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Briar vs Sideband: catalog facts
Briar	Sideband
Free Free and open source under the GPL.	Free The open-source application is available without a license fee.
Linux, Android	macOS, Linux, Android
Works with no internet at all, over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi No central server and no phone number or email needed	Messages travel over radio links with no internet or cellular service Store-and-forward delivery, so both parties need not be online at once
Currently in maintenance mode, with limited new development Both devices must be online at the same time to exchange messages	Requires a Reticulum network, and usually radio hardware, to be useful Small project with a niche user base
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.