Comparison

SimpleX Chat vs bitchat mesh

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

bitchat mesh

Connect with people nearby without needing personal contact information. This app facilitates private, encrypted group chats using Bluetooth mesh technology, making it ideal for local communication without internet access.

Highlights
  • Local Bluetooth mesh chat
  • No internet required
  • Encrypted private messages
  • Relays messages for range
  • Sidegroupchat functionality
Features
Read full description

chat with people around you. don't need their phone # or email. the sidegroupchat for any function. uses bluetooth mesh, no internet needed. relays messages to go the distance! encrypted private messages.

Screenshots

SimpleX Chat4 screens
bitchat mesh3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: bitchat mesh at 4.7 against SimpleX Chat's 4.3. bitchat mesh also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 57%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). SimpleX Chat's advantage is chart position (#176 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

bitchat mesh holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 264 and 510 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of SimpleX Chat's written reviews are positive against 80% of bitchat mesh's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, bitchat mesh every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SimpleX Chat versus bitchat mesh: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleX Chatbitchat mesh
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (264 ratings)4.7 (510 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.7% of reviews79.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings264510 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#176 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB13 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSimpleX Chatpermissionless tech, llc

Customer experience

SimpleX Chat

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

bitchat mesh

All ratings510 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.9%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews291 reviews
Positive79.7%
Neutral7.6%
Negative12.7%

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

bitchat mesh

From 510 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Modern, efficient offline communication
  • 🔒 Secure and private messaging
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Useful for areas with poor internet connectivity
  • 👍 Innovative use of Bluetooth for decentralized network

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable message delivery and sync issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems on certain devices
  • 🔒 Concerns about long-term privacy and security

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

bitchat mesh

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Typing input field issues on Mac
  • Notifications not working consistently on iOS

Requested features

5 requests
  • Drawing/sketching feature like Pictochat
  • Customizable themes and UI options
  • Ability to filter messages by favorites or verified users
  • Support for file sharing and image transfer
  • Integration with cryptocurrency/Bitcoin payments

In-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

None

bitchat mesh

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is bitchat mesh free?
bitchat mesh is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or bitchat mesh?
bitchat mesh is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 264 ratings, while bitchat mesh averages 4.7 from 510 ratings.
Do SimpleX Chat or bitchat mesh have ads?
Neither SimpleX Chat nor bitchat mesh shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or bitchat mesh?
SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and bitchat mesh every 4 days. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on September 23, 2026 and bitchat mesh on September 25, 2026.

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