# IM+ Instant Messenger vs Messages

The clearest difference is rating: Messages at 4.1 against IM+ Instant Messenger's 3.5. Messages also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (39K vs 10). IM+ Instant Messenger's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 46%). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. IM+ Instant Messenger sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Messages asks for nothing beyond the download.

Messages holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Messages has 39K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of IM+ Instant Messenger's written reviews are positive against 46% of Messages's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

IM+ Instant Messenger ships an update every 5 weeks, Messages every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IM+ Instant Messenger | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/im-plus-instant-messenger/id285688934/reviews) | **[4.1 (39K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **39K** |
| Positive reviews | **68.8% of reviews** | 45.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 60 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SHAPE GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/285688937) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### IM+ Instant Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/im-plus-instant-messenger/id285688934)

Consolidate all your social media and messaging apps into a single, streamlined interface. Manage multiple accounts across various platforms, from popular social networks to instant messengers, all within one convenient application. Save time and device space by unifying your digital communication.

**Highlights:** Unified messaging and social networking, Support for multiple accounts per service, Aggregates Telegram, X, Reddit, and more, No unwanted ads, ChatGPT integration, TikTok support

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IM+ Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| No Ads Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| No Ads Yearly | $16.99 | per year |
| IM+ Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works well
- 👍 Convenient all-in-one messaging
- 💡 Integrated web browser
- 👍 Customizable backgrounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Disconnects and logs out often
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 👎 Ads and paywalls

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Messages not syncing or disappearing
- Freezing and crashing
- Incorrect online/offline status display

**Requested features**

- Ability to change display name and status
- Group chat support
- Improved contact management
- Landscape mode support
- Skype integration


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473)

Communicate with contacts through unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents. Supports iMessage for Apple devices and RCS, SMS, and MMS for others. Features include message editing, unsending, and scheduling.

**Highlights:** Send unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents, iMessage, RCS, SMS, and MMS support, Edit and unsend messages, Schedule messages, Message effects and stickers, Group chat features, Messages in iCloud

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable messaging
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption
- 👍 Seamless integration with Apple devices
- 💡 Fun features like Memoji and stickers
- 🤝 Easy group chat management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Limited search functionality
- 📤 Inability to delete messages for others
- 🔔 Lack of typing indicators in group chats
- 📱 Incompatibility with non-Apple devices

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not delivering consistently
- App crashing or freezing on launch
- Issues with iCloud sync and message history
- Problems with location sharing and privacy

**Requested features**

- Ability to schedule messages
- Option to lock specific conversations
- More customization options for Memoji
- Improved voice message functionality
- Expanded reaction/emoji options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IM+ Instant Messenger free?

IM+ Instant Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Messages free?

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

### Which has better reviews, IM+ Instant Messenger or Messages?

Messages is rated higher. IM+ Instant Messenger averages 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Messages averages 4.1 from 39K ratings.

### Do IM+ Instant Messenger or Messages have ads?

Neither IM+ Instant Messenger nor Messages shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, IM+ Instant Messenger or Messages?

IM+ Instant Messenger ships an update every 5 weeks, and Messages every 6 months. Most recently, IM+ Instant Messenger was updated on October 24, 2026 and Messages on November 1, 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.*