# SBchat vs Messages

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SBchat at 92% against Messages's 57%. SBchat also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). Messages's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (428 vs 66). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Messages sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SBchat asks for nothing beyond the download.

SBchat holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Messages has 428 ratings behind it against 66, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of SBchat's written reviews are positive against 57% of Messages's.

SBchat ships an update every 3 weeks, Messages daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SBchat | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbchat/id1461659675/reviews)** | [4.6 (428 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 66 | **428** |
| Positive reviews | **92.3% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 55 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SBchat LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1560887161) | [Kailashben Radadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1753646507) |

## What reviewers say

### SBchat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbchat/id1461659675)

Experience a unique texting method with animated sound bubbles. Send custom or pre-made sounds that recipients tap to 'pop' and reveal. Personalize your conversations with custom wallpapers and bubble colors.

**Highlights:** Animated sound bubbles, Customizable sound selection, Interactive 'pop' animation, Conversation wallpaper customization, Bubble color personalization, Profile picture customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591)

This communication platform streamlines your messaging and calling experience. It offers instant messaging, group chats, media sharing, and direct calling. Manage multiple accounts, set reminders from conversations, and organize all your messages in a unified inbox.

**Highlights:** Dual app accounts, Instant messaging and media sharing, End-to-end message encryption, Reminders from conversations, Voice and video calls, Unified message inbox, Spam protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SBchat free?

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

### Is Messages free?

Messages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

SBchat is rated higher. SBchat averages 4.9 out of 5 from 66 ratings, while Messages averages 4.6 from 428 ratings.

### Do SBchat or Messages have ads?

Messages shows ads; SBchat does not.

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

SBchat ships an update every 3 weeks, and Messages daily. Most recently, SBchat was updated on October 24, 2026 and Messages on October 27, 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.*