# Messenger vs True

The clearest difference is rating: Messenger at 4.7 against True's 4.2. Messenger also leads on ratings volume (14M vs 9) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). True's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Messenger sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. True asks for nothing beyond the download.

Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Messenger has 14M ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of Messenger's written reviews are positive against 77% of True's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Messenger ships an update weekly, True every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and July 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Messenger | True |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messenger/id454638411/reviews)** | [4.2 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-private-group-sharing/id834451429/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14M** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 66.2% of reviews | **76.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#8** | — |
| Size | 255 MB | 102 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Meta Platforms, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284882218) | [Hello Mobile Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/834451432) |

## What reviewers say

### Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messenger/id454638411)

**Currently charting:** #8 Top Free · Social Networking, #118 Top Free (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through text, audio, and video calls. Share photos, videos, and large files, and express yourself with custom themes and animated content. Features an AI assistant for help and support.

**Highlights:** Text, audio, and video calls, High-definition photo sharing, Shared photo albums, QR code connections, Large file sharing (up to 100MB), Edit and unsend messages, Disappearing messages, AI assistant

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Avatar Item | $0.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $1.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $2.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $3.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $4.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $6.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $7.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $8.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $9.99 | one-time |
| Avatar Item | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Useful for staying connected with friends and family
- 🗣️ Enables easy communication through text, voice, and video
- 💬 Convenient group chat features
- 🌐 Works across multiple devices and platforms

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
- 🔄 Unnecessary updates that remove useful features
- 📤 Issues with message delivery and notifications
- 🗂️ Cluttered interface and poor organization of chats

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to log in or access account
- Messages failing to send or receive
- Unexpected app crashes and freezes
- Syncing issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Add option to delete or unsend messages
- Improve search functionality for chat history
- Introduce customizable notification settings
- Bring back old features like emoji reactions and location sharing


### True

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-private-group-sharing/id834451429)

This app offers a private social networking experience focused on genuine connections with trusted individuals. It prioritizes user privacy by avoiding targeted advertising and data selling, creating a safe and positive space for sharing.

**Highlights:** Private by default sharing, No ads or tracking, User data ownership, Focus on real friends, Safe and positive environment

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Messenger free?

Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is True free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Messenger or True?

Messenger is rated higher. Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14M ratings, while True averages 4.2 from 9 ratings.

### Do Messenger or True have ads?

Messenger shows ads; True does not.

### Which is updated more often, Messenger or True?

Messenger ships an update weekly, and True every 3 weeks. Most recently, Messenger was updated on September 25, 2026 and True on July 18, 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.*