Comparison

Threema. The Secure Messenger vs cSale

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

Head to head
About

Threema. The Secure Messenger

This secure messenger prioritizes privacy with end-to-end encryption for all communications and file sharing. It uses a unique ID for anonymous use, eliminating the need for phone numbers or emails. Enjoy private chats, calls, and file transfers with no ads or data collection.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted chats and calls
  • Anonymous Threema ID
  • File sharing
  • Edit/delete sent messages
  • Desktop and web client
  • Group creation and polls
  • Identity verification via QR code
Features
Read full description

Threema is the world’s best-selling secure messenger, used by more than 12 million people in over 175 countries, developed in Switzerland, and designed with privacy and data protection in mind. Whether chats, calls, or files, everything is end-to-end encrypted, and no data trail is left behind. Instead of a phone number or email address, a randomly generated Threema ID serves as a unique identifier – anonymous and secure. Threema protects what really matters: your privacy. Advantages of Threema: • Text and voice messages, including emoji reactions • End-to-end encrypted voice, video, and group calls • Location sharing • Sending files in all formats (PDF, GIF, MP3, ZIP, and more) • Ability to edit sent messages and delete them for chat partners • Desktop app and web client for convenient chatting on your PC • Group creation and polls • Light or dark mode • No ads, no trackers, no data collection • Identity verification of contacts by scanning their QR code Reliable security: • Open source and regular audits • Servers in Switzerland • Anonymous use possible: no phone number or email address required • Messages are deleted from the server immediately after delivery Do you have any questions or problems? Our FAQ can help: https://threema.com/support Enjoy using Threema!

About

cSale

Features
Read full description

Discover sales from different stores near you. cSale post sale offers and updates from stores nearby in real-time. This app keeps you connected to your local community by bringing stores sales updates directly to your feed. Key Features : Explore Local Content: Get real-time post from stores sales near your location. Stay Informed : Receive new sale offers from businesses around you. Effortless Discovery: Find nearby stores without needing to search - it's all in your feed. Engage Locally: Interact with your community by seeing what's new in your area. Stay connected to your neighbourhood and never miss out on local stores sales. Whether you're at home or on the go, you'll always know what's happening nearby.

Screenshots

Threema. The Secure Messenger4 screens
cSale4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: cSale at Free against Threema. The Secure Messenger's $6.99. cSale also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). Threema. The Secure Messenger's advantage is chart position (#1 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

cSale 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, cSale weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Threema. The Secure Messenger versus cSale: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThreema. The Secure MessengercSale
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (728 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings728 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThreema GmbHAbdulkadir Ali omar

Bugs and requests

Threema. The Secure Messenger

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

6 requests
  • Add auto-delete/expiring message option
  • Improve video/voice call reliability
  • Enhance notification system
  • Expand emoji/reaction options
  • Simplify data transfer to new devices
Show 1 more
  • Add iPad/desktop app support

cSale

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Threema. The Secure Messenger

No in-app purchases

None

cSale

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Threema. The Secure Messenger free?
Threema. The Secure Messenger costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is cSale free?
cSale is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Threema. The Secure Messenger or cSale have ads?
Neither Threema. The Secure Messenger nor cSale shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Threema. The Secure Messenger or cSale?
Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, and cSale weekly. Most recently, Threema. The Secure Messenger was updated on November 10, 2026 and cSale on November 5, 2026.

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