saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

secure messaging app · SimpleX Chat Ltd

SimpleX Chat

Open-source messenger with no user IDs at all, not even random ones.

86/100

#1 of 12 secure messaging apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

SimpleX Chat suits people who want to chat without handing over a phone number or any account ID, with open code and outside reviews behind it1,2,4. Its transparency report covers 20256. The catch: no web app, calls are one-to-one only, and disappearing messages need set-up by the people involved7,9,10.

Best for: People who want a messenger that holds no account identifier or phone number.

Where the points come from

Encryption16 of 20
Source and audits22 of 26
Sign-up and identity16 of 16
Chats and calls10 of 14
Systems14 of 16
Price8 of 8

Encryption 16 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
End-to-end encrypted by defaultYesMessages use double-ratchet end-to-end encryption with no opt-in; group messages are sent to each member separately3,11.12 / 12
Post-quantum key exchangeYesPost-quantum resistant key exchange is part of the double ratchet, listed as complete; the FAQ confirms it3,8.4 / 4
Encrypted backupsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's data management guide, which does not say whether exports are encrypted13.0 / 4

Source and audits 22 of 26 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Open-source appsYesRepository states the software is under the GNU AGPL version 32.8 / 8
Independent audit since 2022YesTrail of Bits reviewed the implementation in 2022 (report published) and the protocol design in July 20244,5.10 / 10
Public bug bountyNot publishedNot published on the vendor's security policy, which only asks for reports by email4.0 / 4
Transparency reportYesTransparency report page, last updated February 2026, reports 12 law-enforcement requests in 20256.4 / 4

Sign-up and identity 16 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
No phone number neededYesThe project says users have no identifiers and it asks for no phone number1,3.12 / 12
Contacts by usernameYesContacts connect through one-time invitation links, QR codes or an optional contact address; none reveals a phone number12.4 / 4

Chats and calls 10 of 14 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Disappearing messagesYesTimer deletes messages in contacts (both sides enable it) and groups (owner enables it); no special chat type10.5 / 5
Largest group chatNot publishedNot published on the vendor's groups guide, FAQ or README, which give no member limit8,11.0 / 4
Encrypted voice and video callsYesOne-to-one audio and video calls are described as end-to-end encrypted; the FAQ says some older systems may connect without it8,9.5 / 5

Systems 14 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
AppsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDownloads page lists a Windows MSI, macOS DMG, Linux packages, App Store and Google Play; no web app, no beta label7.10 / 12
Windows works without the phoneYesNo phone link needed: the FAQ says you can create a separate profile on each device; linking to a phone is optional8.4 / 4

Price 8 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cost for one person$0No price or paid plan appears on the README or downloads page; the project asks for donations2,7.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score secure messaging apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Free1 personFree2,7$0All features; the project asks for donations

Strengths

  • No phone number and no user identifier; contacts connect through one-time links or an optional address3,12.
  • Outside reviews by Trail of Bits in 2022 and 2024, with the 2022 report published4,5.
  • A transparency report for 2025 reports 12 law-enforcement requests6.
  • Post-quantum key exchange is part of the message encryption3,8.
  • Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux are listed on the downloads page7.

Limits

  • No web app is offered on the downloads page7.
  • Calls are one-to-one only; group calls are not supported9.
  • Disappearing messages need both sides to enable them in a chat, or the owner in a group10.
  • The project says secret groups suit only smaller groups, and gives no member limit11.
  • Using one profile on both phone and desktop needs both on the same network8.

What SimpleX Chat Ltd says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • SimpleX says it is the first network without user IDs1.

Other secure messaging apps

  1. 2
    ThreemaPeople who want a messenger with no phone number and no subscription
    79/100
    $6/yrcost for one person
  2. 3
    WirePeople who want default encryption and open-source apps without handing over a phone number
    78/100
    $0cost for one person
  3. 4
    ElementPeople who want open-source apps on every platform and no phone number
    69/100
    $0cost for one person
  4. 5
    SignalPeople who want private chats by default and open-source apps, and accept sharing a phone number
    67/100
    $0cost for one person

SimpleX Chat vs Threema · SimpleX Chat vs Wire · All 12 secure messaging apps

Sources

  1. SimpleX Chat, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. simplex-chat/simplex-chat, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. SimpleX Chat README, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. SimpleX Chat security policy, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. SimpleX Chat v4.2 security audit, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Transparency reports, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Download SimpleX Chat, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. SimpleX Chat FAQ, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Audio and video calls, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Send messages, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. Secret groups, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Making connections, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. Managing your data, SimpleX Chat. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: simplex.chat · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with SimpleX Chat Ltd.