Comparison

theSHFT vs CallSec

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

Head to head
About

theSHFT

This app offers a secure and private messaging experience disguised as a functional calculator. Messages are end-to-end encrypted and self-destruct after reading, with no data stored on servers. It prioritizes user privacy with advanced encryption protocols.

Highlights
  • Calculator disguise
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Self-destructing messages
  • No server storage
  • Advanced encryption protocols
  • No phone number required
Features
Read full description

theSHFT is the private messenger that forgets, by design. Say what you mean, and let it disappear on your terms. DISAPPEARING MESSAGES, DONE RIGHT Set a timer from seconds to 24 hours. Your messages expire from the moment you send, theirs from the moment they read, and unread messages never burn by the clock. Countdowns are instant and exact on both ends. END TO END ENCRYPTED, ALWAYS Every message, photo, video, voice note, story, and call is end to end encrypted. One to one chats add post quantum protection. Group messages advance their keys with every message. Nobody can read along, including us. A REAL VAULT Your conversations live behind your PIN or Face ID. A separate duress PIN wipes everything instantly if you are ever forced to open the app. No phone number required to sign up. Screenshots of your chats come out black. PRIVATE CALLS Voice and video calls are end to end encrypted with a fresh key for every call. Nothing is stored, nothing is heard. COMMUNITIES AND VOICE ROOMS Find your people in private communities like ^encryption-talk, with daily discussion threads, digests you control, and live voice rooms where you can host, raise your hand to speak, or just listen and leave quietly. STORIES FOR YOUR CIRCLE Share moments that vanish. Stories are encrypted and visible only to your contacts, enforced on the server, not just in the app. YOURS, NOT OURS No ads. No tracking. No selling your data. Your recovery phrase is the only way back in, and it belongs to you alone. theSHFT Pro unlocks video calls, unlimited call length, hosting voice rooms, extended timers, larger groups, the duress PIN, and panic wipe. Private. Secure. Yours.

About

CallSec

Features
Read full description

Description: CallSec is a security-first communications platform for encrypted messaging, voice and video calls. MILITARY-GRADE ENCRYPTION End-to-end encryption, built on an audited open-source cryptographic core, ensures only you and your recipients can read messages or hear calls. Not even the server can access your content. SECURE VOICE & VIDEO CALLS Crystal-clear encrypted calls with TURN relay mode that prevents IP address leaks. Multi-device support — receive calls on all your devices simultaneously. ADVANCED DEVICE SECURITY • Root/jailbreak detection • IMSI catcher detection with cell tower database • Screenshot and screen recording prevention • Microphone spy detection during calls • Overlay attack protection PRIVACY CONTROLS • PIN, pattern, or biometric app lock • Panic PIN — triggers emergency data wipe under duress • Dead Man's Switch — auto-wipe if you don't authenticate within set days • Disappearing messages • Incognito keyboard and clipboard auto-clear • Secure notifications SELF-HOSTED & ON-PREMISES Deploy on your own infrastructure for complete data sovereignty. True on-premises deployment with federation support between organizations. MULTI-DEVICE Use CallSec on multiple devices with the same account. Device approval workflow ensures only authorized devices can access your communications. CallSec is designed for organizations and individuals who require the highest level of communication security.

Screenshots

theSHFT4 screens
CallSec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CallSec at none against theSHFT's 3. CallSec also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. theSHFT sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. CallSec asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

theSHFT ships an update every 5 days, CallSec every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
theSHFT versus CallSec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertheSHFTCallSec
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.115.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB93 MB
Age rating17+4+
DevelopertheSHFT LLCJoze Hocevar

In-app purchases

3 purchases

theSHFT

Subscriptions2
  • theSHFT Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • theSHFT Pro Yearly3 Days trial$109.991 Year
One-time1
  • theSHFT Pro Lifetime$49.99
None

CallSec

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is theSHFT free?
theSHFT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CallSec free?
CallSec is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do theSHFT or CallSec have ads?
Neither theSHFT nor CallSec shows ads.
Which is updated more often, theSHFT or CallSec?
theSHFT ships an update every 5 days, and CallSec every 2 days. Most recently, theSHFT was updated on October 8, 2026 and CallSec on October 8, 2026.

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