Briar vs Tox

Briar8.8Visit Tox8.7Visit

Higher score Briar #6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Briar

vs

Tox #7 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Tox

• Briar fits best

  People needing private messaging without central servers

• Tox fits best

  People seeking free encrypted personal communication

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Side by side

Feature	Briar 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Tox 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#7 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	People needing private messaging without central servers	People seeking free encrypted personal communication
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Briar 0/4 · Tox 0/4
End-to-end encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Self-hosting	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Group chat	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Account required	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Network architecture	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Synchronizes messages peer to peer without a central server Connects over Tor, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi Includes private groups, forums, blogs, and contact introductions	Encrypted text, voice and video calls, plus group chats File sharing without artificial limits or caps Peer-to-peer networking with Tor support
Cons	Desktop has fewer features than the Android app Account backup is not currently available Maintenance mode focuses on security updates and bug fixes	Clients are alpha software under heavy development The project warns of possible usability and security issues A professional security audit has not been completed
Our verdict	Briar is a free, open-source messaging app for people who need private communication, including activists and journalists. Rather than routing messages through a central server, it synchronizes them directly between users’ devices.… Read the review →	Tox is a free, open-source protocol for personal communication, with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, screen sharing, and file transfers. It is aimed at people who want those features without a subscription and are… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Briar — where it wins

  • Synchronizes messages peer to peer without a central server
  • Connects over Tor, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi
  • Includes private groups, forums, blogs, and contact introductions

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop has fewer features than the Android app
  • Account backup is not currently available
  • Maintenance mode focuses on security updates and bug fixes

• Tox — where it wins

  • Encrypted text, voice and video calls, plus group chats
  • File sharing without artificial limits or caps
  • Peer-to-peer networking with Tor support

  Where it doesn't

  • Clients are alpha software under heavy development
  • The project warns of possible usability and security issues
  • A professional security audit has not been completed

• Briar8.8/10 · Free plan

  Free, serverless messaging with encrypted chats across desktop and Android.

  Visit BriarFull verdict →
• Tox8.7/10 · Free plan

  Free encrypted chats, calls, groups, and file sharing, delivered through independent clients.

  Visit ToxFull verdict →