Jami vs Briar

Jami9.0Visit Briar8.8Visit

Higher score Jami #4 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Jami

vs

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

• Jami fits best

  Users wanting a broad, free decentralized communicator

• Briar fits best

  People needing private messaging without central servers

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Side by side

Feature	Jami 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Briar 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#4 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Users wanting a broad, free decentralized communicator	People needing private messaging without central servers
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Jami 0/4 · Briar 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	End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy Messaging, group calls, conferencing, file and screen sharing Available on web, desktop and mobile platforms	Synchronizes messages peer to peer without a central server Connects over Tor, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi Includes private groups, forums, blogs, and contact introductions
Cons	No central server means its architecture differs from conventional hosted apps SIP is the only listed integration No numeric maximum is given for group participation or linked devices	Desktop has fewer features than the Android app Account backup is not currently available Maintenance mode focuses on security updates and bug fixes
Our verdict	Jami brings private messaging, voice and video calls, group conversations, conferencing, file sharing and screen sharing into a free, open-source application. Its peer-to-peer architecture operates without a central server, and creating an… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Jami — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy
  • Messaging, group calls, conferencing, file and screen sharing
  • Available on web, desktop and mobile platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • No central server means its architecture differs from conventional hosted apps
  • SIP is the only listed integration
  • No numeric maximum is given for group participation or linked devices

• 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

• Jami9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source communicator spanning private chats, calls, conferencing and file sharing.

  Visit JamiFull verdict →
• Briar8.8/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit BriarFull verdict →