BitChat Free plan 8.9 Visit SimpleX Chat
simplex.chat
What it is
SimpleX Chat is a messaging application for the SimpleX platform, with apps for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports encrypted text with Markdown and editing, media and file sharing, decentralized groups, voice messages, disappearing messages, and audio and video calls. The network does not assign profile identifiers such as phone numbers or usernames. Messages and metadata use end-to-end encryption with continuous post-quantum key exchange. Four servers participate in each chat so relay servers cannot see which IP addresses communicate. Profiles, contacts, and messages remain in a portable encrypted database on user devices; relay servers hold encrypted messages only until delivery. Users may operate their own servers and still reach people using preconfigured servers. Developers can build bots and integrations using protocol SDKs; the TypeScript SDK connects to the Chat CLI over a WebSocket API. A phone or tablet can link to the desktop app only when both devices share a local network. Disappearing messages and recipient-side deletion are not guaranteed when a recipient device is offline or modified. The free plan costs nothing.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- SimpleX Chat is an encrypted messaging platform for text, files, voice messages, groups, and audio/video calls.Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacypick.com
- Purpose
- SimpleX Chat is a messaging application built on the SimpleX platform.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Support
- Users can contact the team through the in-app “Ask SimpleX team” contact or by emailing [email protected].Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- License
- The application source code is available under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Headquarters
- London, United KingdomRead 28 Sep 2026 · simplex.chat
- API and SDK
- The open SimpleX protocol includes an SDK for building chat bots and services that users access through SimpleX Chat apps.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Audio and video calls
- The platform supports end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls and can use self-hosted WebRTC relays.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Company identity
- Crunchbase identifies the legal name as SimpleX Chat, Inc., founded in 2021, with headquarters in London, England, and founder Evgeny Poberezkin.Read 14 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists SimpleX Chat as a privately held technology company with 2–10 employees.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Company status
- SimpleX Chat Ltd is a UK-registered company developing communication software for the SimpleX network.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Crowdfunding news
- SimpleX announced an equity crowdfunding round on Wefunder on August 20, 2026, stating that the app had exceeded three million downloads and about 480,000 monthly users.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Data storage
- Profiles, contacts and messages are stored on client devices in a portable encrypted database, while relay servers temporarily hold encrypted messages until delivery.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Deletion limitation
- Message deletion and disappearing-message behavior cannot be guaranteed on recipients’ devices if they are offline or run modified software.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Desktop linking limit
- A mobile device can link to the desktop app only when both devices are connected to the same local network.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Developer documentation
- Documentation covers protocol schemas, terminal CLI operation, relay deployment, chat relays, calls, channels, privacy, and security settings.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Developer integrations
- The open protocol provides SDKs for chat bots and integrations, including integration of the SimpleX Chat library into mobile apps.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Disappearing messages
- Chats support disappearing messages with opt-out controls per contact or group.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Download requirements
- Official desktop builds include Linux AppImage or Flatpak, Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 and Debian-based systems, macOS Intel or Apple Silicon, and Windows x86_64.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Encrypted media
- Users can send encrypted images and files, plus encrypted voice messages of up to five minutes.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Encrypted portable database
- The app stores an encrypted portable chat database that can be transferred with contacts and history to another supported device.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Encryption
- The network uses end-to-end encryption with continuous post-quantum key exchange for messages and metadata.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- End-to-end encryption
- Messages, files, voice messages, and calls are end-to-end encrypted so relay servers cannot decrypt their content.Read 14 Oct 2026 · shieldcue.com
- Funding
- SimpleX announced a $1.3 million pre-seed round led by Jack Dorsey with participation from Asymmetric Capital Partners in August 2024.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Independent score
- ShieldCue rates SimpleX Chat 9.2 out of 10 and describes it as free, open source, and end-to-end encrypted.Read 14 Oct 2026 · shieldcue.com
- Independent security findings
- PrivacyPick reports that the 2024 design review found three medium- and one low-severity issues, characterized as difficult to exploit.Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacypick.com
- Limit: iOS usability
