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SimpleX Chat vs Briar: catalog facts
SimpleX Chat	Briar
Free Free and open source under the AGPL 3.0. The company is funded by investment and…	Free Free and open source under the GPL.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Command line	Linux, Android
No user identifier of any kind, so conversations cannot be correlated by account Double ratchet encryption with an additional layer for the relay servers	Works with no internet at all, over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi No central server and no phone number or email needed
Connecting means exchanging a link or QR code in person or elsewhere No contact list means a lost device is a lost set of conversations unless backed up	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: AGPL-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.