Session vs Tox

Session8.9Visit Tox8.7Visit

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

vs

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

• Session fits best

  Private chats, calls, and expiring messages

• Tox fits best

  People seeking free encrypted personal communication

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Side by side

Feature	Session 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Tox 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#5 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#7 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Private chats, calls, and expiring messages	People seeking free encrypted personal communication
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	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Session 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	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	Encrypted text, voice and video calls, plus group chats File sharing without artificial limits or caps Peer-to-peer networking with Tor support
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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• Session8.9/10 · Free plan

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

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

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

  Visit ToxFull verdict →