Off-the-Record Messaging AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Encrypted Chat Apps

The best Encrypted Chat alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Off-the-Record Messaging and many of them are Encrypted Chat Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Encrypted Chat App alternatives to Off-the-Record Messaging are Telegram, Element, Tox and Jami.

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Off-the-Record Messaging alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Video Calling Apps.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Off-the-Record Messaging.
Off-the-Record Messaging iconOff-the-Record Messaging
  47
  • ...

Off-the-Record (OTR) Messaging allows you to have private conversations over any instant messaging (MSN,Gtalk, Facebook and so on) by providing encryption, authentication, deniability, perfect forward...

More about Off-the-Record Messaging
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Off-the-Record Messaging alternatives page was last updated Nov 16, 2024
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  1. Signal icon
    Signal icon

    Signal

     1207 likes
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    Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.

    221 Signal alternatives
    Signal screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Instant Messaging
    6.  Self Destructing Messages
    7.  Private messaging
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Encrypted Connection
    10.  Mobile friendly
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Desktop Application
    13.  Secure Chat
    14.  Stickers
    15.  GPLv3
    16.  Based on phone number
    17.  Protected by Password
    18.  VoiP Calls
    19.  Client side encryption
    Signal iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Signal VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Signal a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceOff-the-Record Messaging is also Free and Open Source
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedOff-the-Record Messaging is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon
    Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2024 likes
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    Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple, and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.

    288 Telegram alternatives
    Telegram Desktop

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +9
    Telegram iOS #3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Instant Messaging
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  End-to-End Encryption
    8.  Video Calling
    9.  Multi Device Support
    10.  Channels
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Bots
    13.  Secret chats
    14.  Cloud based
    15.  Animated stickers
    16.  Integrated File Sharing
    17.  Folders
    18.  Private Chat
    19.  Video Conferencing
    Telegram iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Telegram VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Telegram a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     

    • Telegram is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryOff-the-Record Messaging is Free and Open Source
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedOff-the-Record Messaging is not according to our users
  4. Element icon
    Element icon

    Element

     690 likes
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    Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.

    294 Element alternatives
    Video calls for desktop and mobile

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    +1
    Connect with other apps

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Federated
    3.  Team Collaboration
    4.  Encrypted Chat
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Instant Messaging
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Simple installation
    12.  Cross-Platform
    13.  Dark Mode
    14.  Custom widgets
    15.  VoiP Calls
    16.  No Tracking
    Element iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Element VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Element a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging.

    • Element is Freemium and Open SourceOff-the-Record Messaging is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedOff-the-Record Messaging is not according to our users
  5. Tox icon
    Tox icon

    Tox

     546 likes
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    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    210 Tox alternatives
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    qTox. A Tox client developed in C++ with the Qt framework
    uTox. A Tox client written in C using OS primitives to draw it's interface
    +5
    Ricin. A Tox client written in Vala using the GTK toolkit.

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Peer-To-Peer
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  AES-256 Encryption
    9.  P2P Network
    10.  Client side encryption
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  White-labeled
    13.  Built-in player
    14.  GPLv3
    15.  VoiP Calls
    Tox iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Tox VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Tox a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  6. Jami icon
    Jami icon

    Jami

     222 likes
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    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    162 Jami alternatives
    Jami video conference OS X

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami conference call Linux
    Jami screensharing Linux
    +9
    Jami instant message on mobile device

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Video Conferencing
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  Multi Platform
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Encrypted Chat
    7.  SIP client
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Distributed
    10.  Team Messaging
    11.  Multiple languages
    12.  SIP
    13.  Dark Mode
    14.  Voice Chat
    15.  No Tracking
    16.  Screen Sharing
    17.  Support ZRTP
    Jami iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Jami VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Jami a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  7. Telegram X icon
    Telegram X icon

    Telegram X

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

    220 Telegram X alternatives
    Telegram X screenshot 1
    Telegram X screenshot 2
    +3
    Telegram X screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Telegram

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Stickers
    4.  Support for Themes
    5.  Channels
    6.  Integrated File Sharing
    7.  End-to-End Encryption
    8.  Self Destructing Messages
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  VoiP Calls
    11.  Bots
    12.  Cloud based
    13.  Chat Bot
    Telegram X iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Telegram X VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Telegram X a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  9. Berty icon
    Berty icon

    Berty

     11 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.

    43 Berty alternatives
    Berty screenshot 1
    Berty screenshot 2
    +2
    Berty screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  Distributed
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  Anonymous Chat
    11.  Anticensorship
    12.  Serverless
    13.  Voice messages
    Berty iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Berty VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Berty a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  10. KryptEY icon
    KryptEY icon

    KryptEY

     6 likes
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    Android keyboard for secure E2EE communication through the signal protocol in any messenger. Communicate securely and independent, regardless of the legal situation or whether messengers use E2EE.

    62 KryptEY alternatives
    KryptEY screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid

    KryptEY Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Input Method
    3.  Privacy
    4.  Messenger
    KryptEY screenshot 1
    KryptEY screenshot 2
    +7
    KryptEY screenshot 3
    KryptEY iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    KryptEY VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is KryptEY a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  11. Bitmessage icon
    Bitmessage icon

    Bitmessage

     50 likes
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    Bitmessage is a P2P communications protocol used to send encrypted messages to another person or to many subscribers. It is decentralized and trustless, meaning that you need-not inherently trust any entities like root certificate authorities.

    57 Bitmessage alternatives
    Bitmessage screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Bitmessage Features

    1.  Peer-To-Peer
    Add Channel
    Bitmessage iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Bitmessage VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Bitmessage a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  12. ChatSecure icon
    ChatSecure icon

    ChatSecure

     67 likes
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    ChatSecure is a free and open source messaging app that features OTR encryption over XMPP. You can connect to your existing accounts on Facebook or Google, create new accounts on public XMPP servers(including via Tor), or even connect to your own server for extra security.

    119 ChatSecure alternatives
    iOS (1)
    iOS (2)
    +1
    iOS (3)

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad

    ChatSecure Features

    1.  Hidden chat
    2.  Xmpp
    3.  Integrated File Sharing
    4.  OTR
    ChatSecure iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    ChatSecure VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is ChatSecure a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  13. Session icon
    Session icon

    Session

     94 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.

    70 Session alternatives
    Session screenshot 1
    Session screenshot 2
    +2
    Session screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Private messaging
    3.  Secure Chat
    4.  Encrypted Chat
    5.  Instant Messaging
    6.  GPLv3
    7.  Multiplatform
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  No registration required
    Session iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Session VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Session a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
  14. Silence IM icon
    Silence IM icon

    Silence IM

     54 likes
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    Protect your communication in transit and on your phone. Silence (formerly SMSSecure) is a full replacement for the default text messaging application: all messages are encrypted locally and messages to other Silence users are encrypted over the air.

    68 Silence IM alternatives
    Silence IM screenshot 1
    Silence IM screenshot 2
    +3
    Silence IM screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android

    Silence IM Features

    1.  SMS Messaging
    2.  GPLv3
    3.  Desktop Application
    Discontinued

    Silence seems to be discontinued, the only commits for a long time have been translations and not code updates.https://git.silence.dev/Silence/Silence-Android/-/commits/master

    Silence IM iconOff-the-Record Messaging Icon

    Silence IM VS Off-the-Record Messaging

    Is Silence IM a good alternative to Off-the-Record Messaging?
     
12 of 22 Off-the-Record Messaging alternatives