Best Private Messages Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.1 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated September 2026

Out of 250+ private messages apps on iOS, 20 are free and the rest sit in the paid tier. This page sorts them so you can compare both sides before you commit.

Compare top Private Messages Apps (September 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Signal - Private MessengerSignal - Private MessengerFree4.7★ (1.1M)NoYesOct 2026
2WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp MessengerFree4.7★ (19M)YesYesOct 2026
3Session - Private MessengerSession - Private MessengerFree4.3★ (4.6K)NoNoOct 2026
4Private Message BoxPrivate Message BoxFree2.9★ (20)YesYesSep 2026
5Private Messages - NxtLvl.chatPrivate Messages - NxtLvl.chatFree—NoYesJul 2026
6MessengerMessengerFree4.7★ (14M)YesYesOct 2026
7FOX - Secure MessageFOX - Secure MessageFree—YesYesAug 2026
8Zangi - Private MessengerZangi - Private MessengerFree4.0★ (9.7K)NoYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Private Messages

Signal - Private Messenger#1

Signal - Private Messenger by Signal Messenger, LLC

Say “hello” to privacy.
Editor's Choice
🌐 Social Networking
4.7😊(1.1M ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#9in Social Networking
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 1
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 2
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 3
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 4
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 5
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 6

This messaging app prioritizes your privacy with strong end-to-end encryption for all communications. It offers free text, voice, and video messaging, including group chats and disappearing stories, all without collecting your data.

What We Love

  • 🔒 Security and privacy
  • 👍 Ease of use
  • 🚀 Great call quality
  • 🚀 Smooth and pleasant user interface
  • 🔒 End-to-end encryption
  • 🔒 Non-profit ownership

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Delayed message delivery
  • 🐛 Inconsistent image/video quality
  • 🐛 Buggy call functionality
  • 🐛 Inability to edit sent messages
  • 🐛 Unreliable notifications
  • 🔒 Mandatory contact sharing
WhatsApp Messenger#2

WhatsApp Messenger by WhatsApp Inc.

Simple. Reliable. Private.
Strong Contender
🌐 Social Networking
4.7😊(19M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#2in Social Networking
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 1
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 2
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 3
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 4
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 5

Connect with friends and family globally through private messaging and high-quality calls. Share moments, documents, and stay in touch across devices, even on slow connections. Your conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption.

What We Love

  • 💬 Great communication tool
  • 🌍 Connects people globally
  • 🔒 Secure and private messaging
  • 📱 Versatile features (calls, video, groups)
  • 🆓 Free to use

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches (freezing, crashing, notification issues)
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data sharing
  • 🙈 Lack of customization and control (status, groups)
  • 📤 Backup and restore issues
  • 🚫 Arbitrary account bans
Session - Private Messenger#3
4.3😐(4.6K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#89in Social Networking
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 1
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 2
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 3
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 4
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 5
Session - Private Messenger screenshot 6

This secure messenger prioritizes your privacy with a decentralized network and end-to-end encryption. It offers anonymous account creation, IP address protection, and private group chats without collecting any metadata. Share messages and files with confidence, knowing your communications are truly private.

What We Love

  • 🔒 Secure and private messaging
  • 👍 Clean and intuitive user interface
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 🔒 No phone number or personal data required
  • 💡 Innovative use of blockchain and Tor network

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable notifications and message delivery
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Slow media file transfers
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 👎 Limited features compared to competitors

More Private Messages apps to explore

FAQ about Private Messages

What are the best private messages apps for iPhone?
Signal - Private Messenger tops our private messages apps ranking as of September 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 1.1M App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top private messages apps we rank are free to download, including Signal - Private Messenger and WhatsApp Messenger.
Signal - Private Messenger has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
We track 250+ private messages apps on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.

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