RetroShare AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Encrypted Chat Apps

The best Encrypted Chat alternative to RetroShare is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to RetroShare and many of them are Encrypted Chat Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Encrypted Chat App alternatives to RetroShare are Element, Discord, Tox and SimpleX Chat.

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RetroShare alternatives are mainly Encrypted Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers 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

     1374 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.

    219 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. Element icon

    Element

     786 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
     
  4. Discord icon

    Discord

     1112 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.

    188 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
  5. Tox icon

    Tox

     560 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.

    216 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.
     
  6. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     93 likes

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

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Jami

     238 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
     
  11. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 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.

    190 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
     
  13. Status icon

    Status

     22 likes

    Status combines a private messenger, secure crypto wallet, and Ethereum Web3 DApp browser into one powerful communication tool. Chat with friends and growing communities. Buy, sell, store, and exchange digital assets.

    174 Status alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • F-Droid
    Status screenshot 1
     
  14. VeilidChat icon

    VeilidChat

     4 likes

    VeilidChat is a 1-to-1, person-to-person text only chat application which serves as a technology demonstration for the Veilid application development framework. All communication is end to end encrypted, authenticated, private routed, and peer-to-peer. It's currently in early beta.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    VeilidChat screenshot 1
     
12 of 34 RetroShare alternatives