# Germ DM vs #Away

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.

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.

#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.

Germ DM ships an update every 10 days, #Away every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Germ DM | #Away |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/germ-dm/id6446882771/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/away/id6742257457/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **19** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 37 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **18.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Germ Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1679507064) | [Gomeo Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1708590646) |

## What reviewers say

### Germ DM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/germ-dm/id6446882771)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### #Away

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/away/id6742257457)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Away Premium | $7.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked 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 24, 2026 and #Away on October 13, 2026.

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