# OpenBubble vs Messages

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenBubble at none against Messages's 3. OpenBubble also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Messages's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Messages sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. OpenBubble asks for nothing beyond the download.

OpenBubble ships an update every 3 weeks, Messages daily. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenBubble | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (389 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **389** |
| Positive reviews | — | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [OpenBubble](https://appshunter.io/developer/1556524215) | [Kailashben Radadiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1753646507) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenBubble

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openbubble/id1625903250)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages-sms-and-text-messaging/id6505050591)

This communication platform streamlines your messaging and calling experience. It offers instant messaging, group chats, media sharing, and direct calling. Manage multiple accounts, set reminders from conversations, and organize all your messages in a unified inbox.

**Highlights:** Dual app accounts, Instant messaging and media sharing, End-to-end message encryption, Reminders from conversations, Voice and video calls, Unified message inbox, Spam protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenBubble free?

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

### Is Messages free?

Messages is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do OpenBubble or Messages have ads?

Messages shows ads; OpenBubble does not.

### Which is updated more often, OpenBubble or Messages?

OpenBubble ships an update every 3 weeks, and Messages daily. Most recently, OpenBubble was updated on September 14, 2026 and Messages on September 24, 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.*