Top 20 Alternatives to Briar in Free Instant Messaging Software

End‑to‑end encrypted messenger with strong privacy guarantees, open‑source code, and cross‑platform support.

Decentralised, onion‑routed messenger that hides IP addresses and metadata; no phone number required.

Feature‑rich Matrix client offering encrypted chats, VoIP, and bridges to other networks; available on desktop, web, and mobile.

Open network protocol for secure, decentralized communication; the reference client provides basic messaging and room management.

Cloud‑based messenger with optional end‑to‑end secret chats, large group support, and a robust bot ecosystem.

Secure collaboration platform with end‑to‑end encryption, file sharing, and self‑hosting options.

Fully distributed, peer‑to‑peer communication suite offering encrypted voice, video, and chat without servers.

Decentralised, encrypted messenger with voice, video, and file transfer; operates via a mesh network.

Anonymous instant messenger that routes traffic through the Tor network, requiring no usernames or servers.

Open‑source team chat platform that can be self‑hosted; supports end‑to‑end encryption and extensive integrations.

Self‑hosted Slack alternative with strong security controls, optional end‑to‑end encryption, and rich plugin ecosystem.

Threaded open‑source chat that combines real‑time and asynchronous messaging; can be self‑hosted for full control.

Secure messaging and file sharing built on public‑key cryptography; integrates with Git and cloud storage.

Chat app that uses existing email infrastructure, providing end‑to‑end encryption while keeping messages in your inbox.

Free voice, video, and text chat platform with community servers; offers optional end‑to‑end encryption for direct messages.

Low‑latency, open‑source voice chat primarily for gaming; supports encrypted connections via TLS.

Desktop XMPP client with support for OMEMO encryption, group chats, and file transfers.

Android XMPP client focused on privacy; includes OMEMO and OpenPGP encryption.

Multi‑protocol instant messenger for Windows/Linux; can be extended with OTR and OMEMO plugins for encryption.

iOS/Android XMPP client with OTR encryption, designed for secure mobile messaging.