Retro Messenger AlternativesInstant Messengers & Encrypted Chat Apps like Retro Messenger

Retro Messenger is described as 'Peer-to-peer app with real-time chat, encrypted file sharing, no central servers, lightweight GUI, retro interface, and only username plus password stored' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are nine alternatives to Retro Messenger for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Android and BSD apps. The best Retro Messenger alternative is Matrix, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Retro Messenger are RetroShare, Quiet Chat, HZ Chat and Toxygen.

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Alternatives list

  1. Matrix icon
     392 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    172 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
     
  2. RetroShare icon
     163 likes

    Open source, decentralized platform enabling encrypted chat, secure voice and video calls, anonymous file sharing with swarming, censorship-resistant forums, channels, link sharing, and offline messaging. Uses OpenPGP and OpenSSL for robust privacy and security.

    141 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenPGP
     
  3. Quiet Chat icon
     19 likes

    Peer-to-peer group chatting over Tor and IPFS, with local-first encrypted messaging and no central servers, offers privacy-focused decentralized collaboration for teams, supporting desktop and mobile. FOSS, open to contributors, and avoids surveillance-based tracking.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  4. HZ Chat icon
     Like

    HZ Chat is a lightweight, browser-based temporary group chat designed for quick, private conversations. No accounts, no installation, and no long-term history — just open a chat, share what you need, and let it expire.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  5. Spot-On is Encryption software that securely connects two friends for chat, group chat, email, file sharing and file transfers with magnet links and P2P web search.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  6. jami-commander (jc for short) is a simple but convenient CLI-based Jami client app for setting up accounts and swarms as well as sending.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. Simphone icon
     5 likes

    Secure and private open source peer-to-peer Instant Messenger.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • NetBSD
     
  8.  4 likes

    Toxic is a client with an ncurses interface, written entirely in C. It has support for all basic features, as well as 1-on-1 audio/video chats, and is capable of working on bare-bones systems that lack graphical interfaces.

    21 Toxic alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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