Comparison

ARX vs Between

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

Head to head
About

ARX

A privacy-focused messenger offering end-to-end encrypted chats, a self-custodial crypto wallet, a spendable card, global eSIM data, and an encrypted vault. It requires no phone number or email and tracks nothing.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Self-custodial crypto wallet
  • Spendable crypto card
  • Global eSIM data plans
  • Encrypted vault for notes and files
  • No phone number or email required
Features
Read full description

ARX: the private messenger that carries your whole digital life ARX is a privacy-first messenger with a self-custodial crypto wallet, a spendable card, global eSIM data, and an encrypted vault. One app. No phone number or email required. Nothing tracked. Private messaging, first End-to-end encrypted chats, voice, and video powered by the Signal Protocol. Groups, voice notes, files, and live location, private by default. Optional disappearing messages, mutual screenshot consent, and a duress code keep you in control. Crypto in the chat Send or request crypto right inside a conversation with a non-custodial, multi-chain wallet for Ethereum and EVM networks. Your keys, your assets. Connect to dApps with WalletConnect. ARX Card Spend your crypto anywhere cards are accepted. Top up from your wallet and pay in stores and online. Global eSIM Get online in 190+ countries with no physical SIM. Buy a data plan right inside the app. ARX Vault Encrypted notes, files, photos, and passwords, protected on your device and synced to your private cloud. Privacy by design Your account is secured by keys stored on your device, with PIN, biometrics, and duress PIN support. We do not track you and cannot read your messages. Built-in VPN: Coming Soon Your messages, your money, your data. In one private app.

About

Between

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Between, the chat application built from the ground up for ultimate privacy and security. Unlike traditional messaging apps that route and store your conversations on central servers, Between is entirely decentralized. By utilizing advanced WebRTC technology, Between establishes a direct, secure, peer-to-peer connection between you and your contacts. Once connected, your data travels directly from your device to theirs with no middlemen, corporate servers, and no tracking. TRUE PRIVACY Your messages are for your eyes only. Every message and image sent through Between is heavily encrypted end-to-end. We don’t have access to your messages, we don't track your usage, and we don't sell your data. NO ACCOUNTS REQUIRED Say goodbye to handing over your phone number or email address just to send a message. Between generates a secure, cryptographic connection ID locally on your device. Just share your ID with a friend, and you’re ready to chat. YOUR DATA STAYS WITH YOU Your chat history and contact list are stored securely and locally on your own device. You have full control over your data and can completely wipe your local database at any time with just a few taps. FEATURES: Direct P2P Connections: Lightning-fast messaging through WebRTC data channels. End-to-End Encryption: Keeps your conversations secure. Built-in Contacts: Save your friends' connection IDs with custom names and profile pictures. No Central Storage: If it's not on your phone, it doesn't exist. Modern & Intuitive: A beautiful, native iOS experience designed for simplicity. Open-source: view and verify the code at any time. (Note: Between requires an active internet connection to establish the initial peer-to-peer handshake.)

Screenshots

ARX4 screens
Between4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Between at none against ARX's 13. ARX's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ARX sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Between asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARX ships an update weekly, Between fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
ARX versus Between: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARXBetween
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size278 MB15 MB
Age rating+1712+
Developerunus nullus, UABBryce Agostini

In-app purchases

13 purchases

ARX

One-time13
  • ARX eSIM$12.99
  • ARX eSIM$14.99
  • ARX eSIM$24.99
Show 10 more
  • eSIM 3 GB 30d$24.99
  • Glob eSIM Top-up 3GB 30d$24.99
  • ARX eSIM$29.99
  • eSIM 5 GB 30d$34.99
  • Glob eSIM Top-up 5GB 30d$34.99
  • ARX eSIM$39.99
  • eSIM 10 GB 30d$59.99
  • Glob eSIM Top-up 10GB 30d$59.99
  • Glob eSIM Top-up 20GB 30d$69.99
  • eSIM 20 GB 30d$69.99
None

Between

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARX free?
ARX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Between free?
Between is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ARX or Between have ads?
Neither ARX nor Between shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARX or Between?
ARX ships an update weekly, and Between fortnightly. Most recently, ARX was updated on October 30, 2026 and Between on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons