the chat apps list
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chat-apps.md
edited
1# Chat Apps
2
3There are replicas of the Chat Apps List on [my file server](https://files.littlebitstudios.com/public/chat-apps.md?v) and [dDocs](https://docs.fileverse.io/d/02000ad50008#k=RHOmsy-03Kxb-gRElntZsQHxiLD2Z__zk0O4l7oC4lM).\
4You can also find the Chat Apps List in spreadsheet form on [Teable](https://teable.littlebitstudios.com/share/shrT2UpLCyjJWQziAr6/view).
5
6## Community Chat
7
8### Armada
9
10https://armada.buzz
11
12The best of Nostr messaging in one client. NIP17 DMs, NIP29 relay communities, and Concord secure communities.
13
14Notable 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.
15
16- Platforms: web, windows, macos, linux, android
17 - PWA enabled for iOS, including WebPush
18- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
19 - 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.
20- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype)
21- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted (NIP17 and Concord only)
22- Anti-Features: ---
23- Special Features
24 - 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).
25
26### Chatto
27
28https://chatto.run
29
30A Discord-like app where every server is a literal server.
31
32- Platforms: web
33 - The web app can function as a PWA
34- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
35- Embedded Content: ---
36- Pro-Features: Open-Source Software, Decentralized, Self-Hostable
37- Anti-Features: ---
38
39### DEN Chat
40
41https://denchat.top
42
43Another 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.
44
45- Platforms: web, windows, linux
46 - PWA enabled
47- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
48 - 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.
49- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype)
50- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted
51- Anti-Features: Low Metadata Privacy
52 - 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.
53 - DEN is working on a Hub V2 system that will help to fix this problem.
54- Special Features
55 - Nostr Network Integration: View general Nostr content from within DEN Chat. Currently supports standard microblog posts and Nostr Reads (long-form blogs).
56 - 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.
57 - 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.
58
59### Discord
60
61https://discord.com
62
63The big one. The one people love and hate. The one people want to get away from.
64
65- Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos, linux
66- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
67- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
68- Pro-Features: ---
69- Anti-Features: Extreme Monetization, Low Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software
70
71### Fluxer
72
73https://fluxer.app
74
75It's a lot like Discord, but open-source and soon federated. A great choice for people leaving Discord.
76
77_**Fluxer's federation support will not be available until the 2.0 rework.**_
78_**For spam protection purposes Fluxer may require your phone number, and they cannot reveal what triggers this as it could be used against them.**_
79
80- Platforms: web, windows, macos, linux
81 - Mobile is in beta; Android is available to all while the iOS beta requires Plutonium.
82- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
83- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
84- Pro-Features: Open-Source Software, Self-Hostable
85- Anti-Features: May Request Phone Number
86- Special Features:
87 - Discord Template Import: Bring over your entire server's structure from Discord, including roles and channels.
88
89### GroupMe
90
91https://groupme.com
92
93It's owned by Microsoft. It's trying to be a Discord alternative. Why does every local group ever use this? Also _**Copilot.**_
94
95- Platforms: web, android, ios
96- Calling: Voice, Video
97- Pro-Features: ---
98- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software, Low Regard for Privacy, Requires Phone Number
99
100### Hyalus
101
102https://hyalus.app
103
104It almost works. I don't really recommend it.
105
106- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
107- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
108- Pro-Features: Open-Source Frontend
109- Anti-Features: Proprietary Backend
110
111### Keybase
112
113https://keybase.io
114
115Cryptographic tools for the masses, including encrypted large-scale chat rooms. A shame it's closed-source and not well-supported anymore.
116
117- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
118- Calling: ---
119- Embedded Content: Images, GIFs
120- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
121- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
122- Special Features:
123 - Encrypted File Storage: Store files you want to keep safe, accessible from any device linked to your account.
124 - Encrypted Git Repositories: Keep code you don't want to publish secure.
125 - Cryptographically Attested Profiles: Add proofs of your existence on other social media apps to help others find you.
