Comparison

Y Communicator vs HopNet

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

Head to head
About

Y Communicator

Features
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Y Communicator is private messaging without accounts, phone numbers, or email addresses. Create a private session with someone you trust, scan a QR code or share an invitation link, and start messaging once the app shows the connection is secure. Your messages are encrypted on your device before they leave it, so relay servers cannot read them. Built for Everyday Privacy - No login, account, phone number, or email required - End-to-end encrypted messages - Offline message delivery while your contact is away - Undelivered messages expire from the network after a short time - Rotating message addresses help reduce long-term tracking - App lock with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode Private by Design Y Communicator does not require a central account or public profile. Each conversation is a private session between devices, protected by keys held only by you and your contact. Messages are held on the relay network only while waiting for delivery. They are deleted when retrieved or when they expire, with a maximum network holding time of 2 hours. How to Connect 1. On the first device, tap Add Session and create a new session. 2. Show the QR code or share the invitation link. 3. On the second device, tap Add Session and scan the QR code or paste the link. 4. Keep Y Communicator open on both devices while they connect. 5. When the session shows Secure, start messaging. Good For - Private one-to-one conversations - Messaging without sharing a phone number - Short-lived secure communication - Conversations with minimal personal information What Y Communicator Cannot See We cannot read your message content. We do not require your name, phone number, email address, or account login. The relay network is designed with no permanent message storage and no server logs. Technical Details Y Communicator uses a post-quantum end-to-end encryption design: - Kyber-1024 for secure key exchange - AES-256-GCM for message encryption - Dilithium-5 digital signatures for message authenticity - Decentralized zero-trust message routing - Memory-only relay nodes with no persistent storage - Automatic network message expiration, maximum 2 hours - Rotating session identifiers to reduce linkability over time

About

HopNet

Features
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HopNet sends messages directly from your phone to theirs, protected by end-to-end encryption. There's no sign-up and no central message database โ€” your conversations belong to you. When the other phone is offline, an encrypted envelope waits briefly on a relay that cannot read it โ€” then it's gone. Photos and videos between online phones travel directly. HopNet is a private messenger with nothing to breach. HopNet lets you exchange end-to-end-encrypted messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and calls โ€” one-to-one or in small private groups โ€” with people you add yourself, so no one, including us, can read your conversations. You're only ever in touch with people you choose. You add a contact by scanning their QR code, in person. HopNet has no random matching, no "chat with strangers" mode, and no public directory โ€” only the people you've added can reach you. Why HopNet is different โ€ข No phone number, no email, no account โ€” your identity is a key that lives only on your phone. โ€ข End-to-end encryption โ€” the same proven design used by leading secure messengers (X3DH and the Double Ratchet). โ€ข Voice & video calls โ€” end-to-end encrypted, and they connect even on restrictive networks. โ€ข Photos & voice notes in groups โ€” shared with the same end-to-end encryption as your messages. โ€ข Private offline delivery โ€” when your contact is offline, your message waits in an encrypted "blind mailbox" that no one, not even us, can read, and is deleted once delivered. โ€ข You're in control โ€” verify contacts with safety numbers, lock the app with Face ID, block or report anyone, and wipe everything instantly. Safety HopNet has zero tolerance for objectionable content and abusive users. You can block or report any contact at any time from the chat menu, and reports are reviewed within 24 hours. How it works 1. Open HopNet โ€” a private identity is created on your device. 2. Scan a friend's QR code (or have them scan yours). 3. Start chatting, privately. HopNet is in active development. We'd love your feedback โ€” Settings, then Send Feedback. Note: when you're connected to a contact, they may see your IP address, as with other direct-connection messengers. Use a VPN if that matters to you.

Screenshots

Y Communicator4 screens
HopNet3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HopNet at none against Y Communicator's 2. HopNet also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Y Communicator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. HopNet asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Y Communicator ships an update every 9 days, HopNet every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Y Communicator versus HopNet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterY CommunicatorHopNet
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 3 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.613.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size21 MB97 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPhatWare CorpANTON SHIFMAN

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Y Communicator

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro Annual$19.991 Year
None

HopNet

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Y Communicator free?
Y Communicator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HopNet free?
HopNet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Y Communicator or HopNet have ads?
Neither Y Communicator nor HopNet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Y Communicator or HopNet?
Y Communicator ships an update every 9 days, and HopNet every 3 days. Most recently, Y Communicator was updated on November 9, 2026 and HopNet on October 31, 2026.

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