Jami vs Session

Jami9.0Visit Session8.9Visit

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

vs

Session #5 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Session

• Jami fits best

  Users wanting a broad, free decentralized communicator

• Session fits best

  Private chats, calls, and expiring messages

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Jami 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Session 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.9
Ranking	#4 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#5 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Users wanting a broad, free decentralized communicator	Private chats, calls, and expiring messages
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$2.99/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Jami 0/4 · Session 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	Encrypted direct and group chats with onion-routed message delivery Pseudonymous Account IDs require no phone number or email Desktop and mobile apps include configurable disappearing messages
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	Voice and video calls are beta and are not onion-routed Pro costs $2.99 per month for longer messages and profile extras Communities are not fully end-to-end encrypted
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 →	Session is a decentralized messaging app for individuals and groups who want encrypted chats without registering a phone number or email. Its pseudonymous Account IDs, end-to-end encrypted direct and group messaging, onion-routed message… 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

• Session — where it wins

  • Encrypted direct and group chats with onion-routed message delivery
  • Pseudonymous Account IDs require no phone number or email
  • Desktop and mobile apps include configurable disappearing messages

  Where it doesn't

  • Voice and video calls are beta and are not onion-routed
  • Pro costs $2.99 per month for longer messages and profile extras
  • Communities are not fully end-to-end encrypted

• Jami9.0/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit JamiFull verdict →
• Session8.9/10 · Free plan

  Private messaging with onion-routed delivery, disappearing messages, and optional calls.

  Visit SessionFull verdict →