126
127### Kloak
128
129https://kloak.app
130
131I had used this app before and allegations came up of the app being made with AI.
132Also the website says it's still in alpha.
133~~_**AND WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE GUILDED NOW!?!?**_~~ nvm it doesn't look _completely_ like guilded anymore lol
134
135- Platforms: web
136- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
137- Embedded Content: Images
138- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required
139- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
140- Special Features:
141 - Announcement Feed: You can leave posts on your profile. There's not a centralized place to see posts from all of your friends.
142
143### Nerimity
144
145https://nerimity.com
146
147Another 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.
148
149- Platforms: web, android, windows, macos, linux
150- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
151- Embedded Content: Images, GIFs
152- Pro-Features: Open-Source Software
153- Anti-Features: ---
154- Special Features:
155 - Infinitely Customizable: Change everything about the app's style. Colors, fonts, even custom CSS.
156 - Social Feed: There's a Twitter-like social feed on the home page. May be redundant but it's worth noting.
157
158### Nostrord
159
160https://nostrord.com
161
162A 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.
163
164- Platforms: web
165- Calling: ---
166- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs (requires filetype in URL)
167- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Open-Source Software, Decentralized
168- Anti-Features: ---
169
170### Root
171
172https://rootapp.com
173
174I am no longer in a state of not recommending this app; Root's creator has spoken to the community in a YouTube video.
175I will still list "Proprietary Software" as an anti-feature as I believe that the ultimate trust can only be given to open-source software.
176
177See their YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teVLql3gVpE
178
179- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
180- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
181- Embedded Content: Images, GIFs (requires filetype in URL)
182- Pro-Features: ---
183- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
184
185### Stoat
186
187https://stoat.chat
188
189Not very well supported. _**WHERE'S THE SCREENSHARE!?!?!?**_ It is open source though.
190
191- Platforms: web, android, windows, macos, linux
192- Calling: Voice
193- Embedded Content: Images, Videos, GIFs
194- Pro-Features: Open-Source Software
195- Anti-Features: ---
196
197## Traditional Messengers
198
199### 0xchat
200
201https://0xchat.com
202
203Sadly this one got deleted from the Apple App Store. A very simple DM/group chat app based on the Nostr network.
204
205- Platforms: android
206- Calling: Voice, Video
207- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Open-Source Software
208- Anti-Features: ---
209- Special Features:
210 - 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).
211
212### Beeper
213
214https://beeper.com
215
216Matrix in a fancy wrapper. Also aggregates chats from other apps.
217
218- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
219- Calling: ---
220- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
221- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
222- Special Features:
223 - Chat Hub: Aggregate your chats from other apps.
224
225### Convos Messenger
226
227https://convos.org
228
229A 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.
230
231_**Convos has recently transitioned from a simplistic group chat app to an app that seems to combine group chats with AI agents.
232You can still create groups (with the compose button in the top right of the main menu) and chat without participating in AI usage.**_
233
234- Platforms: ios
235- Calling: ---
236- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Spam-Proof, Open-Source Software
237- Anti-Features: ---
238- Special Features:
239 - Explode Chats: Immediately wipe out the entire chat and its history, either on-demand or on a timer.
240 - 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).
241 - Invite Only: Nobody can join a room without a link.
242
243### Fernweh
244
245https://fernweh.chat
246
247A chat app based on the [Offline Protocol](https://offlineprotocol.com). 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.
248
249- Platforms: ios, android
250- Calling: Voice, Video
251- Pro-Features: Open-Source Protocol, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
252- Anti-Feautres: Proprietary Frontend
253- Special Features:
254 - Offline Mesh: Similar to Bitchat, devices running Fernweh can form a mesh network when no internet is available and relay messages between them.
255
256### Germ DM
257
258https://germnetwork.com
259
260Another app that links with Bluesky, but uses a centralized server and has less features compared to Wave.
