Comparison

Monal vs Olvid

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

Head to head
About

Monal

This open-source messenger provides a fast and user-friendly way to connect to the XMPP public chat network. Enjoy private, ad-free communication with end-to-end encryption and features like group chats and file sharing.

Highlights
  • Open Source
  • No Ads
  • OMEMO encrypted chat
  • Multi user chat (MUC)
  • Audio/Video calls
  • File sharing
Read full description

There has never been a better time to get into XMPP, a free public chat network no one controls or owns. Monal is a fast and user friendly way to use XMPP. Just download the app, login or register and you are ready to chat in minutes. It looks and works the way other apps do, so there is no need to “learn XMPP” or even care what it is. Notable features: - Open Source - No Ads! Strong focus on privacy. Does not phone home and does not have software "metrics" - Does not read any personal information - With a direct connection to your server, your password and all other info are never sent to a third-party - OMEMO encrypted chat - Will work with corporate XMPP servers that require VPN - Multi user chat (MUC) support for group chats - Audio/Video calls Implements certain XMPP extensions intended to improve mobile communication: - XEP-0357: Push Notifications - XEP-0280: Message Carbons keep messages in synch between clients - XEP-0198: Stream Management to quickly reconnect - XEP-0199: XMPP Ping to maintain connections - XEP-0313: Message Archive Management to download chat history - XEP-0352: Client State Indication for dramatic reduction on power use - XEP-0363: HTTP File Upload to send images in conversations

About

Olvid

This private messaging app prioritizes user control and security. It does not require personal data, push contacts, or allow unsolicited messages. Enjoy secure, end-to-end encrypted conversations with guaranteed privacy.

Highlights
  • No personal data required
  • User-controlled contacts
  • No unsolicited messages
  • End-to-end encryption
  • End-to-end authentication
  • Group creation
  • No spam or advertising
Features
Read full description

Olvid is the first private instant messaging application for everyone. What is a "private" messenger? It's a messenger: - That does not push new contacts on you. You are in control: you choose who you want to discuss with. Olvid offers several ways to invite other Olvid users, either face-to-face or remotely. - That does not require any personal data. Olvid won't ask for your phone number, for your email. Unlike your previous messenger, Olvid will never request access to your address book. - On which you will never receive unsolicited messages or messages from an unknown source. - Where all exchanges benefit from the same security and privacy as a real-world discussion behind closed doors. Olvid offers end-to-end encryption and end-to-end authentication by default, always, for everything you send or receive. Olvid guarantees you safe spaces, immune to external aggression, which isolate you from the digital noise and violence of other social networks. Create groups with your family, friends and key collaborators. No spam, no advertising. You finally regain full control over your communications. Olvid has been designed to be the best place to exchange on subjects that matter, with those who matter to you. Olvid - Technology ------------------ At the heart of Olvid, a 'cryptographic engine' coming from several years of research allows to mathematically prove the authenticity, the integrity, and the confidentiality of your communications.

Screenshots

Monal4 screens
Olvid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Olvid at 4.5 against Monal's 3.7. Olvid also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 57%). Monal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (133 vs 42). On price, update cadence, ads 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

Both are free to download. Olvid sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Monal asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Olvid holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 133 and 42 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Monal's written reviews are positive against 81% of Olvid's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monal ships an update monthly, Olvid every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Monal versus Olvid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonalOlvid
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (133 ratings)4.5 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.9% of reviews80.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings133 — better42
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB132 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThilo MolitorOlvid

Customer experience

Monal

All ratings126 ratings
Positive63.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative27.8%
Written reviews202 reviews
Positive56.9%
Neutral12.4%
Negative30.7%

Olvid

All ratings42 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.9%
Written reviews110 reviews
Positive80.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative14.5%

Bugs and requests

Monal

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Disconnects frequently
  • Incompatible with some XMPP servers
  • Crashes when sending messages
  • Issues with loading contact lists

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add OTR/PGP encryption support
  • Improve group chat functionality
  • Allow customization of sounds and notifications
  • Optimize for older iOS versions

Olvid

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Monal

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Olvid

Subscriptions4
  • Individual$4.491 Month
  • Family$5.991 Month
  • Individual$44.901 Year
Show 1 more
  • Family$59.901 Year

Questions

Is Monal free?
Monal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Olvid free?
Olvid is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Monal or Olvid?
Olvid is rated higher. Monal averages 3.7 out of 5 from 133 ratings, while Olvid averages 4.5 from 42 ratings.
Do Monal or Olvid have ads?
Neither Monal nor Olvid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monal or Olvid?
Monal ships an update monthly, and Olvid every 6 weeks. Most recently, Monal was updated on September 5, 2026 and Olvid on September 21, 2026.

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