Comparison

Meshtastic vs Paranoia File Encryption PRO

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

Head to head
About

Meshtastic

This app enables off-grid, decentralized communication via a low-power mesh network. Send text messages in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service.

Highlights
  • Off-grid communication
  • Decentralized mesh network
  • Low-power LoRa radio support
  • Text messaging
  • No cellular/WiFi required
Features
Read full description

Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.

About

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

Securely encrypt your private files and folders with strong encryption algorithms. This app creates encrypted archives and offers options to delete original files automatically or manually. The PRO version includes advanced encryption methods and batch processing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Encrypts files and folders
  • Creates encrypted .enc archives
  • Supports multiple strong encryption algorithms
  • Optional automatic deletion of original files
  • Batch processing of multiple files (PRO version)
  • Key to activate desktop PRO versions
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

• Paranoia File Encryption is a universal file encryption application for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod), brought to you by Paranoia Works. It securely encrypts your private and confidential files or entire folders. P.F.E. works like an archiver, creating a new .enc file after encryption. The original file(s) can be deleted or wiped after the encryption process is completed. This can be done manually or set to be done automatically. • The app ensures real security as data is encrypted using the strongest encryption algorithms: Blowfish 448bit, AES 256bit, RC6 256bit, Serpent 256bit, Twofish 256bit, Threefish 1024bit, SHACAL-2 512bit, and Paranoia C4 2048bit ciphers are available. • Steganography: The application offers steganographic features, allowing you to conceal files within a JPEG image. Two algorithms are available: J-UNIWARD and F5. The selected algorithm works with your chosen symmetric cipher to create the final steganogram. • Versions for other systems and platforms are available on the application's homepage (download section - https://paranoiaworks.mobi/download/). • The AES web version is available at: https://pteo.paranoiaworks.mobi/paranoia-file-encryption/ • Free / PRO version differences: The PRO version contains more algorithms - specifically, Threefish 1024bit, SHACAL-2 512bit, and Paranoia C4 2048bit (which is a cascade of Threefish–Serpent–AES–SHACAL2). The free version can decrypt data encrypted by these advanced algorithms, but encryption is exclusive to the PRO version. In addition, the PRO version allows the selection of multiple files and their batch processing. It also provides a key to activate the PRO version of the desktop application: Paranoia File & Text Encryption for PC, Paranoia Text Encryption for PC and S.S.E. File Encryptor for PC • We greatly appreciate your feedback, including suggestions for improvement and reports of technical problems. Please feel free to contact us via email, particularly if you have questions. Comments don't provide the means for us to communicate with you effectively.

Screenshots

Meshtastic4 screens
Paranoia File Encryption PRO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paranoia File Encryption PRO at 100% against Meshtastic's 44%. Paranoia File Encryption PRO also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and chart position (#199 vs unranked). Meshtastic's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99) and ratings volume (824 vs 5). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Meshtastic is free to download; Paranoia File Encryption PRO costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paranoia File Encryption PRO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meshtastic has 824 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Meshtastic's written reviews are positive against 100% of Paranoia File Encryption PRO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Meshtastic ships an update every 10 days, Paranoia File Encryption PRO every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Meshtastic versus Paranoia File Encryption PRO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeshtasticParanoia File Encryption PRO
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.1 (824 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings824 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#199 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS17.514.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB23 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMeshtastic LLCFrantisek Dvorak

Customer experience

Meshtastic

All ratings824 ratings
Positive76.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative17.0%
Written reviews418 reviews
Positive44.0%
Neutral15.1%
Negative40.9%

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Meshtastic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Canned messages configuration issues
  • Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
  • Settings screen bugs and crashes
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to customize notifications
  • More sorting and filtering options for nodes
  • Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
  • Improved documentation and user guidance

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Meshtastic

No in-app purchases

None

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Meshtastic free?
Meshtastic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paranoia File Encryption PRO free?
Paranoia File Encryption PRO costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Meshtastic or Paranoia File Encryption PRO?
Paranoia File Encryption PRO is rated higher. Meshtastic averages 4.1 out of 5 from 824 ratings, while Paranoia File Encryption PRO averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Meshtastic or Paranoia File Encryption PRO have ads?
Neither Meshtastic nor Paranoia File Encryption PRO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Meshtastic or Paranoia File Encryption PRO?
Meshtastic ships an update every 10 days, and Paranoia File Encryption PRO every 2 months. Most recently, Meshtastic was updated on October 14, 2026 and Paranoia File Encryption PRO on October 8, 2026.

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