Threema. The Secure Messenger vs REFBL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Threema. The Secure Messenger
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.
- 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
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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!
REFBL
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Mit unserer kostenlosen Community-App kannst du dich ganz einfach mit Menschen in deiner Umgebung vernetzen. **Jetzt starten und immer auf dem Laufenden sein** Auch ohne Registrierung bist du mit unserem digitalen Schwarzen Brett immer auf dem Laufenden. Wenn du einen Account anlegst, kannst du dich sogar direkt mit anderen Nutzenden austauschen. **Alle deine Gruppen in einer App** Tausche dich mit anderen innerhalb deiner Gruppe aus. Im Gruppenchat kannst du auch Beiträge posten, um z.B. auf wichtige Veranstaltungen hinzuweisen. **Kommuniziere unkompliziert mit anderen Nutzenden**. "Hast du die Nummer von...?" – Diese Frage gehört ab sofort der Vergangenheit an. Suche einfach nach dem Namen der Person, an die du eine Nachricht schreiben möchtest und schon bist du mit ihr in einer privaten Konversation verbunden. So lernst du ganz einfach neue Leute kennen! --- Falls du Feedback geben möchtest oder Fragen hast, melde dich bitte unter "Über" in der App.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: REFBL at Free against Threema. The Secure Messenger's $6.99. REFBL also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Threema. The Secure Messenger's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On 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
REFBL 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.
Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, REFBL monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Threema. The Secure Messenger | REFBL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (725 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 62.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 725 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #1 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 119 MB | 101 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Threema GmbH | Evangelisch – reformierte Kirche des Kantons Baselland |
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
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- Add iPad/desktop app support
REFBL
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Threema. The Secure Messenger
No in-app purchases
REFBL
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Threema. The Secure Messenger free?
Is REFBL free?
Do Threema. The Secure Messenger or REFBL have ads?
Which is updated more often, Threema. The Secure Messenger or REFBL?
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