Memoji
- Improved voice message functionality
- Expanded reaction/emoji options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FaceTime free?

FaceTime is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Messages free?

Messages is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FaceTime or Messages?

FaceTime is rated higher. FaceTime averages 4.2 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while Messages averages 4.1 from 38K ratings.

### Do FaceTime or Messages have ads?

Neither FaceTime nor Messages shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FaceTime or Messages?

FaceTime ships an update every 6 months, and Messages every 9 months. Most recently, FaceTime was updated on October 15, 2026 and Messages on October 15, 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.*