Comparison

Session vs mono

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

mono

Read full description

the app to have that conversation. one line. two people. mono is an encrypted 1-to-1 messaging app. you can have only one conversation at a time — no chat lists, groups, channels, or feeds. you connect via a unique, ephemeral 18-character key that rotates every 180 seconds. no matchmaking, stranger discovery, or public directory. no one can reach you unless you deliberately shared a key with them. no registration, no identity no name, email, phone, or personal data. no profile picture, no history, no trace — nothing tied to your real identity. radical privacy every message is end-to-end encrypted — only you and the other person can read it. not mono, not any server, not anyone else. ephemeral messages only the last 15 messages stay visible. the rest is permanently deleted. cut the line either person can cut the line — everything is deleted for both, instantly and permanently. screenshot protection (iphone and mac) messages, keys, photos, videos, and files stay hidden from screenshots and screen recordings. optional protection face id, passcode, keyword lock, and an emergency panic pin. 36-hour rule after 36 hours of inactivity, the entire conversation is permanently deleted for both. no notifications no badges, no banners, no sounds. no extras just text, images, videos, and files. no calls, video calls, or voice notes. view once images, videos, and files open once per person, then lock for good.

Screenshots

Session4 screens
mono4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: mono at none against Session's 3. Session's advantage is chart position (#104 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.2). 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. mono asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session ships an update fortnightly, mono weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Session versus mono: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionmono
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.3K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.3K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#104 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB18 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperThe Loki ProjectSteve Urrego

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

mono

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

mono

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Session free?
Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is mono free?
mono is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Session or mono have ads?
Neither Session nor mono shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session or mono?
Session ships an update fortnightly, and mono weekly. Most recently, Session was updated on October 28, 2026 and mono on October 24, 2026.

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