Comparison

Text Message Export vs TextTrace

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

Head to head
About

Text Message Export

Easily archive and export your chat history from various messaging apps into professional, searchable documents. Convert conversations into PDF, CSV, or TXT formats directly on your device for legal, business, or personal archiving needs.

Highlights
  • Export iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger chats
  • Convert chats to PDF, CSV, and TXT formats
  • On-device processing for privacy
  • No desktop required
  • Searchable and clean formatted exports
  • Supports legal, business, and personal archiving
Features
Read full description

ChatSave: Archive & Export Your Chats Effortlessly Your conversations are more than just text—they’re records, memories, and essential data. ChatSave is the premium iOS solution designed to bridge the gap between your messaging apps and your permanent archives. Stop struggling with messy screenshots or complicated desktop workarounds. ChatSave provides a streamlined, mobile-first way to convert your chat history into professional, searchable, and shareable documents. Seamless Multi-Platform Export One app to rule them all. ChatSave integrates with your favorite messaging services to extract data safely and quickly: iMessage & SMS WhatsApp Telegram Messenger Professional Formats for Every Need Whether you’re preparing for a legal meeting, organizing business records, or saving a personal milestone, we have the right format for you: PDF: Perfect for printing, legal documentation, and easy reading. CSV: Ideal for data analysis, spreadsheets, and structured records. TXT: The gold standard for simple, lightweight, and long-term digital archiving. Privacy-First Design We believe your data belongs to you. ChatSave processes your exports on-device. Your private conversations never hit our servers, ensuring your sensitive information stays exactly where it should: in your hands. Why Choose ChatSave? No Desktop Required: Handle everything directly from your iPhone. Searchable Records: Turn long threads into easy-to-navigate documents. High-Speed Processing: Export thousands of messages in seconds. Clean Formatting: Our exports maintain a clear chronological flow for easy reading. Built for Professionals and Individuals Legal & Business: Create a paper trail for agreements, disputes, or project updates. Personal Archives: Save heartfelt chats with loved ones before switching devices. Organization: Clear out your inbox clutter while keeping a digital backup of what matters. Subscription & Access Unlock the full power of ChatSave with unlimited exports and access to all premium file formats. Choose your plan: Weekly: $7.99 – Perfect for quick, one-time projects. Monthly: $19.99 – Ideal for ongoing documentation. Annual: $69.99 (Includes a 3-day Free Trial) – The best value for power users. Lifetime: $199.99 – One-time payment for permanent peace of mind. Privacy Policy: https://chatsave.framer.website/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

TextTrace

Features
Read full description

Export text messages and chats as searchable PDF, CSV, HTML, TXT, PNG, or RSMF files while keeping names, visible dates, message order, attachments, and source context together. TextTrace helps you save, print, search, organize, and share important conversations. Prepare records for a lawyer, court review, HR, business documentation, personal archives, or preserving meaningful messages. BRING IN THE SOURCE YOU HAVE • Import a WhatsApp Export Chat TXT or ZIP file, including referenced media when available • Add screenshots or a scrolling screen recording from iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Signal, Instagram DMs, and other visible chat interfaces • On Mac, select supported WhatsApp conversations from an unencrypted Finder or iTunes iPhone backup REVIEW BEFORE YOU EXPORT • Search messages, people, dates, sources, and attachments • Check extracted text against the retained source • Organize conversations into folders • Keep source files separate from derived text CHOOSE THE FORMAT YOU NEED • Searchable PDF for reading, printing, and sharing • CSV for filtering and analysis • HTML for a portable browser archive • TXT for a simple transcript • Long PNG for a continuous visual copy • RSMF 2.0 for compatible eDiscovery workflows SOURCE-LINKED RECORDS TextTrace retains the source you selected and creates SHA-256 integrity metadata. A matching checksum can help show that an exported file has not changed since it was created; it does not prove authenticity or legal admissibility. PRIVACY AND CONTROL WhatsApp TXT and ZIP files are parsed directly. Visual imports show an on-device preview first. Cloud verification starts only after your consent. On Mac, supported local backups are opened read-only; TextTrace does not bypass backup encryption. IMPORTANT TextTrace does not recover deleted messages or certify evidence. Visual text recognition can contain errors, so compare important content with the retained source. Some features require a TextTrace Pro subscription. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/texttrace-privacy-policy?usp=sharing Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/texttrace-terms-of-use?usp=sharing

Screenshots

Text Message Export4 screens
TextTrace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TextTrace at every 3 days against Text Message Export's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Text Message Export sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and TextTrace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Text Message Export ships an update every 2 months, TextTrace every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Text Message Export versus TextTrace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterText Message ExportTextTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (25 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKarandeep SinghHayrettin Ata Erdal

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Text Message Export

Subscriptions6
  • Weekly Promo$0.997 Days
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Annual Offer$9.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Monthly$19.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$6.99
2 purchases

TextTrace

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Text Message Export free?
Text Message Export is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TextTrace free?
TextTrace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Text Message Export or TextTrace have ads?
Neither Text Message Export nor TextTrace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Text Message Export or TextTrace?
Text Message Export ships an update every 2 months, and TextTrace every 3 days. Most recently, Text Message Export was updated on October 1, 2026 and TextTrace on October 5, 2026.

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