Jami Free plan 8.8 Visit 
BitChat
bitchat.free
What it is
BitChat is a decentralized messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh for nearby communication and Nostr relays for internet messaging. Bluetooth messages can pass between nearby devices across as many as seven hops without internet access. When Bluetooth is unavailable, the app can use Nostr; if neither route is available, messages can wait in a queue. Geographic chat rooms use geohash coordinates.
The app requires no account, phone number, or central server. Live mesh sessions use Noise XX for mutual authentication and forward secrecy, while private Nostr messages use an app-specific encrypted format that works only with BitChat clients. However, mesh announcements expose static keys and nicknames in cleartext, and a persistent per-device identifier can allow nearby listeners to follow a device over time and place. A triple-tap emergency wipe clears app data, including identity keys and queued messages. Android adds Wi-Fi Aware on supported devices and built-in Tor. BitChat is available for iOS, Android, and macOS, and is free.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- BitChat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh nearby and Nostr over the internet for global messaging.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Purpose
- BitChat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh for nearby communication and Nostr for internet messaging.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audience
- The maker describes offline mesh communication as useful during internet outages, natural disasters, protests, and in regions with limited connectivity.Read 10 Oct 2026 · bitchat.free
- Platforms
- The maker's site lists iOS, macOS, and Android builds; iOS requires version 16.0 or later, macOS 13.0 or later, and Android 8.0 or later.Read 11 Oct 2026 · bitchat.free
- Integrations
- The listed internet messaging transport is the Nostr protocol, which connects BitChat users through relays.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy
- The app requires no accounts or phone numbers, but its mesh uses a persistent per-device identifier derived from the identity key.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The iOS/macOS project and its whitepaper describe the software as released into the public domain.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Accounts
- The app says it requires no accounts, phone numbers, or central servers.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Android features
- The Android version lists Wi-Fi Aware transport on supported devices, Tor support, and optional password-protected channel chats.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build verification
- The project recommends installing from the App Store or building verified source, and describes checking builds against a per-release hash manifest.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility limit
- BitChat's Nostr private-envelope format is app-specific and interoperates only with BitChat clients.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Distribution
- The maker links to the App Store and Google Play, and provides Android APK releases through GitHub.Read 10 Oct 2026 · bitchat.free
- Emergency wipe
- A triple-tap emergency wipe clears app data, including identity keys and queued messages.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Encryption
- The project describes Noise Protocol end-to-end encryption for mesh messages and BitChat private envelopes for Nostr fallback messages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Intended use
- The maker describes offline use during internet outages, natural disasters, protests, and in areas with limited connectivity.Read 11 Oct 2026 · bitchat.free
- Internet messaging
- Location-based channels use geohash coordinates over Nostr relays, and the app can fall back to Nostr when Bluetooth is unavailable.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Location channels
- Geographic chat rooms use geohash coordinates over Nostr relays.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Message routing
- The app prefers Bluetooth when available, falls back to Nostr, and can queue messages when neither transport is available.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Messaging features
- Features include IRC-style commands, automatic message routing, message queuing, and a triple-tap emergency wipe.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Offline mesh
- Nearby devices discover peers and relay messages across Bluetooth LE mesh networks, with a maximum of seven hops.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Offline use
- Bluetooth mesh messaging works without internet, with nearby devices relaying messages across multiple hops.Read 10 Oct 2026 · bitchat.free
- Open source
- The iOS/macOS project and Android project state that they are released into the public domain.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy limitation
- The whitepaper says mesh announcements expose static keys and nicknames in cleartext, allowing a nearby passive listener to follow a device across time and places.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy policy
- The project says the app has no analytics, advertising, telemetry, or tracking and does not sell user data.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Free Free Free download · iPhone app Read 11 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Bluetooth mesh works without internet
- Messages can relay across seven hops
- No account or phone number required
- Emergency wipe clears keys and queued messages
- Free on iOS, Android, and macOS
Limits
- Mesh announcements expose keys and nicknames
- Nearby listeners may track device identifiers
- Nostr private messages work only with BitChat clients
Who it suits
BitChat suits people seeking nearby messaging that can work without internet, including during outages or in areas with limited connectivity. Its cleartext mesh announcements are important for anyone weighing privacy risks.
Verdict
BitChat offers offline mesh messaging alongside internet messaging through Nostr, without requiring an account or phone number. Its persistent device identifiers and cleartext mesh announcements are material privacy limitations.
Where Specifiction places it
- Encrypted Messaging Apps#1 of 438.9
