# Iridium Chat vs HMD OffGrid

The clearest difference is update cadence: HMD OffGrid at every 3 weeks against Iridium Chat's every 6 months. HMD OffGrid also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Iridium Chat against 5.0 for HMD OffGrid. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

Iridium Chat ships an update every 6 months, HMD OffGrid every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Iridium Chat | HMD OffGrid |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iridium-chat/id6476648492/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hmd-offgrid/id6739303126/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 99 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Iridium](https://appshunter.io/developer/634954979) | [HMD Global Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1508100491) |

## What reviewers say

### Iridium Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iridium-chat/id6476648492)

This app enables real-time, app-to-app instant messaging and image sharing globally via a satellite Wi-Fi device. It offers an always-on messaging experience, group chats, and location sharing.

**Highlights:** Real-time app-to-app messaging, Global satellite network access, Group chats up to 50 people, Image sharing with compression, Location sharing via clickable link, Contact syncing

**In-app purchases:** none


### HMD OffGrid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hmd-offgrid/id6739303126)

Communicate and share your location via satellite when cellular service is unavailable. Send and receive messages, track your real-time position, and send check-in messages for peace of mind. Features an SOS function for urgent assistance.

**Highlights:** 2-way satellite messaging, Real-time location sharing, One-button check-in messages, SOS emergency assistance, Device pairing and setup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Iridium Chat free?

Iridium Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HMD OffGrid free?

HMD OffGrid is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Iridium Chat or HMD OffGrid?

Iridium Chat and HMD OffGrid are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Iridium Chat or HMD OffGrid have ads?

Neither Iridium Chat nor HMD OffGrid shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Iridium Chat or HMD OffGrid?

Iridium Chat ships an update every 6 months, and HMD OffGrid every 3 weeks. Most recently, Iridium Chat was updated on October 21, 2026 and HMD OffGrid 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.*