# Decentralized Messaging - webcentive

Source: https://www.webcentive.com/decentralizedmessaging/  
Format: Markdown version of the HTML page (same content, lookups and page chrome left out).

Messaging apps that do not depend on one company's central servers: serverless peer-to-peer apps that connect devices directly over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor; relay and onion-routed networks run by many independent operators; federated networks where anyone can run a server, much like email; and off-grid LoRa radio mesh that needs no cell towers or internet at all. They matter when a big provider goes down, as in the Microsoft 365 and Outlook outage of Nov 12-13, 2026, which lasted about a day, and during internet shutdowns. Unlike email, most of these networks cannot reach an ordinary email address, and several need the other person to run the same app; Delta Chat is the exception, since it runs on email infrastructure.  

More on webcentive: [self-hosted email](https://www.webcentive.com/selfhostemail/) | [free email](https://www.webcentive.com/free_email.html) | [software](https://www.webcentive.com/software/software.html)  

Each site has quick lookups: who owns it (whois), its history (Wayback Machine), a safety check, and one-tap questions to AI helpers. Grok asks you to tap Send first.  
Links last checked Nov 13, 2026. License, first release, latest release, language, maintenance, sign-up and offline facts below were checked the same day.  

**License, age, maintenance and offline use**

The table below covers every app on this page, plus I2P-Bote: whether it is open source and under which license, the year of its first public release, the latest release we could verify on Nov 13, 2026, the main language, whether it is still maintained, whether signing up needs a phone number or email address, and whether it can send messages with no internet connection. Facts come from official sites, app stores or project repositories, with a light link to the source. Where a fact is not published, that is stated rather than guessed.