261
262- Platforms: ios
263- Calling: ---
264- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Spam-Resistant
265- Anti-Features: Proprietary Software
266- Special Features:
267 - AT Protocol (Bluesky) Integration: Link your Bluesky account and a button will appear on your profile to start a conversation on Germ.
268
269### Jami
270
271https://jami.net
272
273An open-source peer to peer encrypted chat app with all the calling features you could want.
274
275- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
276- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
277- Embedded Content: depends on OS
278- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Open-Source Software
279- Anti-Features: ---
280- Special Features:
281 - Peer-To-Peer: No server infrastructure to speak of. Messages flow from device to device.
282 - Share Anything: No limits on file type and size. Share any file you want.
283 - Local Connection: If the Internet connection is down, Jami users on the same local network can still communicate.
284
285### Keet
286
287https://keet.io
288
289An encrypted chat app that uses the peer-to-peer Pear Runtime as a transport. Honestly it might be a better idea to use Jami.
290
291- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
292- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
293- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
294- Anti-Features: Closed-Source Software
295- Special Features:
296 - Peer-To-Peer: No server infrastructure to speak of. Messages flow from device to device.
297 - Share Anything: No limits on file type and size. Share any file you want.
298
299### Matrix
300
301https://matrix.org
302
303Well-known clients: https://element.io, https://cinny.in
304
305A federated chat protocol that has gained some popularity among the open-source software crowd. Also features E2EE for small groups and DMs.
306
307- Platforms: varies by client
308- Calling: varies by client
309- Embedded Content: varies by client
310- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Decentralized (federated), Open-Source Software
311- Anti-Features: ---
312
313### Meta (Facebook) Messenger
314
315https://messenger.com
316
317It's made by Meta. A bunch of Facebook users use it. Not recommended despite the end to end encryption.
318
319- Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos
320- Calling: ---
321- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
322- Anti-Features: No Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software
323
324### Signal
325
326https://signal.org
327
328Many people's premier choice for an encrypted chat app. Less private than some others, but more convenient.
329
330Honorable 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).
331
332- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
333 - You must sign up using a mobile device before you can use Signal on desktop.
334- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
335- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted, Open-Source Software
336- Anti-Features: Requires Phone Number
337
338### Session Messenger
339
340https://getsession.org
341
342A 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.
343
344- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
345- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
346- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, Decentralized, End to End Encrypted, Open-Source
347- Anti-Features: ---
348
349### SimpleX Chat
350
351https://simplex.chat
352
353A 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.
354
355- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
356- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
357- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized, Spam-Resistant, Open-Source Software
358- Anti-Features: ---
359- Special Features:
360 - Single-Use Invites: You generate a one-time link for each person you want to chat with, which helps combat spam.
361 - Incognito Mode: Enable Incognito Mode to generate a random name and hide your picture for that conversation.
362
363### Telegram
364
365https://telegram.org
366
367It doesn't encrypt anything, but it's a somewhat OK message app. Also proprietary.
368
369- Platforms: android, ios, windows, macos, linux
370- Calling: Voice, Video, Screenshare
371- Pro-Features: ---
372- Anti-Features: Requires Phone Number, Proprietary Software
373- Special Features:
374 - TON Wallet: Send and receive assets on the TON blockchain within Telegram.
375
376### Wave Messenger
377
378https://wavemsg.app
379
380A messages app for Bluesky that runs on the XMTP network.
381
382- Platforms: ios
383- Calling: ---
384- Pro-Features: No Personal Information Required, End to End Encrypted, Decentralized
385- Anti-Features: ---
386- Special Features:
387 - AT Protocol (Bluesky) Integration: Connect your Bluesky account to sync your profile and allow others to find you.
388
389### WhatsApp
390
391https://whatsapp.com
392
393Meta's other messaging app. Not recommended.
394
395- Platforms: web, android, ios, windows, macos
396- Calling: ---
397- Pro-Features: End to End Encrypted
398- Anti-Features: Low Regard for Privacy, Proprietary Software, Requires Phone Number