# Linphone vs Element X

The clearest difference is rating: Element X at 3.4 against Linphone's 2.7. Element X also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (162 vs 10). Linphone's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Element X holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element X has 162 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Linphone's written reviews are positive against 39% of Element X's.

Linphone ships an update every 2 months, Element X fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Linphone | Element X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linphone/id360065638/reviews) | **[3.4 (162 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **162** |
| Positive reviews | 35.4% of reviews | **38.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 69 MB | 341 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Belledonne Communications SARL](https://appshunter.io/developer/694969034) | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) |

## What reviewers say

### Linphone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linphone/id360065638)

This open-source application provides free audio and video calls, as well as text messaging, over the internet. It allows users to stay reachable at all times via WiFi or mobile data, even when the app is closed. Enjoy secure communication and the ability to connect with traditional phone lines.

**Highlights:** High definition audio and video calls, Audio conference calls, Picture and file sharing, Push notifications for reachability, Secure communication with encryption, SIP-compliant VoIP service integration

**Features:** Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good call quality
- 🚀 Works well with SIP providers
- 💡 Useful features like DTMF support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔑 Issues with account setup and configuration
- 🔒 Security concerns with password handling
- 🔋 Unreliable background/push notification support

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Incoming calls not working properly
- Settings not saving correctly
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add support for multiple SIP accounts
- Improve user interface and navigation
- Provide more customization options
- Enhance audio quality and noise cancellation


### Element X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-x-secure-chat-and-call/id1631335820)

Communicate securely and privately with instant messaging and video calls. This app offers robust features for individuals and communities, allowing you to own your data and choose where it's hosted. Enjoy real-time communication with synchronized history across all your devices.

**Highlights:** Real-time messaging, Video calls, Public and private rooms, Rich messaging features, Cross-device synchronization, Data ownership and server choice

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Linphone free?

Linphone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Element X free?

Element X is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Linphone or Element X?

Element X is rated higher. Linphone averages 2.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Element X averages 3.4 from 162 ratings.

### Do Linphone or Element X have ads?

Neither Linphone nor Element X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Linphone or Element X?

Linphone ships an update every 2 months, and Element X fortnightly. Most recently, Linphone was updated on October 23, 2026 and Element X on October 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*