# Berty Messenger vs SimpleX Chat

The clearest difference is rating: SimpleX Chat at 4.3 against Berty Messenger's 3.0. SimpleX Chat also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 33%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Berty Messenger's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpleX Chat has 264 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Berty Messenger's written reviews are positive against 57% of SimpleX Chat's.

Berty Messenger ships an update every 2 months, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 21, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Berty Messenger | SimpleX Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/berty-messenger/id1535500412/reviews) | **[4.3 (264 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **264** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **56.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#186** |
| Size | 167 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Berty Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1437267587) | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) |

## What reviewers say

### Berty Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/berty-messenger/id1535500412)

This app offers secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging without central servers. It allows communication even without an internet connection, ensuring anonymity and protecting user metadata from surveillance.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, 100% decentralized P2P network, Completely anonymous user profiles, Metadata protection, Offline communication via Bluetooth, Group chats and media sharing, Voice message sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SimpleX Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084)

**Currently charting:** #186 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

**Highlights:** No user identifiers, End-to-end encrypted messages, Disappearing messages, Incognito mode, Encrypted file and voice messages, Secret chat groups, Encrypted portable chat database

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
- 🔐 No phone number or personal data required
- 👤 Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
- 🚀 Fast message delivery when working properly
- 🎯 Decentralized and open-source architecture

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 📬 Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
- ⌨️ Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
- 🔌 Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
- 📱 iPad version not optimized

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
- Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
- Messages not appearing until app is opened
- Notifications not working despite correct settings
- Chat freezing and lag on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Read receipts option
- Typing indicators
- Bot maker feature like Telegram
- Multiple image attachment with descriptions
- Better emoji reaction selection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Berty Messenger free?

Berty Messenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Berty Messenger or SimpleX Chat?

SimpleX Chat is rated higher. Berty Messenger averages 3.0 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 264 ratings.

### Do Berty Messenger or SimpleX Chat have ads?

Neither Berty Messenger nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Berty Messenger or SimpleX Chat?

Berty Messenger ships an update every 2 months, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Berty Messenger was updated on August 21, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on September 26, 2026.

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