SimpleX Chat
Encrypted messenger that uses no user IDs, not even random ones
- #9 of 10 in best messaging apps
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- LinuxmacOSWindowsiOSAndroidCommand line
Ranked 9 of 10 in best messaging apps
An open-source messenger with no user IDs: contacts connect through links or QR codes, and the apps are AGPL-3.0 with reproducible builds. Its user base is far smaller than WhatsApp or Telegram, and each new contact needs a link.
Best for Messaging with no account identifiers
About SimpleX Chat
SimpleX Chat connects people through invitation links or QR codes, and it has no user identifiers, so there is no user ID to share or look up. Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Apps are published for iOS, Android, Linux, macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Windows, and a terminal client is available.
The project publishes its code under AGPL-3.0, and the download page describes how to verify and reproduce the builds. Apps are free to use. The trade-off is that each contact needs a link or QR code, and the network has far fewer users than WhatsApp or Telegram.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted messages and calls
- No user IDs
- Apps for iOS, Android, Linux, macOS and Windows
- Terminal client
- Reproducible builds
Strengths
- No user IDs, with contacts added by link or QR code
- AGPL-3.0 apps with reproducible builds
Limits
- Each contact needs a link or QR code to connect
- Far fewer users than WhatsApp or Telegram
Where SimpleX Chat ranks
How SimpleX Chat compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | End-to-end encrypted by default |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#6 Threema | 80.5 | One-time purchase | AndroidiOS | Yes |
#7 Session | 79.5 | Free and open source | AndroidiOSWindowsmacOSLinux | Yes |
#8 Discord | 78.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWeb | No |
| #9SimpleX Chat | 78.0 | Free and open source | LinuxmacOSWindowsiOSAndroidCommand line | Yes |
#10 Jami | 76.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS | Yes |
The full comparison table for best messaging apps has all 10 products.
Questions about SimpleX Chat
- Is SimpleX Chat free?
- SimpleX Chat can be used without paying: Free and open source; apps and terminal client under AGPL-3.0. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is SimpleX Chat open source?
- Yes. SimpleX Chat publishes its source code under the AGPL-3.0 license.
- Which platforms does SimpleX Chat support?
- SimpleX Chat is available on: Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Command line.
- What is SimpleX Chat best for?
- Messaging with no account identifiers. In our ranking of messaging apps it is number 9 of 10 with a score of 78.0.
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