# Session vs Ello Messenger

The clearest difference is rating: Session at 4.4 against Ello Messenger's 3.9. Session also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 41). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Session sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month and Ello Messenger sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Session holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Session has 5.2K 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. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Session | Ello Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-private-messenger/id1470168868/reviews)** | [3.9 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 41 |
| Positive reviews | 61.0% of reviews | **65.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#99** | — |
| Size | 92 MB | 365 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [The Loki Project](https://appshunter.io/developer/1465686521) | [Fast, private and encrypted](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711621771) |

## What reviewers say

### Session

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-private-messenger/id1470168868)

**Currently charting:** #99 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Session Pro | $4.49 | per month |
| Session Pro | $11.99 | per 3 months |
| Session Pro | $35.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure and private messaging
- 👍 Clean and intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 🔒 No phone number or personal data required
- 💡 Innovative use of blockchain and Tor network

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable notifications and message delivery
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Slow media file transfers
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Limited features compared to competitors

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194)

This app offers secure messaging and creative tools, including AI-powered content generation. It allows users to connect with others, build communities, and monetize their creations through subscriptions and exclusive content. Sign up easily with just an email.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, AI-powered text and image generation, Creator channels and exclusive content, Fan subscriptions for creators, Direct messaging and group chats, Email-based signup

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Membership | $10.00 | per month |
| Support with $1 | $1.00 | one-time |
| AI Chat Experience Prompts | $4.99 | one-time |
| AI Image Experience Prompts | $4.99 | one-time |
| $5 Wallet Credit | $5.00 | one-time |
| Al Images and Chat | $5.99 | one-time |
| $10 Wallet Credit | $10.00 | one-time |
| Mini | $10.00 | one-time |
| $20 Wallet Credit | $20.00 | one-time |
| $25 Wallet Credit | $25.00 | one-time |
| Small | $25.00 | one-time |
| $50 Wallet Credit | $50.00 | one-time |
| Medium | $50.00 | one-time |
| $75 Wallet Credit | $75.00 | one-time |
| $100 Wallet Credit | $100.00 | one-time |
| Large | $100.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Session free?

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

### Is Ello Messenger free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Session or Ello Messenger?

Session is rated higher. Session averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while Ello Messenger averages 3.9 from 41 ratings.

### Do Session or Ello Messenger have ads?

Neither Session nor Ello Messenger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Session or Ello Messenger?

Session ships an update fortnightly, and Ello Messenger every 2 weeks. Most recently, Session was updated on October 19, 2026 and Ello Messenger on October 19, 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.*