Dust

At a glance

• Editor score
  3.9 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Mobile users prioritizing disappearing private messages
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  None
• Default E2E encryption
  Yes
• Facts checked
  3 Oct 2026

• Where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default
  • Messages can erase after 24 hours or when read
  • Unsend, photo sharing, and screenshot alerts are included

• Where it doesn't

  • Available on iOS and Android only
  • Focused on text and photo messaging
  • The website’s terms page was last updated in 2019

Our verdict on Dust

Dust is a mobile messaging app from Radical App, LLC for people who want private conversations centered on disappearing messages. It supports texting and photo sharing, with end-to-end encryption enabled by default. The app is listed for iPhone and Android, making it a fit for mobile users rather than people seeking a desktop messaging setup. Its focus is individual private exchanges, not a broad communications suite within the app.

Message controls are the defining feature. Dust can automatically erase message history after 24 hours, or users can choose to erase messages after the recipient reads them. It also supports unsending messages, including removing them from the recipient’s phone, and provides screenshot detection and notifications. These controls suit people who want to limit how long conversations remain available, though they should not be treated as a guarantee that recipients cannot preserve or share content by other means.

Dust is listed as free, and the current App Store listing also labels it free with in-app purchases, including paid Watchdog subscriptions. The vendor’s website presents a wider suite that includes private web search and identity-theft monitoring, but the messaging app’s described feature set remains narrowly focused on text, photos, and message deletion. Choose Dust if encrypted, time-limited conversations on a phone are the priority. Look elsewhere if desktop access, voice or video calls, or multi-device account support are central to your messaging needs; those capabilities are not established in the product description. The website’s terms page was last updated in 2019, a relevant consideration for buyers evaluating current service information.

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Dust pricing

Dust fact sheet

Alternatives to Dust

• SignalA capable free messenger with default encryption and optional paid media backups.9.3
• TelegramA broad messaging app for communities, with end-to-end encryption confined to Secret Chats.9.1
• ElementAn open, encrypted messaging choice for groups that want control over deployment and data.8.9

See all Dust alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we research and update