Comparison

Monal vs SimpleX Chat

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
Features
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

SimpleX Chat

This secure messenger prioritizes privacy by eliminating user identifiers, offering end-to-end encrypted communication with features like disappearing messages and anonymous profiles. It provides a decentralized network and open-source code for enhanced user control and security.

Highlights
  • No user identifiers
  • End-to-end encrypted messages
  • Disappearing messages
  • Anonymous profiles
  • Decentralized network
  • Open-source code
  • Encrypted calls and files
Features
Read full description

SimpleX - the first messaging network without user identifiers of any kind (not even random numbers) - 100% private by design! Security assessments by Trail of Bits: 2022: https://simplex.chat/blog/20221108-simplex-chat-v4.2-security-audit-new-website.html 2024: https://simplex.chat/blog/20241014-simplex-network-v6-1-security-review-better-calls-user-experience.html SimpleX Chat features: - quantum resistant end-to-end encrypted messages, with editing, replies and deletion. - disappearing messages with opt-out per contact/group. - message reactions. - delivery receipts, with opt-out per contact or group. - multiple chat profiles, with hidden profiles. - app access and self-destruct passcodes. - incognito mode - unique to SimpleX Chat. - end-to-end encrypted images and files. - voice messages up to 5 minutes – also end-to-end encrypted. - "live" messages – they update for all recipients as you type them, every few seconds - unique to SimpleX Chat. - connect via one-time invitation links or via long-term public addresses. - secret chat groups - only group members know the group exists and who is the member. - end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls. - connection security code verification, for contacts and group members – to protect from man-in-the-middle attacks (e.g. invitation link substitution). - end-to-end encrypted push notifications (they contain only encrypted meta-data, not the actual content). - encrypted portable chat database - you can transfer your chat contacts and history to another device. - all local files and media are encrypted by default. - animated images and "stickers" (e.g., from GIF and PNG files and from 3rd party keyboards). SimpleX Chat advantages: - privacy of your identity, profile, contacts and metadata: unlike any other existing messaging platform, SimpleX uses no phone numbers or any other identifiers assigned to the users - not even random numbers. This protects the privacy of who you are communicating with, hiding it from SimpleX platform servers and from any observers. - complete protection against spam and abuse: as you have no identifier on SimpleX platform, you cannot be contacted unless you share a one-time invitation link or an optional temporary user address. - full ownership, control and security of your data: SimpleX stores all user data on client devices, the messages are only held temporarily on SimpleX relay servers until they are received. - decentralized proxied peer-to-peer network: you can use SimpleX Chat via your own relay servers and still communicate with people using pre-configured or any other SimpleX relay servers. - fully open-source code. You can connect to anybody you know via link or scan QR code (in the video call or in person) and start sending messages instantly - no emails, phone numbers or passwords needed. Your profile and contacts are only stored in the app on your device - relay servers do not have access to this information. All messages are end-to-end encrypted using open-source quantum resistant double-ratchet protocol; the messages are delivered via relay servers using open-source SimpleX Messaging Protocol. Please send us any questions via the app (connect to the team via the app settings!), email chat@simplex.chat or submit issues on GitHub (https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues) Ream more about SimpleX Chat at https://simplex.chat Get source code in our GitHub repo: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat Follow us on X/Twitter (@SimpleXChat), Reddit (r/SimpleXChat/) and Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@simplex) for the latest updates. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use: https://simplex.chat/privacy/

Screenshots

Monal4 screens
SimpleX Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SimpleX Chat at 4.2 against Monal's 3.7. Monal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. SimpleX Chat sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.00 per month. Monal asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpleX Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 142 and 281 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Monal's written reviews are positive against 56% of SimpleX Chat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monal ships an update monthly, SimpleX Chat every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Monal versus SimpleX Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonalSimpleX Chat
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (142 ratings)4.2 (281 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.7% of reviews — better55.7% of reviews
Number of ratings142281 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB207 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMolitor und Dietzel, Inh. Thilo MolitorSimpleX Chat

Customer experience

Monal

All ratings142 ratings
Positive64.1%
Neutral8.5%
Negative27.5%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive57.7%
Neutral12.6%
Negative29.7%

SimpleX Chat

All ratings281 ratings
Positive79.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews212 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral15.6%
Negative28.8%

User reviews

Monal

From 142 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well
  • 🔒 Secure XMPP client
  • 👍 Best XMPP client on iOS
  • 🚀 Robust and dependable
  • 👍 Actively developed

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔒 Encryption problems
  • 👎 Buggy UI and UX
  • 🔍 Missing basic features (copy/paste, etc.)
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

SimpleX Chat

From 281 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

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

SimpleX Chat

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • 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
Show 14 more
  • QR code scanning not working on iPad
  • Desktop-phone sync connection failures
  • Auto-delete messages interrupting voice recordings
  • Typing inserts extra characters
  • iOS 17 keyboard autofill interferes with typing
  • Chat object unresponsive but moveable (delete)
  • Backup restoration key confirmation fails if contact offline
  • Server switching not reflected in chats
  • Cannot change sending server for stuck messages
  • Connection errors when creating chat links
  • Video upload takes hours
  • Call notifications appearing in Russian
  • Random photo auto-attachment during typing
  • Unable to unsend or delete sent attachments

Requested features

14 requests
  • Read receipts option
  • Typing indicators
  • Bot maker feature like Telegram
  • Multiple image attachment with descriptions
  • Better emoji reaction selection
Show 9 more
  • Mac desktop app
  • Web app (PWA)
  • iPad optimization
  • Improved group discovery/search
  • Global self-destruct message settings
  • Pin photos in group welcome messages
  • Chinese input method support
  • Ringing tone during calls
  • Speakerphone launch option before call pickup

In-app purchases

None

Monal

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

SimpleX Chat

Subscriptions4
  • SimpleX Supporter Badge (Month)$7.001 Month
  • SimpleX Supporter Badge (Year)$42.001 Year
  • SimpleX Legend Badge (Month)$70.001 Month
Show 1 more
  • SimpleX Legend Badge (Year)$419.001 Year
One-time2
  • SimpleX Supporter Badge$7.00
  • SimpleX Legend Badge$70.00

Questions

Is Monal free?
Monal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SimpleX Chat free?
SimpleX Chat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Monal or SimpleX Chat?
SimpleX Chat is rated higher. Monal averages 3.7 out of 5 from 142 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.2 from 281 ratings.
Do Monal or SimpleX Chat have ads?
Neither Monal nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monal or SimpleX Chat?
Monal ships an update monthly, and SimpleX Chat every 3 weeks. Most recently, Monal was updated on November 10, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on November 14, 2026.

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