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Briar alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Briar: now in maintenance mode, with few new features, and mainly Android only. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Briar, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. bitchat currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Cwtch logoCwtchFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +23 of 362.6
2Session logoSessionFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 559.6
3SimpleX Chat logoSimpleX ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 457.2
4Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 555.3
  1. Cwtch logo

    1. CwtchTop pick

    Best for: People at high risk of surveillance who need metadata-resistant messaging

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Briar

    Tor-based, metadata-resistant messaging with desktop as well as Android apps.

    Pros

    • All traffic over Tor onion services
    • Designed to resist metadata collection
    • No central service; group servers can be self-hosted

    Cons

    • No iPhone app
    • Contacts usually need to be online at the same time
    • Basic interface and small user base
    Visit Cwtch Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cwtch a good Briar alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Transport
    Tor v3 onion services
    Checked Oct 25, 2026cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Metadata resistance
    Designed in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Architecture
    Decentralised, no central service
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Session logo

    2. Session

    Best for: People who want an anonymous messenger with no phone number and minimal metadata

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Briar

    Onion-routed and anonymous, but with asynchronous delivery and iPhone support.

    Pros

    • No phone number or email needed
    • Onion routing hides who talks to whom
    • Open source and audited

    Cons

    • Slower delivery and less reliable calls
    • Lost recovery password means a lost account
    • Network is tied to a cryptocurrency token
    Visit Session Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Session a good Briar alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Phone number
    Not required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Routing
    Onion routing network
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Session Pro price
    From $2.99/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Steward
    Session Technology Foundation
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. SimpleX Chat logo

    3. SimpleX Chat

    Best for: Privacy-focused users and groups who want to minimise metadata as far as possible

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Briar

    No user identifiers, works across all major platforms, and is actively developed.

    Pros

    • No phone numbers, usernames or account IDs
    • Self-hostable relay servers
    • Open source and independently audited

    Cons

    • No contact discovery; you must share links
    • Multi-device use and phone migration are awkward
    • Large groups can be slow
    Visit SimpleX Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SimpleX Chat a good Briar alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    User identifiers
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly users
    600K
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Signal logo

    4. Signal

    Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Briar

    Far easier everyday encrypted messaging when internet access isn't the problem.

    Pros

    • Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
    • Collects almost no metadata
    • No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source

    Cons

    • Needs a phone number to register
    • Desktop app only works linked to a phone
    • Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
    Visit Signal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Signal a good Briar alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Independent nonprofit
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and tracking
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Always on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Requires Signal on your phone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Briar alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

bitchat logo

Best Briar alternative for most people

bitchat

A newer Bluetooth mesh messenger for iPhone and Android that also needs no internet.

Cwtch logo

Best Briar alternative for a free option

Cwtch

Tor-based, metadata-resistant messaging with desktop as well as Android apps.

Session logo

Best Briar alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Session

Onion-routed and anonymous, but with asynchronous delivery and iPhone support.

SimpleX Chat logo

Best Briar alternative for open source

SimpleX Chat

No user identifiers, works across all major platforms, and is actively developed.

Cwtch logo

Best Briar alternative for self-hosting

Cwtch

Tor-based, metadata-resistant messaging with desktop as well as Android apps.

Signal logo

Best Briar alternative for Mac

Signal

Far easier everyday encrypted messaging when internet access isn't the problem.

Cwtch logo

Best Briar alternative for Windows

Cwtch

Tor-based, metadata-resistant messaging with desktop as well as Android apps.

Cwtch logo

Best Briar alternative for Linux

Cwtch

Tor-based, metadata-resistant messaging with desktop as well as Android apps.

bitchat logo

Best Briar alternative for iPhone and Android

bitchat

A newer Bluetooth mesh messenger for iPhone and Android that also needs no internet.

Briar alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Briar?

bitchat ranks first right now. A newer Bluetooth mesh messenger for iPhone and Android that also needs no internet. Cwtch and Session follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Briar?

Yes. bitchat (free), Cwtch (free), Session (free plan + paid) and SimpleX Chat (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Briar?

Yes: bitchat, Cwtch, Session and SimpleX Chat, plus 1 more in the list above. Cwtch and SimpleX Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which Briar alternatives work on Linux?

Cwtch, Session, SimpleX Chat and Signal run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Briar?

The complaints we hear most: now in maintenance mode, with few new features; mainly Android only; contacts must be online at the same time for delivery.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Briar, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.