Cipher Message vs Secret Text
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cipher Message
Easily encrypt and decrypt messages within your messaging app using various classic ciphers. Protect your conversations with friends and upgrade for advanced encryption methods and Face ID unlock.
- Encrypt/decrypt in iMessage
- Classic ciphers (Caesar, Vigenère)
- Advanced ciphers (AES)
- Face ID unlock
- Private conversations
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Cipher Message is an App and iMessage Extension that lets you easily encrypt and decrypt messages right inside the Messages app. Choose from classic ciphers like Caesar and Vigenère, Rail Fence, or Playfair to protect your conversations, or upgrade to Premium to enable AES (password) and add Face ID to lock the message. Simply select your cipher, type your message, set your key, and then encrypted and send to your friends. They can decrypt your message using the same extension, keeping your chats private and fun. Features: - Encrypt and decrypt messages directly in iMessage - Supports Caesar, Vigenère, Rail Fence, and Playfair - Easy-to-use interface - Share encrypted messages with friends - Keep your conversations private Upgrade to Premium to enjoy: - No Ads - Additional Ciphers and Encryption Methods: - AES (set your own password) - Face ID Secondary Encryption (disclaimer: does not use FaceID to encrypt, only requires FaceID of recipient to unlock message)
Secret Text
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Secret Text is free to download and use for contact setup and handshake. It is a secure text translator, not a chat app. Encryption and decryption require an active 3-day free trial or Secret Text monthly/yearly auto-renewable subscription. It encrypts your plaintext into ciphertext that you can copy and paste through any messaging app (iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, etc.), and decrypts ciphertext back into plaintext on the other end. How it works: 1. Add a contact and complete a guided handshake to establish an encrypted session 2. Start the official 3-day free trial or subscribe to unlock encryption/decryption 3. Type your message -> tap "Encrypt & Copy" -> paste the ciphertext into any messenger 4. Receive ciphertext -> tap "Paste & Decrypt" -> read the plaintext Security: - End-to-end encryption powered by Signal Protocol (X3DH + Double Ratchet) - AES-256-CBC with HMAC-SHA256 for every message - Per-message forward secrecy: compromising one key cannot decrypt past or future messages - Out-of-order message decryption support - Identity fingerprint verification through a trusted channel - All keys are generated and stored locally on your device Features: - Works with any messaging platform, no need to switch apps - Guided handshake wizard with step-by-step instructions - Contact management with session status at a glance - Monthly and yearly auto-renewable subscriptions with a 3-day free trial - Supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese - Available on iOS and macOS with cross-platform session compatibility - Dark mode support Your messages stay private, no matter which messenger you use. Privacy Policy: https://covalith.com/legal/apps/secret-text/privacy/ Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/macapps/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Secret Text at none against Cipher Message's shown. On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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. Cipher Message sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Secret Text sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Cipher Message | Secret Text |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nathaniel Van Evera | 建忠 黎 |
In-app purchases
Cipher Message
- Cipher Message Premium$0.99
Secret Text
- SecretText Premium3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- SecretText Premium3 Days trial$24.991 Year
Questions
Is Cipher Message free?
Is Secret Text free?
Do Cipher Message or Secret Text have ads?
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