Berty
An open-source peer-to-peer messenger that works without central servers and can operate offline.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
About Berty
Berty is a messaging app built by Berty Technologies, a Paris-based non-profit. Instead of routing conversations through a central server, it connects devices directly over its Wesh network protocol, which is designed to keep communicating when the internet is unavailable or restricted.
The whole project is open source with an open roadmap, and anyone can review the code or report issues. The developers have stated publicly that Berty is not yet ready for high-risk situations, so it suits people interested in decentralised messaging more than those who depend on it for safety.
Strengths
- No central server; messages travel peer to peer
- Designed to work offline or on restricted networks
- Fully open source with an open roadmap
Limitations
- Developers say it is not yet ready for high-risk use
- Small team and a smaller user base than mainstream messengers
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source, developed by a non-profit.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- Berty Technologies
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- People curious about serverless, decentralised messaging that can work offline
- Categories
- Messaging, Privacy tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Berty
Compare allSoftware that can replace Berty for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Briar
Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Tor.
Briar also works without internet over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi and adds Tor, but it runs on Android and Linux rather than iOS and is in maintenance mode.
SimpleX Chat
A messenger with no user identifiers at all, not even a random one, so there is no account to correlate.
SimpleX Chat uses relay servers you can choose or self-host instead of pure peer to peer, has no user identifiers, and adds desktop and terminal clients.
Session
An encrypted messenger with no phone number and no account, routed through an onion network.
Session routes messages through an onion network with distributed service nodes, needs no phone number, and runs on desktop as well as Android and iOS.
Cwtch
Metadata-resistant messaging over Tor with no central servers.
Cwtch sends messages over Tor with a focus on resisting metadata collection and adds desktop apps, but lacks iOS and needs both parties online.
Jami
A fully peer-to-peer communication platform with no servers relaying your data and no personal information needed to sign up.
Jami is a peer-to-peer GNU project adding calls, video conferences and screen sharing, but the listing covers Windows, macOS and Linux rather than phones.
Keet
A peer-to-peer chat app for encrypted messages, audio and video calls, and file transfers.
Keet offers peer-to-peer encrypted chat, group video calls and file transfer on desktop and mobile, but it is not open source and relies on a seed phrase.
Sideband
Messaging client for Reticulum networks over radio or IP.
Sideband sends messages over Reticulum networks, including radio links with no internet, with store-and-forward delivery, but usually requires radio hardware and lacks iOS.
qTox
A desktop client for the encrypted peer-to-peer Tox protocol with chat, calls and file transfer.
qTox is an open-source Tox client with peer-to-peer chat, calls and file transfer, but it is a desktop app and contacts must also use Tox.
Berty as an alternative
Listings that name Berty as an alternative.
Quiet
A peer-to-peer team chat app that syncs messages between members' devices over Tor, with no server.
Berty is an open-source peer-to-peer messenger for Android and iOS that can work offline, though developers say it is not ready for high-risk use.
Status
A decentralised private messenger combined with a self-custodial crypto wallet and web3 browser.
Berty is an open-source peer-to-peer messenger that can work offline, available only on Android and iOS, and its developers say it is not ready for high-risk use.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
RetroShare
A decentralized, encrypted friend-to-friend network for chat, mail, forums, channels and file sharing.
Ricochet Refresh
An anonymous peer-to-peer instant messenger that connects contacts directly over Tor onion services.
