# Shortwave Messaging vs Nearby Bluetooth Chat

The clearest difference is price: Shortwave Messaging at Free against Nearby Bluetooth Chat's $0.99. Shortwave Messaging also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Shortwave Messaging is free to download; Nearby Bluetooth Chat costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Shortwave Messaging ships an update fortnightly, Nearby Bluetooth Chat every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shortwave Messaging | Nearby Bluetooth Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortwave-messaging/id864480884/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 41.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cornfield Creative, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/864480887) | [Marco Tini](https://appshunter.io/developer/544232459) |

## What reviewers say

### Shortwave Messaging

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortwave-messaging/id864480884)

Connect with people nearby through public messages within a 70-foot radius. This social networking app utilizes location services and Bluetooth to facilitate local communication.

**Highlights:** Public messaging, 70-foot communication radius, Location-based, Bluetooth integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Nearby Bluetooth Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nearby-bluetooth-chat/id6739811151)

Communicate securely with nearby devices using Bluetooth, no internet or registration required. Ideal for offline or private conversations within range.

**Highlights:** Offline communication, Bluetooth connectivity, No internet required, Secure messaging, Instant chat, No registration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shortwave Messaging free?

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

### Is Nearby Bluetooth Chat free?

Nearby Bluetooth Chat costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Shortwave Messaging or Nearby Bluetooth Chat have ads?

Neither Shortwave Messaging nor Nearby Bluetooth Chat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shortwave Messaging or Nearby Bluetooth Chat?

Shortwave Messaging ships an update fortnightly, and Nearby Bluetooth Chat every 4 months. Most recently, Shortwave Messaging was updated on November 1, 2026 and Nearby Bluetooth Chat on November 8, 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.*