Monal vs Chapter App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Open Source
- No Ads
- OMEMO encrypted chat
- Multi user chat (MUC)
- Audio/Video calls
- File sharing
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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
Chapter App
Facilitates efficient communication within local chapters, organizations, or HOAs. Connect with members, view events, access documents, and receive important alerts. Manage payments for dues and events seamlessly.
- Member directory with direct contact options
- Group and individual chat
- View and download documents
- Event notifications and RSVPs
- Payment processing for dues and events
- Customizable for your organization
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Chapter App will help you communicate more efficiently with your Local Chapter, Organization or Home Owners Association (HOA) The App is fully customized for your organization. The app allows you to search all members located in the Directory. With one click you search for a member dial a member or send an email message. The app allows chat between all members in a group chat or chat with an individual member. App allows the user to to view upcoming events and view and download documents. App also provides alerts when a new event, document, or news event is added. Never miss an important message from the Organization. App allows you to pay your dues or monthly fees. You can also pay for any events through the app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Chapter App at 5.0 against Monal's 3.7. Monal's advantage is ratings volume (140 vs 1) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Chapter App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Monal has 140 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Monal ships an update every 5 weeks, Chapter App every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Monal | Chapter App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (140 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 140 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Molitor und Dietzel, Inh. Thilo Molitor | Ricardo Cumberbatch |
Customer experience
Monal
Chapter App
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
Chapter App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Monal
No in-app purchases
Chapter App
No in-app purchases
