# Threema. The Secure Messenger vs SimpleX Chat

The clearest difference is price: SimpleX Chat at Free against Threema. The Secure Messenger's $6.99. SimpleX Chat also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Threema. The Secure Messenger's advantage is chart position (#1 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

SimpleX Chat is free to download; Threema. The Secure Messenger costs $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Threema. The Secure Messenger against 4.3 for SimpleX Chat. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 725 and 276 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of Threema. The Secure Messenger's written reviews are positive against 56% of SimpleX Chat's.

Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Threema. The Secure Messenger | SimpleX Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.2 (725 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578/reviews) | **[4.3 (276 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **725** | 276 |
| Positive reviews | **62.0% of reviews** | 56.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 119 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Threema GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/535112011) | [SimpleX Chat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605771086) |

## What reviewers say

### Threema. The Secure Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Paid · Social Networking, #21 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


### SimpleX Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplex-chat-secure-messenger/id1605771084)

This secure messaging app offers unparalleled privacy by eliminating user identifiers. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and files with features like disappearing messages and incognito mode. Connect via invitation links without needing phone numbers or emails.

**Highlights:** No user identifiers, End-to-end encrypted messages, Disappearing messages, Incognito mode, Encrypted file and voice messages, Secret chat groups, Encrypted portable chat database

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 End-to-end encryption and quantum-resistant security
- 🔐 No phone number or personal data required
- 👤 Anonymous profiles and multiple identities
- 🚀 Fast message delivery when working properly
- 🎯 Decentralized and open-source architecture

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 📬 Delayed or missing notifications (20+ minutes common)
- ⌨️ Keyboard issues on iOS (freezing, unresponsive)
- 🔌 Poor connectivity and message delivery failures
- 📱 iPad version not optimized

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (v6.2 update)
- Keyboard unresponsive on iOS 26
- Messages not appearing until app is opened
- Notifications not working despite correct settings
- Chat freezing and lag on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Read receipts option
- Typing indicators
- Bot maker feature like Telegram
- Multiple image attachment with descriptions
- Better emoji reaction selection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Threema. The Secure Messenger free?

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

### Is SimpleX Chat free?

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

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

SimpleX Chat is rated higher. Threema. The Secure Messenger averages 4.2 out of 5 from 725 ratings, while SimpleX Chat averages 4.3 from 276 ratings.

### Do Threema. The Secure Messenger or SimpleX Chat have ads?

Neither Threema. The Secure Messenger nor SimpleX Chat shows ads.

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

Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, and SimpleX Chat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Threema. The Secure Messenger was updated on October 29, 2026 and SimpleX Chat on October 30, 2026.

---

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