Comparison

Airtext vs UP

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Airtext

Send SMS, WhatsApp, and emails from your phone while in flight, even without cell service or internet. Connects via Bluetooth and satellite technology for seamless communication. Access your contacts directly for quick messaging.

Highlights
  • Send SMS, WhatsApp, and Email
  • Works without cell service or internet
  • Utilizes Bluetooth and Satellite
  • Includes a moving map
  • No registration required
  • Access to contacts
Features
Read full description

Airtext in-flight texting Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and Email! Includes a moving map! Note: Usage of this app requires connection to an Airtext plane server. See goairtext.com for more information. Airtext enables you to send SMS text messages from above the clouds! Stay in touch even when you don’t have cell service or an internet connection! Normal SMS text messages! Your message recipient does not need any special apps! Contact friends and family using their regular phone number. No cell service or internet connection required! Airtext uses Bluetooth and Iridium Satellite technologies to connect you with your friends and family. No registration! Just enter your name and you’re ready to start texting. Start texting FAST! Airtext links up with your contacts and address book, no need to remember any usernames or phone numbers. Ask your pilot about Airtext today!

About

UP

This communication tool prioritizes user privacy by offering end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls. It allows for secure sharing of various media types and the creation of private or public chat rooms. The app is designed to prevent data mining and monetization, fully complying with GDPR.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Encrypted audio/video calls
  • Screen sharing
  • Private and public chat rooms
  • File sharing
  • Privacy-first design
  • GDPR compliant
Features
Read full description

Meet the UP Messenger, your everyday communication tool that does not mine, analyze or monetize your data. Offered as part of the Unplugged application suite, the UP Messenger is designed to protect your privacy and bring the control over your data back to you. Want to communicate freely? Here are some of the main features of the UP Messenger: Message- send and receive encrypted text messages, pictures, video, audio and other files with your friends, family and colleagues. Calls- make one-on-one or conference audio and video calls. You can also share your screen. Rooms- create and manage private and public communication rooms. End-to-End Encryption- every message and call is end-to-end encrypted by default. No one except you (and the other party with whom you communicate) has access to your data, not even Unplugged. Privacy-First- the UP Messenger is private by design. We cannot and will not analyze your data, monetize it or sell it to anyone. For additional information, please review our privacy policy. GDPR- the UP Messenger fully complies with the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Desktop client- visit our website to access the UP Messenger using your desktop web-browser. To learn more about Unplugged and how to reclaim control over your privacy, visit www.unplugged.com.

Screenshots

Airtext3 screens
UP4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: UP at 4.7 against Airtext's 4.3. UP also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

UP holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 29 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Airtext ships an update every 2 months, UP monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 15, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Airtext versus UP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirtextUP
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (14 ratings)4.7 (29 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1429 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB136 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSend Solutions, LLCUnplugged Technologies Ltd

Customer experience

Airtext

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

UP

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral3.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Airtext

No in-app purchases

None

UP

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Airtext free?
Airtext is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UP free?
UP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Airtext or UP?
UP is rated higher. Airtext averages 4.3 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while UP averages 4.7 from 29 ratings.
Do Airtext or UP have ads?
Neither Airtext nor UP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Airtext or UP?
Airtext ships an update every 2 months, and UP monthly. Most recently, Airtext was updated on August 15, 2026 and UP on September 11, 2026.

Other comparisons