Best Private Messages Apps

248+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.0 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated September 2026

Out of 248+ 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)NoYesSep 2026
2MessengerMessengerFree4.7★ (14M)YesYesSep 2026
3Session - Private MessengerSession - Private MessengerFree4.3★ (4.6K)NoNoSep 2026
4Zangi - Private MessengerZangi - Private MessengerFree4.0★ (8.8K)NoYesSep 2026
5Private Message BoxPrivate Message BoxFree2.9★ (20)YesYesAug 2026
6WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp MessengerFree4.7★ (19M)YesYesSep 2026
7Cryptific: Private MessagesCryptific: Private MessagesFree5.0★ (8)NoNoMay 2026
8MessagesMessagesFree4.1★ (32K)NoNoSep 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
Messenger#2

Messenger by Meta Platforms, Inc.

Text, audio and video calls
Strong Contender
🌐 Social Networking
4.7😞(14M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#10in Social Networking
Messenger screenshot 1
Messenger screenshot 2
Messenger screenshot 3
Messenger screenshot 4
Messenger screenshot 5
Messenger screenshot 6

Connect with friends and family through text, audio, and video calls. Share photos, videos, and large files, and express yourself with custom themes and animated content. Features an AI assistant for help and support.

What We Love

  • 📱 Useful for staying connected with friends and family
  • 🗣️ Enables easy communication through text, voice, and video
  • 💬 Convenient group chat features
  • 🌐 Works across multiple devices and platforms

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
  • 🔄 Unnecessary updates that remove useful features
  • 📤 Issues with message delivery and notifications
  • 🗂️ Cluttered interface and poor organization of chats
Session - Private Messenger#3

Session - Private Messenger by The Loki Project

Privacy you can trust
Worth Considering
🌐 Social Networking
4.3😐(4.6K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
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 Messenger.
Signal - Private Messenger has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
We track 248+ private messages apps on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app is a messaging service designed with privacy at its core. It allows users to send text messages, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files. It also supports encrypted voice and video calls, including group calls.
Key features include strong end-to-end encryption for all communications, free messaging and calls, group chats for up to 1,000 people, and disappearing Stories. It also offers admin controls for group management and file sharing.

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