# WhatsApp Messenger vs SimpleX Chat

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleX Chat at none against WhatsApp Messenger's 11. SimpleX Chat also leads on ads (none vs shown). WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (19M vs 264). On price, review sentiment and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WhatsApp Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month. SimpleX Chat asks for nothing beyond the download.

WhatsApp Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 264, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 57% of SimpleX Chat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp Messenger | SimpleX Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997/reviews)** | [4.3 (264 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | 264 |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | **56.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | #167 |
| Size | 361 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Social Networking, #17 Top Free, #33 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family globally through private messaging and high-quality calls. Share moments, documents, and stay in touch across devices, even on slow connections. Your conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, High-quality voice and video calls, Group chats and calls, Cross-device connectivity, Status updates, Location sharing

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No ads (1 account) | $4.00 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $21.99 | per month |
| No ads (5 accounts) | $26.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 💬 Great communication tool
- 🌍 Connects people globally
- 🔒 Secure and private messaging
- 📱 Versatile features (calls, video, groups)
- 🆓 Free to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches (freezing, crashing, notification issues)
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with data sharing
- 🙈 Lack of customization and control (status, groups)
- 📤 Backup and restore issues
- 🚫 Arbitrary account bans

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing and crashing issues
- Notification problems (missing, delayed)
- Backup and restore failures
- Arbitrary account bans with poor support

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode option
- Improve group management features
- Allow more customization of status and notifications
- Enhance backup and restore functionality
- Provide better customer support and appeal process


### SimpleX Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084)

**Currently charting:** #167 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Read receipts option
- Typing indicators
- Bot maker feature like Telegram
- Multiple image attachment with descriptions
- Better emoji reaction selection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

WhatsApp Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or SimpleX Chat?

WhatsApp Messenger is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 264 ratings.

### Do WhatsApp Messenger or SimpleX Chat have ads?

WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; SimpleX Chat does not.

### Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or SimpleX Chat?

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on September 24, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or SimpleX Chat?

WhatsApp Messenger currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and SimpleX Chat at #167. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*