# Colloquy vs Mastodon

The clearest difference is price: Mastodon at Free against Colloquy's $1.99. Mastodon also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.8) and ratings volume (13K vs 32). Colloquy's advantage is chart position (#61 vs unranked) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Mastodon is free to download; Colloquy costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Mastodon holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mastodon has 13K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Colloquy's written reviews are positive against 48% of Mastodon's.

Colloquy ships an update fortnightly, Mastodon monthly. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Colloquy | Mastodon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [1.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colloquy-irc-client/id302000478/reviews) | **[4.5 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastodon/id1571998974/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | 39.3% of reviews | **48.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#61** | — |
| Size | 10 MB | 111 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Colloquy Project](https://appshunter.io/developer/302000481) | [Mastodon GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571998976) |

## What reviewers say

### Colloquy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colloquy-irc-client/id302000478)

**Currently charting:** #61 Top Paid · Social Networking (US App Store)

This app brings the functionality of a popular desktop IRC client to your mobile device. It offers a full-featured experience optimized for on-the-go use with iOS multitasking and push notifications. Enjoy customizable settings, message highlighting, and robust IRC command support.

**Highlights:** Retina display support, iOS multitasking and split-screen, Push notifications with bouncer, Nickname and emoticon completion, Message highlighting and vibration, Customizable interface and behavior, WHOIS user information display

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable connection
- 👍 Thoughtful design
- 🔒 Handles bouncer setup well
- 📱 Works great on iOS

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Difficult to use for new users
- 🔋 Disconnects after inactivity
- 🔍 Confusing interface

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Text entry box issues
- Inconsistent user list display
- Broken features after updates

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Longer background timeout
- Improved search and user list
- Better file transfer support


### Mastodon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastodon/id1571998974)

Connect with others on a decentralized social network. Follow creators, engage in discussions, and share content chronologically without algorithms or ads. Customize your experience with lists and filters.

**Highlights:** Chronological feed, No algorithms or ads, Discover writers, artists, and more, Post with images, videos, and polls, Create custom lists, Filter content, Cross-server communication

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Friendly and welcoming community
- 🚀 Decentralized and free from corporate control
- 🔒 No data collection or ads
- 🤖 Good alternative to Twitter
- 💡 Ability to self-host servers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🤔 Confusing onboarding and server selection
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to web version
- 🔍 Difficulty finding and following people
- 🕰️ Slow or delayed notifications

**Reported bugs**

- Can't log in or create account
- Keyboard freezes during editing
- Inconsistent behavior when switching accounts
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add local and federated timelines
- Improve search and discovery features
- Implement edit and delete post functionality
- Add support for animated GIFs
- Provide better accessibility options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Colloquy free?

Colloquy costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mastodon free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Colloquy or Mastodon?

Mastodon is rated higher. Colloquy averages 1.8 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Mastodon averages 4.5 from 13K ratings.

### Do Colloquy or Mastodon have ads?

Neither Colloquy nor Mastodon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Colloquy or Mastodon?

Colloquy ships an update fortnightly, and Mastodon monthly. Most recently, Colloquy was updated on November 13, 2026 and Mastodon on November 13, 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.*