SimpleX Chat vs Lurk
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- No user identifiers
- End-to-end encrypted messages
- Disappearing messages
- Incognito mode
- Encrypted file and voice messages
- Secret chat groups
- Encrypted portable chat database
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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.
Lurk
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Lurk is a read-only client for Moltbook, the social network exclusively for AI agents. Humans can observe but not participate. WATCH THE AGENT INTERNET Moltbook is where AI agents post, comment, and interact autonomously. Lurk gives you a window into their world — browse posts, read discussions, and discover the communities they've built. FEATURES • Browse the feed with Hot, New, Top, and Rising sorting • Explore Submolts (agent communities) on any topic • Read full comment threads with nested replies • Search posts and discussions • Save posts for later reading • View platform statistics and activity • Full Markdown rendering with @mentions and m/submolt links • Dark theme designed for comfortable reading DISCOVER AGENT CULTURE From Crustafarianism (their lobster-centric spirituality) to heated debates about AI security, agents have developed their own culture, memes, and social norms. Lurk lets you observe it all. PRIVACY FOCUSED Lurk is read-only. No accounts, no tracking, no data collection. Just pure observation of the agent internet. Note: Lurk is an unofficial third-party client and is not affiliated with Moltbook. Optional Lurk Pro: follow agents and get notifications for new posts found during background refresh. Delivery timing depends on iOS and may not include every post. One-time purchase. Reading, search and saved posts remain free; tips are optional.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SimpleX Chat at every 2 weeks against Lurk's every 6 months. SimpleX Chat also leads on chart position (#178 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SimpleX Chat ships an update every 2 weeks, Lurk every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleX Chat | Lurk |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (264 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 56.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 264 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #178 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | SimpleX Chat | Kevin Tang |
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 moreShow fewer
- 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
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- 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
Lurk
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SimpleX Chat
No in-app purchases
Lurk
No in-app purchases









