Comparison

Session vs SMData

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

Head to head
About

Session

This secure messenger prioritizes your privacy with a decentralized network and end-to-end encryption. It offers anonymous account creation, IP address protection, and private group chats without collecting any metadata. Share messages and files with confidence, knowing your communications are truly private.

Highlights
  • Anonymous account creation
  • Decentralized server network
  • No metadata logging
  • IP address protection
  • End-to-end encrypted group chats
  • Secure file sharing
Features
Read full description

Session is a new breed of private messenger, built on a unique network of user-operated servers spread all over the world. With no central servers, Session can’t leak or sell your data. And with Session’s private routing protocols, your messages are completely safe. No trackers, no leaks — send messages, not metadata. • Fully private account creation: No phone number or email needed to create an Account ID • Decentralized server network: No data breaches, no central point of failure • No metadata logging: Session doesn't store, track, or log your messaging metadata • IP address protection: Device IP addresses are never exposed to the person you're talking to or the servers holding your data • Closed groups: Private, end-to-end encrypted group chats for up to 100 people • Secure attachments: Share voice snippets, photos, and files with Session's secure encryption and privacy protections • Free and open-source: Don’t take our word for it — check Session's code yourself Session is free as in free speech and free as in free of ads and trackers. It is stewarded by the Session Foundation, a Swiss-based foundation dedicated to advancing digital rights and innovation. Take back your online privacy today — download Session. Want to build from source, report a bug, or just take a look at our code? Check out Session on GitHub: https://github.com/session-foundation/session-ios Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Session Terms of Service: https://getsession.org/terms-of-service

About

SMData

Features
Read full description

SMData is the first application in the world for social media data analysis in order to use the app, users must purchase the subscription in-app purchase immediately after registration. Terms of Use link apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Session4 screens
SMData4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: Session at #109 against SMData's unranked. SMData's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Session sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month and SMData sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Session versus SMData: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionSMData
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.4K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#109 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB36 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperThe Loki ProjectZied CHEHEIBI

Bugs and requests

Session

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Messages not syncing across devices
  • Inability to join or view group chats
  • Attachments and media not loading properly
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add voice and video calling
  • Implement self-destruct/ephemeral messaging
  • Allow customization of chat backgrounds and themes
  • Improve group chat functionality
  • Add support for multiple accounts/identities

SMData

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Session

Subscriptions3
  • Session Pro$4.491 Month
  • Session Pro$11.993 Months
  • Session Pro$35.991 Year
1 purchases

SMData

Subscriptions1
  • SMData Premium7 Days trial$24.991 Month

Questions

Is Session free?
Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SMData free?
SMData is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Session or SMData have ads?
Neither Session nor SMData shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session or SMData?
Session ships an update fortnightly, and SMData fortnightly. Most recently, Session was updated on October 31, 2026 and SMData on October 24, 2026.

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