Instead of SimpleX Chat, try one of these 11.
Every alternative is lined up against SimpleX Chat on what people actually switch for: price, open source, self-hosting, offline use and platforms. SimpleX Chat sits in the first row, so you can see what you give up.
Alternative
Price
Open source
Self-host
Offline
Platforms
Likes
SimpleX ChatWhat you have now
Messaging with no identifiers at all — not even a username.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · iOS · Android · Mac · Linux · Win
WhatsApp#1
The world’s default messaging app, tied to a phone number.
PriceFree
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Telegram#2
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
LikesVisit ↗
Signal#3
End-to-end encrypted messaging from a nonprofit.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Element#4
Decentralised, encrypted chat built on the Matrix protocol.
PriceFree
hosting from $5
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Session#5
Anonymous, onion-routed messaging with no phone number.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Tox#6
Peer-to-peer encrypted chat and video calls
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Threema#7
Swiss, privacy-first messaging with a one-time price.
PricePaid
$6 once
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Matrix#8
Open federated protocol powering decentralized chat and calls.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Wire#9
Encrypted messaging and calls aimed at business users.
PriceFreemium
from $7/mo
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
LikesVisit ↗
Briar#10
Peer-to-peer messaging that works even without the internet.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Android
LikesVisit ↗
Jami#11
Decentralized encrypted calling, messaging, and file sharing.
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux · Android · iOS
LikesVisit ↗
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.
SimpleX Chat alternatives at a glance
SimpleX Chat is a free messaging app. We compared 11 alternatives: 8 are open source, 9 are completely free, 2 can be self-hosted and 3 work fully offline. The most popular is WhatsApp, with 4.2k likes.
Best to self-hostElement
Decentralised, encrypted chat built on the Matrix protocol.
Free · Open source · Self‑hostable