Retro Messenger Chat vs Nuco Messenger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Retro Messenger Chat
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Retro Messenger is a minimalist chat app for iPhone. No emojis, stickers, GIFs, or media; just text, a retro terminal look, and end-to-end encryption. MESSAGE BY USERNAME Find someone by username and send a message request with a short intro note. They choose to accept or decline before you can chat. TEXT ONLY, BY DESIGN Plain text conversations with a calm green-on-black interface. One-to-one and group chats (up to 20 people). ENCRYPTION Message bodies are encrypted on your device before they leave it. Only conversation participants with the right keys can read them. PRIVACY & CONTROL โข Sign in with email, Google, or Apple โข Block users and report concerns to support โข Mute notifications per chat โข Export a conversation โข Delete your account in-app ALSO INCLUDED Read receipts, typing indicators, inbox search, friends list, username share + QR, optional recovery passphrase for new devices, and push alerts for messages and requests. Retro Messenger is made by One and Three. Support: https://oneandthree.in/contact Privacy: https://oneandthree.in/privacy
Nuco Messenger
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Nuco is a private 1:1 messenger built around one idea: no one but you and the person you are talking to should be able to read your messages. Not us, not the server, not anyone who takes the device. Every message is sealed on your device by libsignal, the engine behind the Signal Protocol, with post quantum key agreement (PQXDH): even someone recording your traffic today gains nothing from a future quantum computer. A message can only be opened on your device and your contact's device. The relay that carries your messages is untrusted by design: it only ever sees unreadable ciphertext, and it never holds a key that could decrypt anything. Why people choose Nuco: - End to end encryption on every message, with in person verification so you can confirm you are really talking to your contact. - Disappearing messages: set a timer and messages delete themselves from both devices. - Screenshot protection: agree with your contact to block screenshots and screen recording in a chat, on both devices. - On device only: your history lives in an encrypted database on your phone. There is no cloud backup to leak or subpoena. - App lock: unlock with Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN. Locking closes the encrypted database and drops the key from memory, so a locked phone reveals nothing. - Content free notifications: a generic new message banner that never sends the text or the sender through Apple. - Private voice calls: end to end encrypted 1:1 calls that ring on your lock screen, always routed through a relay so the person you call never learns your IP address. - No accounts tied to you: no phone number, no email, no real name required. - No ads, no analytics, no trackers. Nuco is deliberately small and focused. Add a contact by scanning their code in person, verify you match, and start a conversation that stays between the two of you.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Nuco Messenger at every 4 days against Retro Messenger Chat's every 2 months. 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Retro Messenger Chat ships an update every 2 months, Nuco Messenger every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Retro Messenger Chat | Nuco Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 99 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ONE AND THREE | ZL Softare GmbH |
In-app purchases
Retro Messenger Chat
No in-app purchases
Nuco Messenger
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Retro Messenger Chat free?
Is Nuco Messenger free?
Do Retro Messenger Chat or Nuco Messenger have ads?
Which is updated more often, Retro Messenger Chat or Nuco Messenger?
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