# Element X vs Sonata Messenger

The clearest difference is rating: Element X at 3.4 against Sonata Messenger's 2.3. Element X also leads on ratings volume (169 vs 3) and review sentiment (39% vs 25%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Element X holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element X has 169 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Element X's written reviews are positive against 25% of Sonata Messenger's.

Element X ships an update fortnightly, Sonata Messenger every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element X | Sonata Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.4 (169 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820/reviews)** | [2.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonata-messenger/id6477220024/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **169** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **38.8% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 341 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [Boris Sagan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033250135) |

## What reviewers say

### Element X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820)

Communicate securely and privately with instant messaging and video calls. This app offers robust features for individuals and communities, allowing you to own your data and choose where it's hosted. Enjoy real-time communication with synchronized history across all your devices.

**Highlights:** Real-time messaging, Video calls, Public and private rooms, Rich messaging features, Cross-device synchronization, Data ownership and server choice

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sonata Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonata-messenger/id6477220024)

A secure messenger designed for private communication. It offers end-to-end encryption for all messages and files, ensuring your conversations remain confidential. Manage your profile and security settings for complete control over your personal data.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encryption, Individual and group chats, Secure file transfer, Profile and security settings management, No server message storage, No user activity analytics

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element X free?

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

### Is Sonata Messenger free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Element X or Sonata Messenger?

Element X is rated higher. Element X averages 3.4 out of 5 from 169 ratings, while Sonata Messenger averages 2.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do Element X or Sonata Messenger have ads?

Neither Element X nor Sonata Messenger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element X or Sonata Messenger?

Element X ships an update fortnightly, and Sonata Messenger every 2 weeks. Most recently, Element X was updated on November 7, 2026 and Sonata Messenger on November 4, 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.*