Comparison

Monal vs EXTRA SAFE

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

EXTRA SAFE

Communicate securely with end-to-end encrypted messaging and self-destructing messages. Enjoy anonymous voice and video calls with P2P connections and on-device encryption keys. Prioritizes privacy with identity-free setup and no metadata collection.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Self-destructing messages and files
  • Anonymous P2P voice and video calls
  • Encrypted file transfer
  • Identity-free setup
  • Private P2P video meetings
Read full description

EXTRA SAFE is a self-custodial messenger with a built-in stablecoin-first wallet — the chat layer for transferring digital assets. Send USD₮, USDC, and other tokens to a contact the same way you'd share a photo, and pay gas in the same stablecoin you send. Pick a name, get your EXTRA SAFE number, and you're set up in seconds. WHAT YOU GET 1. Stablecoins in chat Send USD₮, USDC, and other tokens to a contact in a chat, straight from the attachment menu, wallet-to-wallet. The transfer confirms in seconds. A name or an EXTRA SAFE number is all you need — the app handles addressing and routing underneath. 2. Gas settles in the stablecoin you send You don't have to buy a native coin to send tokenized dollars. The fee comes out of the same stablecoin you're already sending. It's part of UGTP — an intent-based platform running underneath every in-app transaction: you set the outcome, and the platform builds the transaction that delivers it. 3. Self-custodial, stablecoin-first wallet Your keys are generated on your device and stay there. Send across six leading EVM networks — Avalanche (default), Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Base, and Arbitrum — and the recipient gets the token you selected. The on-chain layer stays invisible. You can send EXTRA SAFE tokens to contacts in chat, or to any external self-custodial wallets or centralized exchanges, from the Wallet tab. 4. Private Tokens Keep the amount you're sending hidden — the transfer itself stays visible. Convert any asset you hold into a Private Token, send it right in the app, and reveal the balance only when you choose. Built on eERC, Avalanche's encrypted token standard, live on Avalanche. 5. Zero-knowledge encrypted chats Every message, file, image, and voice note is end-to-end encrypted: keys live on your device, and content is decrypted only on your contact's device. The architecture makes it structurally impossible for us to read your messages. Every chat runs on your timer: once your contact views the content, it clears after the time you set — from one minute to one month. 6. Gift links Bring your closest people into stablecoin payments with a funded link: stablecoins already inside, a wallet created the moment your contact opens it. Usable from day one. 7. Device-to-device calls Calls connect directly between devices, peer to peer. In-call chat is encrypted and clears when the call ends. Group calls with up to 5 people are free and unlimited. 8. One identity One name, one EXTRA SAFE number — for messages, calls, and assets. Pick a name and start: your identity is created in the app itself, independent of email, phone number, or SIM. One 12-word recovery phrase restores your account and wallet on any device. Your chats, contacts, and assets stay fully yours.

Screenshots

Monal4 screens
EXTRA SAFE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: EXTRA SAFE at 4.4 against Monal's 3.7. EXTRA SAFE also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 58%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EXTRA SAFE holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 141 and 102 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Monal's written reviews are positive against 82% of EXTRA SAFE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monal ships an update every 5 weeks, EXTRA SAFE fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Monal versus EXTRA SAFE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonalEXTRA SAFE
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (141 ratings)4.4 (102 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.7% of reviews81.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings141 — better102
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMolitor und Dietzel, Inh. Thilo MolitorAlex Keselman

Customer experience

Monal

All ratings140 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral8.6%
Negative27.1%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive57.7%
Neutral12.6%
Negative29.7%

EXTRA SAFE

All ratings100 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative11.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

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

EXTRA SAFE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Monal

No in-app purchases

None

EXTRA SAFE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Monal free?
Monal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EXTRA SAFE free?
EXTRA SAFE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Monal or EXTRA SAFE?
EXTRA SAFE is rated higher. Monal averages 3.7 out of 5 from 141 ratings, while EXTRA SAFE averages 4.4 from 102 ratings.
Do Monal or EXTRA SAFE have ads?
Neither Monal nor EXTRA SAFE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monal or EXTRA SAFE?
Monal ships an update every 5 weeks, and EXTRA SAFE fortnightly. Most recently, Monal was updated on October 20, 2026 and EXTRA SAFE on October 23, 2026.

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