Comparison

Germ DM vs #Away

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

Head to head
About

Germ DM

This app offers end-to-end encrypted private messaging for users of Bluesky and ATProtocol. It prioritizes user control, privacy, and consent, allowing for secure 1:1 chats and temporary contact methods without requiring personal information.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted 1:1 messaging
  • Connects to ATProtocol accounts
  • Burner cards for temporary contacts
  • Authentication of message sources
  • Mute group conversations by card
  • No phone number or email required
Features
Read full description

Connect without oversharing. Start sending private, end-to-end encrypted DMs and voice notes in seconds—no handle or phone number needed. Bluesky user? Sign in with Bluesky, Blacksky, or ATProto to instantly find your mutuals and start DMing from your handle. Build additional burner cards to connect even more privately. Germ DM lets you: - Share 1:1 texts and voice memos with best-in-class privacy - Use our App Clip to skip the App Store when launching chats - Log in with your ATProto account to message with friends from Bluesky, Blacksky, Mu.Social, Skylight, and more. Find your mutuals in Germ or start a chat from your profile on Bluesky and beyond - Build burner cards for friends you’re just getting to know - Authenticate who your messages are coming from - Mute groups of conversations at once by managing notifications by which card you shared Everything in Germ is completely private, and we use the newest technology to keep your secrets safe. No one can access your content except the people you share it with—not even us. Germ is end-to-end encrypted with post-quantum cryptography on the open source standard Messaging Layer Security, and uses on-device transcription for your voice notes. Germ is carefully designed to put you in charge of your data and connections, and will never share your information outside your control. More features are dropping every month, and we want to hear from you! Find us on Bluesky at @germnetwork.com, or visit our website germnetwork.com for more ways to get in touch. Germ Network, Inc. is a proud Public Benefit Corporation.

About

#Away

Share your status with friends by displaying custom messages on their lock screens. Stay connected without constant texting, perfect for indicating when you're busy or need space. Reduce screen time and focus on real-life interactions.

Highlights
  • Customizable lock screen messages
  • Automatic status updates for friends
  • No app opening required to view
  • Reduces constant texting
  • Promotes less screen time
Read full description

Away puts your custom message on your best friends' lock screens. Let friends know when you're busy, traveling, or just need space—without the constant "where are you?" texts. Set your away message once, and everyone sees it on their own lock screen. No app opening required. Perfect for staying connected without staying glued to your phone. Less screen time, more real life. NOTES: Away includes an optional premium subscription. This is offered on a monthly basis. If you choose to purchase a subscription, your payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled within 24 hours before the end of the current period. After purchase, you can turn off auto-renewal at any time by going to your Account Settings in the App Store. LEARN MORE: Privacy Policy: https://away.now/privacy Terms of Use: https://away.now/terms

Screenshots

Germ DM4 screens
#Away4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Germ DM at none against #Away's 1. Germ DM also leads on ratings volume (19 vs 1). #Away's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (18.1 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. #Away sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per month. Germ DM asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

#Away holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Germ DM has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Germ DM ships an update every 10 days, #Away every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Germ DM versus #Away: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGerm DM#Away
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (19 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.018.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB24 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperGerm Inc.Gomeo Inc.

Customer experience

Germ DM

All ratings19 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

#Away

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Germ DM

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

#Away

Subscriptions1
  • Away Premium$7.991 Month

Questions

Is Germ DM free?
Germ DM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is #Away free?
#Away is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Germ DM or #Away?
#Away is rated higher. Germ DM averages 4.6 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while #Away averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Germ DM or #Away have ads?
Neither Germ DM nor #Away shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Germ DM or #Away?
Germ DM ships an update every 10 days, and #Away every 2 weeks. Most recently, Germ DM was updated on October 13, 2026 and #Away on October 13, 2026.

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