Session vs Status

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.

Status combines a cryptocurrency wallet, messenger, and browser in one application. The wallet supports sending, swapping, and bridging crypto, with a live token list synchronized from decentralized exchanges across multiple chains. Messaging is decentralized and provides metadata privacy with end-to-end encryption by default. Status says users need no phone number, email, bank card, or social media account. It supports token-gated communities, and the desktop app can create and administer them. Running Status Desktop contributes to decentralizing the Waku peer-to-peer messaging network. The Status Wallet Connector extension links the wallet to decentralized applications while keeping keys inside Status; Keycard is a compatible secure contactless hardware wallet. Status runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and as an extension. The free plan costs nothing, with no ads, paid tier, or imposed limits. The project is open source.