Comparison

Garmin Messenger™ vs Iridium Chat

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

Head to head
About

Garmin Messenger™

Communicate globally with friends and family, even without cell service. Pair with a compatible satellite communicator for secure messaging and SOS capabilities. Enjoy automatic network switching for reliable connectivity and real-time location sharing.

Highlights
  • Global messaging
  • Interactive SOS
  • Group messaging
  • Photo and voice messaging
  • Automatic network switching
  • Real-time location sharing (LiveTrack)
Features
Read full description

Stay in touch with friends and family. Enjoy the security and connectivity of global messaging with the Garmin Messenger™ app. Pair with your compatible inReach® satellite communicator for fast, easy direct messaging and interactive SOS that’s not limited to cellphone coverage areas (active satellite subscription required). The app supports group messaging as well as photo and voice messaging when paired with a compatible Garmin device (1). Automatic switching between internet, cellular, and satellite networks gives you the best connectivity and efficiency for all your messaging. When you have connectivity, the app will work seamlessly even if your inReach device is turned off. Invite your friends and family to download the app to stay connected and keep the conversation going on and off the trail. With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time (2) and see data such as distance, time and elevation. (1) See compatible devices at garmin.com/p/893837#devices (2) When used with your compatible smartphone and the Garmin Earthmate® app or when used with your compatible inReach® technology-enabled Garmin device. Note: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.

About

Iridium Chat

This app enables real-time, app-to-app instant messaging and image sharing globally via a satellite Wi-Fi device. It offers an always-on messaging experience, group chats, and location sharing.

Highlights
  • Real-time app-to-app messaging
  • Global satellite network access
  • Group chats up to 50 people
  • Image sharing with compression
  • Location sharing via clickable link
  • Contact syncing
Read full description

A companion app for the Iridium GO! exec® satellite Wi-Fi access device, Iridium Chat harnesses the truly global Iridium® network, allowing app-to-app instant messaging and image sharing from anywhere. Unlike standard apps compatible with Iridium GO! exec, Iridium Chat – utilizing Iridium Messaging Transport® – offers users an "always on," real-time messaging experience. FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES • Send and receive messages while connected to Iridium GO! exec or when using Wi-Fi or cellular data. • Stay connected with group chats of up to 50 individuals. • Share images: Inbuilt compression tool helps ensure better user experience with faster loading time and network efficiency. • Share location: Clickable link shows the user's location in recipient's default maps app. • Sync your contacts: Smart device contacts are synced and sorted so Iridium Chat users are easy to find.

Screenshots

Garmin Messenger™4 screens
Iridium Chat3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Iridium Chat at 100% against Garmin Messenger™'s 20%. Iridium Chat also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Garmin Messenger™'s advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (14K vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Iridium Chat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Messenger™ has 14K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Garmin Messenger™'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Iridium Chat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Messenger™ ships an update every 3 weeks, Iridium Chat every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Garmin Messenger™ versus Iridium Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin Messenger™Iridium Chat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews19.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#84 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB99 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminIridium

Customer experience

Garmin Messenger™

All ratings13,746 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews564 reviews
Positive19.5%
Neutral9.4%
Negative71.1%

Iridium Chat

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Garmin Messenger™

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • No verification code received
  • App freezes during activation
  • Inconsistent behavior between app and device
  • Messaging not working in areas with no cell coverage

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to message non-Messenger contacts
  • Improved contact management and syncing
  • Apple Watch compatibility
  • Ability to delete messages on paired devices
  • Better integration with Garmin Explore app

Iridium Chat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Messenger™

No in-app purchases

None

Iridium Chat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Messenger™ free?
Garmin Messenger™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Iridium Chat free?
Iridium Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Garmin Messenger™ or Iridium Chat?
Iridium Chat is rated higher. Garmin Messenger™ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Iridium Chat averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Garmin Messenger™ or Iridium Chat have ads?
Neither Garmin Messenger™ nor Iridium Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Messenger™ or Iridium Chat?
Garmin Messenger™ ships an update every 3 weeks, and Iridium Chat every 6 months. Most recently, Garmin Messenger™ was updated on October 31, 2026 and Iridium Chat on October 21, 2026.

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