# Viper Messenger vs Wave

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viper Messenger | Wave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viper-messenger/id6754181968/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-secure-messaging/id6755153686/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 112 MB | 149 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Maksim Chernyshov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1846953276) | [Simhadri Bogula](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797254968) |

## What reviewers say

### Viper Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viper-messenger/id6754181968)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Viper Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |


### Wave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-secure-messaging/id6755153686)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

---

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