Compare software

Tox vs Session: catalog facts
Tox	Session
Free Free and open source under GPL-3.0, with no ads or paid features.	Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.0, run by the Session Technology Foundation.
Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
No central servers that can be shut down or asked to hand over data Encrypted text, voice, video, screen sharing and file transfers	No phone number or email needed; the account is a random ID Onion routing hides your address from recipients and from the network
Core library has not been independently audited for cryptography Security model is not yet fully specified	Losing your recovery phrase means losing the account with no reset Delivery can be slower than a centralised messenger
Downloadable app, Self-hosted	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026

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