Comparison

Berty Messenger vs BonChat

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Berty Messenger

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
Read full description

Berty makes privacy the easy option. Berty is an encrypted and offline peer-to-peer messenger with NO central server. Connect with or without an internet connection, message for free, and avoid surveillance and censorship. DISCLAIMER: Berty is fresh off the development line and hasn’t been audited yet. Please keep this in mind when exchanging data. END-TO-END ENCRYPTED MESSAGING In some countries, even a lol or a like can get you sent to jail. Berty is end-to-end encrypted - not even our developers could access your data, let alone corporations or governments. 100% DECENTRALIZED Just like blockchain technologies, Berty doesn’t pass your data through central servers - the place where internet service providers, hackers, and governments can intercept your data. Instead, Berty’s network is distributed, based on P2P direct messaging. COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS Berty couldn’t care less about who you are. You don’t need to provide your real name, an email, or a date of birth. You don’t even need a SIM card! PROTECT YOUR METADATA You might not know what metadata is, but WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat all collect it. This data can reveal a lot about you - so you’ll be glad to hear Berty is a messaging app alternative that collects as little metadata as humanly possible. COMMUNICATE WITHOUT TRADITIONAL NETWORKS Berty is made to work in the most challenging network conditions in the solar system. If governments, hackers, or natural disasters shut down cellular or internet networks, users can still make vital instant communications over Berty’s proximity Bluetooth feature. JOIN GROUP CHATS Berty is a full-featured instant messaging app. Create groups, chat securely, and share media with friends, family, and colleagues. SHARE VOICE MESSAGES Instantly send encrypted voice memos and audio files on Berty’s decentralized network. FREE FOREVER Privacy is a right for everyone, so Berty doesn’t profit from keeping you safe online. Created by an NGO, Berty will always be free and relies on the generous community to fuel development. TOGGLE BETWEEN ACCOUNTS Create different accounts to split your messaging identities by work, school, family - however, you want to categorize your messages! The Berty messaging app, built on the Berty Protocol, is designed, developed, and deployed by the French non-profit NGO, Berty Technologies. But Berty isn’t just decentralized in terms of its architecture - it’s also owned by the community, not a corporation interested in profits. The progress of Berty relies on developers testing and feeding back on our open source code, generous funding from funds and individual donors, and online and offline advocacy in the community. Documentation on Berty: https://berty.tech/docs Source Code: https://github.com/berty Join Berty’s Discord: Follow Berty on Twitter: @berty

About

BonChat

This app offers secure messaging and file sharing with state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. It provides options for private or on-premise server deployment, advanced group management, and a user-friendly interface. Enjoy seamless cross-platform communication with full control over your data.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Private/on-premise server deployment
  • Advanced group management
  • User-friendly interface
  • Cross-platform support
Read full description

Welcome to BonChat, your ultimate solution for secure and private communication! With BonChat, you can enjoy seamless messaging, file sharing, and collaboration - all protected by state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. # Key Features ## End-to-End Encryption Your messages and files are encrypted from the moment they leave your device until they reach the recipient, ensuring that only you and your chosen contacts can read or access them. ## Private or On-Premise Server Deployment Take control of your data with our private or on-premise server deployment option. Host BonChat on your own servers for total peace of mind, knowing that your communication is secure and under your control. ## Powerful Group Management Experience advanced group functionality with BonChat’s robust group management features. Create, manage, and customize groups effortlessly while controlling member permissions in detail for enhanced collaboration. ## User-Friendly Interface BonChat is designed for everyone. Our intuitive interface makes it easy to send messages, share files, and manage your contacts without compromising on security. ## Cross-Platform Support Whether you’re on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, BonChat provides a seamless experience across all devices, ensuring you stay connected anytime, anywhere. Experience the freedom of secure communication with BonChat. Download now and take the first step towards protecting your conversations and data like never before! BonChat: Your data, your control, your security.

Screenshots

Berty Messenger4 screens
BonChat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: BonChat at 4.8 against Berty Messenger's 3.0. BonChat also leads on ratings volume (59K vs 22) and review sentiment (56% vs 33%). Berty Messenger's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BonChat holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BonChat has 59K 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 56% of BonChat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Berty Messenger ships an update every 2 months, BonChat every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Berty Messenger versus BonChat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBerty MessengerBonChat
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (22 ratings)4.8 (59K ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews55.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2259K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size167 MB77 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBerty TechnologiesHong Kong CipherChat Tech Company Limited

Customer experience

Berty Messenger

All ratings22 ratings
Positive40.9%
Neutral18.2%
Negative40.9%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

BonChat

All ratings59,172 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews501 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative41.7%

Bugs and requests

Berty Messenger

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

BonChat

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Add read receipts (two checkmarks when message is read)
  • Improve keyboard and text area usability

In-app purchases

None

Berty Messenger

No in-app purchases

None

BonChat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Berty Messenger free?
Berty Messenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BonChat free?
BonChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Berty Messenger or BonChat?
BonChat is rated higher. Berty Messenger averages 3.0 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while BonChat averages 4.8 from 59K ratings.
Do Berty Messenger or BonChat have ads?
Neither Berty Messenger nor BonChat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Berty Messenger or BonChat?
Berty Messenger ships an update every 2 months, and BonChat every 4 weeks. Most recently, Berty Messenger was updated on August 21, 2026 and BonChat on September 24, 2026.

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