RetroShare AlternativesInstant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like RetroShare

RetroShare is described as 'Open source, decentralized communication platform with encrypted chat, voice and video calls, file sharing using anonymous tunnels, forums, and channels' and is a very popular Video Calling app in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to RetroShare for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iPhone apps. The best RetroShare alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like RetroShare are LocalSend, Element, Discord and Tox.

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RetroShare alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to RetroShare.
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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1378 likes

    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.

    221 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Signal vs RetroShare Comments
    Oscar Sanderson
    Negative
    2

    No p2p file sharing (signal is centralised), no social media and forum functionality

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • Signal is Security-focused and LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  2. LocalSend icon

    LocalSend

     383 likes

    Open-source solution providing encrypted, peer-to-peer file and message sharing across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS without internet access, using only local networks. No setup required, ensuring privacy with no cloud involvement or external servers.

    111 LocalSend alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Chocolatey
    LocalSend screenshot 1
     
  4. Element icon

    Element

     791 likes

    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.

    313 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Discord

     1114 likes

    An integrated platform for text and voice communications. Offers tailored channels for different topics, customizable moderation tools, low latency for fluency, and managed user roles for optimal community facilitation.

    189 Discord alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Desktop UI
     
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    1
    Discord vs RetroShare Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Discord is a closed source, proprietary software that is not decentralized, not end to end encrypted, and doesnt care at all about user privacy

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietaryRetroShare is Free and Open Source
  6. Tox icon

    Tox

     561 likes

    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.

    215 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    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.
     
  7. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     94 likes

    Open-source messaging platform enabling private, identifier-free chats, encrypted group discussions, file and media sharing, plus audio and video calls. Employs double-ratchet protocol, stores user data on-device, protects metadata, and lets users self-host relay servers.

    70 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • Android Tablet
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  9. Jami icon

    Jami

     239 likes

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

    164 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
  10. Deluge icon

    Deluge

     709 likes

    Deluge is a full-featured BitTorrent client for Linux, Unix and Windows. It is written in python, uses libtorrent (rasterbar) at its core and GTK for the main user interface along with web and console interfaces for advanced client/server...

    72 Deluge alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • libtorrent
    • Flathub
    • Python
    • FreeBSD
    • Flatpak
    • MacPorts
    • Docker
    Deluge screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Deluge vs RetroShare Comments
    altersoft
    Negative
    6

    torrent client only, not p2p or edonkey.

    Guest
    Negative
    8

    Retroshare is a whole multiple chat/mail/group program while Deluge's main purpose is to download torrents.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Not the same scope as RetroShare!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Deluge is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • Deluge is LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  11. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     113 likes

    Enables secure and anonymous file sharing, website hosting, and private chat using local onion services via Tor. Runs a direct web server on your device; no third-party servers or user registration required. Links are password-protected and must be accessed via Tor Browser.

    66 OnionShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    OnionShare screenshot 1
     
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    1
    OnionShare vs RetroShare Comments
    Oscar Sanderson
    Positive
    1

    Similar functionality to retroshare but easier to use and onion routing (tor) is on by default

    • OnionShare is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • OnionShare is Security-focused and LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  14. Soulseek icon

    Soulseek

     140 likes

    Soulseek® is a unique ad-free, spyware free, and just plain free file sharing application. One of the things that makes Soulseek® unique is our community and community-related features. Based on peer-to-peer technology, virtual rooms allow you to meet people with the...

    20 Soulseek alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    v2017.2.20
     
12 of 141 RetroShare alternatives