Comparison

SimpleX Chat vs Swiftgram

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

Swiftgram

A modified Telegram client offering enhanced privacy, unlimited accounts, and advanced messaging features. Enjoy ad-free communication with tools like message filtering, real-time translation, and voice-to-text transcription.

Highlights
  • Unlimited accounts
  • Message filtering
  • Voice-to-text transcription
  • Real-time chat translation
  • Customizable interface
  • Apple Watch companion
  • Privacy-focused features
Features
Read full description

Swiftgram is a modded client for Telegram with Lots of features, focus on Privacy, No Limits, No Ads. Completelly Open Source and includes all latest updates from Telegram plus UNLIMITED ACCOUNTS: Add as many numbers as you want for FREE. ACCOUNTS BACKUP: Log-in to your accounts without SMS-code. Restore all Sessions that are still Active on Telegram servers. MESSAGE FILTER: Reduce visibility of SPAM, promotions and annoying messages. FORMATTING PANEL: Bold, Italic, Links? Formatting with just a single tap. VOICE-TO-TEXT: Transcribe audio messages to text for FREE. TRANSLATOR: Real-time translations for an entire chat. Translate messages you send with a single tap. STORIES: Hide stories or disable swipe for recording. APPLE WATCH COMPANION: Send and Receive Text and Voice messages on your Watch, only in Swiftgram! CHAT MANAGEMENT: Control Tabs, Hide "All Chats", move Folders to bottom and remember the last opened Folder to quickly jump into the discussion. HIDE NOTIFICATIONS: No more Pinned Messages or @mentions when you need some piece of mind. 50+ CUSTOMIZATIONS: Tabs, Chat List and Folders, Profiles, Stories, Translator, Better Photos, Stickers, Context Menu and much, MUCH MORE! SIMPLICITY: Swiftgram remains easy to use with no interface clutter. PRIVACY-FOCUSED: Instant Passcode Lock, Completelly Open Source, No Ads, No Trackers. Your messages and chats remain secure. ACCESSIBILITY: Improved VoiceOver support for Messages Sharing, cause A11y matters! Follow the news: @swiftgram Discuss: @swiftgramchat Swiftgram is an unofficial fork based on Telegram API. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SimpleX Chat4 screens
Swiftgram4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleX Chat at none against Swiftgram's 1. Swiftgram's advantage is review sentiment (69% vs 56%) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Swiftgram sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for SimpleX Chat against 4.2 for Swiftgram. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 279 and 646 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of SimpleX Chat's written reviews are positive against 69% of Swiftgram's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, Swiftgram monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SimpleX Chat versus Swiftgram: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleX ChatSwiftgram
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (279 ratings) — better4.2 (646 ratings)
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews69.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings279646 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB251 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperSimpleX ChatAkentech Ltd

Customer experience

SimpleX Chat

All ratings268 ratings
Positive79.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews210 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral14.8%
Negative29.0%

Swiftgram

All ratings612 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral6.0%
Negative15.0%
Written reviews451 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral10.2%
Negative20.4%

User reviews

SimpleX Chat

From 279 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

Swiftgram

From 646 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate translation
  • 🔒 Robust security features
  • 👍 Extensive customization options
  • 🚀 Lightweight and efficient
  • 👍 Feature-rich alternative to official Telegram

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Accounts sometimes get locked or banned
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • 🐛 Unreliable voice message transcription

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

Swiftgram

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Search bar crashes the app
  • Forwarded messages disappear
  • Notification issues and unknown caller spam
  • Slow message loading and account switching
  • Crashes when accessing storage usage section

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Thai language support
  • Integrate with iOS call features
  • Implement 'show restricted content' for entire chats
  • Add 'add to cloud' option for direct message saving
  • Allow custom app icon selection

In-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Swiftgram

Subscriptions1
  • Swiftgram Pro$3.991 Month

Questions

Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Swiftgram free?
Swiftgram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or Swiftgram?
SimpleX Chat is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 279 ratings, while Swiftgram averages 4.2 from 646 ratings.
Do SimpleX Chat or Swiftgram have ads?
Neither SimpleX Chat nor Swiftgram shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or Swiftgram?
SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and Swiftgram monthly. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on November 3, 2026 and Swiftgram on October 30, 2026.

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