Comparison

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO vs Meshtastic

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

Head to head
About

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO

Securely encrypt and decrypt sensitive text data using a wide range of advanced algorithms. Protect notes, messages, and cryptocurrency keys. Features steganography to hide data within images and post-quantum key exchange.

Highlights
  • Multiple strong encryption algorithms
  • Steganography for image data hiding
  • Post-quantum key encapsulation (KEM)
  • Unlimited password management
  • Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, macOS)
  • Copy/paste and file saving
Features
Read full description

• Paranoia Text Encryption PRO is a universal text encryption application for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod) and macOS by Paranoia Works. • Paranoia Text Encryption ensures the safety of your notes, SMS messages, emails, social networking posts, cryptocurrency keys (seeds, mnemonics), and any other text from all unwanted readers. • The app offers true security, encrypting data using the strongest encryption algorithms available: Threefish 1024-bit, SHACAL-2 512-bit, Paranoia C4 2048-bit (a cascade of Threefish, Serpent, AES, and SHACAL-2), Blowfish 448-bit, AES 256-bit, RC6 256-bit, Serpent 256-bit, and Twofish 256-bit ciphers. • Simply copy and paste text to and from your favorite applications, or save it to a file for future use. • This app does not function as a "Vault application." Instead, a password is set for the current encryption/decryption session, not for entering the app itself. You may have an unlimited number of passwords for any purpose—different files, tasks, people, etc. • Steganography: The application offers steganographic features, allowing you to conceal text or files within a JPEG image. Two algorithms are available: J-UNIWARD (content-adaptive, minimizes visual distortion, harder to detect) and F5 (matrix encoding, efficient embedding). The selected algorithm works with your chosen symmetric cipher to create the final steganogram. • Key Encapsulation (KEM): Securely exchange encryption passwords using the post-quantum ML-KEM mechanism (NIST FIPS 203). Two parties can establish a shared password without ever transmitting it directly, with protection against future quantum computer attacks. ◆ Differences between Free and PRO versions: The PRO version offers additional encryption algorithms, specifically Threefish 1024-bit, SHACAL-2 512-bit, and Paranoia C4 2048-bit (a cascade of Threefish–Serpent–AES–SHACAL-2). While the free version can decrypt data encrypted by these advanced algorithms, the ability to encrypt data using them is exclusive to the PRO version. The PRO version also provides a key to activate the PRO versions of our desktop applications: Paranoia File & Text Encryption for PC, Paranoia Text Encryption for PC, and S.S.E. File Encryptor for PC. • The application is directly compatible with macOS (10.15 and later). Versions for other systems and platforms are available on the application's homepage (download section - https://paranoiaworks.mobi/download/). • An online (web-based) version, utilizing AES and client-side JavaScript, and other utilities are available at https://pteo.paranoiaworks.mobi

About

Meshtastic

This app enables off-grid, decentralized text messaging using low-power LoRa radios. It creates a mesh network for communication in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service. The open-source platform is designed for reliable, decentralized connectivity.

Highlights
  • Off-grid communication
  • Decentralized mesh network
  • LoRa radio integration
  • Text messaging
  • Open source platform
  • Low-power operation
Features
Read full description

Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.

Screenshots

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO4 screens
Meshtastic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Meshtastic at Free against Paranoia Text Encryption PRO's $3.99. Meshtastic also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (843 vs 53). Paranoia Text Encryption PRO's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (84% vs 44%). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Meshtastic is free to download; Paranoia Text Encryption PRO costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meshtastic has 843 ratings behind it against 53, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Paranoia Text Encryption PRO's written reviews are positive against 44% of Meshtastic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO ships an update every 2 months, Meshtastic weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Paranoia Text Encryption PRO versus Meshtastic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterParanoia Text Encryption PROMeshtastic
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (53 ratings) — better4.1 (843 ratings)
Positive reviews83.6% of reviews — better44.0% of reviews
Number of ratings53843 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS14.5 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB147 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperFrantisek DvorakMeshtastic LLC

Customer experience

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO

All ratings52 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive83.6%
Neutral7.3%
Negative9.1%

Meshtastic

All ratings843 ratings
Positive76.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative17.4%
Written reviews418 reviews
Positive44.0%
Neutral15.1%
Negative40.9%

User reviews

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO

From 53 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Strong encryption system
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🚀 Fast performance
  • 💻 Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac)
  • 💡 Good choice of encryption algorithms

Room to improve

  • 😟 Not open source, causes paranoia
  • ❓ Family sharing issues
  • 🐛 Free version doesn't work properly
  • 🐛 Paid version has bugs
  • 🐛 Data transfer via cellular network (resolved)

Meshtastic

From 843 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Well-made app
  • 🚀 Polished and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Powerful features for off-grid communication
  • 👍 Great community and responsive developers
  • 👍 Continuously improving with updates

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Unreliable messaging and node connections
  • 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 👎 Lacking feature parity with Android version

Bugs and requests

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Free version not working
  • Paid version buggy
  • Data transfer via cellular network (resolved)
  • Incompatible with other steganography apps
  • Not iPhone 6s Plus optimized

Requested features

12 requests
  • PIN for app lock
  • Auto-erase log/history
  • Save session passwords in keychain
  • Integration with quick commands for automation
  • PGP support
Show 7 more
  • File encryption option
  • Dark mode setting
  • Text size settings
  • Search functionality in editor
  • Multiple user use
  • Separate and group storage
  • More encryption algorithm types

Meshtastic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Canned messages configuration issues
  • Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
  • Settings screen bugs and crashes
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to customize notifications
  • More sorting and filtering options for nodes
  • Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
  • Improved documentation and user guidance

In-app purchases

None

Paranoia Text Encryption PRO

No in-app purchases

None

Meshtastic

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Paranoia Text Encryption PRO free?
Paranoia Text Encryption PRO costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Meshtastic free?
Meshtastic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Paranoia Text Encryption PRO or Meshtastic?
Paranoia Text Encryption PRO is rated higher. Paranoia Text Encryption PRO averages 4.7 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Meshtastic averages 4.1 from 843 ratings.
Do Paranoia Text Encryption PRO or Meshtastic have ads?
Neither Paranoia Text Encryption PRO nor Meshtastic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paranoia Text Encryption PRO or Meshtastic?
Paranoia Text Encryption PRO ships an update every 2 months, and Meshtastic weekly. Most recently, Paranoia Text Encryption PRO was updated on November 1, 2026 and Meshtastic on November 3, 2026.

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