These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
3 more ways to get Delta Chat
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install --cask deltachat - Flathub
flatpak install flathub chat.delta.desktop - Snap Store
snap install deltachat-desktop
About Delta Chat
Delta Chat looks like a normal chat app but uses email underneath. Messages go out as email with Autocrypt end-to-end encryption when both sides support it, which means you can message someone who has never heard of Delta Chat and they will simply get an email.
The project now runs chatmail relays, stripped-down mail servers set up for instant messaging, so new users do not have to configure an account. It supports multiple profiles and multiple devices, and chats can run small interactive apps and games.
Strengths
- Works with any email account, or with a provided chatmail relay
- Reaches people who do not use Delta Chat at all
- End-to-end encrypted with Autocrypt when both sides support it
- No phone number, and no central company holding the account
Limitations
- Encryption only applies when the other side supports Autocrypt
- Email metadata such as subject and timing is visible to mail servers
- Ordinary email accounts need IMAP settings that some providers make awkward
- Group chat over email is slower than a purpose-built protocol
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GPL 3.0. Free chatmail relays are provided, or use any email account.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Developer
- Delta Chat
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Encrypted chat that still reaches people who will not install an app
- Categories
- Messaging
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Messaging); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to Delta Chat
Compare allSoftware that can replace Delta Chat for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
Signal encrypts every message and call by default and is run by a nonprofit, but requires a phone number and only reaches contacts who also use Signal.
SimpleX Chat
A messenger with no user identifiers at all, not even a random one, so there is no account to correlate.
SimpleX Chat avoids email metadata by using no identifiers at all, but both people must install it and connect via a link or QR code.
Conversations
Android XMPP client with OMEMO end-to-end encryption.
Conversations uses federated XMPP with OMEMO encryption on Android, so you still choose a server, but recipients need an XMPP account rather than email.
Session
An encrypted messenger with no phone number and no account, routed through an onion network.
Session needs no phone number or email and hides your address through onion routing, but both sides must install it and exchange IDs.
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email.
Threema uses a random ID without phone number or email and is Swiss-based, but requires a one-time purchase per platform and a Threema install on both ends.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Thunderbird
Mozilla’s desktop mail client, with calendar, contacts and a unified inbox, funded by donations rather than ads.
Proton Mail
Official Proton Mail apps for reading and sending end-to-end encrypted email on phones, desktops and the web.
Disroot
Donation-funded platform offering free email, cloud storage, XMPP chat and other privacy-focused online services.
Riseup
An activist-run collective providing email, VPN, mailing lists and collaboration tools for social movements.
