Comparison

SimpleX Chat vs Primal

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

Head to head
About

SimpleX Chat

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
Read full description

SimpleX - the first messaging network without user identifiers of any kind (not even random numbers) - 100% private by design! Security assessments by Trail of Bits: 2022: https://simplex.chat/blog/20221108-simplex-chat-v4.2-security-audit-new-website.html 2024: https://simplex.chat/blog/20241014-simplex-network-v6-1-security-review-better-calls-user-experience.html SimpleX Chat features: - quantum resistant end-to-end encrypted messages, with editing, replies and deletion. - disappearing messages with opt-out per contact/group. - message reactions. - delivery receipts, with opt-out per contact or group. - multiple chat profiles, with hidden profiles. - app access and self-destruct passcodes. - incognito mode - unique to SimpleX Chat. - end-to-end encrypted images and files. - voice messages up to 5 minutes – also end-to-end encrypted. - "live" messages – they update for all recipients as you type them, every few seconds - unique to SimpleX Chat. - connect via one-time invitation links or via long-term public addresses. - secret chat groups - only group members know the group exists and who is the member. - end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls. - connection security code verification, for contacts and group members – to protect from man-in-the-middle attacks (e.g. invitation link substitution). - end-to-end encrypted push notifications (they contain only encrypted meta-data, not the actual content). - encrypted portable chat database - you can transfer your chat contacts and history to another device. - all local files and media are encrypted by default. - animated images and "stickers" (e.g., from GIF and PNG files and from 3rd party keyboards). SimpleX Chat advantages: - privacy of your identity, profile, contacts and metadata: unlike any other existing messaging platform, SimpleX uses no phone numbers or any other identifiers assigned to the users - not even random numbers. This protects the privacy of who you are communicating with, hiding it from SimpleX platform servers and from any observers. - complete protection against spam and abuse: as you have no identifier on SimpleX platform, you cannot be contacted unless you share a one-time invitation link or an optional temporary user address. - full ownership, control and security of your data: SimpleX stores all user data on client devices, the messages are only held temporarily on SimpleX relay servers until they are received. - decentralized proxied peer-to-peer network: you can use SimpleX Chat via your own relay servers and still communicate with people using pre-configured or any other SimpleX relay servers. - fully open-source code. You can connect to anybody you know via link or scan QR code (in the video call or in person) and start sending messages instantly - no emails, phone numbers or passwords needed. Your profile and contacts are only stored in the app on your device - relay servers do not have access to this information. All messages are end-to-end encrypted using open-source quantum resistant double-ratchet protocol; the messages are delivered via relay servers using open-source SimpleX Messaging Protocol. Please send us any questions via the app (connect to the team via the app settings!), email chat@simplex.chat or submit issues on GitHub (https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues) Ream more about SimpleX Chat at https://simplex.chat Get source code in our GitHub repo: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat Follow us on X/Twitter (@SimpleXChat), Reddit (r/SimpleXChat/) and Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@simplex) for the latest updates.

About

Primal

Experience a next-generation social media platform built on Nostr and Bitcoin. Enjoy rich media feeds, long-form articles, and integrated Bitcoin wallet functionality. Discover content easily and authorize other Nostr apps with remote login.

Highlights
  • Rich media feeds with playback
  • Built-in Bitcoin wallet
  • Long form articles
  • Extensive content discovery
  • Advanced search
  • Remote Login for Nostr apps
  • Configurable ambient sounds
Features
Read full description

Next generation social media powered by Nostr and Bitcoin. Primal features rich feeds with media playback, built-in wallet, long form articles, extensive content discovery, advanced search. Primal can also be used to authorize activity in compatible Nostr apps using Remote Login. During an active remote session, Primal can play user-configurable ambient sounds that continue while the app is in the background. Our terms of use are available at: http://primal.net/terms

Screenshots

SimpleX Chat4 screens
Primal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Primal at 4.9 against SimpleX Chat's 4.3. Primal also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 57%) and ratings volume (928 vs 264). SimpleX Chat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and chart position (#167 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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. Primal sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Primal holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 264 and 928 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of SimpleX Chat's written reviews are positive against 88% of Primal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
SimpleX Chat versus Primal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleX ChatPrimal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (264 ratings)4.9 (928 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.7% of reviews88.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings264928 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#167 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB156 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperSimpleX ChatPrimal Systems Incorporated.

Customer experience

SimpleX Chat

All ratings264 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral6.1%
Negative14.4%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive56.7%
Neutral13.9%
Negative29.3%

Primal

All ratings928 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive88.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative8.9%

User reviews

SimpleX Chat

From 264 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Primal

From 928 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
  • 🔒 Secure and private social experience
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 💡 Seamless integration with Bitcoin Lightning Network
  • 🤘 Empowering decentralized social media

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🇨🇦 Limited functionality for Canadian users
  • 🔍 Lacking advanced search and discovery features
  • 🔔 Inconsistent push notification support

Bugs and requests

SimpleX Chat

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • 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
Show 14 more
  • QR code scanning not working on iPad
  • Desktop-phone sync connection failures
  • Auto-delete messages interrupting voice recordings
  • Typing inserts extra characters
  • iOS 17 keyboard autofill interferes with typing
  • Chat object unresponsive but moveable (delete)
  • Backup restoration key confirmation fails if contact offline
  • Server switching not reflected in chats
  • Cannot change sending server for stuck messages
  • Connection errors when creating chat links
  • Video upload takes hours
  • Call notifications appearing in Russian
  • Random photo auto-attachment during typing
  • Unable to unsend or delete sent attachments

Requested features

14 requests
  • Read receipts option
  • Typing indicators
  • Bot maker feature like Telegram
  • Multiple image attachment with descriptions
  • Better emoji reaction selection
Show 9 more
  • Mac desktop app
  • Web app (PWA)
  • iPad optimization
  • Improved group discovery/search
  • Global self-destruct message settings
  • Pin photos in group welcome messages
  • Chinese input method support
  • Ringing tone during calls
  • Speakerphone launch option before call pickup

Primal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Losing relay connections when switching to desktop
  • Issues with account creation and sign-in process
  • Inconsistent display of reactions from other Nostr apps

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for more Nostr reaction types
  • Implement robust community/subreddit features
  • Improve cache management and clearing options
  • Provide better account management and sign-out options

In-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Primal

Subscriptions4
  • Primal Premium Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Primal Pro Monthly$69.991 Month
  • Primal Premium Yearly$69.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Primal Pro Yearly Subscription$749.991 Year
One-time1
  • Prepaid Nostr Zaps$4.99

Questions

Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Primal free?
Primal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or Primal?
Primal is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 264 ratings, while Primal averages 4.9 from 928 ratings.
Do SimpleX Chat or Primal have ads?
Neither SimpleX Chat nor Primal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or Primal?
SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and Primal every 2 weeks. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on September 23, 2026 and Primal on September 23, 2026.

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