Comparison

Viper Messenger vs Wave

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

Head to head
About

Viper Messenger

A privacy-focused messenger that uses cryptographic keys for identity and offers direct peer-to-peer messaging and file sharing. It supports TON DNS for user discovery and allows for relay-assisted delivery when direct connections are not possible, all without requiring a phone number or email.

Highlights
  • Direct peer-to-peer messaging
  • Peer-to-peer file sharing
  • Cryptographic identity
  • TON DNS identities
  • Relay-assisted delivery
  • No phone number or email required
Features
Read full description

Viper is a privacy-first messenger built for secure, direct communication. Identity is based on cryptographic keys rather than traditional accounts. Messages can be delivered directly between devices or through relay-assisted delivery, while remaining end-to-end encrypted. Features • Direct peer-to-peer messaging. • Voice messages (Relay + P2P). • Video messages (Relay + P2P). • Private reactions. • Unlimited peer-to-peer file sharing. • TON DNS identities. • Find users through .ton domains. • Relay-assisted message delivery. • Cryptographic identity. • TON Address support. • No phone number or email required. • No file size limits. • Built on TON. Viper supports TON Address. # TON DNS Instead of sharing long TON addresses, users can discover each other through human-readable .ton domains. Your identity remains tied to cryptographic keys while providing a simple way to connect with other users. # Direct P2P Viper supports direct device-to-device communication. Whenever possible, messages, voice messages, video messages, and file transfers are delivered directly between devices instead of being forwarded through relay infrastructure. This reduces reliance on intermediary infrastructure, lowers latency, and increases privacy while preserving end-to-end encryption. # Unlimited P2P File Sharing Viper allows files to be transferred directly between devices without passing through Viper servers. There are no subscriptions, storage quotas, or artificial file size limits imposed by the platform. Because files travel directly between devices, both peers must be online during the transfer. When both devices are available, data moves directly from one device to another, reducing infrastructure requirements and improving privacy. # Private Reactions React to messages without revealing your reactions to intermediary infrastructure. Private reactions are end-to-end encrypted and synchronized through relay-assisted delivery while preserving message privacy. # Voice & Video Messages Voice and video messages can be delivered directly between devices whenever possible or through relay-assisted delivery when direct connectivity isn't available. Both delivery methods remain end-to-end encrypted, allowing reliable communication across different network conditions. # When Direct P2P Isn't Available Real-world networks aren't always ideal. When direct connections aren't available due to network conditions or device availability, relay-assisted delivery keeps conversations reliable. Messages, voice messages, video messages, and reactions remain end-to-end encrypted regardless of the delivery method. For direct peer-to-peer communication and file transfers, both peers should be online and connected to the network. Offline delivery requires relay-assisted communication. # Bolt Use the Bolt component to control how peer-to-peer connections are established. Relay-assisted delivery can help coordinate the connection process and prepare both devices for a direct peer-to-peer session. Once established, communication continues directly between devices whenever network conditions allow. # Viper Pro An optional monthly subscription for users who want an even quieter presence. Anon Mode. Remove yourself from discovery: nobody can find you through the search bar. Your existing chats and contacts keep working — Anon Mode makes you undiscoverable, not unreachable. Contact-Only Inbox. Accept messages only from people in your contacts. # Privacy Viper reduces reliance on intermediary infrastructure while maintaining the reliability users expect from a modern messenger. Direct peer-to-peer messaging, voice messages, video messages, and file sharing are used whenever possible. Relay-assisted delivery is available whenever needed. You decide the trade-off. Choose how your messages and files travel. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://viperfoundation.base44.app/PrivacyPolicy

About

Wave

A privacy-focused messaging app offering end-to-end encrypted chats without requiring sign-ups or personal information. It utilizes a decentralized network for enhanced user control and supports both one-to-one and group conversations.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • No sign-up required
  • Decentralized network
  • One-to-one and group chats
  • Optional Bluesky integration
  • Ad-free and tracker-free
Features
Read full description

Wave: Secure Messaging Wave is a privacy-first messaging app built for people who value security, simplicity, and control. Chat freely without signing up, sharing personal details, or trusting centralized servers. You can start messaging instantly. Wave uses end-to-end encryption, ensuring only you and the people you’re chatting with can read messages. Conversations are encrypted on your device and decrypted only by recipients. Powered by XMTP, Wave is built on a decentralized messaging network reducing reliance on central servers and giving users more control over their conversations. Wave supports fast one-to-one messaging and secure group conversations in a clean, minimal interface with no clutter or distractions. You can optionally connect your Bluesky account to message people you already know, or simply use Wave on its own without linking any account. Wave is designed with privacy at its core, with end-to-end encrypted messages, a privacy-first architecture, and no ads or trackers.

Screenshots

Viper Messenger3 screens
Wave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Wave at none against Viper Messenger's 1. Viper Messenger's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Viper Messenger sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Wave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Viper Messenger against 5.0 for Wave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Viper Messenger ships an update every 4 days, Wave every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Viper Messenger versus Wave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterViper MessengerWave
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB149 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMaksim ChernyshovSimhadri Bogula

Customer experience

Viper Messenger

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Wave

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Viper Messenger

Subscriptions1
  • Viper Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
None

Wave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Viper Messenger free?
Viper Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Wave free?
Wave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Viper Messenger or Wave?
Viper Messenger and Wave are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Viper Messenger or Wave have ads?
Neither Viper Messenger nor Wave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Viper Messenger or Wave?
Viper Messenger ships an update every 4 days, and Wave every 4 weeks. Most recently, Viper Messenger was updated on October 14, 2026 and Wave on October 7, 2026.

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