Briar vs SimpleX Chat

Briar is free messaging software for communication that does not depend on a central server. Messages synchronize directly between users’ devices. Without Internet access, synchronization can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or memory cards; with Internet access, Briar can use the Tor network. It provides private messaging, public forums and blogs. The maker says device communications are end-to-end encrypted, contact lists are encrypted on each device, and messages remain stored locally instead of in the cloud. Briar Mailbox can deliver messages securely when users are online at different times. Android distribution includes Google Play, F-Droid and direct APK download. Briar Desktop is available for Linux, Windows and macOS. Desktop lacks Android features including RSS feeds, disappearing messages, nearby contact adding, Bluetooth, removable-drive connections and Tor bridges. The maker’s July 9, 2026 update places Briar in maintenance mode, with essential security updates and bug fixes planned. Reported longstanding issues include high battery use, unreliable Android background operation, no account backup or file attachments, and difficult contact adding and offline communication.

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.