Monal vs BetweenStops

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

Between Stops is a calm place for adults to have temporary, topic-led conversations. Start with a question, decision, feeling, story, or thought you actually want to discuss. Browse conversation topics instead of public profiles, choose how much time you can give, and meet someone in a shared space built around presence, consent, and safety. Shared time only runs while both people are actively in the conversation. If either person steps away, locks their phone, loses connection, or leaves the screen, the conversation pauses until you are both back. When the shared time ends, both people are asked privately whether they would like to exchange profiles. Profiles are revealed only if both people say yes. If either person says no, the conversation ends neutrally. No visible rejection. No public follower counts. No swiping. Between Stops is for moments like: • A question you cannot stop thinking about • A decision you want to talk through • A Camino thought, train thought, or late-night thought • A gentle conversation with someone outside your usual circle • A short moment of honesty that does not need to become anything else Built-in safety: • 18+ only • Community rules before use • Anonymous during active conversations • No contact details during anonymous chat • Leave, report, and block controls • Moderation tools for reported content • Account deletion available in the app Between Stops is not a dating app, not a video chat app, and not a place for adult or sexual chat. It is a slower, safer way to talk with someone for the space between here and there. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/