BonChat vs Friendster
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BonChat
This app offers secure messaging and file sharing with state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. It provides options for private or on-premise server deployment, advanced group management, and a user-friendly interface. Enjoy seamless cross-platform communication with full control over your data.
- End-to-end encryption
- Private/on-premise server deployment
- Advanced group management
- User-friendly interface
- Cross-platform support
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Welcome to BonChat, your ultimate solution for secure and private communication! With BonChat, you can enjoy seamless messaging, file sharing, and collaboration - all protected by state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. # Key Features ## End-to-End Encryption Your messages and files are encrypted from the moment they leave your device until they reach the recipient, ensuring that only you and your chosen contacts can read or access them. ## Private or On-Premise Server Deployment Take control of your data with our private or on-premise server deployment option. Host BonChat on your own servers for total peace of mind, knowing that your communication is secure and under your control. ## Powerful Group Management Experience advanced group functionality with BonChat’s robust group management features. Create, manage, and customize groups effortlessly while controlling member permissions in detail for enhanced collaboration. ## User-Friendly Interface BonChat is designed for everyone. Our intuitive interface makes it easy to send messages, share files, and manage your contacts without compromising on security. ## Cross-Platform Support Whether you’re on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, BonChat provides a seamless experience across all devices, ensuring you stay connected anytime, anywhere. Experience the freedom of secure communication with BonChat. Download now and take the first step towards protecting your conversations and data like never before! BonChat: Your data, your control, your security.
Friendster
Connect with people you know in real life through a private social network. Add friends by tapping phones in person and share posts and messages within your trusted circle, free from ads and algorithmic manipulation.
- In-person friend linking
- Private friend graph feed
- 1:1 and group messaging
- No ads
- No algorithmic feed
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Friendster is a social network for connecting with people you actually know in real life. Add friends only by tapping phones in person, then share posts and messages inside a real‑life friend network — not a follower graph. Why Friendster: • Real‑life friends (no follower counts, no “suggested strangers”) • No ads • No algorithmic feed manipulation Core features: • In‑person friend linking (tap‑to‑connect) • Feed for your friend graph • 1:1 and group messages • Notifications for messages and interactions Privacy Policy: https://friendster.com/pages/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://friendster.com/pages/tos/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: BonChat at 4.8 against Friendster's 4.1. BonChat also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (59K vs 48). Friendster's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads 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
Both are free to download. Friendster sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. BonChat asks for nothing beyond the download.
BonChat holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BonChat has 59K ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of BonChat's written reviews are positive against 63% of Friendster's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
BonChat ships an update every 4 weeks, Friendster every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BonChat | Friendster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (59K ratings) — better | 4.1 (48 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 55.7% of reviews | 63.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 59K — better | 48 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 77 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Hong Kong CipherChat Tech Company Limited | Friendster Labs Inc. |
Customer experience
BonChat
Friendster
Bugs and requests
BonChat
Reported bugs
2 issues- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
Requested features
2 requests- Add read receipts (two checkmarks when message is read)
- Improve keyboard and text area usability
Friendster
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BonChat
No in-app purchases
Friendster
- Friendster Premium$2.991 Month
- Friendster Premium$19.991 Year
