Sideband AlternativesInstant Messengers & Encrypted Chat Apps like Sideband

Apps similar to Sideband include Element, which is open source and free for personal use. Other options are Tox, bitchat, SimpleX Chat and Briar. You can choose from more than 10 Instant Messengers like Sideband for Android, Linux, Mac, Windows and iPhone.

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Alternatives
Sideband alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     844 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.

    357 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • OpenAPK
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Element screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  2. Tox icon

    Tox

     572 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 type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    • US flagUnited States
    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.
    Good alternative?
     
  4. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     64 likes

    Decentralized messaging app enabling secure peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks with end-to-end encryption, channel-based group chats, store & forward delivery, automatic peer discovery, no accounts or phone numbers, and privacy safeguards.

    67 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • OpenAPK
    • US flagUnited States
    bitchat screenshot 1
    bitchat screenshot 2
    bitchat screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  5. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     117 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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • OpenAPK
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Briar icon

    Briar

     137 likes

    Censorship-resistant peer-to-peer messaging that bypasses centralized servers. Connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor, with privacy built-in.

    100 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Global
    Briar screenshot 1
    Briar screenshot 2
    Briar screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  8. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     87 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    89 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Linux Mobile
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • OpenAPK
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Element X icon

    Element X

     51 likes

    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.

    140 Element X alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • OpenAPK
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Element X screenshot 1
    Element X screenshot 2
    Element X screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Columba Messenger icon

    Columba Messenger

     17 likes

    Columba is a simple messaging and voice app for the Reticulum network on Android. Send LXMF messages and make LXST voice calls without relying on the internet, cell towers, or any central servers.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Columba Messenger screenshot 1
    Columba Messenger screenshot 2
    Columba Messenger screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  11. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     44 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.

    212 FluffyChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • CH flagSwitzerland
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  12. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     106 likes

    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].

    166 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Conversations screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  13. Meshtastic icon

    Meshtastic

     17 likes

    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!

    15 Meshtastic alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    • Linux Mobile
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • OpenAPK
    • Flatpak
    • US flagUnited States
    Meshtastic screenshot 1
    Meshtastic screenshot 2
    Meshtastic screenshot 3
    Good alternative?
     
  14. MeshchatX icon

    MeshchatX

     5 likes

    A extensively modified and feature-rich fork of Reticulum MeshChat by Liam Cottle.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Python
    • Docker
    • Obtainium
    • Global
    MeshchatX screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 22 Sideband alternatives