Comparison

Jami vs SimpleX Chat

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

Head to head
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.

About

SimpleX Chat

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

Highlights
  • No user identifiers
  • End-to-end encrypted messages
  • Disappearing messages
  • Incognito mode
  • Encrypted file and voice messages
  • Secret chat groups
  • Encrypted portable chat database
Features
Read full description

SimpleX - the first messaging network without user identifiers of any kind (not even random numbers) - 100% private by design! Security assessments by Trail of Bits: 2022: https://simplex.chat/blog/20221108-simplex-chat-v4.2-security-audit-new-website.html 2024: https://simplex.chat/blog/20241014-simplex-network-v6-1-security-review-better-calls-user-experience.html SimpleX Chat features: - quantum resistant end-to-end encrypted messages, with editing, replies and deletion. - disappearing messages with opt-out per contact/group. - message reactions. - delivery receipts, with opt-out per contact or group. - multiple chat profiles, with hidden profiles. - app access and self-destruct passcodes. - incognito mode - unique to SimpleX Chat. - end-to-end encrypted images and files. - voice messages up to 5 minutes – also end-to-end encrypted. - "live" messages – they update for all recipients as you type them, every few seconds - unique to SimpleX Chat. - connect via one-time invitation links or via long-term public addresses. - secret chat groups - only group members know the group exists and who is the member. - end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls. - connection security code verification, for contacts and group members – to protect from man-in-the-middle attacks (e.g. invitation link substitution). - end-to-end encrypted push notifications (they contain only encrypted meta-data, not the actual content). - encrypted portable chat database - you can transfer your chat contacts and history to another device. - all local files and media are encrypted by default. - animated images and "stickers" (e.g., from GIF and PNG files and from 3rd party keyboards). SimpleX Chat advantages: - privacy of your identity, profile, contacts and metadata: unlike any other existing messaging platform, SimpleX uses no phone numbers or any other identifiers assigned to the users - not even random numbers. This protects the privacy of who you are communicating with, hiding it from SimpleX platform servers and from any observers. - complete protection against spam and abuse: as you have no identifier on SimpleX platform, you cannot be contacted unless you share a one-time invitation link or an optional temporary user address. - full ownership, control and security of your data: SimpleX stores all user data on client devices, the messages are only held temporarily on SimpleX relay servers until they are received. - decentralized proxied peer-to-peer network: you can use SimpleX Chat via your own relay servers and still communicate with people using pre-configured or any other SimpleX relay servers. - fully open-source code. You can connect to anybody you know via link or scan QR code (in the video call or in person) and start sending messages instantly - no emails, phone numbers or passwords needed. Your profile and contacts are only stored in the app on your device - relay servers do not have access to this information. All messages are end-to-end encrypted using open-source quantum resistant double-ratchet protocol; the messages are delivered via relay servers using open-source SimpleX Messaging Protocol. Please send us any questions via the app (connect to the team via the app settings!), email chat@simplex.chat or submit issues on GitHub (https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues) Ream more about SimpleX Chat at https://simplex.chat Get source code in our GitHub repo: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat Follow us on X/Twitter (@SimpleXChat), Reddit (r/SimpleXChat/) and Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@simplex) for the latest updates.

Screenshots

Jami4 screens
SimpleX Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SimpleX Chat at 4.3 against Jami's 3.7. SimpleX Chat also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 41%) and chart position (#163 vs unranked). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 90 and 264 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Jami's written reviews are positive against 57% of SimpleX Chat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Jami ships an update every 3 weeks, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Jami versus SimpleX Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJamiSimpleX Chat
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (90 ratings)4.3 (264 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.8% of reviews56.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings90264 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank—#163 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB193 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSavoir-faire LinuxSimpleX Chat

Customer experience

Jami

All ratings90 ratings
Positive64.4%
Neutral10.0%
Negative25.6%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive40.8%
Neutral14.2%
Negative45.0%

SimpleX Chat

All ratings264 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral6.1%
Negative14.4%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive56.7%
Neutral13.9%
Negative29.3%

Bugs and requests

Jami

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SimpleX Chat

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
  • Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
  • Messages not appearing until app is opened
  • Notifications not working despite correct settings
  • Chat freezing and lag on iPhone
Show 14 more
  • QR code scanning not working on iPad
  • Desktop-phone sync connection failures
  • Auto-delete messages interrupting voice recordings
  • Typing inserts extra characters
  • iOS 17 keyboard autofill interferes with typing
  • Chat object unresponsive but moveable (delete)
  • Backup restoration key confirmation fails if contact offline
  • Server switching not reflected in chats
  • Cannot change sending server for stuck messages
  • Connection errors when creating chat links
  • Video upload takes hours
  • Call notifications appearing in Russian
  • Random photo auto-attachment during typing
  • Unable to unsend or delete sent attachments

Requested features

14 requests
  • Read receipts option
  • Typing indicators
  • Bot maker feature like Telegram
  • Multiple image attachment with descriptions
  • Better emoji reaction selection
Show 9 more
  • Mac desktop app
  • Web app (PWA)
  • iPad optimization
  • Improved group discovery/search
  • Global self-destruct message settings
  • Pin photos in group welcome messages
  • Chinese input method support
  • Ringing tone during calls
  • Speakerphone launch option before call pickup

In-app purchases

None

Jami

No in-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Jami free?
Jami is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Jami or SimpleX Chat?
SimpleX Chat is rated higher. Jami averages 3.7 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 264 ratings.
Do Jami or SimpleX Chat have ads?
Neither Jami nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Jami or SimpleX Chat?
Jami ships an update every 3 weeks, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Jami was updated on September 16, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on September 23, 2026.

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