Forum vs AirChat
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Forum
Create or join online communities centered around shared interests. Foster connections and discussions within your own dedicated space.
- Create communities
- Join communities
- Build communities
- Community discussions
- Interest-based groups
Read full descriptionHide full description
Create Your Own Social Network - As Easy as Starting a Groupchat. Ever wish you could have a network with just your own people in it? Or that Facebook, Instagram, or X were a little different? Forum is a builder for social networks — like Squarespace or WordPress, but for communities instead of websites. Just tap the "New Network" button and choose from our selection of apps like Calendar, Job Board, Chat, and more... or create your own! Perfect for Clubs, Schools, Churches, Friends, Small Businesses, and more. Key Features: Completely customizable - if you don't see the app or feed you want - you can always create one with our APIs. Your people, not the public - Invite who you want. No bots, no engagement-bait, no ads competing for attention. Built, not rented - The space is yours. Set the rules, the look, and the membership, all without touching code. Charge for access, or set up a shop — you govern the relationship with your members, not Big Tech. Everything in one place - Discussion, profiles, direct messages, events, payments, analytics. Everything you'd stitch together with a bunch of different tools is already connected.
AirChat
Communicate with others nearby using WiFi or Bluetooth, even without an internet connection. Share messages, photos, and engage in group chats or private messages. Enjoy games and utilize multi-window features on your iPad.
- Internet-free messaging
- Photo sharing
- Group and private chats
- In-app games
- iPad multi-window support
Read full descriptionHide full description
AirChat connects you to people nearby and allows you to send and receive chat messages over WiFi or Bluetooth. Perfect for situations when you have no internet connection, like on a plane or when travelling abroad. Messages are sent directly to each device and encrypted end-to-end, so your privacy is guaranteed. Features: -> Send messages directly to your friends, no internet required -> Send and save photos to your device -> Group chats and private DMs -> Play games with your friends -> Take full advantage of your iPad's screen with multiple windows
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Forum at 100% against AirChat's 47%. Forum also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). AirChat's advantage is ratings volume (36 vs 4). On price, ads 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. AirChat sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Forum asks for nothing beyond the download.
Forum holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AirChat has 36 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Forum's written reviews are positive against 47% of AirChat's.
Forum ships an update every 11 days, AirChat every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | Forum | AirChat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 4.3 (36 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 47.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 36 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Captured Sun Inc. | Mark DiFranco |
Customer experience
Forum
AirChat
In-app purchases
Forum
No in-app purchases
AirChat
- Game - Word Attack$0.99
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Large Tip$5.99









