Comparison

Message Makeover vs Raven

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Message Makeover

Transform your plain text messages into vibrant, colorful creations. Personalize message backgrounds and fonts to make your conversations stand out and express yourself with unique visual flair. Preview your designs before sending to ensure perfect presentation.

Highlights
  • Custom message background color
  • Custom message font color
  • Simple and intuitive interface
  • Message preview functionality
  • Direct launch to Messages app
  • Extensive color selection
Features
Read full description

Message Makeover is ON SALE celebrating our launch! Grab it now! Tired of the old green and grey text messages? Look no further. Message Makeover is bringing beautiful messaging to iOS. Be the envy of all your friends by sending them bold, colorful messages that they can only dream of. Features - Custom Message Background Color - Custom Message Font Color - Beautifully designed, simple interface - Preview your message before you want to send! - Launch Messages app directly from the app - Absolutely free to send with iMessage - Vast array of Color Choices - If we don't have it, ask us and we'll add it! Why wait? Download Message Makeover today and start composing not only messages but pieces of fine artwork that will make messaging a joy to do AND look at!

About

Raven

Experience messaging as a slow, delightful journey. Messages are delivered by charming characters across a real-world map, emphasizing anticipation and the art of communication. Read messages only upon arrival, making each exchange a unique event.

Highlights
  • Choose your messenger character
  • Real-world map tracking
  • Delayed message delivery
  • Messages readable upon arrival
  • Intuitive design
Features
Read full description

Introducing Raven. Where every message is a journey, not just a notification. In a world brimming with instant gratification, Raven invites you to slow down and savor the anticipation of communication. Our app transforms your messages into enchanting adventures, carried across a real-world map by a cast of charming characters, each with their own leisurely pace. Imagine your words being carefully transported by a diligent raven, an amiable alpaca, or even a whimsical wizard, making their way through digital landscapes to deliver your thoughts and feelings. Raven is not just an app; it's a return to the art of letter writing, reimagined for the digital age. Here, the journey of your message is as significant as its content, turning each communication into a memorable experience. Await the arrival of your letter with bated breath, and experience the joy of reading it only once your chosen character reaches its destination. Key Features: • Choose Your Courier: Select from our eclectic mix of messengers. • Real-World Map Navigation: Send and receive letters superimposed on a beautifully detailed map, tracing the path your messenger takes in real time. • Delayed Gratification: Embrace the suspense and delight of waiting for your message to be delivered. The slower pace enhances the value and impact of each word exchanged. • On-Time Reads: Messages can only be read once the messenger arrives, making each communication a unique and private event between sender and receiver. • Simple, Intuitive Design: Easy to use, Raven allows you to focus on what's important – crafting meaningful messages for friends, family, or anyone you choose.

Screenshots

Message Makeover4 screens
Raven4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Raven at 97% against Message Makeover's 10%. Raven also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (4.9 vs 4.1). Message Makeover's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and chart position (#32 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads and device support 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

Raven is free to download; Message Makeover costs $0.99 up front. Raven sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Message Makeover asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Raven holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128 and 221 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of Message Makeover's written reviews are positive against 97% of Raven's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Message Makeover ships an update every 6 weeks, Raven every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Message Makeover versus Raven: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMessage MakeoverRaven
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (128 ratings)4.9 (221 ratings) — better
Positive reviews9.6% of reviews96.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings128221 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#32 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB107 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAndrew HalliganThe Raven App Company

Customer experience

Message Makeover

All ratings127 ratings
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.4%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive9.6%
Neutral3.7%
Negative86.7%

Raven

All ratings155 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive96.7%
Neutral2.5%
Negative0.8%

User reviews

Message Makeover

From 128 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 💡 Unique messaging features
  • 👍 Attention-grabbing visuals

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
  • 📋 Requires extra steps to send messages
  • 🔍 Limited customization options

Raven

From 221 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💖 Whimsical and cute design
  • 🐢 Slow and intentional messaging
  • 💌 Unique letter-writing experience
  • 🦉 More meaningful communication
  • 🎁 Joy of anticipation

Room to improve

  • 💰 Pay-to-unlock animals
  • 🤷 Not much to do if no one to talk to
  • 🤔 Review prompt felt off-putting

Bugs and requests

Message Makeover

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Messages fail to send
  • Font and shadow effects not working
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

3 requests
  • Integrate directly with default messaging app
  • Expand font and bubble style options
  • Improve message delivery reliability

Raven

Requested features

4 requests
  • See and decorate castle
  • More achievement opportunities
  • More courier options
  • Cat courier

In-app purchases

None

Message Makeover

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Raven

One-time7
  • 10 Feathers$0.99
  • 10 Gold$2.99
  • 50 Feathers$4.49
Show 4 more
  • 30 Gold$7.99
  • 100 Feathers$7.99
  • 250 Feathers$18.99
  • 500 Feathers$35.99

Questions

Is Message Makeover free?
Message Makeover costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Raven free?
Raven is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Message Makeover or Raven?
Raven is rated higher. Message Makeover averages 4.1 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while Raven averages 4.9 from 221 ratings.
Do Message Makeover or Raven have ads?
Neither Message Makeover nor Raven shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Message Makeover or Raven?
Message Makeover ships an update every 6 weeks, and Raven every 9 days. Most recently, Message Makeover was updated on October 26, 2026 and Raven on October 27, 2026.

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