Berty Messenger vs BonChat
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- End-to-end encryption
- Private/on-premise server deployment
- Advanced group management
- User-friendly interface
- Cross-platform support
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Berty Messenger | BonChat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (22 ratings) | 4.8 (59K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 55.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 59K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 167 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Berty Technologies | Hong Kong CipherChat Tech Company Limited |
Customer experience
Berty Messenger
BonChat
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
Berty Messenger
No in-app purchases
BonChat
No in-app purchases









