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SimpleX Chat alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave SimpleX Chat: no contact discovery; you must share links, and multi-device use and phone migration are awkward. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces SimpleX Chat, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Session currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Session logoSessionFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 566.5
2Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 562.6
3Element logoElementOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
4Briar logoBriarFreeYesAndroid4 of 457.2
5Delta Chat logoDelta ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 455.3
  1. Session logo

    1. SessionTop pick

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

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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from SimpleX Chat

    Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

    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 ×0.3100
    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 SimpleX Chat 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)
  2. Signal logo

    2. Signal

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from SimpleX Chat

    Much easier to use with a big network, if you can accept phone-number sign-up.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Signal a good SimpleX Chat 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)
  3. Element logo

    3. Element

    Best for: Communities and organisations that want open, federated, encrypted chat they can run themselves

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from SimpleX Chat

    Self-hostable and federated, with richer community features.

    Pros

    • Federated: talk across servers, or host your own
    • Encrypted by default for private chats
    • Open source, with bridges to other networks

    Cons

    • More complex than mainstream messengers
    • Key backup and device verification confuse newcomers
    • Self-hosting a homeserver takes real admin work
    Visit Element 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 Element a good SimpleX Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Free community edition
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise pricing
    Per seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    ISO/IEC 27001:2022
    Checked Oct 25, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Briar logo

    4. Briar

    Best for: Activists and journalists who need messaging that works during internet shutdowns

    FreeOpen sourceAndroid

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from SimpleX Chat

    Peer-to-peer and able to work without internet via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

    Pros

    • Works offline over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
    • No servers; traffic goes over Tor when online
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Now in maintenance mode, with few new features
    • Mainly Android only
    • Contacts must be online at the same time for delivery
    Visit Briar 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 Briar a good SimpleX Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Project status
    Maintenance mode (July 2026)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026briarproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Connections
    Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor
    Checked Oct 25, 2026briarproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Android (Google Play, F-Droid)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026briarproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026briarproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Delta Chat logo

    5. Delta Chat

    Best for: People who want decentralised, encrypted chat with sign-up as easy as a mainstream app

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

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from SimpleX Chat

    Decentralised and easy to onboard, using interoperable chatmail relays.

    Pros

    • Instant sign-up without a phone number
    • Decentralised relays based on open email standards
    • In-chat web apps for games and collaboration

    Cons

    • Less polished than mainstream messengers
    • Small user base
    • Calling is newer and more limited
    Visit Delta Chat 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 Delta Chat a good SimpleX Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0 (Android app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    Audited end-to-end encryption
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Accounts
    Chatmail relays
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    In-chat apps
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)

The best SimpleX Chat alternative for…

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

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for most people

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Signal logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for a free option

Signal

Much easier to use with a big network, if you can accept phone-number sign-up.

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Element logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for open source

Element

Self-hostable and federated, with richer community features.

Delta Chat logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for self-hosting

Delta Chat

Decentralised and easy to onboard, using interoperable chatmail relays.

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for Mac

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for Windows

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for Linux

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Session logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for iPhone and Android

Session

Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing.

Element logo

Best SimpleX Chat alternative for working in the browser

Element

Self-hostable and federated, with richer community features.

SimpleX Chat alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to SimpleX Chat?

Session ranks first right now. Also needs no phone number, with smoother multi-device support and onion routing. Signal and Element follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to SimpleX Chat?

Yes. Session (free plan + paid), Signal (free), Element (open source) and Briar (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to SimpleX Chat?

Yes: Session, Signal, Element and Briar, plus 1 more in the list above. Element and Delta Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which SimpleX Chat alternatives work on Linux?

Session, Signal, Element and Delta Chat run on Linux.

Why do people switch from SimpleX Chat?

The complaints we hear most: no contact discovery; you must share links; multi-device use and phone migration are awkward; large groups can be slow.

How is this list ranked?

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