Comparison

LimeChat vs SimpleX Chat

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

Head to head
About

LimeChat

This app provides a comprehensive IRC chat experience on mobile devices. It offers quick navigation, message highlighting, and support for multiple servers and channels. Enjoy seamless communication with features like automatic authentication and a built-in browser for links.

Highlights
  • Quick navigation with arrow buttons
  • Event indicators for other channels
  • Message highlighting and vibration
  • Visual user information (whois)
  • Built-in browser for URLs
  • Multiple server and channel support
  • Automatic Nickserv authentication
Features
Read full description

LimeChat for iOS is a full featured IRC client. It allows you to chat on the go in the same way as you do on desktop. Features: ・Quick navigation. You can move around channels quickly by arrow buttons or tapping on the left/right side of log views. ・Arrow buttons indicate events (highlight, new message coming or new PM coming) happened in the other channels. So you can recognize it easily while chatting in another channel. ・Highlights messages and optionally vibrates for your specific words. ・Visual interface for user information (whois). ・Built-in browser for clickable URL links. ・Full support for landscape mode. ・Multitasking support. Connections are kept up for a while (2-7 minutes) after going to background. ・Multiple servers and channels. ・Automatic Nickserv authentication support. ・Full support for many text encodings. ・SSL support. (Self-signed certificates are NOT supported) ・VoiceOver support. Notes: ・DCC is NOT supported currently. **** ATTENTION **** I can't provide support to people leaving reviews on App Store. There is no way to reply to you here. If you have a problem or suggestion, please send a mail to psychs@limechat.net.

About

SimpleX Chat

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

Highlights
  • No user identifiers
  • End-to-end encrypted messages
  • Disappearing messages
  • Incognito mode
  • Encrypted file and voice messages
  • Secret chat groups
  • Encrypted portable chat database
Features
Read full description

SimpleX - the first messaging network without user identifiers of any kind (not even random numbers) - 100% private by design! Security assessments by Trail of Bits: 2022: https://simplex.chat/blog/20221108-simplex-chat-v4.2-security-audit-new-website.html 2024: https://simplex.chat/blog/20241014-simplex-network-v6-1-security-review-better-calls-user-experience.html SimpleX Chat features: - quantum resistant end-to-end encrypted messages, with editing, replies and deletion. - disappearing messages with opt-out per contact/group. - message reactions. - delivery receipts, with opt-out per contact or group. - multiple chat profiles, with hidden profiles. - app access and self-destruct passcodes. - incognito mode - unique to SimpleX Chat. - end-to-end encrypted images and files. - voice messages up to 5 minutes – also end-to-end encrypted. - "live" messages – they update for all recipients as you type them, every few seconds - unique to SimpleX Chat. - connect via one-time invitation links or via long-term public addresses. - secret chat groups - only group members know the group exists and who is the member. - end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls. - connection security code verification, for contacts and group members – to protect from man-in-the-middle attacks (e.g. invitation link substitution). - end-to-end encrypted push notifications (they contain only encrypted meta-data, not the actual content). - encrypted portable chat database - you can transfer your chat contacts and history to another device. - all local files and media are encrypted by default. - animated images and "stickers" (e.g., from GIF and PNG files and from 3rd party keyboards). SimpleX Chat advantages: - privacy of your identity, profile, contacts and metadata: unlike any other existing messaging platform, SimpleX uses no phone numbers or any other identifiers assigned to the users - not even random numbers. This protects the privacy of who you are communicating with, hiding it from SimpleX platform servers and from any observers. - complete protection against spam and abuse: as you have no identifier on SimpleX platform, you cannot be contacted unless you share a one-time invitation link or an optional temporary user address. - full ownership, control and security of your data: SimpleX stores all user data on client devices, the messages are only held temporarily on SimpleX relay servers until they are received. - decentralized proxied peer-to-peer network: you can use SimpleX Chat via your own relay servers and still communicate with people using pre-configured or any other SimpleX relay servers. - fully open-source code. You can connect to anybody you know via link or scan QR code (in the video call or in person) and start sending messages instantly - no emails, phone numbers or passwords needed. Your profile and contacts are only stored in the app on your device - relay servers do not have access to this information. All messages are end-to-end encrypted using open-source quantum resistant double-ratchet protocol; the messages are delivered via relay servers using open-source SimpleX Messaging Protocol. Please send us any questions via the app (connect to the team via the app settings!), email chat@simplex.chat or submit issues on GitHub (https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues) Ream more about SimpleX Chat at https://simplex.chat Get source code in our GitHub repo: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat Follow us on X/Twitter (@SimpleXChat), Reddit (r/SimpleXChat/) and Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@simplex) for the latest updates.

