RetroShare AlternativesVideo Calling Apps & Instant Messengers like RetroShare

RetroShare is described as 'Open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely chat, share photos, videos, and more, using OpenPGP to authenticate peers and ' 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.

RetroShare iconRetroShare
  158
  • ...

RetroShare is a open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely...

More about RetroShare
More about RetroShare
RetroShare alternatives page was last updated Apr 21, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1275 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    219 Signal alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Secure Chat

    Signal VS RetroShare

     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to RetroShare
    Oscar Sanderson
    Negative Nov 15, 2021
    1

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

    RetroShare Icon
    Signal icon

    • Most users think Signal is a great RetroShare alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to RetroShare.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to RetroShare.

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

    LocalSend

     250 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    LocalSend is a free, open-source, cross-platform file-sharing tool designed to securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection. Here are some of its key features:

    91 LocalSend alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Chocolatey
    LocalSend screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure File Sharing
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Large File Transfer
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  LAN
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Decentralized
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Portable

    LocalSend VS RetroShare

     

    • LocalSend is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to RetroShare.

    • LocalSend is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • LocalSend is Lightweight and Privacy focusedRetroShare is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     718 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    302 Element alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Dark Mode

    Element VS RetroShare

     

    • Most users think Element is a great RetroShare alternative.

    • Element is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to RetroShare.

    • Element is Freemium and Open SourceRetroShare is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Privacy focusedRetroShare is not according to our users
  5. Discord icon

    Discord

     1077 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    188 Discord alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Discord screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Gaming-focused

    Features

    1.  Screen Sharing
    2.  VoiP Calls
    3.  Video Calling
    4.  Multi Channel
    5.  Text chat
    6.  Bots
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  Multiple Servers
    9.  Push to talk
    10.  Text to Speech
    11.  Two-factor Authentication
    12.  Dark Mode

    Discord VS RetroShare

     
    Comments about Discord as an Alternative to RetroShare
    Guest
    Negative Dec 27, 2024
    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

    RetroShare Icon
    Discord icon
    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietaryRetroShare is Free and Open Source
  6. Tox icon

    Tox

     551 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    213 Tox alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    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.

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  AES-256 Encryption
    9.  Screen Sharing
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Secure Chat
    12.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing

    Tox VS RetroShare

     
  7. Jami icon

    Jami

     230 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

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

    160 Jami alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Video Conferencing
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Multi Platform
    7.  Encrypted Chat
    8.  Distributed
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  SIP client
    11.  Screen Sharing
    12.  No Tracking

    Jami VS RetroShare

     
  9. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     74 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    59 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Decentralized
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Multiple Account support
    7.  Self Destructing Messages
    8.  Video Calling
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Voice messages
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  No Tracking

    SimpleX Chat VS RetroShare

     
  10. Deluge icon

    Deluge

     702 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • libtorrent
    • Python
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Windows
    • MacPorts
    • FreeBSD
    • Docker
    Deluge screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Windows Compatible
    3.  Built-in Torrent client
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  Web client
    6.  IP Address Blacklist
    7.  Portable

    Deluge VS RetroShare

     
    Comments about Deluge as an Alternative to RetroShare
    Most Recent Comment
    altersoft
    Negative Jan 8, 2017
    6

    torrent client only, not p2p or edonkey.

    Guest
    Negative Jul 31, 2017
    8

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

    Guest
    Negative Jul 23, 2018
    7

    Not the same scope as RetroShare!

    RetroShare Icon
    Deluge icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Deluge is a legitimate RetroShare alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Deluge is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • Deluge is Lightweight and Privacy focusedRetroShare is not according to our users
  11. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     96 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    OnionShare is an open source tool that lets you securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the Tor network.

    56 OnionShare alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    OnionShare screenshot 1

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Tor
    2.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing
    3.  No Coding Required
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Receive files

    OnionShare VS RetroShare

     
    Comments about OnionShare as an Alternative to RetroShare
    Oscar Sanderson
    Positive Nov 15, 2021
    1

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

    RetroShare Icon
    OnionShare icon

    • Almost everyone thinks OnionShare is a great RetroShare alternative.

    • OnionShare is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • OnionShare is Privacy focused and LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  12. Element X icon

    Element X

     27 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.

    96 Element X alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
    Element X screenshot 2
    Element X screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  VoiP Calls
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Matrix Protocol
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Decentralized
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Support for MarkDown
    10.  Support for @mentions
    11.  Cloud Sync
    12.  Voice Chat

    Element X VS RetroShare

     
  13. Molly icon

    Molly

     35 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.

    188 Molly alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure Chat
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Text messaging
    6.  Monero exchange
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  SOCKS proxy client and server

    Molly VS RetroShare

     
  14. Zorium icon

    Zorium

     14 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    The next generation communication platform designed for gamers and academics alike. Experience seamless collaboration like never before.

    55 Zorium alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Zorium screenshot 1

    Top Zorium Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Screen Sharing
    3.  Recurring Tasks
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Voice Chat
    6.  Low Latency
    7.  Media sharing
    8.  Emoji reactions
    9.  Task assignments
    10.  Threaded Conversations
    11.  Direct Messaging

    Zorium VS RetroShare

     
12 of 126 RetroShare alternatives