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Cwtch
cwtch.im
What it is
Cwtch is a free decentralized messaging app for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Direct conversations use Tor v3 onion services to create anonymous peer-to-peer connections between profiles, and Cwtch says communication is end-to-end encrypted over those services. Both participants must be online for peer-to-peer chat. Group conversations and offline delivery use a third-party server designed to learn as little as possible about message contents or metadata. Group messaging is experimental: users must enable the Experiments and Group Experiment settings, and the project calls metadata-resistant group communication an active research area. Conversation history is not preserved between sessions by default, though it can be enabled for an individual conversation. The protocol is open, allowing bots, services, and interfaces to integrate with Cwtch; core library, Go bindings, and interface code are linked as open source. There is no global display-name registry, which the security handbook says increases impersonation risk. The project recommends version 1.17.2, released October 2, 2026, for security fixes. The plan costs nothing.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Cwtch is a decentralized, privacy-preserving, metadata-resistant messaging app.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Platforms
- The download page provides builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android; it says an iOS offering is not currently available.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Founded
- The security handbook says the Cwtch project began in 2017 as an extension protocol for Ricochet.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Encryption
- Cwtch says all communication is end-to-end encrypted and takes place over Tor v3 onion services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Experimental groups
- The group feature requires users to enable the Experiments and Group Experiment settings, and the project says metadata-resistant group communication remains an active research area.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Groups
- Group conversations and offline delivery use a third-party server, which is designed to learn as little as possible about message contents or metadata.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- History default
- Conversation history is not preserved between sessions by default, but can be enabled for an individual conversation.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Online requirement
- Both people must be online to chat in a peer-to-peer conversation.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Open protocol
- The Cwtch protocol is open, and anyone can build bots, services, and user interfaces that integrate and interact with Cwtch.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Organization
- The Cwtch team is run by the Open Privacy Research Society.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Peer chat
- Cwtch uses Tor v3 onion services to establish anonymous peer-to-peer connections between profiles.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Security limitation
- Cwtch has no global display-name registry, and its security handbook says users are more vulnerable to impersonation attacks as a result.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Security update
- The project recommends updating to version 1.17.2, released October 2, 2026, which fixes several security issues.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
- Source code
- The download page links the Cwtch core library, Go bindings, and user interface as open-source projects.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
Plans and prices
Cwtch Free No paid plans or usage limits stated on the opened pages Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.cwtch.im
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- End-to-end encryption over Tor v3
- Available on four listed platforms
- Open protocol and open-source components
- No paid plans or usage limits stated
- Conversation history can be enabled per chat
Limits
- Both people must be online for peer chat
- Group messaging requires experimental settings
- No global display-name registry
- History is off by default
Who it suits
Cwtch suits users seeking decentralized, Tor-based messaging across desktop and Android platforms. It is for people comfortable with online requirements for direct chats and experimental group features.
Verdict
Cwtch emphasizes decentralized, Tor-routed conversations with an open protocol and broad platform support. Direct-chat availability depends on both users being online, while groups remain experimental and impersonation protection is limited.
Where Specifiction places it
- Encrypted Messaging Apps#13 of 438.1
- Secure Messaging Apps#13 of 368.1
