Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Lotus Chat Review
Vietnamese messenger with aliases, secret chats and anti-spam folders
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Lotus Chat suits people who want to try a Vietnamese messenger with aliases, a separate folder for messages from strangers and secret chats. The drawbacks are store ratings around 3/5, many recent reviews warning of scams run through the app, and security claims without a published independent audit.
Best for: People who want to separate strangers' messages with aliases and a dedicated folder
Skip it if: People who need end-to-end encryption on every chat by default
Pros
- Free, with no ads according to the developer's FAQ
- Aliases and the "Mặc Kệ" folder cut down unwanted messages
- End-to-end encrypted secret chats, view-once photos and chats behind a second password
Cons
- Low ratings: 3.0/5 on the Vietnamese App Store and 3.2/5 on Vietnamese Google Play
- Many App Store reviews from September to November 2026 warn of job and "task" scam groups luring people into the app
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux and web
- Multi-device login and file sending up to 1 GB
Cons
- End-to-end encryption covers secret chats only; regular chats are cloud-stored
- Security claims are the developer's own; no independent audit was found
Best for
- Community groups that need large groups, admins and file sending up to 1 GB
- Businesses that want automated messages through a Chatbot API priced per message volume
Skip it if
- People who need a large existing contact base: Google Play shows 1M+ downloads, but user numbers are not published
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
Lotus Chat is a messaging app developed by VIVA Social Network JSC. Its FAQ calls it a joint product of VCCorp, which provides financial backing and strategic direction, and VIVA, which handles technical infrastructure and core technology. The same page says the apps partly reuse Telegram's open-source code (33% on iOS, 36% on Android, 38% on desktop), while the server side was built in-house.
The homepage lists QR-code login, unlimited login devices, file sending up to 1 GB, aliases for chatting with strangers or joining groups, alerts when an unknown device logs in, secure chats behind a second password, sensitive photos that delete after viewing, Convo threads under messages or files, call recording and an archive box. Messages from strangers go to a "Mặc Kệ" folder without notifications.
On security, the FAQ describes two layers: server-to-client encryption for cloud chats and end-to-end encryption for secret chats only. The developer commits to publishing its source code, network protocol and API, and invites security researchers to report to [email protected]; these remain the developer's own statements. Treat regular chats as cloud chats, not end-to-end ones. Separately, many App Store reviews from September to November 2026 warn of job and "task" scam groups that tell victims to install the app to stay in contact.
The app is free; charges apply to the business Chatbot service, priced by monthly message volume with a trial plan. Compared with Zalo or Telegram, Lotus Chat is smaller and its store ratings are no better, so it fits as a secondary app for anti-spam needs rather than a full replacement.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Lotus Chat (ứng dụng / app)
PersonalFree
The messaging app is free on the App Store and Google Play. Lotus Chat's FAQ says it has no ads, does not sell data and does not push users to upgrade.
Chatbot Standard
Business₫10,000/mo
An automated-messaging bot service for individuals and small and mid-sized businesses, up to 10 messages per second. Priced by monthly volume, from 10,000 VND (20,000 messages) to 1,600,000 VND (10 million).
Chatbot Premium
Business₫20,000/mo
Up to 30 messages per second. From 20,000 VND (20,000 messages/month) to 3,200,000 VND (10 million/month). The pricing page advertises 50% off the first month.
- Free plan limits
- Per the homepage, messaging, calls, file sending up to 1 GB and privacy features are free. The Chatbot trial plan allows up to 5,000 messages at 5 per second, needs no payment details and can be used once per user. The pricing page says 15 days, while the FAQ on the same page says up to 30 days.
- Free trial
- 15-day free trial · no credit card
Cancellation & refunds
The Chatbot pricing page has no general refund policy; it only says downgrades are not refunded. The SLA reduces the monthly fee by 5% if uptime falls below 95% and by 10% below 90%.
Privacy
According to Lotus Chat's FAQ, cloud chats are encrypted between server and client in transit and at rest; only secret chats are end-to-end encrypted and unreadable by the server. The FAQ lists AES-256, RSA-2048 and Diffie–Hellman key exchange without saying which applies to which chat type. These are developer claims, and no published independent audit was found. By default your phone number is visible only to people in your contacts, and this can be changed to everyone or nobody. The developer says there are no ads and no data sales; inactive accounts are deleted after 6 months by default (1, 3, 6 or 12 months can be chosen), and account deletion is permanent. On the Vietnamese App Store the developer self-declares "Data Not Collected", while its Google Play data-safety section declares it may collect personal info, photos, videos and five other data types, shares none with third parties, encrypts data in transit and accepts deletion requests.
Lotus Chat alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Lotus Chat free?
Yes, the messaging app is free on the App Store and Google Play. Only the Chatbot service for sending automated business messages is paid.
Does Lotus Chat use end-to-end encryption?
Only for secret chats. Regular chats are cloud chats, encrypted between server and client per the FAQ.
Who is behind Lotus Chat?
Per the FAQ, VCCorp and VIVA. The developer listed on the stores is VIVA Social Network JSC.
Does Lotus Chat run on desktop?
Yes. The homepage offers installers for Windows, macOS and Linux (Ubuntu), and the FAQ mentions a web version.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 6.5
- Features
- 7.0
- Value for money
- 8.0
- Performance
- 5.5
- Support
- 6.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.0
Why this score
QR login and multi-device sync per the homepage, but ratings of 3.0/5 on the App Store and 3.2/5 on Google Play show many users are not satisfied.
Why this score
Group chat, calls, call recording, aliases, secret chats, Convo threads, an archive box and a Chatbot API; no information on third-party integrations was found.
Why this score
The app is free and the developer says it has no ads. Chatbot is priced by message volume, from 10,000 VND a month.
Why this score
Store ratings hover around 3/5 (1,252 on the App Store, about 2,580 on Google Play). The Chatbot SLA commits to only 95% monthly uptime, lower than larger services typically promise.
Why this score
A detailed FAQ, company email and phone number (024-73095555); Chatbot has a support SLA with stated response times. The contact email on the homepage is a Gmail address, and no live chat support was found.
Why this score
E2E secret chats, two-step verification and, per the developer, no ads. Points are lost because regular chats are not E2E, no independent audit is published, the App Store and Google Play privacy declarations contradict each other, and many recent reviews report the app being used for scams.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)3.0/5 · 1,252
- Google Play (Vietnam)3.2/5 · 2,580
Sources
- Vendor-providedOfficial websiteNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial FAQNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial Chatbot pricing pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial Chatbot SLANov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial update newsNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial update: call feature (2026-01-16)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- VIVA Social Network Joint Stock Company (với VCCorp)
- Headquarters
- Vietnam
- Launched
- 2020
- Category
- Social
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- End-to-end encryption
- Public API
- Real-time collaboration
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Web
Interface languages
- Vietnamese
- English
Integrations
- Lotus (mạng xã hội)
- Chatbot API
Support
- Phone
- Help center
Change history
- Feature.iOS version 2.9.7 released on the Vietnamese App Store.
- Feature.Desktop (PC) version 3.9.7 released.
- Feature.Call improvements and a fix for seen status in large groups (iOS 2.8.9, Lotus Chat 2.6.0).
Full change history (5)
- Feature.Update adds reaction notifications (Notify reaction).
- Launch.Lotus Chat's App Store listing release date is 11 December 2020 (per iTunes data).
About the author
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