Max (app)

For other uses, see Max.

Max (Russian: Макс) is a Russian messenger released by VK in 2025. As of July 2025, it is in beta-testing stage. By analogy with the Chinese platform WeChat, a universal mobile application ("superapp") is being developed on the basis of Max, which allows, in addition to using the functions of the messenger, to also receive electronic Gosuslugi, verify identity through a digital ID, use a strengthened electronic signature, and also make payments.

Max
Developer(s)	Russia: VK
Initial release	March 26, 2025; 4 months ago (2025-03-26)
Repository	github.com/max-messenger
Written in	Android: Kotlin iOS: Swift Web: TypeScript
Operating system	Windows macOS Android iOS
Available in	Russian
Type	mobile app and web application
License	Proprietary
Website	max.ru

• Russia portal
• Internet portal

To register in the messenger, you need a valid mobile phone number. Registration with a virtual or substitute number is not possible.^[1]

The messenger is managed by the "Communication Platform" LLC, which is a subsidiary of VK.^[2]

History

Number of users

In June 2025, the number of user accounts created in the Max messenger was 1 million^[3].
In July 2025, VK announced that the number of registered Max users had exceeded 2 million.^[4]

Features

As of June 2025, Max features include personal and group chat, voice messaging, calls, video calling, transferring files up to 4 gigabytes, stickers, emoji, tools for creating chatbots and mini-apps, and a neural network called GigaChat.^[5] The messenger has implemented the ability to transfer money between users via the Fast Payment System (FPS) of the Bank of Russia.^[6]

Technical details

Max messenger is written in Node.js, Kotlin, Swift, Objective-C, TypeScript, C++ and Java.^[7][8] it works on the Windows, macOS, Android and iOS operating systems.^[9] In addition to the mobile application, the messenger is available as a web application (web.max.ru) and a desktop client.^[10]

According to research of the source code, the messenger borrows code fragments from the previous VK messenger TamTam.^{[11][12][13][14]}