Comparison

Session vs ChessRAF

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

ChessRAF

Features
Read full description

ChessRAF is the social network for in-person chess (OTB). Discover real games near you, join events, and build a local community of players. What you can do • Explore chess places: parks, clubs, cafés, and regular meet-up spots. • Create and join events: publish meetups or tournaments, check dates, and participate. • Meet nearby rivals: connect with players, follow updates, and stay in the loop. • Use the map to find local activity and plan your next game. Built for over-the-board chess ChessRAF focuses on what happens off-screen: games, people, and community. Get started in 1 minute 1. Sign in 2. Create your profile 3. Discover a place or join an event If you run a club or a local spot, ChessRAF helps you get discovered and grow your community.

Screenshots

Session4 screens
ChessRAF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ChessRAF at none against Session's 3. Session's advantage is chart position (#99 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. ChessRAF asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session ships an update fortnightly, ChessRAF every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Session versus ChessRAF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionChessRAF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.2K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#99 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB11 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperThe Loki ProjectJOSE MANUEL DOMINGUEZ GARCIA

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

ChessRAF

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
None

ChessRAF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Session free?
Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ChessRAF free?
ChessRAF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Session or ChessRAF have ads?
Neither Session nor ChessRAF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session or ChessRAF?
Session ships an update fortnightly, and ChessRAF every 4 weeks. Most recently, Session was updated on October 16, 2026 and ChessRAF on October 8, 2026.

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