# LimeChat vs Element X

The clearest difference is price: Element X at Free against LimeChat's $4.99. Element X also leads on rating (3.4 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (156 vs 11). LimeChat's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 39%) and chart position (#65 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Element X holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element X has 156 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 39% of Element X's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, Element X fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LimeChat | Element X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.1 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limechat-irc-client/id298766460/reviews) | **[3.4 (156 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **156** |
| Positive reviews | **65.2% of reviews** | 39.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#65** | — |
| Size | 1 MB | 313 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Satoshi Nakagawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/289930656) | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) |

## What reviewers say

### LimeChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limechat-irc-client/id298766460)

**Currently charting:** #65 Top Paid · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Background connectivity and app refresh
- Push/pop-up notifications
- Nick/username autocomplete
- Split view support for iPad
- Landscape mode


### Element X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820)

Communicate securely and privately with instant messaging and video calls. This app offers robust features for individuals and communities, allowing you to own your data and choose where it's hosted. Enjoy real-time communication with synchronized history across all your devices.

**Highlights:** Real-time messaging, Video calls, Public and private rooms, Rich messaging features, Cross-device synchronization, Data ownership and server choice

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LimeChat free?

LimeChat costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Element X free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LimeChat or Element X?

Element X is rated higher. LimeChat averages 3.1 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Element X averages 3.4 from 156 ratings.

### Do LimeChat or Element X have ads?

Neither LimeChat nor Element X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LimeChat or Element X?

LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, and Element X fortnightly. Most recently, LimeChat was updated on October 16, 2026 and Element X on October 16, 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.*