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Briar vs Tox: catalog facts
Briar	Tox
Free Free and open source under the GPL.	Free Free and open source under GPL-3.0, with no ads or paid features.
Linux, Android	Self-hosted
Works with no internet at all, over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi No central server and no phone number or email needed	No central servers that can be shut down or asked to hand over data Encrypted text, voice, video, screen sharing and file transfers
Currently in maintenance mode, with limited new development Both devices must be online at the same time to exchange messages	Core library has not been independently audited for cryptography Security model is not yet fully specified
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License: GPL-3.0
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 October 2, 2026

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