Dino vs Session
Dino
dino.im
Session
getsession.orgSide by side
| Figure | Dino | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Encrypted Messaging Apps | 8.3 (#5) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Calls | Dino supports audio and video calls, including group calls; its release announcement describes calls as end-to-end encrypted and peer-to-peer where possible. | Voice and video calls are beta features, use peer-to-peer networking, and can expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. |
| Open source | Dino is free and open-source software whose code anyone can inspect and modify. | Session’s code is open source and can be independently audited. |
| Platforms | The distribution packages page lists release packages for Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, Alpine, Gentoo, Guix, NixOS, Void Linux, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD. | The maker’s download page offers apps for Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, and Linux. |
| Product | Dino is an open-source desktop chat client for Jabber/XMPP focused on a clean, reliable experience and privacy. | Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted private messaging app. |
| Support | Users can ask questions or share ideas in the XMPP chat room at [email protected] and report bugs or feature requests on the issues page. | The maker directs users needing help to its support portal. |
Plans
In their own words
Session
Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging app for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Account creation does not require a phone number or email address. Its onion-request routing is designed so no single server knows both the origin and destination of a message. The app supports disappearing messages and encrypted group chats for up to 100 people. Attachments can be up to 10MB; they are encrypted on the device and stored through the Session File Server. Communities are self-hosted public channels, but are not fully end-to-end encrypted. Voice and video calling are beta features for one-to-one calls only, using peer-to-peer networking; calls can expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. The code is open source, and the desktop, Android, and iOS clients have been audited by Quarkslab. The free plan includes encrypted messaging and attachments up to 10MB. Pro costs $2.99 a month and adds messages up to 10,000 characters, unlimited pinned conversations, animated display pictures, and badges.