Session vs Nebenchat
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
Nebenchat
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Nebenchat helps you discover and chat with nearby people through a map-based experience. Your location is blurred to protect privacy, and the app includes account management, feedback, and safety-focused interaction flows.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Session at none against Nebenchat's shown. Session also leads on chart position (#98 vs unranked). Nebenchat's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). On price, in-app purchases, device support 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 and Nebenchat sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Session ships an update fortnightly, Nebenchat every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Session | Nebenchat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (5.2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5.2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #98 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 87 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | The Loki Project | Glasrocks Technology Co., Ltd. |
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
Nebenchat
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Session
- Session Pro$4.491 Month
- Session Pro$11.993 Months
- Session Pro$35.991 Year
Nebenchat
- Extended Radius$1.991 Month
- Travel Mode (Weekly)$1.997 Days
- Premium$2.991 Month
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- Travel Mode (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- Unlimited$6.991 Month








