# SimpleX Chat vs Iridium Chat

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Iridium Chat at 100% against SimpleX Chat's 56%. Iridium Chat also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3). SimpleX Chat's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (268 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Iridium Chat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpleX Chat has 268 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of SimpleX Chat's written reviews are positive against 100% of Iridium Chat's.

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, Iridium Chat every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleX Chat | Iridium Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (268 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iridium-chat/id6476648492/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **268** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#209** | — |
| Size | 193 MB | 99 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) | [Iridium](https://appshunter.io/developer/634954979) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleX Chat

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

**Currently charting:** #209 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


### Iridium Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iridium-chat/id6476648492)

This app enables real-time, app-to-app instant messaging and image sharing globally via a satellite Wi-Fi device. It offers an always-on messaging experience, group chats, and location sharing.

**Highlights:** Real-time app-to-app messaging, Global satellite network access, Group chats up to 50 people, Image sharing with compression, Location sharing via clickable link, Contact syncing

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

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

### Is Iridium Chat free?

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

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

Iridium Chat is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while Iridium Chat averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do SimpleX Chat or Iridium Chat have ads?

Neither SimpleX Chat nor Iridium Chat shows ads.

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

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and Iridium Chat every 6 months. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on October 14, 2026 and Iridium Chat on October 8, 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.*