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.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
- F-Droid
Features
Properties
- Privacy focused
- Lightweight
Features
- Decentralized
- Works Offline
- End-to-End Encryption
- Mesh network
- Bluetooth Support
- Encrypted Chat
Support for TOR- Secure Chat
- Peer-To-Peer
- Local Network Connection
- Self Destructing Messages
- LAN
- Non-cloud solution
- No registration required
- No Tracking
- Ad-free
- Dark Mode
- Sync via TOR network
- Distributed
Briar News & Activities
Recent News
- POX published news article about Briar
Secure messaging app Briar releases new desktop version with private groups and macOS supportThe messaging app Briar has released its latest desktop version, 0.5.0-beta, which introduces sever...
Recent activities
- jcryig liked Briar
- coffee415 reviewed Briar
Briar is indeed very lightweight, fast and secure, connecting users to the TOR network. The best thing about Briar is when you're in the middle of nowhere and you can connect with those around you through Bluetooth.
I took away two stars from Briar due to the media sharing quality.
- coffee415 liked Briar
CityofHats added Briar as alternative to City of Hats- leandrormaced097 liked Briar
Nexora_Innovexa added Briar as alternative to Tempo Messaging
crse added Briar as alternative to Fluux Messenger
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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
Briar information
Developed by
Michael Rogers, Eleanor Saitta, Torsten Grote, Ernir Erlingsson, Bernard Tyers, Jack GriggLicensing
Open Source (GPL-3.0) and Free product.Rating
Average rating of 4.3Alternatives
80 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
Comments and Reviews
Not only is it private, but also the most user friendly and stable P2P message app I have ever used.
Unable to add contact
Briar is indeed very lightweight, fast and secure, connecting users to the TOR network. The best thing about Briar is when you're in the middle of nowhere and you can connect with those around you through Bluetooth.
I took away two stars from Briar due to the media sharing quality.
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/
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)
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]
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.