Comparison

Session vs Setu by Harvices

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

Setu by Harvices

Features
Read full description

SETU is a complete society and community management platform built to simplify how communities connect, communicate, and grow together. Whether you manage a housing society, a Jain organisation, or any member-based community — SETU brings everything under one roof.

Screenshots

Session4 screens
Setu by Harvices3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Setu by Harvices at none against Session's 3. Session's advantage is chart position (#98 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. Setu by Harvices asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session ships an update fortnightly, Setu by Harvices every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Session versus Setu by Harvices: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionSetu by Harvices
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.4K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#98 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB64 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperThe Loki ProjectHARVICES

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

Setu by Harvices

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

Setu by Harvices

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Session free?
Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Setu by Harvices free?
Setu by Harvices is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Session or Setu by Harvices have ads?
Neither Session nor Setu by Harvices shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session or Setu by Harvices?
Session ships an update fortnightly, and Setu by Harvices every 11 days. Most recently, Session was updated on November 2, 2026 and Setu by Harvices on October 7, 2026.

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