Comparison

Session vs messes.net

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

messes.net

Features
Read full description

messes.net is a private messenger for conversations with people you know and approve. A private contact network There is no public user directory. Add someone using their exact @username and one-time contact code, a QR code, or a private link. Chats and calls become available after the request is accepted. Private and group conversations Send text, reactions, photos, videos, documents, voice messages, and video messages. Create private group chats and manage their members. Voice and video calls Call approved contacts and switch from voice to video during a conversation. End-to-end encryption Private keys are created on user devices. Messages and attachments are transmitted in encrypted form. The server uses a temporary delivery queue and does not keep a permanent archive of private conversation content. Multiple devices Review authorized devices and terminate sessions you no longer use from your profile. Your interface Choose a light or dark appearance, language, and chat-list wallpaper. messes.net is made for conversations, without public channels, stories, or a recommendation feed. Some features may require a subscription. The exact price, billing period, and trial availability are shown by the App Store before purchase confirmation. Subscriptions can be managed in Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://messes.net/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Session4 screens
messes.net3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: messes.net at daily against Session's fortnightly. Session's advantage is chart position (#99 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and messes.net sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session ships an update fortnightly, messes.net daily. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Session versus messes.net: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionmesses.net
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.2K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#99 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB94 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperThe Loki ProjectAleksei Goriainov

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

messes.net

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
1 purchases

messes.net

Subscriptions1
  • messes.net monthly14 Days trial$19.991 Month

Questions

Is Session free?
Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is messes.net free?
messes.net is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Session or messes.net have ads?
Neither Session nor messes.net shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session or messes.net?
Session ships an update fortnightly, and messes.net daily. Most recently, Session was updated on October 15, 2026 and messes.net on October 14, 2026.

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