Briar icon
Briar icon

Briar

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.

Briar screenshot 1
Briar screenshot 2
+2
Briar screenshot 3

Cost / License

  • Free
  • Open Source

Platforms

  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Android
  • Flathub
  • F-Droid
4.4
Very Good16 reviews
107likes
11comments

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Privacy focused
  2.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  Decentralized
  2.  Works Offline
  3.  End-to-End Encryption
  4.  Mesh network
  5.  Bluetooth Support
  6.  Encrypted Chat
  7. Tor icon  Support for TOR
  8.  Secure Chat
  9.  Peer-To-Peer
  10.  Local Network Connection
  11.  Self Destructing Messages
  12.  LAN
  13.  Non-cloud solution
  14.  No registration required
  15.  No Tracking
  16.  Ad-free
  17.  Dark Mode
  18.  Sync via TOR network
  19.  Distributed

 Tags

Briar News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

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Recent activities

  • solandre-wyze-ap-shelta and moonpie liked Briar
  • SecureBit.chat icon
    SecureBitChat added Briar as alternative to SecureBit.chat
  • Ilyuha rated Briar  
  • Ilyuha liked Briar
  • tomyan112 reviewed Briar  

    Unable to add contact

  • soul1472, ARTUR52, Mazipan and niksavc liked Briar
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Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Comment summary: Briar is praised for its strong security features, such as decentralized, open-source, and end-to-end encryption, along with routing via the Tor network. Users appreciate its capability to securely connect without traditional networks, making it ideal for events where Wi-Fi or cell service is unavailable. While highly user-friendly and stable, the app currently lacks support for iOS and incurs high battery usage. A neutral comment questions SMS compatibility, and a negative mention highlights contact addition issues.
Top Positive Comment
Open Source
2

Not only is it private, but also the most user friendly and stable P2P message app I have ever used.

Top Negative Comment
tomyan112
-1

Unable to add contact

Duncan Briggs
1

Is Briar compatible with SMS text messaging? In other words, can I send and receive messages to and from phones without Briar installed? The "How it works" webpage doesn't mention SMS.

https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/

Samenaga
0

It supports hyperlocal communities and long cdistance communications over the Tor network. It features LAN discovery, direct peer-to-peer messages, secure scuttlebutt-like blog posts and forums (group-chat like)

lharolds
1

This is the future of secure messaging. Decentralized, encrypted, open source, audited, anonymous, p2p, mesh, no phone number required, routed via the TOR network and wysiwyg client.

Only two drawbacks for now: - high battery usage (since no central server pushes the messages, so it is constantly listening) and only for Android currently. Otherwise, awesome project!

[Edited by lharolds, September 07]

hatomusen
0

OSS, no personal information required, pure P2P, E2EE, Tor (Tor bridge), no 14eyes, security audit passed. If ephemeral messages is implemented, this messenger is completely perfect.

Guest
0

Fully Open-source and decentrilazed !

Review by a new / low-activity user.
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7 of 11 comments

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What is Briar?

Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate.

  • Unlike traditional messaging tools such as email, Twitter or Telegram, Briar doesn't rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the users' devices. If the Internet's down, Briar can sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, keeping the information flowing in a crisis. If the Internet's up, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.

Briar Videos

Official Links

Briar information

Our users have written 11 comments and reviews about Briar, and it has gotten 107 likes

Briar was added to AlternativeTo by bagabaga3523 on and this page was last updated .