Session vs bitchat mesh
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Anonymous account creation
- Decentralized server network
- No metadata logging
- IP address protection
- End-to-end encrypted group chats
- Secure file sharing
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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
bitchat mesh
Connect with people nearby without needing personal contact information. This app facilitates private, encrypted group chats using Bluetooth mesh technology, making it ideal for local communication without internet access.
- Local Bluetooth mesh chat
- No internet required
- Encrypted private messages
- Relays messages for range
- Sidegroupchat functionality
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chat with people around you. don't need their phone # or email. the sidegroupchat for any function. uses bluetooth mesh, no internet needed. relays messages to go the distance! encrypted private messages.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: bitchat mesh at none against Session's 3. bitchat mesh also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). Session's advantage is ratings volume (5.2K vs 510) and chart position (#95 vs unranked). On price, ads, monetization model and iOS requirement 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. Session sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. bitchat mesh asks for nothing beyond the download.
bitchat mesh holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Session has 5.2K ratings behind it against 510, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Session's written reviews are positive against 80% of bitchat mesh's.
Session ships an update fortnightly, bitchat mesh every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Session | bitchat mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (5.2K ratings) | 4.7 (510 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.0% of reviews | 79.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5.2K — better | 510 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #95 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Loki Project | permissionless tech, llc |
Customer experience
Session
bitchat mesh
User reviews
Session
From 5.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 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
Room to improve
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications and message delivery
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Slow media file transfers
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Limited features compared to competitors
bitchat mesh
From 510 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Modern, efficient offline communication
- 🔒 Secure and private messaging
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 👍 Useful for areas with poor internet connectivity
- 👍 Innovative use of Bluetooth for decentralized network
Room to improve
- 🐛 Unreliable message delivery and sync issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems on certain devices
- 🔒 Concerns about long-term privacy and security
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
bitchat mesh
Reported bugs
2 issues- Typing input field issues on Mac
- Notifications not working consistently on iOS
Requested features
5 requests- Drawing/sketching feature like Pictochat
- Customizable themes and UI options
- Ability to filter messages by favorites or verified users
- Support for file sharing and image transfer
- Integration with cryptocurrency/Bitcoin payments
In-app purchases
Session
- Session Pro$4.491 Month
- Session Pro$11.993 Months
- Session Pro$35.991 Year
bitchat mesh
No in-app purchases
