Comparison

Faxo vs A Message in a Bottle

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

Head to head
About

Faxo

This app combines social networking, video sharing, messaging, professional tools, and a marketplace into a single platform. Users can connect with friends, share content, find jobs, buy and sell locally, and even play games, all within one familiar interface.

Highlights
  • Social media feeds with friends/following options
  • Live streaming with chat
  • 1:1 and group messaging with calls
  • Professional profiles and job postings
  • Local marketplace for buying and selling
  • Content creation and monetization tools
  • Integrated games and recipe boards
Features
Read full description

The first all-in-one super app—do everything in one fast, familiar place. Feels like Facebook-style friends, Instagram-worthy posts, TikTok-like clips, Pinterest-style boards, WhatsApp-style messaging, Reddit-style communities, X-style micro-updates, LinkedIn-style professional profiles & jobs, Tinder-like matching, Coinbase-style wallet tools, and Craigslist-style classifieds—plus recipes and games—in one app. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Social & Video: Share posts, photos, links, and short videos in feeds you control. Create friendships or follow accounts—and switch between Friends and Following feeds to tailor what you see. • Live Streaming: Go live to followers, groups, or communities with instant chat. • Chat & Groups: 1:1 and group messaging, audio/video calls, communities, and mod tools. • Professional Profiles & Jobs: Create a professional profile, make business connections, follow companies, apply to roles, or post openings. • Business Pages: Launch pages, showcase products or services, and grow an audience—no extra tools required. • Marketplace: Buy & Sell locally with listing chat and trusted profiles. • Earn & Monetize: Sell items or services in Marketplace and receive tips on posts and live streams. • Go Local: See nearby posts, listings, jobs, and events with a location-focused feed. • Events: Create events, RSVP, and share with friends or groups. • Q&A: Ask questions, crowdsource answers, and highlight the best responses. • Recipes & Boards: Save, organize, and share recipes with visual, board-style collections. • Games: Play thousands of casual games and collect your favorites. • Bluesky Client (AT Protocol): Connect your Bluesky account to browse and post via Faxo—switch between Timeline/Clips/Boards views. • Dating: Match, chat, and meet new people. • Wallet & Payouts: Track balances, receive tips, and manage crypto earnings. CHOOSE YOUR FEED STYLE • Timeline for posts & photos (Facebook-like) • Clips for full-screen discovery (TikTok-like) • Boards for saving and organizing ideas (Pinterest-like) Toggle Friends or Following on Faxo feeds anytime, and switch views on any feed—including your connected Bluesky feed. SAFETY & CONTROL • Block and report tools to keep your experience in your hands • Content filters and moderation features for creators and group owners • Privacy controls for profiles, posts, and groups WHY FAXO • All-in-one convenience: social, video, live, chat, marketplace, local, events, Q&A, professional profiles, jobs, business pages, recipes, games, groups, Bluesky client, earnings, and crypto—together at last. • Familiar by design: feels like what you already know, without juggling multiple apps. • Built to end app fatigue: one download, endless possibilities. Download Faxo and do more with one app. Share a moment, start a live stream, sell a guitar, post a recipe, join a community, play a game, go local, build your career, host an event, earn from your work, or grow a brand—all in one app. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

A Message in a Bottle

Connect with others and send messages that unlock at a future date. Organize contacts, attach multimedia, and manage your communication with a user-friendly interface. Enjoy a unique way to share thoughts and memories.

Highlights
  • Create and manage contact networks
  • Send timed messages for future delivery
  • Attach photos, videos, and voice notes
  • Organized inbox and sent message tabs
  • Timed message visibility with countdown
  • User-friendly settings and account management
  • Video feed with like and share options
Read full description

