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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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1461 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.

    245 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

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

    JuanClaude
    Positive
    0

    From what i know it's not fully open source. It's partially open source.

    • 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

     465 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.

    144 LocalSend alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    Element

     833 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.

    346 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Element screenshot 1
     
  5. Discord icon

    Discord

     1141 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.

    226 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

    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietaryRetroShare is Free and Open Source
    • Discord is a Group Chat RetroShare is an Instant Messenger
  7. Tox icon

    Tox

     573 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.

    224 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.
     
  8. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     114 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.

    79 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Jami

     250 likes

    Open source decentralized communication platform supporting secure end-to-end encrypted calls, messaging, group conferencing, file and media sharing, SIP compatibility, multi-device sync, and strong privacy, available across desktop and mobile systems.

    179 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

     717 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...

    79 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.

    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Not the same scope as RetroShare!

    • Deluge is Free and Open SourceRetroShare is also Free and Open Source
    • Deluge is a Torrent Client RetroShare is an Instant Messenger
    • Deluge is LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  11. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     122 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.

    79 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 a Large File Transfer RetroShare is an Instant Messenger
    • OnionShare is Security-focused and LightweightRetroShare is not according to our users
  14. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     43 likes

    Encrypted messenger supporting multi-platform access, unlimited group and private chats, file and voice message sharing, decentralized operation, open-source code, custom themes including dark mode, advanced moderation, push notifications, and no advertisements.

    207 FluffyChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
12 of 150 RetroShare alternatives