Comparison

SimpleX Chat vs SwapX Studio

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

SwapX Studio

Features
Read full description

Ever wondered what you’d look like as a superhero, a Netflix star, or in a Christmas movie? With our app, it’s easy — just upload your photo, pick a theme, and let the AI work its magic. In seconds, your photo turns into something totally unique and ready to share! How it works: 1 -- Choose a photo (of you… or a friend) 2 -- Pick a theme — superhero, Christmas, Netflix vibes, fantasy, cartoon, and more 3 -- Watch the AI do its thing 4 -- Share your creation right on the app or on social media Play with your friends’ photos too! If your friends are on the app, you can use their profile photos to create fun transformations and send them the results. Surprise them, make them laugh, or just show off your creativity! ** A bunch of styles for every mood ** Be the superhero version of yourself Get into the holiday spirit with Christmas themes Step into your favorite movie or series Go full fantasy or sci-fi ** Discover new exclusive styles every week ** ** The best part? ** You can like, comment, and share your friends’ creations. Fun, creative, and seriously addictive. ====== Your iTunes account will be automatically charged at the same price within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period unless you change your subscription preferences in your App Store account settings. Available plans: 1-week renewable For more details, please see the links below: Privacy Policy: http://app.swapx.studio/privacy-policy/en Terms and Conditions of Service: http://app.swapx.studio/general-conditions-of-services/en === The application does not store or retain face data. Images are processed only at the user’s request, shared solely for transformation purposes, and deleted immediately after processing.

Screenshots

SimpleX Chat4 screens
SwapX Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleX Chat at none against SwapX Studio's 2. SimpleX Chat also leads on ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#188 vs unranked). SwapX Studio's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. SwapX Studio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, SwapX Studio every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SimpleX Chat versus SwapX Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleX ChatSwapX Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (264 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews56.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings264 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#188 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB99 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSimpleX ChatAgence Cinquante5

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

SwapX Studio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SwapX Studio

Subscriptions1
  • SwapX Premium Subscription$6.997 Days
One-time1
  • SwapX for life$59.99

Questions

Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SwapX Studio free?
SwapX Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SimpleX Chat or SwapX Studio have ads?
SwapX Studio shows ads; SimpleX Chat does not.
Which is updated more often, SimpleX Chat or SwapX Studio?
SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, and SwapX Studio every 4 days. Most recently, SimpleX Chat was updated on September 29, 2026 and SwapX Studio on September 8, 2026.

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