Comparison

Depnes vs Ekko Chat

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

Head to head
About

Depnes

Features
Read full description

A video messaging and social media app built around real reactions. Create posts and messages, then watch how others respond — in video. No guessing how someone feels. Connect more deeply with people you know and connect with others in a whole new way. This app uses Apple’s standard End User License Agreement (EULA). https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Ekko Chat

A secure messaging app that uses multiple independent transport paths to ensure message delivery. It offers end-to-end encryption, offline messaging via Bluetooth, and no account or personal information required for use.

Highlights
  • Multi-transport message delivery
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Offline messaging via Bluetooth
  • No account or personal info required
  • Disappearing messages
  • Encrypted group chats
  • Transparent networking dashboard
Features
Read full description

Ekko is a chat messenger that delivers your messages through six independent transport paths. If one is blocked, your message finds another way. No phone number. No email. No account. Your identity is a cryptographic key pair generated on your device and never shared with anyone — not even us. Add contacts by scanning QR codes when you meet in person. This is how trust should work. ENCRYPTED BY DEFAULT Every message is end-to-end encrypted before it leaves your device. Text, photos, documents, GIFs, and files are all protected. Not even Ekko can read your conversations. WORKS WITHOUT INTERNET Ekko uses Bluetooth Low Energy to exchange messages with nearby contacts automatically. Walk past someone at a coffee shop and pending messages deliver silently — no cell tower, no Wi-Fi required. When contacts aren't nearby, messages route through the internet via five other transport methods. SIX TRANSPORT PATHS - Bluetooth: Nearby offline delivery within 100 meters - Mesh Gossip: Messages forwarded by nearby peers - Distributed Hash Table: Decentralized serverless routing - Tor Onion: High-privacy delivery - Peer Link: Fast QUIC-based direct connections - Private Relay: Always-on encrypted push delivery Each message automatically finds the best available path. The transport dashboard shows you exactly how every message traveled. GROUP CONVERSATIONS Create encrypted group chats, invite contacts, share files, and set disappearing message timers for the entire group. Member management lets you add or remove participants at any time. DISAPPEARING MESSAGES Set messages to self-destruct after 5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. Once gone, they cannot be recovered. SHARE MEDIA SECURELY Send photos from your camera or gallery, browse and send animated GIFs, attach documents and files of any type — all encrypted end-to-end. An inline attachment menu gives you quick access to Files, Photos, Camera, and GIF search without leaving the conversation. PRIVATE RELAY SERVER Subscribe to a dedicated relay server for instant push delivery when you and your contacts aren't nearby. Messages are stored encrypted on the relay — it cannot read them. Invite contacts to share your relay for mutual always-on delivery. VERIFY CONTACTS Compare cryptographic fingerprints in person or through a trusted channel to verify that your contact is who they claim to be. No certificate authorities, no central trust — just mathematics. TRANSPARENT NETWORKING The transport dashboard gives you full visibility into how your messages travel. See which transports are active, how many network peers you're connected to, and which path delivered each individual message. An in-chat legend explains every transport and status icon. YOUR DATA, YOUR DEVICE All data stays on your device. There is no cloud sync, no analytics, no tracking, and no telemetry. Export an encrypted backup anytime for device transfers. Delete everything with a single tap. BIOMETRIC UNLOCK Secure the app with Face ID or fingerprint authentication on supported devices for fast, convenient access. BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED PRIVACY Ekko is designed for journalists, activists, travelers, and anyone who believes private communication is a fundamental right. Whether you're in a restrictive environment where traditional messengers are monitored, or you simply want conversations that stay between you and your contacts, Ekko ensures your messages always find a way. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Depnes4 screens
Ekko Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Depnes at every 3 days against Ekko Chat's every 3 weeks. Ekko Chat's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Depnes sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Ekko Chat sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Depnes ships an update every 3 days, Ekko Chat every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Depnes versus Ekko Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDepnesEkko Chat
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB65 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAndres CarboChris Ross

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Depnes

Subscriptions5
  • Premium + Storage x 2$9.991 Month
  • Premium + Storage x 4$17.991 Month
  • Premium + Storage x 8$29.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium + Storage x 16$44.991 Month
  • Premium + Storage x 32$69.991 Month
4 purchases

Ekko Chat

Subscriptions4
  • Standard Relay Monthly Subscription$6.991 Month
  • Premium Relay Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • Annual Relay Standard Subscription$69.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual Relay Premium Subscription$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Depnes free?
Depnes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ekko Chat free?
Ekko Chat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Depnes or Ekko Chat have ads?
Neither Depnes nor Ekko Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Depnes or Ekko Chat?
Depnes ships an update every 3 days, and Ekko Chat every 3 weeks. Most recently, Depnes was updated on October 5, 2026 and Ekko Chat on September 30, 2026.

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