Comparison

Startel Secure Messaging Plus vs Cognisent 2.0

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

Head to head
About

Startel Secure Messaging Plus

This app provides a secure and HIPAA-compliant method for sending and receiving text messages. It features end-to-end encryption, expiring messages, and remote wipe capabilities to protect sensitive information.

Highlights
  • HIPAA and HITECH compliant
  • End-to-end message encryption
  • Expiring messages (up to 30 days)
  • Voice and image attachments
  • Remote wipe capability
  • Device receipt notifications
  • Multi-device single login
Features
Read full description

The Startel Secure Messaging Plus application is a safe and effective way to send and receive HIPAA compliant text messages. Message content and attachments are encrypted on servers and on smartphones, and in transmission. Fully configurable, senders are in complete control of determining the length of message life within a maximum 30 day period. Selected features include: expiring messages, voice/image attachment capability, remote wipe capability and device receipt notifications. Startel Secure Messaging Plus supports HIPAA and HITECH compliance. Users can receive messages across multiple devices using a single login including tablets, smartphones, and personal computers. If protecting your sensitive text messages is of importance to you, your organization and your industry – choose right and depend on Startel Secure Messaging Plus.

About

Cognisent 2.0

Securely communicate with your team through encrypted chat and manage follow-up tasks with customizable alerts and reminders. Log calls, mask your number, and access all message data via a secure web portal.

Highlights
  • Customizable alert modes
  • Protocol-based escalation
  • Secure team chat
  • Task reminders
  • Message forwarding
  • Masked number calling
  • Biometric authentication
Features
Read full description

New message push with customizable alert modes. • Protocol based escalation for follow-up of unread messages. • Secure chat functionality amongst your team members • Set Reminders for any follow-up tasks • Forward any message to someone else. • Return or return/record calls from the app and mask your number on caller ID. • Comments and callbacks logged with the time and duration of the call. • Messages reside on our secure datacenter with user name and password protection. • Use biometrics for authentication • Complete documentation from message origination to call back. • All message data is saved and available on the secure customer Web Portal. • Contact your dedicated Customer Service within the app.

Screenshots

Startel Secure Messaging Plus3 screens
Cognisent 2.04 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cognisent 2.0 at every 3 weeks against Startel Secure Messaging Plus's every 4 months. On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Startel Secure Messaging Plus ships an update every 4 months, Cognisent 2.0 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Startel Secure Messaging Plus versus Cognisent 2.0: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStartel Secure Messaging PlusCognisent 2.0
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.2 (404 ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.6% of reviews — better9.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—404 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB72 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperStartel CoporationVA TAS LLC

Customer experience

Startel Secure Messaging Plus

All ratings6 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative83.3%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive15.6%
Neutral8.9%
Negative75.6%

Cognisent 2.0

All ratings404 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative16.3%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive9.4%
Neutral7.8%
Negative82.8%

Bugs and requests

Startel Secure Messaging Plus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cognisent 2.0

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working on latest iOS versions
  • Messages disappearing or not showing up correctly
  • Randomly logging out users during critical on-call periods

Requested features

3 requests
  • Persistent filters and user-defined preferences
  • Ability to call back directly from the app
  • Biometric login and seamless authentication

In-app purchases

None

Startel Secure Messaging Plus

No in-app purchases

None

Cognisent 2.0

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Startel Secure Messaging Plus free?
Startel Secure Messaging Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cognisent 2.0 free?
Cognisent 2.0 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Startel Secure Messaging Plus or Cognisent 2.0 have ads?
Neither Startel Secure Messaging Plus nor Cognisent 2.0 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Startel Secure Messaging Plus or Cognisent 2.0?
Startel Secure Messaging Plus ships an update every 4 months, and Cognisent 2.0 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Startel Secure Messaging Plus was updated on August 23, 2026 and Cognisent 2.0 on September 24, 2026.

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