Comparison

iSecure vs FaradayWire Messenger

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

Head to head
About

iSecure

Encrypt your messages with a custom password before sending. Recipients need the correct password to decrypt and read sensitive or confidential information.

Highlights
  • Password-protected messages
  • Message encryption
  • Customizable passwords
  • Secure communication
  • Enhanced privacy for sensitive data
Features
Read full description

iSecure seals your messages so only someone who knows the key can read them. Write a secret, pick a key and tap Seal. Send it in iMessage, share it as a QR code, or paste it into any chat, email or note. Your friend opens it with the same key — nobody in between can read it, and your messages are never stored on a server. SEAL AND SEND • Seal right inside iMessage — the live bubble shows your hint and turns to "Opened" • Share as a QR code or as text to WhatsApp, Telegram, Mail or anywhere • Add a hint so your friend knows which key to use OPEN WITHOUT COPY-PASTE • Long-press a secret in any app → Share → Open in iSecure • Scan an iSecure QR code with the iPhone Camera or inside the app • You always choose the key — nothing opens by itself REVEAL SAFELY • Hold to reveal; the text hides again automatically • Revealed secrets are hidden from screenshots and screen recording • Face ID or your passcode before any saved key is used STRONG KEYS • Generate a 5-word passphrase or a random key in one tap • A strength meter warns you about weak keys • Keys live in the secure iOS Keychain on your device only ISECURE PRO Free: 2 saved keys, 30-second auto-hide, ads. Pro: unlimited keys, seal with a one-time password, choose when secrets hide (10 s to never), burn after reading, and no ads. Pro Yearly with a 1-week free trial, Pro Monthly, or Pro Lifetime. Earlier "Pro" and "No Ads" purchases are honoured. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Your messages and keys never leave your device unencrypted • AES-256-GCM encryption with a unique salt for every message • The app locks with Face ID or your device passcode Messages sealed with earlier versions of iSecure still open. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage them in Settings › Apple Account › Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://aghajanyan.me/isecure/privacy.html

About

FaradayWire Messenger

This secure messaging app prioritizes your privacy with end-to-end encryption and hardware-backed security. It offers options for YubiKey integration or secure local key storage for complete control over your conversations.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • YubiKey hardware integration
  • Secure local key storage
  • Physical message decryption
  • Privacy-focused design
  • Matrix-inspired interface
Features
Read full description

FaradayWire is a secure messaging app created from the ground up to protect your privacy. By combining modern encryption with hardware-backed security, it’s designed to put you in control of your conversations. Every message is end-to-end encrypted using AES-256-GCM with a unique per-message key. That key is securely encrypted using modern public-key cryptography—either elliptic-curve encryption or RSA—so only you and your intended recipient can read the message. Unlike traditional messaging apps, FaradayWire integrates with YubiKey hardware security keys, ensuring your private keys stay off the cloud and off your phone. For users without a YubiKey, FaradayWire also supports generating and storing private keys securely on the device. --- Hardware Requirements (if using a YubiKey) - Works out-of-the-box with any YubiKey 5 Series (e.g., 5C NFC, 5 NFC, 5C, 5Ci). - iPhone compatibility: NFC and USB-C connections are supported on compatible devices; Lightning requires a YubiKey 5Ci. Using a New vs. Used YubiKey - New key: Plug in or tap to set up—no extra steps. - Used key: If the key is already used by another app’s PIV Key Management slot (9d), you’ll be asked to create a fresh key for FaradayWire. This replaces any existing 9d key on that YubiKey. If you need to keep the old one, use a different slot/key. Technical Details - FaradayWire uses the YubiKey PIV applet, generating an RSA-2048 key in slot 9d for message decryption. - When decrypting on iPhone without a YubiKey, FaradayWire uses elliptic-curve keys and ECIES-based encryption to protect message keys. - Current version supports the default PIV PIN; custom PINs will be supported soon. - Ports: USB-C (iPhone 15+), Lightning via 5Ci, and NFC where available. Features - True end-to-end encryption — Messages and photos are encrypted before they leave your device and only the recipient can decrypt them. - YubiKey integration — Hardware-backed key management keeps private keys off the cloud and off your device. - Option to use secure local device private key storage if not using a YubiKey. - Physical message decryption — Decrypt messages directly with your YubiKey. - Message Re-Encryption — Messages are re-encrypted after returning to the main conversations page. - Simple, immersive experience — A sleek, Matrix-inspired interface that stays intuitive. - Privacy by design — No ads, no data mining, no unnecessary tracking. - Fast & reliable — Built on modern infrastructure for seamless delivery and sync. FaradayWire is inspired by Michael Faraday’s work in shielding against unwanted interference. Like a Faraday cage blocks outside signals, FaradayWire helps shield your conversations from prying eyes. Take back control of your digital privacy. Start messaging securely with FaradayWire.

Screenshots

iSecure4 screens
FaradayWire Messenger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FaradayWire Messenger at none against iSecure's 5. FaradayWire Messenger also leads on ads (none vs shown). iSecure's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 months). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. iSecure sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. FaradayWire Messenger asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for iSecure against 5.0 for FaradayWire Messenger. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iSecure ships an update every 8 days, FaradayWire Messenger every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iSecure versus FaradayWire Messenger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriSecureFaradayWire Messenger
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB20 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperHovik AghajanyanBlake Wheaton

Customer experience

iSecure

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FaradayWire Messenger

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

iSecure

Subscriptions2
  • iSecure Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • iSecure Pro Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time3
  • Pro Version$3.99
  • PRO without Ads$7.99
  • iSecure Pro Lifetime$24.99
None

FaradayWire Messenger

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iSecure free?
iSecure is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FaradayWire Messenger free?
FaradayWire Messenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iSecure or FaradayWire Messenger?
iSecure and FaradayWire Messenger are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do iSecure or FaradayWire Messenger have ads?
iSecure shows ads; FaradayWire Messenger does not.
Which is updated more often, iSecure or FaradayWire Messenger?
iSecure ships an update every 8 days, and FaradayWire Messenger every 3 months. Most recently, iSecure was updated on November 4, 2026 and FaradayWire Messenger on November 5, 2026.

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