Beeper vs SimpleX Chat
Beeper
beeper.comSimpleX Chat
simplex.chatSide by side
| Figure | Beeper | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $9.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 2 |
| Spec score · Instant Messaging Software | 8.9 (#3) | 8.5 (#10) |
| Open source | Beeper says its integrations are open source and publishes official bridge projects for supported networks. | Alternative client applications based on SimpleX Chat code must publish modifications under the AGPLv3 license. |
| Self-hosting | Self-hosting can suit people who prefer not to use Beeper's hosted cloud service, need to connect unsupported networks, or cannot use On-Device Connections; Beeper does not provide technical support for 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. |
| Support | Beeper directs users to its in-app problem report flow or support email for bugs and feedback, and says problem reports do not include message contents. | Users can contact the team through the in-app “Ask SimpleX team” contact or by emailing [email protected]. |
Plans
Beeper
- Beeper FreeFree
- Beeper Plus$9.99 a month
- Beeper Plus Plus$49.99 a month
- Beeper FreeFree
- Beeper Plus$9.99 a month
- Beeper Plus Plus$49.99 a month
In their own words
SimpleX Chat
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.