Comparison

SimpleX Chat vs X

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

X

Discover the real posting locations of X (Twitter) users. This app reveals country, device type, and VPN/proxy usage for any public X account. It's perfect for researchers, journalists, and anyone verifying online authenticity.

Highlights
  • Discover real country locations
  • Detect device type (iPhone, mobile, web)
  • Identify VPN & proxy usage
  • Dual-mode system (Cache & Live)
  • Community cloud cache for shared data
  • Export evidence screenshots
  • Privacy-first data handling
Features
Read full description

X-POSED: LOCATION INTELLIGENCE FOR X Ever wondered where that viral account is really posting from? X-Posed reveals the truth behind every X (Twitter) profile. DISCOVER REAL LOCATIONS See the actual country users are posting from - displayed with beautiful flag emojis. Works with any public X account. DEVICE DETECTION Know instantly if someone is on iPhone, other mobile devices, or web browser. VPN & PROXY DETECTION X-Posed shows when a user's location might not be accurate due to VPN or proxy usage - critical information for verification. DUAL-MODE SYSTEM - Cache Mode: Instant lookups from our community database - Live Mode: Real-time data directly from X's API (requires login) COMMUNITY CLOUD CACHE Join thousands of researchers contributing to a privacy-first shared database. Your lookups help everyone. PERFECT FOR: - OSINT Researchers - Journalists verifying sources - Security professionals - Anyone curious about authenticity KEY FEATURES: - Beautiful dark mode interface - Search history with profile pictures - Export evidence screenshots - Share results via text or image - No personal data collected - No tracking or analytics HOW IT WORKS: 1. Enter any X username or paste a profile URL 2. Tap search to reveal location intelligence 3. View country, device type, and connection status 4. Share or export the findings PRIVACY FIRST: - All data stored locally on your device - No IP logging - No user tracking - Optional cloud cache (you control your data) X-Posed uses publicly available information from X's official API. No private data is accessed or stored. Made with love by Alexander Hagenah primepage.de | @xaitax

Screenshots

SimpleX Chat4 screens
X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: X at 5.0 against SimpleX Chat's 4.3. SimpleX Chat's advantage is ratings volume (268 vs 1) and chart position (#208 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

X 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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
SimpleX Chat versus X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleX ChatX
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (268 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings268 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#208 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB30 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperSimpleX ChatAlexander Hagenah

Customer experience

SimpleX Chat

All ratings268 ratings
Positive79.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews209 reviews
Positive56.5%
Neutral14.4%
Negative29.2%

X

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

X

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

None

X

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is X free?
X is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SimpleX Chat or X?
X is rated higher. SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 268 ratings, while X averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SimpleX Chat or X have ads?
Neither SimpleX Chat nor X shows ads.

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