# Iridium Chat vs bitchat mesh

The clearest difference is update cadence: bitchat mesh at every 4 days against Iridium Chat's every 6 months. bitchat mesh also leads on ratings volume (515 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Iridium Chat's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Iridium Chat holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: bitchat mesh has 515 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Iridium Chat's written reviews are positive against 80% of bitchat mesh's.

Iridium Chat ships an update every 6 months, bitchat mesh every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Iridium Chat | bitchat mesh |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iridium-chat/id6476648492/reviews)** | [4.7 (515 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitchat-mesh/id6748219622/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **515** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 79.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 99 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Iridium](https://appshunter.io/developer/634954979) | [permissionless tech, llc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824145893) |

## 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


### bitchat mesh

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitchat-mesh/id6748219622)

Connect with people nearby without needing personal contact information. This app facilitates private, encrypted group chats using Bluetooth mesh technology, making it ideal for local communication without internet access.

**Highlights:** Local Bluetooth mesh chat, No internet required, Encrypted private messages, Relays messages for range, Sidegroupchat functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Modern, efficient offline communication
- 🔒 Secure and private messaging
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 👍 Useful for areas with poor internet connectivity
- 👍 Innovative use of Bluetooth for decentralized network

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable message delivery and sync issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems on certain devices
- 🔒 Concerns about long-term privacy and security

**Reported bugs**

- Typing input field issues on Mac
- Notifications not working consistently on iOS

**Requested features**

- Drawing/sketching feature like Pictochat
- Customizable themes and UI options
- Ability to filter messages by favorites or verified users
- Support for file sharing and image transfer
- Integration with cryptocurrency/Bitcoin payments


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Iridium Chat free?

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

### Is bitchat mesh free?

bitchat mesh is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Iridium Chat or bitchat mesh?

Iridium Chat is rated higher. Iridium Chat averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while bitchat mesh averages 4.7 from 515 ratings.

### Do Iridium Chat or bitchat mesh have ads?

Neither Iridium Chat nor bitchat mesh shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Iridium Chat or bitchat mesh?

Iridium Chat ships an update every 6 months, and bitchat mesh every 4 days. Most recently, Iridium Chat was updated on October 21, 2026 and bitchat mesh on October 21, 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.*