Delta Chat vs SimpleX Chat

Delta Chat8.6Visit SimpleX Chat8.5Visit

Higher score Delta Chat #6 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Delta Chat

vs

SimpleX Chat #7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit SimpleX Chat

• Delta Chat fits best

  Open-source messaging with email interoperability

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers

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Side by side

Feature	Delta Chat 8.6/10 Visit ↗	SimpleX Chat 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.5
Ranking	#6 in Encrypted Messaging Apps	#7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for	Open-source messaging with email interoperability	Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Delta Chat 3/3 · SimpleX Chat 3/3
Desktop app	✓	✓
Voice and video calls	✓	✓
Disappearing messages	✓	✓
Specs
Encryption coverage	Default	Default
Maximum group size	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Linked device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Encrypted backups	None	None
Our review
Pros	Default end-to-end encryption across messages and attachments Native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux Channels, calls, groups, disappearing messages, and Webxdc apps	End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export
Cons	Exported backups are not encrypted Groups are practically recommended for no more than 150 members Messaging depends on chatmail relays or compatible email servers	The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical administration
Our verdict	Delta Chat is a free, open-source messaging app for private conversations, groups, channels, and one-to-one audio or video calls. It is designed for people who want default end-to-end encryption across mobile and desktop while retaining… Read the review →	SimpleX Chat is an open-source encrypted messaging application for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. It supports end-to-end encrypted one-to-one and group messaging, file, image, and video sharing,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Delta Chat — where it wins

  • Default end-to-end encryption across messages and attachments
  • Native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Channels, calls, groups, disappearing messages, and Webxdc apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Exported backups are not encrypted
  • Groups are practically recommended for no more than 150 members
  • Messaging depends on chatmail relays or compatible email servers

• SimpleX Chat — where it wins

  • End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls
  • Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting
  • Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export

  Where it doesn't

  • The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices
  • Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices
  • Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical administration

• Delta Chat8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source messenger that combines default encryption with email interoperability.

  Visit Delta ChatFull verdict →
• SimpleX Chat8.5/10 · Free plan

  A privacy-focused, open-source messenger that avoids user profile identifiers.

  Visit SimpleX ChatFull verdict →