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Chat Apps#

There are replicas of the Chat Apps List on my file server and dDocs.
You can also find the Chat Apps List in spreadsheet form on Teable.

Community Chat#

Armada#

https://armada.buzz

The best of Nostr messaging in one client. NIP17 DMs, NIP29 relay communities, and Concord secure communities.

Notable mention is Vector (https://vectorapp.io), the origins of the Concord protocol. They're working on version 0.5 which will bring it to near feature-parity with Armada. Right now Vector is more of a traditional messenger than a community chat, but 0.5 will make it great for communities too.

  • Platforms: web, windows, macos, linux, android
    • PWA enabled for iOS, including WebPush
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
    • Calling is available for all Concord communities; NIP29 channels must have LiveKit enabled by the server. Self-hosting a voice server is an option for Concord communities.
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype)
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted (NIP17 and Concord only)
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features
    • Ditto Themes: Customize the colors of your experience. Themes created/activated in Soapbox's sister app Ditto will carry over to Armada, however themes activated in Armada will not carry over to Ditto (you can save a theme from Armada to activate in Ditto later).

Chatto#

https://chatto.run

A Discord-like app where every server is a literal server.

  • Platforms: web
    • The web app can function as a PWA
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: ---
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Software, Decentralized, Self-Hostable
  • Anti-Features: ---

DEN Chat#

https://denchat.top

Another Nostr-based community messaging app, with some interesting special features and integration into the wider Nostr ecosystem. Community voice chats do require resources provided by its members though. DEN communities have more granular permission control than Concord/Armada communities.

  • Platforms: web, windows, linux
    • PWA enabled
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
    • Calling in a community requires Cloudflare Realtime SFU and TURN API keys or a LiveKit server provided by one of the community's members. Cloudflare SFU/TURN costs $0.05/GB of throughput (with 10 GB/month of free throughput according to DEN's developer), while LiveKit can be self-hosted or there are some cloud services that provide LiveKit.
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype)
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted
  • Anti-Features: Low Metadata Privacy
    • If metadata privacy is important, use Armada or another app that runs on the Concord Protocol. The protocol used by DEN reveals what communities you're in as public events on the Nostr network.
      • DEN is working on a Hub V2 system that will help to fix this problem.
  • Special Features
    • Nostr Network Integration: View general Nostr content from within DEN Chat. Currently supports standard microblog posts and Nostr Reads (long-form blogs).
    • Public Topic Chats: Enter a keyword and anyone using the same keyword can read the same chatroom. Messages in these rooms are NOT end-to-end encrypted, however.
    • Crypto Wallets: For some reason this app includes both the newer Bitcoin Taproot wallet that's been appearing in some Nostr clients but also 5 EVM chains (ETH, POL, BNB, AVAX, and Base). You have to sign in using your nsec directly to send from these but you can always view them even when signed-in through a remote bunker or browser signer extension.

Discord#

https://discord.com

The big one. The one people love and hate. The one people want to get away from.

  • Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
  • Pro-Features: ---
  • Anti-Features: Extreme Monetization, Low Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software

Fluxer#

https://fluxer.app

It's a lot like Discord, but open-source and soon federated. A great choice for people leaving Discord.

Fluxer's federation support will not be available until the 2.0 rework.
For spam protection purposes Fluxer may require your phone number, and they cannot reveal what triggers this as it could be used against them.

  • Platforms: web, windows, macos, linux
    • Mobile is in beta; Android is available to all while the iOS beta requires Plutonium.
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Software, Self-Hostable
  • Anti-Features: May Request Phone Number
  • Special Features:
    • Discord Template Import: Bring over your entire server's structure from Discord, including roles and channels.

GroupMe#

https://groupme.com

It's owned by Microsoft. It's trying to be a Discord alternative. Why does every local group ever use this? Also Copilot.

  • Platforms: web, android, ios
  • Calling: Voice, Video
  • Pro-Features: ---
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software, Low Regard for Privacy, Requires Phone Number

Hyalus#

https://hyalus.app

It almost works. I don't really recommend it.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Frontend
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Backend

Keybase#

https://keybase.io

Cryptographic tools for the masses, including encrypted large-scale chat rooms. A shame it's closed-source and not well-supported anymore.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: ---
  • Embedded Content: Images, GIFs
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
  • Special Features:
    • Encrypted File Storage: Store files you want to keep safe, accessible from any device linked to your account.
    • Encrypted Git Repositories: Keep code you don't want to publish secure.
    • Cryptographically Attested Profiles: Add proofs of your existence on other social media apps to help others find you.

Kloak#

https://kloak.app

I had used this app before and allegations came up of the app being made with AI.
Also the website says it's still in alpha.
AND WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE GUILDED NOW!?!? nvm it doesn't look completely like guilded anymore lol

  • Platforms: web
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: Images
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
  • Special Features:
    • Announcement Feed: You can leave posts on your profile. There's not a centralized place to see posts from all of your friends.

Nerimity#

https://nerimity.com

Another great alternative that's open-source and has all the calling features you want. Also super-customizable and has a social feed on the home page. Sadly bans NSFW content for the people that care.

  • Platforms: web, android, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: Images, GIFs
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • Infinitely Customizable: Change everything about the app's style. Colors, fonts, even custom CSS.
    • Social Feed: There's a Twitter-like social feed on the home page. May be redundant but it's worth noting.

Nostrord#

https://nostrord.com

A community chat platform based on the Nostr NIP29 standard. One downside is that there's no grouping beyond the relay a room belongs to; to have a segregated space for your rooms you'll need your own relay.

  • Platforms: web
  • Calling: ---
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype in URL)
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized
  • Anti-Features: ---

Root#

https://rootapp.com

I am no longer in a state of not recommending this app; Root's creator has spoken to the community in a YouTube video.
I will still list "Proprietary Software" as an anti-feature as I believe that the ultimate trust can only be given to open-source software.