Connect effortlessly with Message in a Bottle. Seamlessly create and manage your network of contacts, ensuring that every connection is tailored to your preferences. Here's what makes Message in a Bottle a must-have: 1. Build Your Network: Crafting meaningful connections has never been easier! Utilize our intuitive contact form to input essential details about the people you're connecting with. Whether it's a colleague, friend, or potential business partner, Message in a Bottle allows you to organize your contacts effortlessly. Add contacts to your favorites, report, or block them with just a tap. 2. Time-Defying Communication: Navigate to the Messages section and unlock the power of time-defying communication. Select a pre-existing contact, specify the date when your message will unfold, and compose your message with ease. Attach multimedia files such as photos, videos, or voice notes directly from your device's library, enhancing the richness of your conversations. 3. Organized Message Layout: Explore the Messages section with a thoughtfully organized layout, neatly divided into two tabs – Inbox and Sent. Keep track of incoming messages in your inbox and review the messages you've dispatched in the Sent tab. Stay organized and never miss an important message again. 4. Timed Message Visibility: Experience the excitement of timed message visibility! Upon receiving a message, a tag displaying the remaining months until the scheduled reading date will be visible. Watch as messages automatically appear in your inbox, tantalizingly unopened until the chosen date arrives. 5. User-Friendly Settings: Tailor Message in a Bottle to suit your preferences in the Settings section. View user information, check active subscriptions, and easily upgrade or downgrade based on your needs. Take control of your app experience by pausing notifications, logging out, or unregistering, ensuring flexibility that aligns with your lifestyle. 6. Helpful Resources: For additional assistance, explore the Help and Terms & Conditions sections, seamlessly redirecting you to the landing page with relevant information. Message in a Bottle is committed to providing the support you need for a smooth and enjoyable experience. 7. Video Feed Interaction: Immerse yourself in a dynamic video feed on Message in a Bottle! Like and share videos seamlessly, enhancing your communication experience. Download Message in a Bottle now and elevate your communication game to new heights. Connect, communicate, and control your messaging experience like never before! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Faxo4 screens
A Message in a Bottle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Faxo at every 2 days against A Message in a Bottle's every 3 weeks. Faxo also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 5). A Message in a Bottle's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Faxo sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and A Message in a Bottle sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

A Message in a Bottle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Faxo has 1.8K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Faxo's written reviews are positive against 100% of A Message in a Bottle's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Faxo ships an update every 2 days, A Message in a Bottle every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Faxo versus A Message in a Bottle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFaxoA Message in a Bottle
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.8K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size202 MB46 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFaxo, Inc.International Business Connect, Inc.

Customer experience

Faxo

All ratings1,826 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative12.3%

A Message in a Bottle

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Faxo

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Posting glitches (images not posting)
  • Tabs reload when tapped
  • App refreshes when tapping tabs

Requested features

6 requests
  • More features
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Private groups
  • Android version availability
Show 1 more
  • More followers

A Message in a Bottle

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

21 purchases

Faxo

Subscriptions10
  • Basic Social Network$3.991 Month
  • Basic Business Network$3.991 Month
  • User Subscription 4$3.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Premium Social Network$7.991 Month
  • Premium Business Network$7.991 Month
  • Premium+ Social Network$12.991 Month
  • Premium+ Business Network$14.991 Month
  • Basic Dating$17.991 Month
  • Premium Dating$26.991 Month
  • Premium+ Dating$35.991 Month
One-time11
  • Super Thanks$1.99
  • Super Thanks$4.99
  • Super Thanks$14.99
Show 8 more
  • Super Thanks$19.99
  • Super Thanks$24.99
  • Super Thanks$49.99
  • Super Thanks$74.99
  • Super Thanks$99.99
  • Super Thanks$199.99
  • Super Thanks$399.99
  • Super Thanks$499.99
6 purchases

A Message in a Bottle

Subscriptions3
  • Raft$2.991 Month
  • Boat3 Months trial$3.991 Month
  • Yacht3 Months trial$9.991 Month
One-time3
  • Onetime message$0.99
  • Purchase 5 messages$1.99
  • Purchase 10 messages$2.99

Questions

Is Faxo free?
Faxo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is A Message in a Bottle free?
A Message in a Bottle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Faxo or A Message in a Bottle?
A Message in a Bottle is rated higher. Faxo averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while A Message in a Bottle averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Faxo or A Message in a Bottle have ads?
Neither Faxo nor A Message in a Bottle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Faxo or A Message in a Bottle?
Faxo ships an update every 2 days, and A Message in a Bottle every 3 weeks. Most recently, Faxo was updated on September 24, 2026 and A Message in a Bottle on June 1, 2026.

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