Best Sideband Alternatives in 2026
The top Sideband alternatives are Element, Delta Chat and SimpleX Chat: 15 decentralized messaging apps our editors would look at instead of Sideband, in our ranking order.
Sideband: A free Reticulum client for messaging, voice, maps, location sharing, and telemetry. Where it falls short: group messaging is not available.
Switching from Sideband? For most decentralized messaging apps buyers the best Sideband alternative is Element, built for organizations wanting a full Matrix collaboration hub. On a budget, Session starts at $2.99/mo.
Why People Look for a Sideband Alternative
- Group messaging is not available
- Requires access to a Reticulum network
- Support is limited to documentation
- No group chat — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallElement9.4
Organizations wanting a full Matrix collaboration hub
Visit Element - Lowest priceSession8.9
Paid plans from $2.99/mo
Visit Session - Best free optionElement9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Element - Best for group chatPsi+8.6
Group chat (Sideband: no)
Visit Psi+
All 15 Sideband Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forOrganizations wanting a full Matrix collaboration hub
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.1
A Matrix-based collaboration app with encrypted messaging and flexible deployment options.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Element -
Best forPeople wanting private messaging across devices
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.1
A free, open-source messenger with default end-to-end encryption across desktop and mobile.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-focused users seeking anonymous messaging
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.1
Private messaging with encrypted chats, calls, files and groups—without profile identifiers.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forUsers wanting a broad, free decentralized communicator
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.1
A free, open-source communicator spanning private chats, calls, conferencing and file sharing.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forPrivate chats, calls, and expiring messages
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.1
Private messaging with onion-routed delivery, disappearing messages, and optional calls.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forPeople needing private messaging without central servers
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.1
Free, serverless messaging with encrypted chats across desktop and Android.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forPeople seeking free encrypted personal communication
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.1
Free encrypted chats, calls, groups, and file sharing, delivered through independent clients.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Tox -
Best forDesktop users preferring federated XMPP messaging
- Better than Sideband:
- Group chat
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.1
A free, open-source XMPP client for desktop users who value federation and customization.
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chat
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Psi+ -
Best forDesktop users who want a capable XMPP client
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.1
A feature-rich desktop XMPP client for individual and group conversations.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Gajim -
Best forAndroid users wanting federated XMPP chats and calls
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.1
A focused Android XMPP client for encrypted chats, group conversations, and calls.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forMatrix users wanting a free desktop and Android client
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.1
A free, open-source Matrix client for Linux, Windows, and Android, with calls out of scope.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit KDE -
Best forCrypto users wanting encrypted chats alongside a wallet
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.1
A free desktop and mobile app pairing peer-to-peer chats with crypto wallet tools.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Status -
Best forApple users seeking XMPP messaging with encrypted calls
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.1
A free Apple-platform XMPP client with OMEMO chats, calls, and media sharing.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Monal -
Best forMobile users needing offline Bluetooth mesh chat
- Better than Sideband:
- Group chat
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.1
Free messaging across Bluetooth mesh and Nostr, without account registration.
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chat
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit bitchat -
Best forTor-focused users seeking encrypted peer-to-peer chat
- Better than Sideband:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.1
Open-source peer-to-peer chat over Tor, with experimental groups and file sharing.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Cwtch
Sideband Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Sideband?
Element: #1 in our Decentralized Messaging Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A Matrix-based collaboration app with encrypted messaging and flexible deployment options.
Is there a free alternative to Sideband?
Yes. Element, Delta Chat, SimpleX Chat, Jami and Session have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Sideband alternatives?
Group messaging is not available; Requires access to a Reticulum network; Support is limited to documentation.
How do I switch from Sideband?
Export your data from Sideband (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Sideband.
How to Switch from Sideband
- Export your data from Sideband (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Sideband.
Sideband vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Sideband | Yes | Free | 6.1 |
| 1 | Element | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Delta Chat | Yes | Free | 9.2 |
| 3 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 4 | Jami | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 5 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | 8.9 |
| 6 | Briar | Yes | Free | 8.8 |
| 7 | Tox | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 8 | Psi+ | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 9 | Gajim | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 10 | Conversations | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | NeoChat | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 12 | Status | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 13 | Monal | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 14 | BitChat | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 15 | Cwtch | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update