Conversations vs Session
Conversations
conversations.im
Session
getsession.orgSide by side
| Figure | Conversations | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €1/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Encrypted Messaging Apps | 7.8 (#19) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · Instant Messaging Software | 7.8 (#18) | 8.4 (#11) |
| Calls | Conversations supports end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls. | Voice and video calls are beta features, use peer-to-peer networking, and can expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. |
| Headquarters | Siemensstraße 1, 51145 Köln, Germany | Switzerland |
| Open source | The source code is publicly available on Codeberg and licensed under GPLv3. | Session’s code is open source and can be independently audited. |
| Product | Conversations is a Jabber/XMPP client for Android 6.0+ smartphones. | Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted private messaging app. |
| Support | Professional support for company use and setup assistance can be purchased by contacting maintainer Daniel Gultsch. | The maker directs users needing help to its support portal. |
Plans
Conversations
- XMPP domain hosting — 1 user€12 a year
- Google Play appPrice not published
In their own words
Conversations
Conversations has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Session
Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging app for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Account creation does not require a phone number or email address. Its onion-request routing is designed so no single server knows both the origin and destination of a message. The app supports disappearing messages and encrypted group chats for up to 100 people. Attachments can be up to 10MB; they are encrypted on the device and stored through the Session File Server. Communities are self-hosted public channels, but are not fully end-to-end encrypted. Voice and video calling are beta features for one-to-one calls only, using peer-to-peer networking; calls can expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. The code is open source, and the desktop, Android, and iOS clients have been audited by Quarkslab. The free plan includes encrypted messaging and attachments up to 10MB. Pro costs $2.99 a month and adds messages up to 10,000 characters, unlimited pinned conversations, animated display pictures, and badges.