Communication · head to head
Flock vs Messenger
Messenger
Communication
Meta's standalone messaging app for Facebook, with end to end encryption on by default since 2023
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Flock the Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10; Messenger while message content is end-to-end encrypted by default since December 2023, metadata such as who messaged whom and when is not encrypted and remains visible to Meta.
- They diverge on capability: Flock covers Team chat, Messenger covers End-to-end encrypted chats.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Flock and Messenger actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Communication).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Flock
- Team chat
- Channels
- Threads
- File sharing
- Polls
- Integrations
- Mobile apps
- Slack
Only in Messenger
- End-to-end encrypted chats
- Voice and video calling
- Marketplace messaging
- Disappearing messages
- Cross-app chat with Instagram
- Business messaging
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Flock
- Team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharingnot Messenger
- Running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspacenot Messenger
- Video conferencing and screen sharing for small teamsnot Messenger
Messenger
- Messaging friends and family who primarily use Facebook rather than a phone number based appnot Flock
- Coordinating a buy or sell exchange through Facebook Marketplace messagingnot Flock
- Making free video or voice calls to contacts without needing their phone numbernot Flock
- Messaging a business through its Facebook Page for customer servicenot Flock
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Flock
- The Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10
- Starter storage is 5 GB for the entire team, against 10 GB per member on Pro and 20 GB per member on Enterprise
- Starter allows a single team admin and a single approved domain
- Group video calls and screen sharing require the Pro plan; Starter is limited to 1-1 video calls
- Group video calls are capped at 20 participants even on Enterprise
- Single Sign-On and Active Directory sync are Enterprise only
- Enterprise is quote only, with no published rate, and is positioned for organisations with 100 or more members
- Unlimited auto-join and announcement channels require Enterprise; Starter and Pro get one of each
Messenger
- While message content is end-to-end encrypted by default since December 2023, metadata such as who messaged whom and when is not encrypted and remains visible to Meta.
- Full functionality generally assumes a linked Facebook account, which ties messaging to a broader social profile many users would rather keep separate.
- Cloud chat backups, if enabled, are protected by a PIN the user sets, and losing that PIN without a recovery key can mean losing access to backed-up chat history.
- As a Meta product, its business model depends on the surrounding Meta advertising ecosystem, and account-level data outside message content still feeds that system.
- Group chat and calling features have historically launched later or with more limitations on Messenger than on some competing apps built encryption-first from the start.
Pricing, plan by plan
Flock
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited chats
- Channels
- File sharing
- Pro$5/month
- Everything in Free
- Advanced search
- API access
Messenger
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited messaging, calling and group chats
- No subscription tier
Which should you pick?
Choose Flock if
- You need team chat.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
- You also want channels.
Choose Messenger if
- You need end-to-end encrypted chats.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want voice and video calling.
Questions people ask
- Is Flock or Messenger better?
- Neither clearly leads. Flock starts at Free and Messenger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Flock or Messenger?
- Flock starts at Free and Messenger at Free.
- Does Flock or Messenger run on more platforms?
- Flock runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android. Messenger runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Flock for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Flock best used for?
- Flock is most often used for team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharing, running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspace, video conferencing and screen sharing for small teams. Of those, team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharing and running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspace are not what Messenger is typically brought in for.
- What can Flock do that Messenger cannot?
- Flock covers Team chat, Channels, Threads, File sharing. Messenger covers End-to-end encrypted chats, Voice and video calling, Marketplace messaging, Disappearing messages.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Flock: Does Flock offer a free plan?
Yes, Flock's Starter plan is free and supports teams with 1-20 members, including 10,000 searchable messages and 5 GB storage.
SourceMessenger: Is Messenger encrypted by default now?
Yes, since December 2023 personal chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default, moving on from the earlier opt-in Secret Conversations mode.
Flock: What does Flock's Pro plan include?
The Pro plan supports teams with 20-100 members and offers unlimited messages, 10 GB per team member storage, and a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
SourceMessenger: What can Meta still see if chats are encrypted?
Metadata such as who is messaging whom, when, and group membership is not encrypted and remains visible to Meta, even though message content is.
Flock: How does Flock charge for external guests?
External guests are free for 90 days from date of invitation. After 90 days, guests are charged at the same rate as other team members.
SourceMessenger: Do I need a Facebook account to use Messenger?
In some markets Messenger can be used with just a phone number, but most features assume a linked Facebook account.
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