Jami vs SimpleX Chat
Jami
jami.netSimpleX Chat
simplex.chatSide by side
| Figure | Jami | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Secure Messaging Apps | 8.8 (#1) | 8.5 (#5) |
| Spec score · Encrypted Messaging Apps | 8.8 (#2) | 8.4 (#3) |
| Encryption | Jami states that its communications use end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy and comply with the X.509 standard. | The network uses end-to-end encryption with continuous post-quantum key exchange for messages and metadata. |
| Headquarters | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | London, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Jami is free/libre, end-to-end encrypted communication software for private messaging and calls. | SimpleX Chat is a messaging application built on the SimpleX platform. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 3.7 out of 5 from 90 ratings | 4.3 out of 5 from 268 ratings |
| Rating on Google Play | 3.7 out of 5 from 2.46K reviews | 4.1 out of 5 from 2.83K reviews |
| Self-hosting | Jami documentation includes a server setup path and Jami Web can be run on a user's own machine. | 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 | Jami directs users to its forum for questions and lists [email protected] as a contact address. | Users can contact the team through the in-app “Ask SimpleX team” contact or by emailing [email protected]. |
| Support channels | Official support includes a forum, GitLab issue tracking, Gerrit code review, Matrix, IRC and commercial support from Savoir-faire Linux. | The company directs users to in-app contact, email, GitHub issues, and community or help resources rather than a phone line. |
| What it does | Jami is a free, peer-to-peer communication platform for private messaging and calls without a central authority. | SimpleX Chat is an encrypted messaging platform for text, files, voice messages, groups, and audio/video calls. |
Plans
In their own words
Jami
Jami is free/libre software for private messaging and calls, with end-to-end encrypted communications and peer-to-peer connections. It offers instant messaging, audio and video calls, group chats, and recorded audio and video messages. Users can hold video conferences and create rendezvous points without third-party hosting, as well as share files or screens and stream media. Jami says it does not require a server to relay data between users; it also states that communications use perfect forward secrecy and comply with the X.509 standard. One account can link multiple devices, and account creation does not require personal information. Jami can also function as a regular SIP client. Optional extensions include green screen, watermark, auto answer, local AI transcription, audio filter, and video segmentation. These extensions are unavailable to iOS users, and features vary by client. Platforms listed include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, along with API and extension access. Jami also provides an OpenClaw channel plugin; bot accounts and API access are supported on desktop Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project is led by Savoir-faire Linux Inc. and supported by a global community of free software contributors.
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.