Session vs Ello Messenger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Session
A private messenger focused on user data protection through a decentralized network. It offers secure, end-to-end encrypted communication without requiring personal information for account creation. Enjoy private group chats and secure file sharing with no ads or trackers.
- Fully private account creation
- Decentralized server network
- No metadata logging
- IP address protection
- End-to-end encrypted group chats
- Secure attachments
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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
Ello Messenger
Experience fast, secure, and seamless communication across all your devices. This platform allows for unlimited media sharing and end-to-end encrypted conversations. It also empowers creators to build audiences, publish content, and monetize their work directly.
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Unlimited media and file sharing
- Cross-device synchronization
- Creator channels and monetization
- Public and private community building
- Ad-free experience
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PURE MESSAGING: Ello Messenger delivers fast, secure, and seamless communication across all your devices—built for both everyday users and modern creators. FAST: Experience lightning-fast messaging powered by a global infrastructure designed for speed, reliability, and real-time connection anywhere in the world. SYNCED: Access your messages, content, and channels from all your devices at once. Start on one device and continue on another—effortlessly. UNLIMITED: Send media, videos, and files of any type. Store your content securely in the cloud and access it anytime without worrying about device space. SECURE: Your privacy comes first. Messages and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring your conversations remain completely private. CREATOR-FIRST: Ello is more than messaging—it’s a platform to build, grow, and monetize your audience. Create channels, publish content, and earn directly from your fans. MONETIZATION: Turn your creativity into revenue. Offer subscriptions, exclusive content, and premium experiences—all within your own ecosystem. POWERFUL: Create public or private channels, build communities, share large media files, and manage your audience with powerful, easy-to-use tools. RELIABLE: Built for performance, Ello works smoothly even in low-connectivity environments, ensuring your messages and content are always delivered. SIMPLE: A clean, intuitive interface makes Ello easy to use while delivering a powerful set of features underneath. PRIVATE: You are in control of your data. Ello does not sell your information and gives you full control over your content and communications. FLEXIBLE: Communicate one-on-one, in groups, or through channels. Share updates, build communities, and connect with your audience your way. EASY START: Sign up in seconds using just your email—no phone number required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Session at none against Ello Messenger's 10. Session also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (5.4K vs 41). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Ello Messenger sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Session asks for nothing beyond the download.
Session holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Session has 5.4K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Session's written reviews are positive against 65% of Ello Messenger's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Session ships an update fortnightly, Ello Messenger every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Session | Ello Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (5.4K ratings) — better | 3.9 (41 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.3% of reviews | 65.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5.4K — better | 41 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #96 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 368 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | The Loki Project | Fast, private and encrypted |
Customer experience
Session
Ello Messenger
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
Ello Messenger
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Session
No in-app purchases
Ello Messenger
- 1 Month Membership$10.001 Month
- Support with $1$1.00
- AI Image Experience Prompts$4.99
- $5 Wallet Credit$5.00
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- $10 Wallet Credit$10.00
- Mini$10.00
- Small$25.00
- $75 Wallet Credit$75.00
- $100 Wallet Credit$100.00
- Large$100.00
Questions
Is Session free?
Is Ello Messenger free?
Which has better reviews, Session or Ello Messenger?
Do Session or Ello Messenger have ads?
Which is updated more often, Session or Ello Messenger?
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