Comparison

UP vs EXTRA SAFE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

UP

This communication tool prioritizes user privacy by offering end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls. It allows for secure sharing of various media types and the creation of private or public chat rooms. The app is designed to prevent data mining and monetization, fully complying with GDPR.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Encrypted audio/video calls
  • Screen sharing
  • Private and public chat rooms
  • File sharing
  • Privacy-first design
  • GDPR compliant
Features
Read full description

Meet the UP Messenger, your everyday communication tool that does not mine, analyze or monetize your data. Offered as part of the Unplugged application suite, the UP Messenger is designed to protect your privacy and bring the control over your data back to you. Want to communicate freely? Here are some of the main features of the UP Messenger: Message- send and receive encrypted text messages, pictures, video, audio and other files with your friends, family and colleagues. Calls- make one-on-one or conference audio and video calls. You can also share your screen. Rooms- create and manage private and public communication rooms. End-to-End Encryption- every message and call is end-to-end encrypted by default. No one except you (and the other party with whom you communicate) has access to your data, not even Unplugged. Privacy-First- the UP Messenger is private by design. We cannot and will not analyze your data, monetize it or sell it to anyone. For additional information, please review our privacy policy. GDPR- the UP Messenger fully complies with the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Desktop client- visit our website to access the UP Messenger using your desktop web-browser. To learn more about Unplugged and how to reclaim control over your privacy, visit www.unplugged.com.

About

EXTRA SAFE

This messenger allows you to send stablecoins and other digital assets directly within chats, acting as a self-custodial wallet. It offers end-to-end encrypted communication and peer-to-peer calls, with a focus on privacy and ease of use.

Highlights
  • Stablecoins in chat
  • End-to-end encrypted chats
  • Self-custodial wallet
  • Device-to-device calls
  • Private balances
  • Gift links
Read full description

EXTRA SAFE is a self-custodial messenger with a built-in stablecoin-first wallet, the chat layer for transferring tokenized dollars and other assets. Send USD₮, USDC, and other stablecoins to a contact as naturally as sending a message, and pay gas in the same stablecoin. Pick a name, get your EXTRA SAFE number, and you're set up in seconds. No SIM is required to get started. WHAT YOU GET 1. Stablecoins in chat Send USD₮, USDC, and other assets to a contact in chat, straight from the attachment menu, wallet-to-wallet. The transfer confirms in seconds. A name or EXTRA SAFE number is all you need; the app handles addressing and routing. 2. See who you're paying Call a contact first, video or audio, from the same chat to confirm you're paying the right person, then send stablecoins without leaving the conversation or switching apps. 3. Gas settles in the stablecoin you send You don't have to buy a native coin to send tokenized dollars. The fee comes from the same stablecoin you're sending. It's part of UGTP (Universal Gateway Transaction Platform), running under every in-app transaction: you choose the outcome, and it builds the transaction to deliver it. 4. Transparent fees Every transfer shows its full cost before you confirm. 5. Self-custodial, stablecoin-first wallet Your keys are generated on your device and stay there. You own your funds – no one can freeze them. Send across six leading EVM networks: Avalanche (default), BNB Chain, Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Arbitrum. The recipient gets the asset you selected. The on-chain layer stays invisible. Send stablecoins and other assets to contacts in chat or to any external self-custodial wallets or centralized exchanges from the Wallet tab. 6. Private balances & transfer amounts Keep the amount you're sending hidden; the transfer itself stays visible. Convert stablecoins and AVAX into a private balance, send it in the app, and reveal the amount only when you choose. Private balances and transfer amounts use the eERC standard by Avalanche. 7. End-to-end encrypted chats Every message, file, image, and voice note is end-to-end encrypted: keys live on your device, and your contact decrypts content only on their device. EXTRA SAFE's servers carry messages only in encrypted form. Every chat runs on your timer: once your contact views the content, it clears after the time you set, from one minute to one month. 8. Gift links Gift stablecoins to your closest people with a funded link: stablecoins already inside, and a wallet created the moment your contact opens it. Usable from day one. 9. Device-to-device calls Calls connect directly between devices, peer-to-peer. In-call chat is encrypted and clears when the call ends. Group calls support up to 5 people. 10. One identity One name, one EXTRA SAFE number for messages, calls, and assets. Pick a name and start: your identity is created in the app, independent of email, phone number, or SIM. One 12-word recovery phrase restores your account and wallet on any device. Your chats, contacts, and assets stay yours fully. 11. Encrypted backup Save a password-protected backup of your recovery phrase to Google Drive or iCloud so losing your device doesn't mean losing your account.

Screenshots

UP4 screens
EXTRA SAFE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: UP at 4.7 against EXTRA SAFE's 4.4. UP also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 82%). EXTRA SAFE's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and ratings volume (103 vs 31). 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

UP holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 103 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of UP's written reviews are positive against 82% of EXTRA SAFE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UP ships an update monthly, EXTRA SAFE fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
UP versus EXTRA SAFE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUPEXTRA SAFE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (31 ratings) — better4.4 (103 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better81.8% of reviews
Number of ratings31103 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size136 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnplugged Technologies LtdAlex Keselman

Customer experience

UP

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral3.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

EXTRA SAFE

All ratings103 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.9%
Negative11.7%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

In-app purchases

None

UP

No in-app purchases

None

EXTRA SAFE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is UP free?
UP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EXTRA SAFE free?
EXTRA SAFE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, UP or EXTRA SAFE?
UP is rated higher. UP averages 4.7 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while EXTRA SAFE averages 4.4 from 103 ratings.
Do UP or EXTRA SAFE have ads?
Neither UP nor EXTRA SAFE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, UP or EXTRA SAFE?
UP ships an update monthly, and EXTRA SAFE fortnightly. Most recently, UP was updated on November 3, 2026 and EXTRA SAFE on November 8, 2026.

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