# SimpleX Chat vs IronCircles

The clearest difference is rating: IronCircles at 4.8 against SimpleX Chat's 4.3. SimpleX Chat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (268 vs 8). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. IronCircles sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.

IronCircles holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpleX Chat has 268 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleX Chat | IronCircles |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (268 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews) | **[4.8 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ironcircles/id1634856740/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **268** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#204** | — |
| Size | 193 MB | 245 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) | [IronCircles Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634856742) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleX Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084)

**Currently charting:** #204 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

**Highlights:** No user identifiers, End-to-end encrypted messages, Disappearing messages, Incognito mode, Encrypted file and voice messages, Secret chat groups, Encrypted portable chat database

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
- 🔐 No phone number or personal data required
- 👤 Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
- 🚀 Fast message delivery when working properly
- 🎯 Decentralized and open-source architecture

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 📬 Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
- ⌨️ Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
- 🔌 Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
- 📱 iPad version not optimized

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
- Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
- Messages not appearing until app is opened
- Notifications not working despite correct settings
- Chat freezing and lag on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Read receipts option
- Typing indicators
- Bot maker feature like Telegram
- Multiple image attachment with descriptions
- Better emoji reaction selection


### IronCircles

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ironcircles/id1634856740)

Create your own private, end-to-end encrypted social networks with robust voting controls. Share messages, photos, and videos securely with features like hidden chats and disappearing messages. Organize events, to-do lists, and custom votes within your secure community.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted networks, Member voting for access, Hidden chats, Locked photo vaults, Disappearing messages, Event scheduling, Customizable to-do lists

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Privacy+ | $1.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

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

### Is IronCircles free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or IronCircles?

IronCircles is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while IronCircles averages 4.8 from 8 ratings.

### Do SimpleX Chat or IronCircles have ads?

Neither SimpleX Chat nor IronCircles shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or IronCircles?

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and IronCircles every 2 weeks. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on October 14, 2026 and IronCircles on October 2, 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.*