Comparison

Berkanan Messenger vs Jami

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

Head to head
About

Berkanan Messenger

Communicate with people nearby using Bluetooth, even without internet. This app enables group and private encrypted messaging, with messages relaying through other users' devices to extend range. It functions offline and requires no account registration.

Highlights
  • Nearby group and private messaging
  • Peer-to-peer message relay
  • Offline Bluetooth communication
  • Background notifications
  • No account registration required
  • Encrypted private messages
Features
Read full description

Berkanan is what people nearby are talking about right now. Join the conversation. Discover interesting people. From festivals to conferences and college campuses, Berkanan is there. Berkanan is a Bluetooth-powered group messaging app. It gives people a way to communicate in situations with poor or no cellular connectivity. Alongside group messaging, Berkanan also allows private one-to-one encrypted messaging. The range for these messages is about 70 meters, but if there are people between you and your intended recipient with the app installed, Berkanan can send messages further by going through other users' devices. FEATURES • Nearby Messaging: Chat with people nearby. Send public and private messages. • P2P: Messages travel from device to device. • Offline: Works offline, only with Bluetooth. No need for Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. • Notifications: Works in the background. Get notified of nearby users and messages. • No Account: Use it without the need to register for an account. PREMIUM FEATURES • Edit Profile: Add personality to your profile. • Turn Off Ads Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Offers and pricing subject to change without notice. Terms of Use: https://berkanan.chat/terms Privacy Policy: https://berkanan.chat/privacy

About

Jami

This is a free communication platform prioritizing privacy through end-to-end encryption. It offers secure instant messaging, audio/video calls, and file sharing. The app supports multi-device usage and can function as a SIP client.

Highlights
  • Instant messaging
  • Audio and video calls
  • Photo and file sharing
  • Group conversations
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Multi-device support
  • SIP client functionality
Features
Read full description

Jami is a free, unified communication platform that puts privacy first. Built on end-to-end encryption, Jami keeps your conversations secure and your personal data private. Features: - Instant messaging - Audio and video calls - Photo and file sharing - Group conversations and video conferences - End-to-end encrypted communications Multi-device support: - Use Jami on multiple devices - Sync your conversations seamlessly - Link devices to your account Additional capabilities: - Works as a SIP client For more information, visit https://jami.net Jami is published under the GPL license, version 3 or higher. Copyright © Savoir-faire Linux Inc.

Screenshots

Berkanan Messenger4 screens
Jami4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Berkanan Messenger at 4.6 against Jami's 3.7. Berkanan Messenger also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 41%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Jami's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Berkanan Messenger sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $6.99 per year. Jami asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Berkanan Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 272 and 91 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Berkanan Messenger's written reviews are positive against 41% of Jami's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Berkanan Messenger ships an update every 2 weeks, Jami every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Berkanan Messenger versus Jami: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBerkanan MessengerJami
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (272 ratings) — better3.7 (91 ratings)
Positive reviews77.6% of reviews — better41.3% of reviews
Number of ratings272 — better91
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB113 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIZE, Ltd.Savoir-faire Linux

Customer experience

Berkanan Messenger

All ratings272 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral5.1%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive77.6%
Neutral14.9%
Negative7.5%

Jami

All ratings91 ratings
Positive64.8%
Neutral9.9%
Negative25.3%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive41.3%
Neutral14.0%
Negative44.6%

Bugs and requests

Berkanan Messenger

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Subscription button unresponsive
  • Incorrect device name display
  • Text displays backwards (most recent at top)
  • Struggles with different iOS versions
  • App crashes on long-tap (iOS 17)
Show 6 more
  • Phone receiver icon doesn't place call
  • Call button greyed out on some devices
  • No sound notifications
  • App shows offline when Bluetooth is on but phone is off
  • Cannot edit profile after purchase
  • Audio quality unusable

Requested features

16 requests
  • Option for chronological text display
  • Low quality photo sending
  • Groups/Group chat
  • Private groups
  • Image sending
Show 11 more
  • Audio messages
  • Family subscription
  • Apple Watch stand-alone mode
  • Walkie-talkie mode
  • Favorite contacts
  • Keyboard apps compatibility
  • Picture messages and GIFs
  • Tapbacks and animated texts
  • Videos
  • Cross-platform support (Apple/Android)
  • Stickers

Jami

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Berkanan Messenger

Subscriptions1
  • Berkanan Premium$6.991 Year
None

Jami

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Berkanan Messenger free?
Berkanan Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Jami free?
Jami is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Berkanan Messenger or Jami?
Berkanan Messenger is rated higher. Berkanan Messenger averages 4.6 out of 5 from 272 ratings, while Jami averages 3.7 from 91 ratings.
Do Berkanan Messenger or Jami have ads?
Neither Berkanan Messenger nor Jami shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Berkanan Messenger or Jami?
Berkanan Messenger ships an update every 2 weeks, and Jami every 3 weeks. Most recently, Berkanan Messenger was updated on November 6, 2026 and Jami on November 4, 2026.

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