Comparison

Mastowatch vs Cipher Message

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

Head to head
About

Mastowatch

Discover and explore Mastodon servers with this utility app. Get detailed statistics, view trending content, and check server rules and limitations without needing to log in.

Highlights
  • Find Mastodon servers
  • Inspect server details
  • View user and post counts
  • See trending links and posts
  • Check blocked domains
  • Discover custom emoji
  • Review server rules
Features
Read full description

Hi! I’m Mastowatch and I can help you find and inspect Mastodon servers. Whether you're new to Mastodon and just need help finding the perfect instance or you want to look up details and statistics about your favorites, Mastowatch can help you find anything you might need to know about a particular Mastodon server without ever logging in! Features: * User and post counts * Trending links and posts * Blocked domains * Custom emoji * Rules * Supported languages * Supported upload types and sizes * Character limits * And more! Let Mastowatch help you find your home on Mastodon, the decentralized social network of the future with no ads and no tracking!

About

Cipher Message

Easily encrypt and decrypt messages within your messaging app using various classic ciphers. Protect your conversations with friends and upgrade for advanced encryption methods and Face ID unlock.

Highlights
  • Encrypt/decrypt in iMessage
  • Classic ciphers (Caesar, Vigenère)
  • Advanced ciphers (AES)
  • Face ID unlock
  • Private conversations
Read full description

Cipher Message is an App and iMessage Extension that lets you easily encrypt and decrypt messages right inside the Messages app. Choose from classic ciphers like Caesar and Vigenère, Rail Fence, or Playfair to protect your conversations, or upgrade to Premium to enable AES (password) and add Face ID to lock the message. Simply select your cipher, type your message, set your key, and then encrypted and send to your friends. They can decrypt your message using the same extension, keeping your chats private and fun. Features: - Encrypt and decrypt messages directly in iMessage - Supports Caesar, Vigenère, Rail Fence, and Playfair - Easy-to-use interface - Share encrypted messages with friends - Keep your conversations private Upgrade to Premium to enjoy: - No Ads - Additional Ciphers and Encryption Methods: - AES (set your own password) - Face ID Secondary Encryption (disclaimer: does not use FaceID to encrypt, only requires FaceID of recipient to unlock message)

Screenshots

Mastowatch4 screens
Cipher Message4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Mastowatch at none against Cipher Message's shown. Mastowatch also leads on ratings volume (16 vs 2). Cipher Message's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (18.5 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Mastowatch sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Cipher Message sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cipher Message holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mastowatch has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mastowatch ships an update monthly, Cipher Message fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Mastowatch versus Cipher Message: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMastowatchCipher Message
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (16 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better2
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB21 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperJustin FerrellNathaniel Van Evera

Customer experience

Mastowatch

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Cipher Message

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Mastowatch

One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Mastowatch Pro$3.99
  • Medium tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Large Tip$9.99
1 purchases

Cipher Message

One-time1
  • Cipher Message Premium$0.99

Questions

Is Mastowatch free?
Mastowatch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cipher Message free?
Cipher Message is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mastowatch or Cipher Message?
Cipher Message is rated higher. Mastowatch averages 4.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Cipher Message averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Mastowatch or Cipher Message have ads?
Cipher Message shows ads; Mastowatch does not.
Which is updated more often, Mastowatch or Cipher Message?
Mastowatch ships an update monthly, and Cipher Message fortnightly. Most recently, Mastowatch was updated on October 4, 2026 and Cipher Message on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons