# Session vs Spectra Protocol

The clearest difference is rating: Spectra Protocol at 5.0 against Session's 4.4. Spectra Protocol also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). Session's advantage is ratings volume (5.2K vs 1) and chart position (#94 vs unranked). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Session sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Spectra Protocol asks for nothing beyond the download.

Spectra Protocol holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Session has 5.2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of Session's written reviews are positive against 50% of Spectra Protocol's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Session ships an update fortnightly, Spectra Protocol weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Session | Spectra Protocol |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-private-messenger/id1470168868/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectra-protocol/id6776937247/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **61.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#94** | — |
| Size | 92 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [The Loki Project](https://appshunter.io/developer/1465686521) | [Mozaga Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776937249) |

## What reviewers say

### Session

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-private-messenger/id1470168868)

**Currently charting:** #94 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Session Pro | $4.49 | per month |
| Session Pro | $11.99 | per 3 months |
| Session Pro | $35.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure and private messaging
- 👍 Clean and intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 🔒 No phone number or personal data required
- 💡 Innovative use of blockchain and Tor network

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable notifications and message delivery
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Slow media file transfers
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Limited features compared to competitors

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Spectra Protocol

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectra-protocol/id6776937247)

This app offers a secure, privacy-focused messaging and self-custody wallet experience. It uses wallet-based identity for communication and allows users to manage digital assets securely from their device.

**Highlights:** Wallet-linked identity, End-to-end encrypted messaging, Secure voice and video calls, Self-custody wallet, Biometric app protection, Offline encrypted relay

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Session free?

Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spectra Protocol free?

Spectra Protocol is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Session or Spectra Protocol?

Spectra Protocol is rated higher. Session averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while Spectra Protocol averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Session or Spectra Protocol have ads?

Neither Session nor Spectra Protocol shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Session or Spectra Protocol?

Session ships an update fortnightly, and Spectra Protocol weekly. Most recently, Session was updated on October 14, 2026 and Spectra Protocol on September 29, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*