Comparison

Boxenger vs Owla

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

Head to head
About

Boxenger

Features
Read full description

Create multiple Boxes and connect with others for unlimited messaging. Name one Box for friends, one for colleagues and so on. Box names are the only thing that can be seen.

About

Owla

A modern, secure messaging app built on the open Matrix protocol. It offers end-to-end encryption, a familiar interface, and cross-device synchronization. Enjoy features like direct and group chats, threads, and file sharing, with optional AI assistance.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Matrix homeserver integration
  • Direct and group chats
  • Message threads and replies
  • File and media sharing
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Optional AI assistant
Features
Read full description

Owla is a modern messenger built on the open Matrix protocol. Connect to your homeserver, chat securely, and stay in sync across your devices — with a familiar, WhatsApp-inspired interface. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for protected conversations • Your messages live on standard Matrix homeservers — not a proprietary Owla backend • Read receipts, typing indicators, and online presence MESSAGING THAT FEELS RIGHT • Direct messages and group chats • Threads for focused side conversations • Replies, edits, reactions, forwards, and pinned messages • Photos, videos, files, voice notes, and custom sticker packs • @mentions with member picker • Link previews, message search, and jump-to-message STAY ORGANIZED • Pin, archive, mute, and mark chats unread • Saved Messages for your personal notes • Activity feed for mentions, threads, and updates • Optional Google Calendar events & Tasks (read-only) WORKS GREAT ON DESKTOP & MOBILE • Two-pane layout on tablet and Mac • Drag-and-drop files, keyboard shortcuts, swipe-to-reply • Resizable sidebar on desktop AI ASSISTANT (OPTIONAL) • Bring your own API key (Claude, OpenAI, or Gemini) • Suggest replies, rewrite drafts, summarize chats, and extract action items FOR TEAMS & DIRECTORIES • Directory-aware discovery for managed Owla deployments • Admin tools for organizations using a compatible homeserver Owla is for people and teams who want secure, federated messaging without sacrificing everyday chat UX. Note: You need access to a Matrix homeserver to sign in. Some organization features require a compatible server setup.

Screenshots

Boxenger3 screens
Owla4 screens

Verdict

The call

Boxenger and Owla are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Boxenger ships an update weekly, Owla every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Boxenger versus Owla: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoxengerOwla
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINT COMMUNICATION P.C.GOLDEN OWL CONSULTING COMPANY LIMITED

In-app purchases

None

Boxenger

No in-app purchases

None

Owla

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Boxenger free?
Boxenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Owla free?
Owla is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Boxenger or Owla have ads?
Neither Boxenger nor Owla shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Boxenger or Owla?
Boxenger ships an update weekly, and Owla every 4 days. Most recently, Boxenger was updated on October 30, 2026 and Owla on November 11, 2026.

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