Screenshots

LimeChat4 screens
SimpleX Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SimpleX Chat at Free against LimeChat's $4.99. SimpleX Chat also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (268 vs 11). LimeChat's advantage is chart position (#65 vs unranked) and review sentiment (65% vs 56%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

SimpleX Chat is free to download; LimeChat costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimpleX Chat has 268 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of LimeChat's written reviews are positive against 56% of SimpleX Chat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
LimeChat versus SimpleX Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLimeChatSimpleX Chat
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.1 (11 ratings)4.3 (268 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.2% of reviews — better56.5% of reviews
Number of ratings11268 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#65 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB193 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSatoshi NakagawaSimpleX Chat

Customer experience

LimeChat

All ratings11 ratings
Positive45.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative45.5%
Written reviews230 reviews
Positive65.2%
Neutral12.6%
Negative22.2%

SimpleX Chat

All ratings268 ratings
Positive79.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews209 reviews
Positive56.5%
Neutral14.4%
Negative29.2%

User reviews

LimeChat

From 11 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and lightweight IRC client
  • 👍 Clean, intuitive, and simple user interface
  • 🔒 Supports SSL connections and security features
  • 📱 Works well on both iPhone and iPad
  • 🎯 Reliable and stable performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Keyboard jumping/positioning issues on iOS
  • 🔌 Disconnects when app is backgrounded
  • 🐛 Connection drops on WiFi and VPN
  • ❌ No background connectivity/refresh
  • 🐛 Scrolling issues after sending messages

SimpleX Chat

From 268 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
  • 🔐 No phone number or personal data required
  • 👤 Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
  • 🚀 Fast message delivery when working properly
  • 🎯 Decentralized and open-source architecture

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
  • 📬 Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
  • ⌨️ Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
  • 🔌 Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
  • 📱 iPad version not optimized

Bugs and requests

LimeChat

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Keyboard jumps when sending messages (iOS 26.1)
  • Scrolling breaks after message send
  • App disconnects when backgrounded
  • Connection drops on WiFi/VPN
  • Keyboard doesn't appear on iPhone X
Show 9 more
  • Keyboard positioning issues with external keyboards
  • App crashes with multitasking
  • Screen lock causes disconnection
  • EOF errors disconnecting from server
  • Channels don't open when using ZNC bouncer
  • Long connection times over 3G
  • Fuzzy/blurry icon on retina displays
  • Input area moves up with external keyboard
  • App becomes unresponsive intermittently

Requested features

20 requests
  • Background connectivity and app refresh
  • Push/pop-up notifications
  • Nick/username autocomplete
  • Split view support for iPad
  • Landscape mode
Show 15 more
  • Dark theme option
  • Color text support
  • DCC file transfer support
  • Timestamps on messages
  • Command history
  • Swipe gestures between channels
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • Channel search feature
  • More built-in server list
  • Copy/paste improvements
  • Scripting support
  • Dynamic type for accessibility
  • Nick completion with tab key
  • Hide join/quit messages option
  • Larger font size options

SimpleX Chat

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
  • Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
  • Messages not appearing until app is opened
  • Notifications not working despite correct settings
  • Chat freezing and lag on iPhone
Show 14 more
  • QR code scanning not working on iPad
  • Desktop-phone sync connection failures
  • Auto-delete messages interrupting voice recordings
  • Typing inserts extra characters
  • iOS 17 keyboard autofill interferes with typing
  • Chat object unresponsive but moveable (delete)
  • Backup restoration key confirmation fails if contact offline
  • Server switching not reflected in chats
  • Cannot change sending server for stuck messages
  • Connection errors when creating chat links
  • Video upload takes hours
  • Call notifications appearing in Russian
  • Random photo auto-attachment during typing
  • Unable to unsend or delete sent attachments

Requested features

14 requests
  • Read receipts option
  • Typing indicators
  • Bot maker feature like Telegram
  • Multiple image attachment with descriptions
  • Better emoji reaction selection
Show 9 more
  • Mac desktop app
  • Web app (PWA)
  • iPad optimization
  • Improved group discovery/search
  • Global self-destruct message settings
  • Pin photos in group welcome messages
  • Chinese input method support
  • Ringing tone during calls
  • Speakerphone launch option before call pickup

In-app purchases

None

LimeChat

No in-app purchases

None

SimpleX Chat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LimeChat free?
LimeChat costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LimeChat or SimpleX Chat?
SimpleX Chat is rated higher. LimeChat averages 3.1 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 268 ratings.
Do LimeChat or SimpleX Chat have ads?
Neither LimeChat nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LimeChat or SimpleX Chat?
LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, LimeChat was updated on October 12, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on October 12, 2026.

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