SimpleX Chat vs Ello Messenger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- No user identifiers
- End-to-end encrypted messages
- Disappearing messages
- Incognito mode
- Encrypted file and voice messages
- Secret chat groups
- Encrypted portable chat database
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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.
Ello Messenger
This app offers secure messaging and creative tools, including AI-powered content generation. It allows users to connect with others, build communities, and monetize their creations through subscriptions and exclusive content. Sign up easily with just an email.
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- AI-powered text and image generation
- Creator channels and exclusive content
- Fan subscriptions for creators
- Direct messaging and group chats
- Email-based signup
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PURE MESSAGING: Ello Messenger delivers fast, secure, and seamless communication across all your devices—built for both everyday users and modern creators. FAST: Experience lightning-fast messaging powered by a global infrastructure designed for speed, reliability, and real-time connection anywhere in the world. SYNCED: Access your messages, content, and channels from all your devices at once. Start on one device and continue on another—effortlessly. UNLIMITED: Send media, videos, and files of any type. Store your content securely in the cloud and access it anytime without worrying about device space. SECURE: Your privacy comes first. Messages and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring your conversations remain completely private. CREATOR-FIRST: Ello is more than messaging—it’s a platform to build, grow, and monetize your audience. Create channels, publish content, and earn directly from your fans. MONETIZATION: Turn your creativity into revenue. Offer subscriptions, exclusive content, and premium experiences—all within your own ecosystem. POWERFUL: Create public or private channels, build communities, share large media files, and manage your audience with powerful, easy-to-use tools. RELIABLE: Built for performance, Ello works smoothly even in low-connectivity environments, ensuring your messages and content are always delivered. SIMPLE: A clean, intuitive interface makes Ello easy to use while delivering a powerful set of features underneath. PRIVATE: You are in control of your data. Ello does not sell your information and gives you full control over your content and communications. FLEXIBLE: Communicate one-on-one, in groups, or through channels. Share updates, build communities, and connect with your audience your way. EASY START: Sign up in seconds using just your email—no phone number required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleX Chat at none against Ello Messenger's 16. SimpleX Chat also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (268 vs 41). Ello Messenger's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 56%). 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
Both are free to download. Ello Messenger sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.
SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpleX Chat has 268 ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of SimpleX Chat's written reviews are positive against 65% of Ello Messenger's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleX Chat | Ello Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (268 ratings) — better | 3.9 (41 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | 65.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 268 — better | 41 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 365 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | SimpleX Chat | Ello Messenger Corporation |
Customer experience
SimpleX Chat
Ello Messenger
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
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- 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
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- 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
Ello Messenger
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SimpleX Chat
No in-app purchases
Ello Messenger
- 1 Month Membership$10.001 Month
- Support with $1$1.00
- AI Chat Experience Prompts$4.99
- AI Image Experience Prompts$4.99
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- $5 Wallet Credit$5.00
- Al Images and Chat$5.99
- $10 Wallet Credit$10.00
- Mini$10.00
- $20 Wallet Credit$20.00
- $25 Wallet Credit$25.00
- Small$25.00
- $50 Wallet Credit$50.00
- Medium$50.00
- $75 Wallet Credit$75.00
- $100 Wallet Credit$100.00
- Large$100.00
Questions
Is SimpleX Chat free?
Is Ello Messenger free?
Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or Ello Messenger?
Do SimpleX Chat or Ello Messenger have ads?
Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or Ello Messenger?
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