SimpleX Chat vs Briar

SimpleX Chat9.1Visit Briar8.8Visit

Higher score SimpleX Chat #3 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SimpleX Chat

vs

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

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-focused users seeking anonymous messaging

• Briar fits best

  People needing private messaging without central servers

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	SimpleX Chat 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Briar 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#3 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Privacy-focused users seeking anonymous messaging	People needing private messaging without central servers
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features SimpleX Chat 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	Connect without user profile identifiers Encrypted messages, files, calls and disappearing messages Apps for desktop and mobile, with optional self-hosted relays	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	Group messaging is intended for relatively small groups Backups may be unencrypted, depending on provider and configuration Profiles, contacts and message history are primarily stored on 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	SimpleX Chat is an open-source messaging app for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. It supports end-to-end encrypted text, file and media sharing, voice and video calls, disappearing messages, and group… 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

• SimpleX Chat — where it wins

  • Connect without user profile identifiers
  • Encrypted messages, files, calls and disappearing messages
  • Apps for desktop and mobile, with optional self-hosted relays

  Where it doesn't

  • Group messaging is intended for relatively small groups
  • Backups may be unencrypted, depending on provider and configuration
  • Profiles, contacts and message history are primarily stored on 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

• SimpleX Chat9.1/10 · Free plan

  Private messaging with encrypted chats, calls, files and groups—without profile identifiers.

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

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

  Visit BriarFull verdict →