Tor Messenger AlternativesInstant Messengers and other similar apps like Tor Messenger

Tor Messenger is described as 'Cross-platform chat program that aims to be secure by default and sends all of its traffic over Tor. It supports a wide variety of transport networks, Off-the-Record (OTR) messaging and has an easy-to-use graphical user interface' and is a instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Tor Messenger for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and BSD apps. The best Tor Messenger alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Tor Messenger are Element, Pidgin, Tox and Jitsi Desktop.

Tor Messenger alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Video Calling Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Tor Messenger.

Tor Messenger

Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger

Tor Messenger is a cross-platform chat program that aims to be secure by default and sends all of its traffic over Tor. It...

More about Tor Messenger

Tor Messenger alternatives page was last updated

Signal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
206 Signal alternatives
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
- - Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Tor Messenger.
- - Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Tor Messenger.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
Private messaging
Encrypted Connection
Mobile friendly
GPLv3
Secure Chat
Stickers
Desktop Application
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Element
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Flathub
F-Droid
Cloudron
275 Element alternatives
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
- - Element is the most popular Web-based, Android Tablet & Self-Hosted alternative to Tor Messenger.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Support for MarkDownElement supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Custom widgets
Simple installation
Clean design
Multiple languages
Per-room avatars
Pidgin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Flathub
PortableApps.com
122 Pidgin alternatives
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.
Suggest and vote on features
Pidgin Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPidgin can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Multiple Account supportPidgin support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
3. PortablePidgin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. No TrackingPidgin will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Ad-freePidgin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. VoiP CallsPidgin allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Support for Multiple protocols
Supports XMPP
IRC
Multiple languages
Xmpp
Multiple chat protocols
Messages
Tox
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
F-Droid
193 Tox alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
6. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
7. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
8. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
Client side encryption
White-labeled
Point-to-point encryption
VoiP Calls
Jitsi Desktop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Web Conferencing Tool
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Self-Hosted
79 Jitsi Desktop alternatives
Jitsi Desktop (previously SIP Communicator) is a legacy audio/video and chat communicator with full encryption, precedessor of Jitsi Meet .
Suggest and vote on features
Jitsi Desktop Features
1. Privacy focusedJitsi Desktop is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Jitsi Desktop without registration.
3. Multiple Account supportJitsi Desktop support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
4. Desktop SharingJitsi Desktop enables you to share your screen with other people in the same office or working remotely.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsJitsi Desktop can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Video Conferencing
SIP
Support for Multiple protocols
Live Meeting
WebRTC
Voice Chat
Web-Based
Unlimited users
SIP client
Audio Conferencing
Discontinued
Jitsi Desktop is not actively developed anymore: last version, released in October 2017, can be still downloaded from GitHub. Its successor is Jitsi Meet
Jami
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
148 Jami alternatives
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
Distributed
SIP client
Multiple languages
Team Messaging
SIP
Voice Chat
Intercom Support
RetroShare
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
OpenSSL
OpenPGP
113 RetroShare alternatives
RetroShare is a 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 .
Suggest and vote on features
RetroShare Features
1. DecentralizedRetroShare is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedRetroShare is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionRetroShare has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Shared FoldersRetroShare supports shared folders that can be used to store, search, and access files with multiple people.
5. GPG EncryptionRetroShare supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
Serverless
Secure Chat
Secure File Sharing
Anonymous Secure Filesharing
Voice Chat
Briar
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Linux
Android
Flathub
F-Droid
Windows
Mac
56 Briar alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Briar Features
1. DecentralizedBriar is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Works OfflineBriar can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. End-to-End EncryptionBriar has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Briar without registration.
5. Self Destructing MessagesBriar supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
6. Ad-freeBriar doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. LightweightBriar consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Dark ModeBriar supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Privacy focusedBriar is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Bluetooth Support
Mesh network
Support for TOR
Peer-To-Peer
LAN
Non-cloud solution
Secure Chat
Distributed
No Tracking
Sync via TOR network
Adium
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
69 Adium alternatives
Adium is a free and open source instant messaging application for Mac OS X, written using Mac OS Xs Cocoa API, released under the GNU GPL and developed by the Adium team. Based on the libpurple protocol library, Adium can connect you to any number of messaging accounts on any...
Suggest and vote on features
Adium Features
1. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Adium.
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
Supports XMPP
Multiple languages
Tabbed interface
Messages
OTR
Customizable
Discontinued
The last update is from March 2021.
Empathy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Linux
BSD
142 Empathy alternatives
Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, video chat, and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application.
Suggest and vote on features
Empathy Features
Unified messaging
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
SIP
Integrated File Sharing
Voice Chat
Discontinued
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Bitmessage
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
51 Bitmessage alternatives
Bitmessage is a P2P communications protocol used to send encrypted messages to another person or to many subscribers. It is decentralized and trustless, meaning that you need-not inherently trust any entities like root certificate authorities.
Suggest and vote on features
Bitmessage Features
Peer-To-Peer
Instantbird
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
45 Instantbird alternatives
Instantbird is an instant messaging client based on Mozilla XULRunner and the open source library libpurple created by the software developers of Pidgin . Over 250 add-ons allow user customization of, and addition of, features.
Suggest and vote on features
Instantbird Features
1. PortableInstantbird can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for Multiple protocols
Multiple languages
IRC
Xmpp
Discontinued
Site last updated 2013. Site security certificate expired April 2017.