sitealternatives
Messaging · 12 alternatives

Instead of Session, try one of these 12.

Every alternative is lined up against Session on what people actually switch for: price, open source, self-hosting, offline use and platforms. Session sits in the first row, so you can see what you give up.

Show onlySorted by likes · 12 of 12
Alternative
Price
Open source
Self-host
Offline
Platforms
SessionWhat you have now
Anonymous, onion-routed messaging with no phone number.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Telegram#1
Cloud chat with channels, bots and large group support.
PriceFree
premium $5/mo
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Signal#2
End-to-end encrypted messaging from a nonprofit.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Element#3
Decentralised, encrypted chat built on the Matrix protocol.
PriceFree
hosting from $5
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Tox#4
Peer-to-peer encrypted chat and video calls
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · Android
Threema#5
Swiss, privacy-first messaging with a one-time price.
PricePaid
$6 once
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Matrix#6
Open federated protocol powering decentralized chat and calls.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Wire#7
Encrypted messaging and calls aimed at business users.
PriceFreemium
from $7/mo
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
SimpleX Chat#8
Messaging with no identifiers at all — not even a username.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · iOS · Android · Mac · Linux · Win
Briar#9
Peer-to-peer messaging that works even without the internet.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Android
Jami#10
Decentralized encrypted calling, messaging, and file sharing.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · Android · iOS
Delta Chat#11
Chat app built on email, with no central servers or tracking.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Molly#12
Hardened Signal fork for Android with extra locking and privacy.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Android

How to read this. “Yes” means fully supported by the maker. “Partial” means it works with caveats. Likes reflect community popularity; vendors can’t pay for them or for placement. How we compare.

Session alternatives at a glance

Session is a free messaging app. We compared 12 alternatives: 10 are open source, 10 are completely free, 2 can be self-hosted and 5 work fully offline. The most popular is Telegram, with 3.1k likes.

Most liked overallTelegram

Cloud chat with channels, bots and large group support.

Free
Best free optionSignal

End-to-end encrypted messaging from a nonprofit.

Free · Open source
Best open-source optionElement

Decentralised, encrypted chat built on the Matrix protocol.

Free · Open source · Self‑hostable
Best to self-hostMatrix

Open federated protocol powering decentralized chat and calls.

Free · Open source · Self‑hostable

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