# ChatSecure Messenger vs Threema. The Secure Messenger

The clearest difference is price: ChatSecure Messenger at Free against Threema. The Secure Messenger's $6.99. ChatSecure Messenger also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). Threema. The Secure Messenger's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). On rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

ChatSecure Messenger is free to download; Threema. The Secure Messenger costs $6.99 up front. ChatSecure Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Threema. The Secure Messenger asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for ChatSecure Messenger against 4.2 for Threema. The Secure Messenger. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 281 and 723 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of ChatSecure Messenger's written reviews are positive against 62% of Threema. The Secure Messenger's.

ChatSecure Messenger ships an update every 2 months, Threema. The Secure Messenger every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ChatSecure Messenger | Threema. The Secure Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $6.99 |
| Rating | [4.2 (281 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatsecure-messenger/id464200063/reviews) | **[4.2 (723 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 281 | **723** |
| Positive reviews | 51.7% of reviews | **62.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#1** |
| Size | 34 MB | 119 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chris Ballinger](https://appshunter.io/developer/433040866) | [Threema GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/535112011) |

## What reviewers say

### ChatSecure Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatsecure-messenger/id464200063)

This free and open source messaging app provides secure, end-to-end encrypted conversations using OTR and OMEMO over the XMPP protocol. It offers interoperability with other XMPP clients and uses well-known cryptographic libraries for privacy.

**Highlights:** OTR encryption, OMEMO encryption, XMPP protocol, TLS certificate pinning, SQLCipher local encryption, Open source

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $2.99 Donation | $2.99 | per month |
| $5.99 Donation | $5.99 | per month |
| $9.99 Donation | $9.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app
- 🔒 Secure chat
- 👍 Intuitive setup
- 🚀 Reliable
- 👍 Excellent service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes often
- 🐛 Buggy
- 🐛 Notifications not working
- 🐛 Messages not syncing
- 🐛 Stability issues

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Fails to send messages
- Notifications not working
- Syncing issues across devices
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add group chat support
- Improve background support
- Add search functionality
- Customization options
- Improve message delivery reliability


### Threema. The Secure Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Paid · Social Networking, #26 Top Paid (US App Store)

This secure messenger prioritizes privacy with end-to-end encryption for all communications. It uses a unique ID instead of personal information, leaving no data trail and offering anonymous use. Enjoy private chats, calls, and file sharing without ads or trackers.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted chats and calls, Anonymous use with Threema ID, File sharing in all formats, Edit and delete sent messages, Desktop app and web client, Group creation and polls

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure messaging
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 💡 Anonymous ID instead of phone number
- 🔒 Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable video/voice calls
- 🐛 Inconsistent notification delivery
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes after updates
- 🔒 Lack of auto-delete/expiring messages
- 👎 Limited emoji/reaction options

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not sending or receiving
- App freezing or crashing
- Unreliable video/voice call functionality
- Notification issues after updates
- Data transfer problems when switching devices

**Requested features**

- Add auto-delete/expiring message option
- Improve video/voice call reliability
- Enhance notification system
- Expand emoji/reaction options
- Simplify data transfer to new devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ChatSecure Messenger free?

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

### Is Threema. The Secure Messenger free?

Threema. The Secure Messenger costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ChatSecure Messenger or Threema. The Secure Messenger?

Threema. The Secure Messenger is rated higher. ChatSecure Messenger averages 4.2 out of 5 from 281 ratings, while Threema. The Secure Messenger averages 4.2 from 723 ratings.

### Do ChatSecure Messenger or Threema. The Secure Messenger have ads?

Neither ChatSecure Messenger nor Threema. The Secure Messenger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ChatSecure Messenger or Threema. The Secure Messenger?

ChatSecure Messenger ships an update every 2 months, and Threema. The Secure Messenger every 11 days. Most recently, ChatSecure Messenger was updated on October 23, 2026 and Threema. The Secure Messenger on October 26, 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.*