Delta Chat vs FluffyChat
Delta Chat
delta.chat
FluffyChat
fluffychat.imSide by side
| Figure | Delta Chat | FluffyChat |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Encrypted Messaging Apps | 8.3 (#4) | 8.0 (#15) |
| Spec score · Secure Messaging Apps | 8.2 (#11) | 8.0 (#14) |
| Calls | Audio and video calls on Android and iOS use peer-to-peer WebRTC with signaling through Delta Chat messages; the March 2026 post says the feature was still behind a debug setting. | FluffyChat supports direct calls and video conferences with Matrix RTC-compatible encryption. |
| Encryption | All messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, and attachments and their metadata are included in the encryption. | End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for private chats, and the app uses Vodozemac. |
| Integrations | Delta Chat supports chatmail relays and in-chat web apps, and can use a classic email address as a relay with limitations. | FluffyChat is compatible with other Matrix clients, including Element, Nheko, Cinny, and NeoChat. |
| Messaging | The app supports multi-profile and multi-device use, and relays messages through secure, interoperable chatmail relays. | Users can send private and group messages, voice messages, pictures, videos, and their location. |
| Platforms | The download page lists Android, iPhone/iPad, macOS, Windows, GNU/Linux, and a community-driven Ubuntu Touch effort. | The FAQ lists Android, iOS, web, and Linux desktop; Windows and macOS builds are not yet supported. |
| Support | The site links to a Delta Chat forum for support and feedback. | The project asks users to support it through Ko-fi or Liberapay donations. |
Plans
In their own words
Delta Chat
Delta Chat is a free, open-source instant messaging app for mobile and desktop, with support for self-hosting. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, and supports multiple profiles and devices. Messages travel through secure, interoperable chatmail relays and are end-to-end encrypted by default, including attachments and their metadata. Delta Chat uses a subset of OpenPGP with Secure-Join and Autocrypt. Servers can still see sender and receiver addresses and message size; other message, contact and group metadata is encrypted. Chats can include interactive web apps for gaming and collaboration. Android and iOS audio and video calls use peer-to-peer WebRTC, but a March 2026 post said the feature was still behind a debug setting. A classic email address can act as a relay only if used exclusively by chatmail clients, and classic email providers generally do not support push notifications. The FAQ says there are no immediate plans for a web client. The project links to a forum for support and feedback.
FluffyChat
FluffyChat is a free, ad-free open-source messaging app built on the Matrix protocol. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, and the web, supporting private and group messages, voice messages, pictures, videos, and location sharing. The feature list also includes polls, custom stickers, spaces, moderation tools, multi-device support, and public chats with tens of thousands of participants. Direct calls and video conferences use Matrix RTC-compatible encryption. Private chats have end-to-end encryption enabled by default through Vodozemac. The app works with other Matrix clients such as Element, Nheko, Cinny, and NeoChat. FluffyChat caches server data locally and attempts SQLCipher encryption, keeping the key in device secure storage. Push notifications use Firebase Cloud Messaging or UnifiedPush. FluffyChat does not host messaging servers, so the chosen server’s data-protection terms apply.