# LaIM vs Dark18

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LaIM at none against Dark18's 6. LaIM also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.0 vs 3.8). Dark18's advantage is ratings volume (165 vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dark18 sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. LaIM asks for nothing beyond the download.

LaIM holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dark18 has 165 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

LaIM ships an update monthly, Dark18 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LaIM | Dark18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laim/id1550502323/reviews)** | [3.8 (165 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark18/id6749346497/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **165** |
| Positive reviews | — | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 48 MB | 130 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Oleg Ladyka](https://appshunter.io/developer/1548560348) | [Ana Lucila Gomez Navarro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830136813) |

## What reviewers say

### LaIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laim/id1550502323)

A secure messaging application that prioritizes user privacy. It offers encrypted communication without requiring phone number registration. Connect with others through a private and secure platform.

**Highlights:** Secure chat, Encrypted messaging, No phone registration, Private communication

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Dark18

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark18/id6749346497)

A private messenger offering secure end-to-end encrypted chats, HD voice and video calls, and community groups. Share updates through stories that disappear after 24 hours, all within a sleek, dark-themed interface. It's designed for users who prioritize privacy and freedom in their communication.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, HD voice and video calls, Private and public groups, 24-hour disappearing stories, Dark-themed interface, Secure sync across devices

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Access | $8.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Access | $90.99 | per year |
| Weekly Premium Access | $5.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Premium Access | $8.99 | one-time |
| Yearly Premium Access | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LaIM free?

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

### Is Dark18 free?

Dark18 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, LaIM or Dark18?

LaIM is rated higher. LaIM averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Dark18 averages 3.8 from 165 ratings.

### Do LaIM or Dark18 have ads?

Dark18 shows ads; LaIM does not.

### Which is updated more often, LaIM or Dark18?

LaIM ships an update monthly, and Dark18 weekly. Most recently, LaIM was updated on October 8, 2026 and Dark18 on October 17, 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.*