Comparison

PGP Messenger vs Relay Message

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

Head to head
About

PGP Messenger

Features
Read full description

PGP Chat is a privacy-first messenger built for secure everyday communication. Every message is protected with end-to-end encryption using OpenPGP, so only you and the intended recipient can read it.

About

Relay Message

This app offers a secure and private communication platform with end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and file sharing. It prioritizes user privacy with features like private profiles and approval-based group joins, ensuring conversations remain confidential.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messages and group chats
  • Voice and video calls
  • File sharing
  • Groups up to 256 members
  • Private profile option
  • Approval-based group join requests
Features
Read full description

Relay Message is the most secure and private way to stay in touch. Every message, call, voice note and file is encrypted on your device before it is sent. Nobody can read your conversations, not even us. FEATURES - End-to-end encrypted messages and group chats - Voice and video calls, one-on-one and in groups - Voice memos, photos, videos and file sharing - Groups up to 256 members with admin controls - Private profile option, visible only to your friends - Add friends by username - Read receipts and unread indicators - Approval-based join requests for private groups SAFETY - Report objectionable content from any message or profile - Block abusive users with one tap - Delete your own messages anytime - All reports reviewed by our team within 24 hours - Zero tolerance for harassment, hate speech, or illegal content PRIVACY BY DESIGN - Your encryption keys never leave your device - We store only what is strictly necessary to deliver your messages, nothing more - No ads, no tracking, no selling your data Works on iPhone and iPad. An account is required. Your email is stored encrypted.

Screenshots

PGP Messenger4 screens
Relay Message4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PGP Messenger at every 2 days against Relay Message's every 9 days. PGP Messenger also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PGP Messenger ships an update every 2 days, Relay Message every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
PGP Messenger versus Relay Message: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPGP MessengerRelay Message
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsโ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 2 days โ€” betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationโ€”Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 โ€” better15.1
Further details โ€” not scored
Size35 MB43 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSandro MeierMae Martins-Charavel

In-app purchases

None

PGP Messenger

No in-app purchases

None

Relay Message

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PGP Messenger free?
PGP Messenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Relay Message free?
Relay Message is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PGP Messenger or Relay Message have ads?
Neither PGP Messenger nor Relay Message shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PGP Messenger or Relay Message?
PGP Messenger ships an update every 2 days, and Relay Message every 9 days. Most recently, PGP Messenger was updated on October 15, 2026 and Relay Message on October 2, 2026.

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