# theSHFT vs OvateChat

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OvateChat at none against theSHFT's 2. theSHFT's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 3). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. theSHFT sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. OvateChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for theSHFT against 5.0 for OvateChat. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 3 respectively.

theSHFT ships an update weekly, OvateChat every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | theSHFT | OvateChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theshft-encrypted-messaging/id6757427488/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ovatechat/id6793196260/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 176 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [theSHFT LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1819238938) | [Isam Naimi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1876780255) |

## What reviewers say

### theSHFT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theshft-encrypted-messaging/id6757427488)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| theSHFT Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| theSHFT Pro Yearly | $99.99 | per year |


### OvateChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ovatechat/id6793196260)

A private messenger prioritizing user control with end-to-end encryption for all communications. Offers secure messaging, calls, file sharing, and stories without ads or data tracking. Sign up with a username and email, not a phone number.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and media, Username-based sign-up, no phone number required, Ad-free and tracker-free experience, Stories, channels, and group chats, Disappearing messages and message editing/deletion, App lock with Face ID or PIN

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is theSHFT free?

theSHFT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is OvateChat free?

OvateChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, theSHFT or OvateChat?

theSHFT and OvateChat are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 10 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do theSHFT or OvateChat have ads?

Neither theSHFT nor OvateChat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, theSHFT or OvateChat?

theSHFT ships an update weekly, and OvateChat every 5 days. Most recently, theSHFT was updated on November 5, 2026 and OvateChat on November 6, 2026.

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