Comparison

Forum vs AirChat

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

Head to head
About

Forum

Create or join online communities centered around shared interests. Foster connections and discussions within your own dedicated space.

Highlights
  • Create communities
  • Join communities
  • Build communities
  • Community discussions
  • Interest-based groups
Features
Read 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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Internet-free messaging
  • Photo sharing
  • Group and private chats
  • In-app games
  • iPad multi-window support
Features
Read 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

Forum4 screens
AirChat4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AirChat sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Forum asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forum ships an update every 11 days, AirChat every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Forum versus AirChat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForumAirChat
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.3 (36 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better47.4% of reviews
Number of ratings436 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB28 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperCaptured Sun Inc.Mark DiFranco

Customer experience

Forum

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AirChat

All ratings36 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral15.8%
Negative36.8%

In-app purchases

None

Forum

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

AirChat

One-time4
  • Game - Word Attack$0.99
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Large Tip$5.99

Questions

Is Forum free?
Forum is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AirChat free?
AirChat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Forum or AirChat?
Forum is rated higher. Forum averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while AirChat averages 4.3 from 36 ratings.
Do Forum or AirChat have ads?
Neither Forum nor AirChat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forum or AirChat?
Forum ships an update every 11 days, and AirChat every 5 weeks. Most recently, Forum was updated on November 3, 2026 and AirChat on November 3, 2026.

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