See their YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teVLql3gVpE

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: Images, GIFs (requires filetype in URL)
  • Pro-Features: ---
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software

Stoat#

https://stoat.chat

Not very well supported. WHERE'S THE SCREENSHARE!?!?!? It is open source though.

  • Platforms: web, android, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice
  • Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---

Traditional Messengers#

0xchat#

https://0xchat.com

Sadly this one got deleted from the Apple App Store. A very simple DM/group chat app based on the Nostr network.

  • Platforms: android
  • Calling: Voice, Video
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • Bitcoin Lightning Payments: You can send payments to other users. There's a built-in Cashu wallet, or you can use an external wallet through Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC).

Beeper#

https://beeper.com

Matrix in a fancy wrapper. Also aggregates chats from other apps.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
  • Special Features:
    • Chat Hub: Aggregate your chats from other apps.

Convos Messenger#

https://convos.org

A text chat app designed around optionally ephemeral invite-only groups with a new identity for each group you join. Runs on the decentralized XMTP network.

Convos has recently transitioned from a simplistic group chat app to an app that seems to combine group chats with AI agents.
You can still create groups (with the compose button in the top right of the main menu) and chat without participating in AI usage.

  • Platforms: ios
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Spam-Proof, Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • Explode Chats: Immediately wipe out the entire chat and its history, either on-demand or on a timer.
    • Multi-Identity: You set a new nickname and picture for each chat (or you can use the Quickname that you set when joining a chat for the first time).
    • Invite Only: Nobody can join a room without a link.

Fernweh#

https://fernweh.chat

A chat app based on the Offline Protocol. End-to-end encrypted (with Signal-style MLS tech), and an offline mesh mode when no internet is available. Sadly not anonymous (it requires an email or phone), and while the app itself is not open-source the Offline Protocol is.

  • Platforms: ios, android
  • Calling: Voice, Video
  • Pro-Features: Open-Source Protocol, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
  • Anti-Feautres: Proprietary Frontend
  • Special Features:
    • Offline Mesh: Similar to Bitchat, devices running Fernweh can form a mesh network when no internet is available and relay messages between them.

Germ DM#

https://germnetwork.com

Another app that links with Bluesky, but uses a centralized server and has less features compared to Wave.

  • Platforms: ios
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Spam-Resistant
  • Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
  • Special Features:
    • AT Protocol (Bluesky) Integration: Link your Bluesky account and a button will appear on your profile to start a conversation on Germ.

Jami#

https://jami.net

An open-source peer to peer encrypted chat app with all the calling features you could want.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Embedded Content: depends on OS
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • Peer-To-Peer: No server infrastructure to speak of. Messages flow from device to device.
    • Share Anything: No limits on file type and size. Share any file you want.
    • Local Connection: If the Internet connection is down, Jami users on the same local network can still communicate.

Keet#

https://keet.io

An encrypted chat app that uses the peer-to-peer Pear Runtime as a transport. Honestly it might be a better idea to use Jami.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
  • Anti-Features: Closed-Source Software
  • Special Features:
    • Peer-To-Peer: No server infrastructure to speak of. Messages flow from device to device.
    • Share Anything: No limits on file type and size. Share any file you want.

Matrix#

https://matrix.org

Well-known clients: https://element.io, https://cinny.in

A federated chat protocol that has gained some popularity among the open-source software crowd. Also features E2EE for small groups and DMs.

  • Platforms: varies by client
  • Calling: varies by client
  • Embedded Content: varies by client
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Decentralized (federated), Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---

Meta (Facebook) Messenger#

https://messenger.com

It's made by Meta. A bunch of Facebook users use it. Not recommended despite the end to end encryption.

  • Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
  • Anti-Features: No Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software

Signal#

https://signal.org

Many people's premier choice for an encrypted chat app. Less private than some others, but more convenient.

Honorable mention not worthy of its own entry: Radar (https://radar.chat) is an alternative to the official Signal app that replaces the defunct MobileCoin cryptocurrency in the Payments section of Signal's settings with Bitcoin (Lightning Network).

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
    • You must sign up using a mobile device before you can use Signal on desktop.
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: Requires Phone Number

Session Messenger#

https://getsession.org

A messenger built to be as private as possible while being as simple as possible, on a decentralized node system. Supports media, calling (has to be enabled by both parties first), and more.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted, Open-Source
  • Anti-Features: ---

SimpleX Chat#

https://simplex.chat

A simple, private, and encrypted chat app. Create multiple profiles without hassle. Invite people to chat with single-use links or a persistent address. Chat with someone without being known using Incognito Mode.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Spam-Resistant, Open-Source Software
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • Single-Use Invites: You generate a one-time link for each person you want to chat with, which helps combat spam.
    • Incognito Mode: Enable Incognito Mode to generate a random name and hide your picture for that conversation.

Telegram#

https://telegram.org

It doesn't encrypt anything, but it's a somewhat OK message app. Also proprietary.

  • Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
  • Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
  • Pro-Features: ---
  • Anti-Features: Requires Phone Number, Proprietary Software
  • Special Features:
    • TON Wallet: Send and receive assets on the TON blockchain within Telegram.

Wave Messenger#

https://wavemsg.app

A messages app for Bluesky that runs on the XMTP network.

  • Platforms: ios
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
  • Anti-Features: ---
  • Special Features:
    • AT Protocol (Bluesky) Integration: Connect your Bluesky account to sync your profile and allow others to find you.

WhatsApp#

https://whatsapp.com

Meta's other messaging app. Not recommended.

  • Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos
  • Calling: ---
  • Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
  • Anti-Features: Low Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software, Requires Phone Number
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