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.

Briar iconBriar
  100
  • ...

An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages...

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More about Briar
Briar alternatives page was last updated Jun 17, 2025
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  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1280 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.

    219 Signal alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Secure Chat

    Signal VS Briar

     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Briar
    Guest
    Negative Jun 12, 2020
    7

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

    Guest
    Negative Jun 17, 2025
    0

    Not an offline messaging app

    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 Privacy focused and Security-focusedBriar is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2051 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.

    294 Telegram alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats

    Telegram VS Briar

     
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Briar
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jun 19, 2019
    11

    Commercial project. Need Internet, Briar works without it.

    Most Recent Comment
    mskf1383
    Negative Sep 13, 2022
    0

    centeralized and non-Free (as in Freedom)

    mplserin
    Negative Apr 7, 2021
    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 Lightweight and Privacy focusedBriar is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     721 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

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Dark Mode

    Element VS Briar

     

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

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Privacy focusedBriar is not according to our users
  5. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

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

    59 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Decentralized
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Multiple Account support
    7.  Self Destructing Messages
    8.  Video Calling
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Voice messages
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  No Tracking

    SimpleX Chat VS Briar

     
  6. Wire icon

    Wire

     309 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.

    280 Wire alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    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

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Video Calling
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  VoiP Calls
    5.  Encrypted calls
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Secure File Sharing
    9.  Multiple Account support
    10.  WebRTC
    11.  Private Chat
    12.  File Sending

    Wire VS Briar

     

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Briar.

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

    Threema

     122 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.

    125 Threema alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Integrated File Sharing
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Confirm messages
    6.  Image Sharing
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Multiple Account support
    11.  Two-factor Authentication
    12.  Encrypted Backup

    Threema VS Briar

     

    • Threema is the most popular commercial alternative to Briar.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceBriar is Free and Open Source
    • Threema is Privacy focusedBriar is not according to our users
  9. Element X icon

    Element X

     29 likes
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    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.

    97 Element X alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
    Element X screenshot 2
    Element X screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Matrix Protocol
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  VoiP Calls
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Decentralized
    9.  Support for @mentions
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Voice Chat

    Element X VS Briar

     
  10. Molly icon

    Molly

     35 likes
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    Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.

    188 Molly alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure Chat
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Text messaging
    6.  Monero exchange
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  SOCKS proxy client and server

    Molly VS Briar

     
  11. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

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

    194 FluffyChat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • Matrix.org
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
    FluffyChat screenshot 2
    FluffyChat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Matrix Protocol
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  Voice messages
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Multiple Account support
    10.  Two-factor Authentication
    11.  Support for @mentions
    12.  VoiP Calls

    FluffyChat VS Briar

     
  12. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     14 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.

    13 ArcaneChat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
    ArcaneChat screenshot 2
    ArcaneChat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Self Destructing Messages

    ArcaneChat VS Briar

     
  13. Berty icon

    Berty

     16 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Berty screenshot 1
    Berty screenshot 2
    Berty screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Distributed
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Command line interface
    11.  Anonymous Chat
    12.  Anticensorship

    Berty VS Briar

     
  14. Telegram X icon

    Telegram X

     36 likes
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    An alternative Telegram client based on TDLib, with higher speed, slicker animations and experimental features.

    219 Telegram X alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Telegram
    Telegram X screenshot 1
    Telegram X screenshot 2
    Telegram X screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Stickers
    4.  Channels
    5.  Integrated File Sharing
    6.  Bots
    7.  End-to-End Encryption
    8.  Self Destructing Messages
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  VoiP Calls
    11.  Cloud based
    12.  Chat Bot

    Telegram X VS Briar

     
12 of 74 Briar alternatives