Comparison

Retichat vs MeshTrax

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

Head to head
About

Retichat

This app provides end-to-end encrypted communication over decentralized networks. It supports store-and-forward propagation and federated nodes for lightweight push notifications. Future updates will include LoRa, group, and channel support.

Highlights
  • End-to-end forward encryption
  • Decentralized and organization-less
  • LXMF Store-and-Forward support
  • RFed federated propagation
  • Lightweight push notifications
Features
Read full description

Reticulum LXMF chat client for iPhone Offers end-to-end forward encrypted communication over Reticulum networks Completely decentralized and organization-less Support for LXMF Store-and-Forward propagation Additional functionality using RFed federated propagation nodes Features lightweight push notification through a notify-only (no message data) relay RFed capability Soon to come: LoRa support Group support Channel support

About

MeshTrax

Communicate off-grid using LoRa mesh networking devices without internet or cloud servers. Offers a modern chat experience with direct and group messaging, contact management, and an interactive map for network visualization. Prioritizes privacy with no accounts or tracking.

Highlights
  • Off-grid LoRa mesh communication
  • Unified inbox with modern chat features
  • Direct and group encrypted messaging
  • Contact management with QR codes
  • Interactive map with coverage analysis
  • Device telemetry and battery monitoring
  • Privacy-focused with no accounts or tracking
Features
Read full description

MeshTrax is a free, open-source companion app for MeshCore LoRa mesh networking devices. Connect to your radio and send messages across the mesh — no internet, no accounts, and no cloud servers. Communicate off-grid over long-range LoRa radio — hiking, at an event, in an emergency, or just exploring mesh networking. Your messages, contacts, and keys stay on your device and your own hardware. Note: MeshTrax is an independent, community-built client and is not the official MeshCore app. It requires a compatible MeshCore device to be useful, it is not a standalone messenger. A MODERN CHAT EXPERIENCE • Unified inbox, all your direct messages and channels in one clean, messaging-app-style list • Swipe to reply, emoji reactions, and inline GIFs • Delivery status and automatic message retry • Notifications for new messages, even in the background MESSAGING & CHANNELS • Direct one-to-one messages • Channel and group messaging • Encrypted channels using pre-shared keys CONTACTS • Add contacts by scanning or sharing QR codes • Organize contacts into groups MAP & COVERAGE • Nodes, repeaters, and neighbors on an interactive map • Download map areas for offline use • Line-of-sight terrain analysis • Export tracks and points as GPX DEVICE INSIGHTS • Device and repeater telemetry and sensor readings • Battery monitoring • Message path tracing and routing tools CONNECT YOUR WAY • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) • USB serial (where supported) • Local network / Wi-Fi (TCP) Plus auto-connect to your last device, light and dark themes, and many languages. PRIVACY FIRST • No accounts, no sign-up • No ads, analytics, or tracking • No MeshTrax servers — the developer receives none of your data • Block and report tools to keep conversations civil Optional online features (maps, terrain, GIFs) connect to third-party services only when you use them. See the privacy policy for details. BUILT ON MESHCORE MeshTrax builds on the open MeshCore ecosystem and is forked from the open-source MeshCore Open client. All credit for the protocol, firmware, and official apps goes to the MeshCore project. REQUIREMENTS A compatible MeshCore device (a supported LoRa radio running MeshCore firmware). Source & issues: https://github.com/venamartin/meshtrax

Screenshots

Retichat2 screens
MeshTrax4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MeshTrax at 5.0 against Retichat's 3.2. MeshTrax also leads on iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.6). Retichat's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MeshTrax holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retichat has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retichat ships an update every 3 days, MeshTrax fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Retichat versus MeshTrax: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetichatMeshTrax
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB35 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperNew Endian LLCDill.dev LLC

Customer experience

Retichat

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative37.5%

MeshTrax

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Retichat

No in-app purchases

None

MeshTrax

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retichat free?
Retichat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MeshTrax free?
MeshTrax is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Retichat or MeshTrax?
MeshTrax is rated higher. Retichat averages 3.2 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while MeshTrax averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Retichat or MeshTrax have ads?
Neither Retichat nor MeshTrax shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Retichat or MeshTrax?
Retichat ships an update every 3 days, and MeshTrax fortnightly. Most recently, Retichat was updated on September 24, 2026 and MeshTrax on October 1, 2026.

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