Comparison

Secure Comms vs Around

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

Head to head
About

Secure Comms

This platform offers end-to-end encrypted communication and collaboration for teams. It uses human verification and advanced cryptography to protect sensitive data from various threats, ensuring only trusted members can connect.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted Kibu Pods
  • Human verification for members
  • Biometric authentication (Face ID)
  • Secure file sharing
  • Screenshot protection notifications
  • Eliminates password/phone number reliance
Read full description

Kibu's encrypted collaboration platform protects your organization’s sensitive communication, workflows, and collaboration by adding a layer of human trust on top of advanced cryptography. Create secure "Kibu Pods"—private, end-to-end encrypted groups with trusted, verified members—to protect your organization from internal and external threats. Only individuals that you and your pod members verify can connect with you, ensuring you always know exactly who is on the other end. Why Choose Kibu? - Human Trust Meets Cryptography: Kibu combines strong end-to-end encryption with real-world human verification, enhancing security through mutual trust. - Eliminate Common Attack Vectors: By not using emails, passwords, or phone numbers, Kibu protects you from impersonation and credential-based attacks. - Device & Biometric Security: Your Kibu account exists only on your device and is secured by your Face ID at the time of account creation. Key Features - Biometric Authentication: Access your Kibu account and pods securely using Face ID—no passwords or phone numbers needed. - Kibu Pods: Create private, end-to-end encrypted groups with trusted, mutually verified members. - Secure Communication: Enjoy encrypted group chats within your pods, keeping conversations confidential. - File Sharing: Securely share files and documents within your pods, ensuring sensitive information stays protected. - Screenshot Protection: Get notified whenever someone takes a screenshot in a pod; screen recording is blocked to prevent unauthorized sharing and leaks. - Pod Member Verification: Verify the identity of pod members, even outside of Kibu (e.g., on video calls), to combat impersonation attacks and ensure authenticity. Protect Against Advanced Threats - Fraud - AI-assisted impersonation attacks - Phishing - Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks - Password Attacks - Spoofing - Identity-Based Attacks - Insider Threats - Spamming Common Use Cases - Executive Teams: Secure communication for C-Suite, Board of Directors, and advisors. Approve key decisions with full auditability and maintain a single source of truth. - Accounting Departments: Confirm vendor identities, invoices, and wire instructions. Securely send authorizations for approval, ensuring all decisions are compliant and traceable. - Client Engagements: Safely interact with clients and their teams. Share sensitive documents and validate key account changes using biometric verification. - Deal Teams: Protect M&A discussions and collaborate securely with advisors. Create shared workspaces, approve evolving deal terms, maintain a full audit trail, and prevent information leaks. Getting Started With Kibu Kibu is ready to protect your organization today. Download now or contact us to learn more!

About

Around

Features
Read full description

See more of your people. Around is a friend coordination app built to help you spend more time together, not just text about it. Whether you’re free right now or planning something weeks out, Around makes it easy to turn “we should hang soon” into actual face time. See who’s around right now Open the app and instantly see which friends are nearby and what they’re up to. Share a Beacon like “At this café for the next hour” See who’s active and where meetups are forming Know who has already arrived Control your visibility with flexible privacy options (exact location, approximate, place-level, or event-only) You’re always in control of how much you share. Plan ahead without the chaos From tonight’s dinner to next month’s trip, Around keeps planning simple. Create plans with time and location Invite friends and track who’s in Use recurring plans for routines like weekly runs Make updates easily as things change No endless group text threads. Just clear coordination. Spontaneous meets planned Life isn’t just spontaneous or scheduled. It’s both. Around connects “who’s free right now?” with long-term plans, helping you move seamlessly between last-minute hangouts and coordinated events. Less friction. More real-world time together.

Screenshots

Secure Comms4 screens
Around4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Secure Comms at weekly against Around's every 2 months. Around's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). 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

Secure Comms ships an update weekly, Around every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Secure Comms versus Around: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure CommsAround
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB37 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKibu, IncJames Adler

In-app purchases

None

Secure Comms

No in-app purchases

None

Around

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Secure Comms free?
Secure Comms is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Around free?
Around is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Secure Comms or Around have ads?
Neither Secure Comms nor Around shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Secure Comms or Around?
Secure Comms ships an update weekly, and Around every 2 months. Most recently, Secure Comms was updated on June 5, 2026 and Around on September 13, 2026.

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