| App | Open source / license | First release | Latest release (checked Nov 13, 2026) | Main language | Actively maintained | Phone or email to sign up | Works without internet |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Serverless / peer-to-peer** | | | | | | | |
| [Briar](https://briarproject.org/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://code.briarproject.org/briar/briar/-/blob/master/LICENSE.txt) | [2018 (1.0)](https://code.briarproject.org/briar/briar/-/tags/release-1.0.0) | [1.5.24, Oct 30, 2026](https://briarproject.org/) | Java | [Maintenance mode since July 9, 2026 (security and bug fixes only)](https://briarproject.org/news/2026-maintenance-mode/) | No | Yes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi |
| [bitchat](https://bitchat.free/) | [Yes, Unlicense (iOS)](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/blob/main/LICENSE); [GPL-3.0 (Android)](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/blob/main/LICENSE.md) | [2025](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/releases/tag/v1.1) | [iOS v1.8.0, Oct 23, 2026](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/releases/tag/v1.8.0); [Android v2.2.0, Oct 27, 2026](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/releases/tag/v2.2.0) | Swift / Kotlin | Yes | No | Yes, over Bluetooth mesh |
| [Jami](https://jami.net/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://git.jami.net/savoirfairelinux/jami-client-qt/-/blob/master/COPYING) | [2004 as SFLphone; peer-to-peer since Ring, 2015](https://docs.jami.net/user/releases.html) | [stable 20261110.0, Nov 10, 2026](https://git.jami.net/savoirfairelinux/jami-client-qt/-/tags/stable%2F20261110.0) | C++ | Yes | [No](https://docs.jami.net/en_US/user/faq.html) | [Yes, on a local network](https://docs.jami.net/en_US/user/faq.html) |
| [Cwtch](https://cwtch.im/) | [Yes, MIT](https://git.openprivacy.ca/cwtch.im/cwtch-ui) | [2021 (Beta 1.0)](https://www.openprivacy.ca/reports/2022-eoy-report/) | [1.17.2, Oct 2, 2026](https://docs.cwtch.im/blog/cwtch-1-17-2) | Go (library) / Dart (Flutter app) | Yes | No | No (runs over Tor) |
| [Bridgefy](https://bridgefy.me/) | No, proprietary | [2015](https://www.dineroenimagen.com/2015-11-10/64354) | [iOS 5.1.9, Sept 26, 2026](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bridgefy-offline-messages/id975776347) | not published | Yes | [Log-in needs internet the first time](https://bridgefy.me/) | Yes, over Bluetooth mesh |
| **Relay / onion-routed networks** | | | | | | | |
| [SimpleX Chat](https://simplex.chat/) | [Yes, AGPL-3.0](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/LICENSE) | [2020](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/tag/v0.1.0) | [v7.1.2, Nov 7, 2026](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/tag/v7.1.2) | Haskell | Yes | No (no user IDs at all) | No |
| [Session](https://getsession.org/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://github.com/session-foundation/session-android/blob/dev/LICENSE) | [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_(software)) | [Android 1.33.8, Nov 5, 2026](https://github.com/session-foundation/session-android/releases/tag/1.33.8); [Desktop v1.18.4, Nov 12, 2026](https://github.com/session-foundation/session-desktop/releases/tag/v1.18.4) | Kotlin / TypeScript | Yes | [No](https://getsession.org/) | No |
| [Delta Chat](https://delta.chat/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0 (apps)](https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-android/blob/main/LICENSE); [MPL-2.0 (core)](https://github.com/chatmail/core/blob/main/LICENSE) | [2017](https://delta.chat/en/2017-05-31-delta-makes-chatting-better) | [Android v2.69.0, Nov 10, 2026](https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-android/releases/tag/v2.69.0) | Rust (core) / Java (Android) | Yes | [No (chatmail relays ask for no private data)](https://delta.chat/en/help) | No |
| **Federated networks** | | | | | | | |
| [Matrix / Element](https://matrix.org/) | Yes, AGPL-3.0 ([Element Web](https://github.com/element-hq/element-web/blob/develop/LICENSE-AGPL-3.0), [Synapse](https://github.com/element-hq/synapse/blob/develop/LICENSE-AGPL-3.0)) | [2014 (Matrix launch)](https://matrix.org/blog/2014/09/03/hello-world/) | [Element Web v1.12.35, Nov 12, 2026](https://github.com/element-hq/element-web/releases/tag/v1.12.35); [Synapse v1.165.0, Nov 10, 2026](https://github.com/element-hq/synapse/releases/tag/v1.165.0) | TypeScript (Element Web) / Python (Synapse server) | Yes | Depends on the homeserver | No |
| [Conversations (XMPP)](https://conversations.im/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://codeberg.org/iNPUTmice/Conversations/src/branch/master/LICENSE) | [2014](https://codeberg.org/iNPUTmice/Conversations/releases/tag/0.1) | [2.21.2, Nov 12, 2026](https://codeberg.org/iNPUTmice/Conversations/releases/tag/2.21.2) | Java | Yes | [No phone number; depends on the XMPP server](https://conversations.im/) | No |
| **Off-grid radio mesh** | | | | | | | |
| [Meshtastic](https://meshtastic.org/) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/blob/develop/LICENSE) | [2020](https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/releases/tag/0.0.3) | [firmware 2.7.26 beta, June 24, 2026](https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/releases/tag/v2.7.26.54e0d8d) (2.8 alphas through Nov 3, 2026) | C++ | Yes | No | Yes, with a LoRa radio |
| [MeshCore](https://meshcore.io/) | [Yes, MIT](https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/license.txt) | [2025](https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/releases/tag/companion-v1.0.0a) | [companion, repeater and room server v1.18.0, Oct 15, 2026](https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/releases/tag/companion-v1.18.0) | C++ | Yes | No | Yes, with a LoRa radio |
| **Peer-to-peer email** | | | | | | | |
| [Bitmessage](https://bitmessage.org/) | [Yes, MIT](https://github.com/Bitmessage/PyBitmessage/blob/v0.6/LICENSE) | [2012](https://bitmessage.org/bitmessage.pdf) | [0.6.3.2, Feb 13, 2018](https://github.com/Bitmessage/PyBitmessage/releases/tag/0.6.3.2) (commits through May 29, 2026) | Python | Occasional commits; no release since 2018 | No | No |
| [I2P-Bote](https://github.com/i2p/i2p.i2p-bote) | [Yes, GPL-3.0](https://github.com/i2p/i2p.i2p-bote/blob/master/license.txt) | not published | none listed; last commit May 16, 2019 | Java | No (repository archived) | No | No (runs over the I2P network) |

