Briar AlternativesInstant Messengers & Encrypted Chat Apps like Briar

Briar is described as 'An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Briar for a variety of platforms, including Android, Linux, iPhone, Windows and Mac apps. The best Briar alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Briar are Telegram, Element, SimpleX Chat and bitchat.

More about Briar
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Briar alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1364 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    216 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    14
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Briar
    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Signal is not decentralized. Required internet connection and phone number.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Not an offline messaging app

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Signal icon
    Signal icon

    • Most users think Signal is a great Briar alternative.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceBriar is also Free and Open Source
    • Signal is Security-focusedBriar is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2079 likes

    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    286 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
     
    |
    5
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Briar
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    11

    Commercial project. Need Internet, Briar works without it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    mskf1383
    Negative
    1

    centeralized and non-Free (as in Freedom)

    mplserin
    Negative
    2

    . Briar can send & receive messages and by mesh LAN P2P - does NOT require Internet, Telegram needs Internet to send/receive msgs.! Briar is open source & decentralized (e.g. not owned by 1 private entity); Telegram is centralized on commercial servers (proprietary). Briar does NOT require a phone number to use; Telegram verifies users with phone (many VoIP numbers don't work).

    3 of 5 comments
    Telegram icon
    Telegram icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Telegram is a legitimate Briar alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryBriar is Free and Open Source
    • Telegram is Security-focusedBriar is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     774 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    302 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Briar
    loziniak
    Negative
    0

    Element is federated, not distributed. It relies on internet connection and access to servers.

    Element icon
    Element icon
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
  5. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     90 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  6. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     43 likes

    Decentralized messaging app enabling secure peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks with end-to-end encryption, channel-based group chats, store & forward delivery, automatic peer discovery, no accounts or phone numbers, and privacy safeguards.

    55 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about bitchat as an Alternative to Briar
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Support iOS end use Offline Messaging with Strong Encryption

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    bitchat icon
    bitchat icon
    • bitchat is Free and Open SourceBriar is also Free and Open Source
  7. Wire icon

    Wire

     313 likes

    Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.

    282 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
  9. Threema icon

    Threema

     137 likes

    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    122 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
  11. Element X icon

    Element X

     41 likes

    It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.

    106 Element X alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
     
  12. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • Matrix.org
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  13. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     15 likes

    ArcaneChat is a Delta Chat client and was created with a focus on usability, good user experience, and saving data plan. Also the app usually experiments with new features that eventually might get added to the official Delta Chat client.

    18 ArcaneChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
     
  14. Berty icon

    Berty

     15 likes

    Berty is a secure peer-to-peer messaging app that works with or without internet access, cellular data or trust in the network. Berty is a privacy-first messaging application built on top of the Berty Protocol.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Berty screenshot 1
     
12 of 76 Briar alternatives