Berty Messenger vs RL8
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
RL8
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Discover, Connect, and Grow Your Family Tree with RL8. Staying connected with family is more important than ever, but keeping track of complex relationships shouldn't be difficult. RL8 (Relate) is designed to make mapping your family tree, organizing your connections, and staying in touch with loved ones simpler, cleaner, and more interactive. Whether you're mapping out your immediate family or tracing extended relations, RL8 gives you a dedicated space to visualize your roots. KEY FEATURES: Visualize Your Family Tree: Build and explore your family structure in a clean, modern, and interactive interface. Watch your tree grow as you add members. Smart Relationship Levels (RL1, RL2, RL3): Instantly organize your family connections by closeness: RL1 (Direct Family): Keep your parents, siblings, spouse, and children close. RL2 (Extended Family): Map out your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. RL3 (Others & Connections): Keep track of other meaningful relationships. Invite Your Family to Connect: Easily invite your family members to join the app. Once they join, they can contribute to and explore the shared tree with you. Quick & Secure Access: Securely register and sign in using quick phone number verification (OTP) so your private family tree stays private. Real-time Notifications: Get instant updates when family members accept your invitations or update their connections.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: RL8 at fortnightly against Berty Messenger's every 2 months. Berty Messenger's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Berty Messenger ships an update every 2 months, RL8 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Berty Messenger | RL8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (23 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 30.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 167 MB | 64 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Berty Technologies | Relate AS |
In-app purchases
Berty Messenger
No in-app purchases
RL8
No in-app purchases







