Zhi vs BTS for Creators
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Zhi
This secure messaging app prioritizes privacy with zero-trust, end-to-end encryption and pre-shared keys. It offers isolated chats and invites only friends, with an optional subscription for enhanced features like larger file transfers and unlimited chats.
- Zero-trust end-to-end encryption
- Pre-shared key authentication
- Isolated chat environments
- Invite-only friend system
- Optional subscription for enhanced features
- Markdown support for messages
Read full descriptionHide full description
Zhi - A Zero-Trust End-to-End Encrypted Instant Messaging App - Zhi is based on pre-shared keys, instead of generating keys through server intermediaries like other applications. - Zhi uses simple network protocols and encoding to more easily audit the content being transferred. - Zhi replaces metadata with random UUIDs. - Zhi makes every chat isolated. - Zhi only supports chatting with friends you've invited or those who have invited you. Zhi Plus - Zhi Plus is a subscription service. - The period of subscription is a about $4.99/month or $49.99/year. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - You can manage subscription in App Store Setting. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable What's included in Zhi Plus - You can enable markdown, the text messages you sent will be rendered in Markdown format. - You can use Meeting that is over TURN and end-to-end encrypted. - You can send a single text message of 30KB(after encrypted), while free users are limited to 3KB. - You can enable original image, the images sent will not be compressed and will be sent as original images. - You can send a single image of 10M, while free users are limited to 2M. - You can send a single image of 99M, while free users are limited to 10M. - You can send a single file of 99M, while free users are limited to 10M. - Unlimited number of Chats, while free users are limited to 100. - The server indefinitely stores the encrypted messages from Chats of Zhi Plus users. When forwarding the encrypted messages of a Chat, for free users the server will by default save them for 7 days to facilitate the users retrieving messages from the server when they come online from being offline or at other times. Note: The server's cleanup mechanism runs a scheduled cleanup task. If it is detected during the run that there are no Zhi Plus users in the Chat, the encrypted messages from more than 7 days prior within the Chat will be cleared. About Zhi Plus Even with the free version of Zhi, normal use is possible, and it does not compromise the feature of end-to-end encryption. Zhi Plus is a paid option that allows paying users access to more generous features, which compensates for some of our server costs, allowing us to continue to keep it free for everyone. By subscribing to Zhi Plus you agree to the policy and terms below. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://www.txthinking.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.txthinking.com/privacy.html
BTS for Creators
This app empowers creators to monetize their content by selling digital products, subscriptions, or one-off posts. It provides tools for creating, selling, tracking performance, and connecting with paying customers, offering creators control over their brand and earnings.
- Create paid posts (photos, videos, audio, files)
- Offer subscriptions and digital downloads
- Sell directly to audience or link posts
- Track earnings and performance analytics
- Connect privately with paying customers
- Control brand, pricing, and payouts
Read full descriptionHide full description
BTS for Creators Join thousands of creators turning their most valuable content into income. Apply in minutes, earn more from every sale, and grow faster with powerful tools and creator-first support. Behind The Scenes is the most flexible platform that's built for creators who want total control over how they earn. Whether you sell digital products, subscriptions, or one-off posts, BTS gives you the tools to launch and grow your creator content business. Here’s how creators use the BTS app to run their businesses: CREATE paid posts for photos, videos, files, or audio — price them individually or bundle them into subscription plans. SELL directly to your audience through your BTS or link directly to posts — customers unlock or subscribe to your content instantly with one tap. MONETIZE in multiple ways — offer subscriptions, one-time unlocks, or digital downloads to match your niche. TRACK your earnings, fan activity, and performance analytics in real time from one clean dashboard. CONNECT privately with paying customers, building genuine relationships that drive loyalty and repeat sales. CONTROL your brand, pricing, and payouts — BTS is creator-first, meaning you keep more of what you earn. From coaches and artists to performers, educators, and entrepreneurs — BTS is the all-in-one monetization toolkit trusted by thousands of creators who take their content seriously. Join the movement of creators building thriving businesses on their own terms. Download BTS for Creators and start earning today. Terms of Use: https://behindthescenes.notion.site/terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Zhi at 5.0 against BTS for Creators's 3.0. Zhi also leads on ratings volume (8 vs 2) and device support (4 vs 1). BTS for Creators's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment and ads 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. Zhi sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BTS for Creators asks for nothing beyond the download.
Zhi holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Zhi ships an update every 2 months, BTS for Creators every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Zhi | BTS for Creators |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 185 MB | 104 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | TxThinking, Inc. | GWOP, Co |
Customer experience
Zhi
BTS for Creators
In-app purchases
Zhi
- Zhi Plus Month$4.991 Month
- Zhi Plus Year$49.991 Year
BTS for Creators
No in-app purchases