**2026 news**

- Briar said on July 9, 2026 that it is [in maintenance mode](https://briarproject.org/news/2026-maintenance-mode/): the project continues, but only with essential security updates and bug fixes.
- In July 2026, during student protests in Delhi, India's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) [sent takedown notices](https://www.medianama.com/2026/07/223-government-targets-bitchat-briar-bridgefy/) asking Google to remove Bitchat, Briar and Bridgefy from the Play Store, Apple to remove Bitchat and Bridgefy, and GitHub to disable Bitchat's code repository. Officials told the companies the next day not to enforce the notices, and the apps stayed available.
- SimpleX Chat [opened equity crowdfunding on Wefunder](https://simplex.chat/blog/20260819-simplex-chat-crowdfunding.html) in August 2026, saying the app has been downloaded more than 3 million times and has about 480,000 monthly users.
- Delta Chat [now spreads new profiles across three community-run chatmail relays](https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/11/delta-chat-drops-unencrypted-email-adds-decentralized-onboarding-across-community-relays/) so no single relay is a choke point, and announced in November 2026 that upcoming releases will drop unencrypted email entirely.
- The Microsoft 365 and Outlook outage that began on Nov 12, 2026 took nearly 24 hours to recover from, according to the [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwvg238zrnm5o) and [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/12/microsoft-outage-outlook-aws-google.html).

**Peer-to-peer email.** Regular email already goes straight from the sender's mail server to the recipient's server over SMTP; see [Self-Hosted Email](https://www.webcentive.com/selfhostemail/) for running your own. True peer-to-peer email projects such as Bitmessage and I2P-Bote skip mail servers entirely, but they cannot send to or receive from ordinary email addresses, and both have been quiet for years.

- **Serverless / peer-to-peer**
- [bitchat.free](https://bitchat.free/) - bitchat: Bluetooth mesh messenger with no accounts or phone numbers; uses Nostr relays when online | X: none found
- [briarproject.org](https://briarproject.org/) - Briar: peer-to-peer messenger that syncs over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor; in maintenance mode since July 9, 2026 (security and bug fixes only) | X: none found
- [bridgefy.me](https://bridgefy.me/) - Bridgefy: proprietary Bluetooth mesh messenger for disasters, events and school; needs internet the first time to log in | [X: @bridgefy](https://x.com/bridgefy)
- [cwtch.im](https://cwtch.im/) - Cwtch: metadata-resistant messenger that runs over Tor v3 onion services | [X: @cwtch_im](https://x.com/cwtch_im)
- [jami.net](https://jami.net/) - Jami: GNU peer-to-peer messaging and audio/video calls with no central server; works on a local network without internet | [X: @jami_social](https://x.com/jami_social)
- **Relay / onion-routed networks**
- [delta.chat](https://delta.chat/) - Delta Chat: end-to-end encrypted chat over email infrastructure and community chatmail relays | X: none found
- [getsession.org](https://getsession.org/) - Session: onion-routed messenger with Account IDs instead of a phone number or email | [X: @session_app](https://x.com/session_app)
- [simplex.chat](https://simplex.chat/) - SimpleX Chat: messenger with no user identifiers of any kind, on community-run relay servers | [X: @simplexchat](https://x.com/simplexchat)
- **Federated networks**
- [conversations.im](https://conversations.im/) - Conversations: Jabber/XMPP client for Android with OMEMO end-to-end encryption | X: none found
- [element.io](https://element.io/) - Element: the flagship Matrix client for web, desktop and mobile, plus a self-hosted server suite | X: none found
- [matrix.org](https://matrix.org/) - Matrix: open network and standard for federated, end-to-end encrypted chat; anyone can run a homeserver | X: none found
- **Off-grid radio mesh**
- [meshcore.io](https://meshcore.io/) - MeshCore: open-source (MIT) encrypted LoRa mesh with companion, repeater and room server firmware | [X: @mesh_core](https://x.com/mesh_core)
- [meshtastic.org](https://meshtastic.org/) - Meshtastic: open-source off-grid text messaging over low-cost LoRa radios | [X: @TheMeshtastic](https://x.com/TheMeshtastic)
- **Peer-to-peer email**
- [bitmessage.org](https://bitmessage.org/) - Bitmessage: trustless peer-to-peer protocol for encrypted messages to a person or to many subscribers (2012) | X: none found

Number of links: 14