- Apple reviewers repeatedly report awkward or outdated interface design, freezes, crashes, and other iOS usability bugs.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Limit: notifications
- Apple and Google reviewers report delayed or missing background notifications and messages that arrive only after opening the app.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Live messages
- Live messages update for recipients repeatedly while the sender types.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Messaging features
- The apps support encrypted messages with Markdown and editing, encrypted media and files, decentralized groups, voice messages, disappearing messages, audio and video calls, portable storage and incognito mode.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Mobile distribution
- Official mobile distribution includes iOS App Store/TestFlight and Android Play Store, F-Droid, and ARM APK downloads.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Multiple profiles
- Users can create multiple profiles, hide profiles behind a password, and enable incognito mode that generates a different profile name for each new contact.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- No identifiers
- The SimpleX network assigns no user profile identifiers, including phone numbers, usernames, random numbers, cryptographic keys or hashes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- No user identifiers
- The network assigns no phone numbers, usernames, or other global user identifiers; connections use one-time links or optional public addresses.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Open source
- Alternative client applications based on SimpleX Chat code must publish modifications under the AGPLv3 license.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Praise: privacy
- Apple reviewers repeatedly praise the app’s privacy model, encrypted calls, and lack of phone-number identity.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Privacy architecture
- Four different servers are used in each chat so relay servers cannot observe which IP addresses communicate with each other.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Rating on Apple App Store
- 4.3 out of 5 from 268 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Rating on Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5 from 2.83K reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Reactions and receipts
- The apps provide message reactions and delivery receipts, each with opt-out settings.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Relay metadata design
- SimpleX relay servers temporarily forward messages and are designed without user accounts or a shared identifier graph.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Secret groups
- Secret groups conceal the group’s existence and membership from non-members.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Security assessment 2022
- Trail of Bits found two medium- and two low-severity issues in the 2022 implementation assessment; three were fixed in version 4.2.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Security assessments
- SimpleX reports Trail of Bits implementation and cryptographic design assessments conducted in 2022 and 2024, with another implementation assessment scheduled for June 2026.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Security review 2024
- Trail of Bits’ July 2024 protocol-design review reported three medium- and one low-severity findings plus three informational findings; three were improved in v6.1.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Security-code verification
- Contacts and group members can compare security codes to detect invitation-link substitution and mitigate man-in-the-middle attacks.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Self-hosting
- Users can operate their own SMP relay server with a VPS, domain, and basic Linux knowledge, while still communicating with users on other relays.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Support channels
- The company directs users to in-app contact, email, GitHub issues, and community or help resources rather than a phone line.Read 14 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- Supported downloads
- Desktop downloads are available for Linux, macOS and Windows, while mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
- TypeScript SDK
- The TypeScript SDK connects to the SimpleX Chat CLI through a WebSocket API and supports profiles, invitations, addresses, groups and file transfers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
Plans and prices
Free Free Free No subscription charge stated Read 14 Oct 2026 · shieldcue.com
SimpleX Chat Free everything free; paid features planned Read 1 Oct 2026 · simplex.chat
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- The network assigns no user profile identifiers.
- Messages and metadata receive end-to-end encryption.
- Profiles and messages are stored in an encrypted client database.
- Supports audio and video calls.
- Users can operate their own servers.
Limits
- Desktop linking requires both devices on the same local network.
- Recipient-side deletion cannot be guaranteed for offline or modified devices.
- No encrypted backups are listed.
Who it suits
SimpleX Chat suits people who want messaging without assigned profile identifiers and need apps across mobile and desktop platforms. It also offers self-hosting and SDKs for developers building chat integrations.
Verdict
SimpleX Chat combines messaging features with an identifier-free network design and encrypted client-side storage. Note the local-network requirement for desktop linking and the limits on enforcing deletion.
Where Specifiction places it
- Encrypted Messaging Apps#3 of 438.4
- Secure Messaging Apps#5 of 368.5
- Instant Messaging Software#10 of 308.5
