SimpleX Chat vs Tox

SimpleX Chat9.1Visit Tox8.7Visit

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

vs

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

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-focused users seeking anonymous messaging

• Tox fits best

  People seeking free encrypted personal communication

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Side by side

Feature	SimpleX Chat 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Tox 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#7 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Privacy-focused users seeking anonymous messaging	People seeking free encrypted personal communication
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	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features SimpleX Chat 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	Connect without user profile identifiers Encrypted messages, files, calls and disappearing messages Apps for desktop and mobile, with optional self-hosted relays	Encrypted text, voice and video calls, plus group chats File sharing without artificial limits or caps Peer-to-peer networking with Tor support
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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• SimpleX Chat9.1/10 · Free plan

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

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

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

  Visit ToxFull verdict →