Наталя Хандусенко Startup 5 February 2025, 10:25

IT-specialists from Lviv have developed a competitor to Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal that works even with ultra-low internet speeds. How does the Bridge messenger work and who is it useful for?

Four IT professionals from Lviv developed the Bridge messenger. They created it in their free time and at their own expense. The idea for the messenger arose in the summer of 2024 during power outages and communication problems due to weak Internet. One of the advantages of the Ukrainian development is stable communication even with extremely low Internet speed.

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IT-specialists from Lviv have developed a competitor to Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal that works even with ultra-low internet speeds. How does the Bridge messenger work and who is it useful for?

Four IT professionals from Lviv developed the Bridge messenger. They created it in their free time and at their own expense. The idea for the messenger arose in the summer of 2024 during power outages and communication problems due to weak Internet. One of the advantages of the Ukrainian development is stable communication even with extremely low Internet speed.

Currently, WebSocket is used to connect to the server. Optimal operation in poor internet conditions is ensured by effective data compression and rational use of traffic (reducing the number and size of messages). There are plans to implement our own protocol based on TCP.

What does Bridge offer to users and what are its benefits?

Bridge is not just a messenger, but a secure and functional social platform, say the developers. In addition to stable communication, the messenger also offers a convenient interface adapted for Ukrainian users.

Thanks to the feed (recommendations feed), widget system, and advanced automation features, Bridge can become not only a means of messaging, but also a full-fledged space for communication and interaction.

Other advantages of Bridge:

«Panic button» for instant deletion of all data;
end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for data protection;
temporary accounts that can be created without entering personal data — an ideal solution for anonymous communication;
advanced automation for business without third-party tools.

About the team

The messenger was developed by a team consisting of colleagues who previously worked together on other projects:

Ivan Yarema — CO-CEO;
Volodymyr Hryniv — CTO/Backend Developer;
Igor Kharkholiuk — CIO/Frontend Developer;
Volodymyr Shpodarunok — CO-CEO/Designer.

«We combine our employment in the field of IT outsourcing with the development of our messenger and plan to fully focus on the messenger as we receive investments,» says Ivan Yarema. «We work as an equal team, where everyone is responsible for their area of expertise. This approach allows us to make decisions quickly and adapt to changes.»

The development of the application is carried out at the team’s own expense. In addition, the project has received support from the community — over 500 people have contributed to its development, helping to ensure stable operation and improvement of Bridge.

The developers do not disclose the exact amount they have invested in their project. But Ivan notes that since the beginning of the development of the Bridge messenger until today, the team has invested more than 2,000 working hours in the project.

«This is the work of programmers, designers, managers, and engineers, as well as significant investments in server infrastructure, technical equipment, and related operating costs. The total cost of these resources is equivalent to $85,000,» says the startup’s CEO.

Beta testing and full release

The first version of Bridge was launched on October 29. Beta testing is still ongoing, and over 5,000 users have already participated.

The full release of Bridge is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.

To participate in the Bridge beta testing, just follow a few simple steps:

1. Go to the main page of the site — bridgemsg.com .
2. Click the «Download» button, selecting the appropriate platform: for Android — download the APK file, for iOS — go to TestFlight (Apple’s official beta testing application).
3. Install the application and register.

Bridge monetization model

Bridge monetization includes several areas: premium and business subscriptions, which provide access to advanced features of the messenger.

«We also have ready-made automation systems for companies, integrated directly into the platform. A separate direction is an affiliate advertising system that allows channel owners to monetize their audience, and brands to effectively interact with users,» adds Ivan.

Development plans

In the near future, Bridge will be able to make calls and send media files (voice, documents, video messages, etc.). Channels, groups, and a recommendation feed are planned to be launched in March, and the team will continue to expand the functionality in the future.

The following features are planned to be implemented:

watermarks — built-in watermarks for tracking and protecting documents;
save for later — save important messages for viewing later;
availability schedule — the user can mark in their profile a convenient time for calls or messages;
Do Not Disturb mode — automatic restriction of notifications during certain hours, leaving only important ones;
chat organization — the ability to sort chats into folders and set tags.

The following is planned separately for businesses:

separate business accounts with access level settings (for SMM managers, etc.);
response templates;
custom profiles;
advanced functionality for surveys with detailed statistics;
a business widget system with statistics for the phone’s home screen;
built-in analytics system for channels with the ability to integrate with business tools.

The startup team is currently developing an investment program for further development of the project. The plans include cooperation with businesses to optimize communication processes in companies.