Comparison

SKI+ v2 vs Wave

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

Head to head
About

SKI+ v2

Features
Read full description

SKI+ v2 is an end-to-end instant messaging app with in-depth support of post-quantum encryption algorithms. Message encryption and decryption are completed on the user's device, and the server has no access to these details. Therefore, it provides users with a more privacy-protected messaging system. For more details, please refer to https://www.e2eelab.org. Feel free to download and use it. If you have any questions or suggestions, please send relevant descriptions or screenshots to: ziv@citi.sinica.edu.tw. We will address your inquiries promptly.

About

Wave

A privacy-focused messaging app offering end-to-end encrypted chats without requiring sign-ups or personal information. It utilizes a decentralized network for enhanced user control and supports both one-to-one and group conversations.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • No sign-up required
  • Decentralized network
  • One-to-one and group chats
  • Optional Bluesky integration
  • Ad-free and tracker-free
Features
Read full description

Wave is a privacy-first messaging app built for people who value security, simplicity, and control. Chat, call, and send photos and videos without signing up, sharing personal details, or trusting centralized servers. You can start messaging instantly. Wave uses end-to-end encryption, ensuring only you and the people you're chatting with can see your messages, calls, photos, and videos. Everything is encrypted on your device and decrypted only by recipients. Powered by XMTP, Wave is built on a decentralized messaging network, reducing reliance on central servers and giving users more control over their conversations. Wave supports fast one-to-one messaging and secure group conversations in a clean, minimal interface with no clutter or distractions. Send voice notes, photos, videos, and albums of up to 10 photos and videos. Reply to messages, react with emoji, and share GIFs and stickers, including ones made from your own photos. Make one-to-one voice and video calls with anyone you chat with. Answer from the Lock Screen, keep chatting while a call floats in a small window, add live filters to your video, and find past and missed calls in call history. Stay in control of every conversation. Set messages to disappear after 30 seconds up to 7 days, unsend any message you've sent, and pin, archive, or mute your chats. Choose how much your notifications show, block anyone, and get alerts about suspicious accounts. Give your groups admins, a description, and a custom photo. Pick your own profile photo and share your profile with a QR code or a link you can reset anytime. Chat Backup saves your chats to iCloud automatically, daily, weekly, or monthly, so you can restore them when you reinstall Wave or get a new iPhone. Your backup is encrypted before it leaves your device. You can optionally connect your Bluesky account to message people you already know, or simply use Wave on its own without linking any account. Wave is designed with privacy at its core, with end-to-end encrypted messages and calls, a privacy-first architecture, and no ads or trackers.

Screenshots

SKI+ v24 screens
Wave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SKI+ v2 at fortnightly against Wave's monthly. On price, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SKI+ v2 ships an update fortnightly, Wave monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
SKI+ v2 versus Wave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSKI+ v2Wave
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size249 MB157 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAcademia Sinica Research Center for Information Technology InnovationSimhadri Bogula

In-app purchases

None

SKI+ v2

No in-app purchases

None

Wave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SKI+ v2 free?
SKI+ v2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Wave free?
Wave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SKI+ v2 or Wave have ads?
Neither SKI+ v2 nor Wave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SKI+ v2 or Wave?
SKI+ v2 ships an update fortnightly, and Wave monthly. Most recently, SKI+ v2 was updated on October 25, 2026 and Wave on October 28, 2026.

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