Session vs Briar

Session8.9Visit Briar8.8Visit

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

vs

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

• Session fits best

  Private chats, calls, and expiring messages

• Briar fits best

  People needing private messaging without central servers

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Side by side

Feature	Session 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Briar 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.8
Ranking	#5 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Private chats, calls, and expiring messages	People needing private messaging without central servers
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$2.99/mo	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Session 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	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	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	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• Session8.9/10 · Free plan

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

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

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

  Visit BriarFull verdict →