Element X vs Secure Comms
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Element X
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.
- Real-time messaging
- Video calls
- Public and private rooms
- Rich messaging features
- Cross-device synchronization
- Data ownership and server choice
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Freedom to communicate on your own terms For individuals and communities - private communication between family, friends, hobby groups, clubs, etc. Element X gives you fast, secure and private instant messaging and video calls built on Matrix, the open standard for real-time communication. This is a free and open-source app maintained at https://github.com/element-hq/element-x-ios Stay in touch with friends, family and communities with: • Real time messaging & video calls • Public rooms for open group communication • Private rooms for closed group communication • Rich messaging features: emoji reactions, replies, polls, pinned messages and more. • Video calling while browsing messages. • Interoperability with other Matrix-based apps such as FluffyChat, Cinny and many more. Privacy-first Unlike some other messengers from Big Tech companies, we don’t mine your data or monitor your communications. Own your conversations Choose where to host your data - from any public server (the largest free server is matrix.org, but there are plenty of others to choose from) to creating your own personal server and hosting it on your own domain. This ability to choose a server is a large part of what differentiates us from other real time communication apps. However you host, you have ownership; it’s your data. You’re not the product. You’re in control. Communicate in real time, all the time Use Element everywhere. Stay in touch wherever you are with fully synchronised message history across all your devices, including on the web at https://app.element.io Element X is our next-generation app If you’re using the previous-generation Element Classic app, it’s time to try Element X! It’s faster, easier to use, and more powerful than the classic app. It’s better in every way and we’re adding new features all the time.
Secure Comms
This platform offers end-to-end encrypted communication and collaboration for teams. It uses human verification and advanced cryptography to protect sensitive data from various threats, ensuring only trusted members can connect.
- End-to-end encrypted Kibu Pods
- Human verification for members
- Biometric authentication (Face ID)
- Secure file sharing
- Screenshot protection notifications
- Eliminates password/phone number reliance
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Kibu's encrypted collaboration platform protects your organization’s sensitive communication, workflows, and collaboration by adding a layer of human trust on top of advanced cryptography. Create secure "Kibu Pods"—private, end-to-end encrypted groups with trusted, verified members—to protect your organization from internal and external threats. Only individuals that you and your pod members verify can connect with you, ensuring you always know exactly who is on the other end. Why Choose Kibu? - Human Trust Meets Cryptography: Kibu combines strong end-to-end encryption with real-world human verification, enhancing security through mutual trust. - Eliminate Common Attack Vectors: By not using emails, passwords, or phone numbers, Kibu protects you from impersonation and credential-based attacks. - Device & Biometric Security: Your Kibu account exists only on your device and is secured by your Face ID at the time of account creation. Key Features - Biometric Authentication: Access your Kibu account and pods securely using Face ID—no passwords or phone numbers needed. - Kibu Pods: Create private, end-to-end encrypted groups with trusted, mutually verified members. - Secure Communication: Enjoy encrypted group chats within your pods, keeping conversations confidential. - File Sharing: Securely share files and documents within your pods, ensuring sensitive information stays protected. - Screenshot Protection: Get notified whenever someone takes a screenshot in a pod; screen recording is blocked to prevent unauthorized sharing and leaks. - Pod Member Verification: Verify the identity of pod members, even outside of Kibu (e.g., on video calls), to combat impersonation attacks and ensure authenticity. Protect Against Advanced Threats - Fraud - AI-assisted impersonation attacks - Phishing - Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks - Password Attacks - Spoofing - Identity-Based Attacks - Insider Threats - Spamming Common Use Cases - Executive Teams: Secure communication for C-Suite, Board of Directors, and advisors. Approve key decisions with full auditability and maintain a single source of truth. - Accounting Departments: Confirm vendor identities, invoices, and wire instructions. Securely send authorizations for approval, ensuring all decisions are compliant and traceable. - Client Engagements: Safely interact with clients and their teams. Share sensitive documents and validate key account changes using biometric verification. - Deal Teams: Protect M&A discussions and collaborate securely with advisors. Create shared workspaces, approve evolving deal terms, maintain a full audit trail, and prevent information leaks. Getting Started With Kibu Kibu is ready to protect your organization today. Download now or contact us to learn more!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Secure Comms at 100% against Element X's 40%. Secure Comms also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.4). Element X's advantage is ratings volume (152 vs 16). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.
Secure Comms holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element X has 152 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Element X's written reviews are positive against 100% of Secure Comms's.
Element X ships an update fortnightly, Secure Comms weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Element X | Secure Comms |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (152 ratings) | 5.0 (16 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 152 — better | 16 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 17.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 313 MB | 57 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vector Creations Limited | Kibu, Inc |
Customer experience
Element X
Secure Comms
In-app purchases
Element X
No in-app purchases
Secure Comms
No in-app purchases









