Compare software

Session vs Briar: catalog facts
Session	Briar
Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.0, run by the Session Technology Foundation.	Free Free and open source under the GPL.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Linux, Android
No phone number or email needed; the account is a random ID Onion routing hides your address from recipients and from the network	Works with no internet at all, over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi No central server and no phone number or email needed
Losing your recovery phrase means losing the account with no reset Delivery can be slower than a centralised messenger	Currently in maintenance mode, with limited new development Both devices must be online at the same time to exchange messages
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License: GPL-3.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

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