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Status alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Status: wallet features add complexity for chat-only users, and small user base outside crypto circles. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Status, 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
2SimpleX Chat logoSimpleX ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 462.6
3Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
  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 Status

    Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

    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 Status 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. SimpleX Chat logo

    2. 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

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Status

    Chat-only privacy without crypto features or tokens.

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

    3. Signal

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Status

    The simplest strong-privacy messenger if you don't need a wallet.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Signal a good Status 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 Status alternative for…

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

Session logo

Best Status alternative for most people

Session

Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

SimpleX Chat logo

Best Status alternative for a free option

SimpleX Chat

Chat-only privacy without crypto features or tokens.

Telegram logo

Best Status alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Telegram

Large communities and built-in crypto wallet features on a mainstream app.

Signal logo

Best Status alternative for open source

Signal

The simplest strong-privacy messenger if you don't need a wallet.

SimpleX Chat logo

Best Status alternative for self-hosting

SimpleX Chat

Chat-only privacy without crypto features or tokens.

Session logo

Best Status alternative for Mac

Session

Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

Session logo

Best Status alternative for Windows

Session

Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

Session logo

Best Status alternative for Linux

Session

Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

Session logo

Best Status alternative for iPhone and Android

Session

Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app.

Telegram logo

Best Status alternative for working in the browser

Telegram

Large communities and built-in crypto wallet features on a mainstream app.

Status alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Status?

Session ranks first right now. Also needs no phone number, with onion routing and a simpler chat-only app. SimpleX Chat and Telegram follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Status?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Status?

Yes: Session, SimpleX Chat and Signal. SimpleX Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which Status alternatives work on Linux?

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

Why do people switch from Status?

The complaints we hear most: wallet features add complexity for chat-only users; small user base outside crypto circles; delivery can be slower than server-based apps.

How is this list ranked?

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