Comparison

Protonet Messenger vs Graf Chat

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

Head to head
About

Protonet Messenger

Securely send messages, photos, and share your location with others on your personal server. Data is encrypted and remains private, not accessible by third parties. Receive notifications across devices based on your activity.

Highlights
  • Private chat and photo sharing
  • Location sharing with selected users
  • SSL encryption for data security
  • Cross-device notifications
  • Requires a Protonet server
Features
Read full description

Are you the owner of a Protonet server, or were you invited onto one as a user? Then get your Protonet Messenger now and use all the important functions of our software SOUL OS, any place and any time via your smartphone. Send messages, photos, or share your location, while your data is still completely safe on your personal server. FUNCTIONS Private chat and sharing of pictures Send pictures, videos, and message remotely via your smartphone to all users on your Protonet server. Protonet SOUL OS automatically recognizes on which device you are currently active. If you are working on your laptop with SOUL OS, you will receive a message directly through the browser, if you are underway you receive a push message on your smartphone. Location sharing Share your location with specific users for as long as you wish. These selected users will receive a push notification, and via the integrated map (map from Open Street Maps), they are able to see what your exact location is and where you are moving to. AND YOUR DATA? All the data that you share via the app is secured with a strong SSL encryption, just like all the communication done through the Protonet server. Because of our custom made technology, the Protonet server can send the text output from one smartphone to another. And the best part about this is that Apple or Google do not get their hands on your data. HOW DOES IT WORK? Firstly, in order to make use of the Protonet Messenger you need a Protonet server. Either you own one or were invited onto one as a user or guest. The rest is very simple: 1. Download and install the app 2. In the app enter the name of your Protonet server eg. carla.protonet.info 3. Enter the same login data that you use when you login to your Protonet server. 4. Spread the word of our new Protonet Messenger app. Do you not have a Protonet Server yet? Take control of your data and become independent! Please keep in mind that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Graf Chat

A secure messaging app focused on privacy and encryption. It offers end-to-end encrypted chats without requiring a phone number for sign-up. Features include biometric app lock, screenshot protection, and robust tools to block and report abuse.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted 1:1 chats
  • Username sign-up, no phone number required
  • Biometric app lock
  • Screenshot protection
  • Block and report tools
  • Interoperable with Matrix homeservers
Features
Read full description

Graf is a security-first private messenger built on the open Matrix protocol. - Username sign-up, no phone number required - End-to-end encrypted 1:1 chats (you hold the keys) - Biometric app lock and screenshot protection - Block and report tools; zero tolerance for abuse - Talk to anyone on Graf or any Matrix homeserver Private by default. We can't read your messages.

Screenshots

Protonet Messenger4 screens
Graf Chat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Graf Chat at every 3 days against Protonet Messenger's every 3 weeks. Graf Chat also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). Protonet Messenger's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Protonet Messenger against 5.0 for Graf Chat. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Protonet Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, Graf Chat every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Protonet Messenger versus Graf Chat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProtonet MessengerGraf Chat
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB171 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperProtonet GmbHVenture Deals, Co.

Customer experience

Protonet Messenger

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

Graf Chat

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Protonet Messenger

No in-app purchases

None

Graf Chat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Protonet Messenger free?
Protonet Messenger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Graf Chat free?
Graf Chat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Protonet Messenger or Graf Chat?
Protonet Messenger and Graf Chat are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Protonet Messenger or Graf Chat have ads?
Neither Protonet Messenger nor Graf Chat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Protonet Messenger or Graf Chat?
Protonet Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, and Graf Chat every 3 days. Most recently, Protonet Messenger was updated on October 7, 2026 and Graf Chat on October 31, 2026.

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