Cwtch

Metadata-resistant, decentralised messenger that runs everything over Tor onion services.

FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostableMessaging apps

Verified facts: 3 of 3
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Cwtch

Cwtch (pronounced 'kutch', a Welsh word for a cuddle that creates a safe place) is a privacy-preserving messenger from the non-profit Open Privacy Research Society. All communication is end-to-end encrypted and travels over Tor v3 onion services, and the protocol is designed so that no information, including metadata about who is talking, is revealed without explicit consent. There is no central Cwtch service: one-to-one chats go directly between peers, while groups use untrusted servers that anyone can host and that can't read messages or see who is in the group. Profiles are created locally with no phone number or email. Cwtch is free and open source, with apps for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. It is aimed at people facing serious surveillance risks, so it trades convenience for privacy: both people generally need to be online, there is no iPhone app, and the interface is basic compared with mainstream messengers.

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

What works

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

Why people leave

No iPhone app
Contacts usually need to be online at the same time
Basic interface and small user base

Top Cwtch alternatives

See all 4

1
Briar
Also peer-to-peer over Tor, with offline Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support on Android.
66.5
2
Session
Onion-routed and anonymous, with iPhone apps and asynchronous delivery.
62.6
3
SimpleX Chat
No identifiers, cross-platform including iPhone, with optional Tor support.
59.6
4
Signal
Much easier everyday encrypted messaging for lower-risk situations.
57.2

Why people left Cwtch

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Cwtch: common questions

Is Cwtch free?

Yes, Cwtch is free to use.

Is Cwtch open source?

Yes. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does Cwtch run on?

Cwtch is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Self-hosted.

What are the best alternatives to Cwtch?

The highest-ranked Cwtch alternatives right now are Briar, Session and SimpleX Chat. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 Cwtch alternatives

Cwtch facts

3 of 3 verified

Transport: Tor v3 onion services; Checked Oct 25, 2026cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab); “Privacy Preserving All communication in Cwtch is end-to-end encrypted and takes place over Tor v3 onion services.”
Metadata resistance: Designed in; Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab); “decentralized, privacy-preserving, metadata resistant messaging app.”
Architecture: Decentralised, no central service; Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.cwtch.im(opens source in a new tab); “Decentralized and Open : There is no “Cwtch service” or “Cwtch network”.”