# Lively vs BFF Messenger

The clearest difference is rating: BFF Messenger at 4.2 against Lively's 1.3. BFF Messenger also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (17 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lively sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and BFF Messenger sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BFF Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BFF Messenger has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Lively ships an update every 4 days, BFF Messenger every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lively | BFF Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lively/id6749562172/reviews) | **[4.2 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bff-messenger-private-chat/id6756904676/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | — | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 209 MB | 167 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Lively Technology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1831182184) | [BFF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1863588052) |

## What reviewers say

### Lively

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lively/id6749562172)

Connect with friends and family through live streaming, content sharing, and virtual gifting. Earn real money from your posts and live events, with options for both free and premium memberships.

**Highlights:** Discover friends and family in real-time, Share lifestyle posts and live streams, Earn real money from content and gifts, Send and receive virtual gifts (cookies), Private and public live streaming options, Cash out earnings to a bank account

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Platinum monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Platinum yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| 50 Cookies | $5.79 | one-time |
| 100 Cookies | $11.49 | one-time |
| 200 Cookies | $22.99 | one-time |
| 500 Cookies | $57.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Cookies | $114.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Cookies | $229.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Cookies | $579.99 | one-time |
| 8000 Cookies | $919.99 | one-time |


### BFF Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bff-messenger-private-chat/id6756904676)

Connect globally with a secure messaging and calling app designed for privacy. Easily make calls, chat in groups, and share life's moments with advanced encryption and biometric security features.

**Highlights:** Secure messaging and calling, Email registration, Group chat functionality, QR code friend adding, Biometric chat encryption, Multiple message sharing options, Nearby user matching, Intelligent address book management

**Features:** Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP Weekly Pass | $0.99 | one-time |
| SVIP Weekly Pass (1.49) | $1.49 | one-time |
| VIP Monthly Pass | $3.99 | one-time |
| SVIP Monthly Pass | $5.99 | one-time |
| VIP Yearly Pass | $30.99 | one-time |
| SVIP Yearly Pass | $46.49 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lively free?

Lively is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BFF Messenger free?

BFF Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Lively or BFF Messenger?

BFF Messenger is rated higher. Lively averages 1.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while BFF Messenger averages 4.2 from 17 ratings.

### Do Lively or BFF Messenger have ads?

Neither Lively nor BFF Messenger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lively or BFF Messenger?

Lively ships an update every 4 days, and BFF Messenger every 8 days. Most recently, Lively was updated on November 5, 2026 and BFF Messenger on November 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*