Comparison

Threema. The Secure Messenger vs Chatlee

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

Chatlee

This platform integrates messaging, a social feed, and community channels into a single application. Users can communicate privately, share content, and engage with others while earning tokens for their activity. It offers a secure and intuitive all-in-one experience for social interaction and content creation.

Highlights
  • Private and group chats
  • Channels and communities
  • Social feed with posts, likes, and comments
  • Earn tokens for activity
  • Modern encryption for security
  • Clean and modern interface
Features
Read full description

Chatlee brings messaging, a social feed and channels together in one app. Chat with friends, follow creators and join communities without switching between services. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT • Personal chats are end-to-end encrypted — the keys stay on your devices • Secret chats and groups with disappearing messages • Auto-delete timer for any chat • App lock with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode • Sign in without a password MESSAGING • Personal chats, groups and channels • Voice and video calls • Voice messages, photos, videos and files • Reply right from a notification • Your chats on all your devices FEED & COMMUNITIES • Posts, photos and short videos • Stories • Likes, comments and reposts • New communities and trends to discover FOR CREATORS • Grow your audience with posts, stories and channels • Creator Program: get rewarded for content people value Chatlee — one place for conversations, content and community.

Screenshots

Threema. The Secure Messenger4 screens
Chatlee4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Chatlee at Free against Threema. The Secure Messenger's $6.99. Chatlee also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 62%). Threema. The Secure Messenger's advantage is ratings volume (728 vs 5) and 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

Chatlee 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chatlee holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Threema. The Secure Messenger has 728 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Threema. The Secure Messenger's written reviews are positive against 100% of Chatlee's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, Chatlee every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Threema. The Secure Messenger versus Chatlee: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThreema. The Secure MessengerChatlee
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (728 ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings728 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#1 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThreema GmbHMirrion Inc

Customer experience

Threema. The Secure Messenger

All ratings728 ratings
Positive80.1%
Neutral5.4%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews656 reviews
Positive62.0%
Neutral16.0%
Negative22.0%

Chatlee

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Chatlee

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Threema. The Secure Messenger

No in-app purchases

None

Chatlee

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Threema. The Secure Messenger free?
Threema. The Secure Messenger costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chatlee free?
Chatlee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Threema. The Secure Messenger or Chatlee?
Chatlee is rated higher. Threema. The Secure Messenger averages 4.2 out of 5 from 728 ratings, while Chatlee averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do Threema. The Secure Messenger or Chatlee have ads?
Neither Threema. The Secure Messenger nor Chatlee shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Threema. The Secure Messenger or Chatlee?
Threema. The Secure Messenger ships an update every 11 days, and Chatlee every 6 days. Most recently, Threema. The Secure Messenger was updated on November 6, 2026 and Chatlee on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons