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, iPhone, Linux, 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 Wire.

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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1349 likes
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    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.

    215 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    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.
    Briar Icon
    Signal icon

    • Most users think Signal is a great Briar alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Briar.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Briar.

    • 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

     2074 likes
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    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.

    284 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    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
     
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    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).

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    3 of 5 comments
    Briar 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 the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Briar.

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

    Element

     763 likes
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    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.

    301 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    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.

    Briar Icon
    Element icon

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Briar.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
  6. Wire icon

    Wire

     311 likes
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    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

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 2
    Wire screenshot 3
     

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Briar.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
    • Wire is Security-focusedBriar is not according to our users
  7. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     37 likes
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    A secure, decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks. No internet required, no servers, no phone numbers — just pure encrypted communication.

    55 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
    bitchat screenshot 2
     
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    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.
    Briar Icon
    bitchat icon
    • bitchat is Free and Open SourceBriar is also Free and Open Source
  9. Session icon

    Session

     116 likes
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    Session is the world's first open-source, decentralised private messenger to use industry-leading Signal Protocol encryption — without asking for your phone number.

    73 Session alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Session screenshot 1
    Session screenshot 2
    Session screenshot 3
     
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    2
    Comments about Session as an Alternative to Briar
    Raul Dipeas
    Positive
    0

    Session works flawlessly on all my devices, it's great to keep your privacy.

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

    Anonimous, no need of email or phone number. E2EE, open source etc.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Briar Icon
    Session icon
    • Session is Free and Open SourceBriar is also Free and Open Source
  10. Threema icon

    Threema

     133 likes
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    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.

    121 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Threema screenshot 1
    Threema screenshot 2
    Threema screenshot 3
     

    • Threema is the most popular commercial alternative to Briar.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
    • Threema is Security-focusedBriar is not according to our users
  14. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     15 likes
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    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.

    19 ArcaneChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
    ArcaneChat screenshot 2
    ArcaneChat screenshot 3
     
12 of 74 Briar alternatives