Sideband AlternativesInstant Messengers & Encrypted Chat Apps like Sideband

Sideband is described as 'Decentralized messaging client for Android, Linux and macOS allowing you to communicate with people or LXMF-compatible systems over Reticulum networks using LoRa, Packet Radio, WiFi, I2P, or any other medium Reticulum supports' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Sideband for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Android, F-Droid and Flathub apps. The best Sideband alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Tox. Other great apps like Sideband are bitchat, Briar, Element X and FluffyChat.

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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     763 likes
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    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

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    • Element is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Sideband.

    • Element is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Sideband.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceSideband is Free and Open Source
    • Element is LightweightSideband is not according to our users
  2. Tox icon

    Tox

     558 likes
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    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.

    212 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    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.
     
  5. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     37 likes
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    A secure, decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks. No internet required, no servers, no phone numbers — just pure encrypted communication.

    55 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
    bitchat screenshot 2
     
  6. Briar icon

    Briar

     107 likes
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    An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.

    75 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
    Briar screenshot 2
    Briar screenshot 3
     
  10. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     54 likes
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    Delta Chat looks and feels like other popular messenger apps, but does not involve centralized control, tracking or selling you, friends, colleagues or family out to large organizations. "Privacy by Design" has never been more fun.

    79 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
  11. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes
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    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
  12. Fractal icon

    Fractal

     16 likes
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    Fractal is a Matrix messaging app for GNOME written in Rust. Its interface is optimized for collaboration in large groups, such as free software projects.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • GNOME
    • Flatpak
    Fractal screenshot 1
     
  13. Meshtastic icon

    Meshtastic

     9 likes
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    Meshtastic is a project that enables you to use inexpensive LoRa radios as a long range off-grid communication platform in areas without existing or reliable communications infrastructure. This project is 100% community driven and open source!

    7 Meshtastic alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • F-Droid
     
  14. Dino icon

    Dino

     23 likes
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    Dino is a modern open-source chat client for the desktop. It focuses on providing a clean and reliable Jabber/XMPP experience while having your privacy in mind. Using GTK+/Vala.

    77 Dino alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    Dino screenshot 1
     
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