Session vs Wave
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
Wave
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Wave is a local-first haptic pattern companion for sending tiny tactile messages. Browse a hand-tuned library of patterns, feel them with Core Haptics, hear matched audio, favorite the ones you use often, and share custom waves through the iOS share sheet. Wave can also spell short messages in International Morse code, morph two patterns together, import and export `.wave` files, and export AHAP files for Core Haptics workflows. Version 1.4 adds Tactile Readout, a practical pre-send analysis panel. It scores a wave's timing, density, intensity, sharpness, and texture so users can tell whether a pattern feels soft, balanced, urgent, tap-only, blended, or sustained before sharing it. Wave does not require an account. Custom waves, favorites, settings, and recents stay on device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Session at Free against Wave's $2.99. Session also leads on chart position (#99 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Wave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On 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
Session is free to download; Wave costs $2.99 up front. Session sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Wave asks for nothing beyond the download.
Session ships an update fortnightly, Wave every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Session | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (5.3K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5.3K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #99 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Loki Project | Robert Corbin |
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
Wave
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
Wave
No in-app purchases








