--- title: SimpleX Chat canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/simplex-chat/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 86 rank: 1 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # SimpleX Chat Open-source messenger with no user IDs at all, not even random ones. 86 points out of 100. #1 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: SimpleX Chat Ltd. Website: https://simplex.chat/ - The project says it has no user identifiers and asks for no phone number [1][3]. - Trail of Bits reviewed the implementation in 2022 and the protocol design in July 2024 [4][5]. - Message encryption includes post-quantum key exchange in the double ratchet [3][8]. - Apps are free to download for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android; the project also asks for donations [2][7]. - The app code is open source under AGPL-3.0 [2]. Verdict: 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 it [1][2][4]. Its transparency report covers 2025 [6]. The catch: no web app, calls are one-to-one only, and disappearing messages need set-up by the people involved [7][9][10]. Best for: People who want a messenger that holds no account identifier or phone number. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | Messages use double-ratchet end-to-end encryption with no opt-in; group messages are sent to each member separately [3][11]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Yes | 4/4 | Post-quantum resistant key exchange is part of the double ratchet, listed as complete; the FAQ confirms it [3][8]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's data management guide, which does not say whether exports are encrypted [13]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Yes | 8/8 | Repository states the software is under the GNU AGPL version 3 [2]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | Yes | 10/10 | Trail of Bits reviewed the implementation in 2022 (report published) and the protocol design in July 2024 [4][5]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's security policy, which only asks for reports by email [4]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Yes | 4/4 | Transparency report page, last updated February 2026, reports 12 law-enforcement requests in 2025 [6]. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | Yes | 12/12 | The project says users have no identifiers and it asks for no phone number [1][3]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Yes | 4/4 | Contacts connect through one-time invitation links, QR codes or an optional contact address; none reveals a phone number [12]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Yes | 5/5 | Timer deletes messages in contacts (both sides enable it) and groups (owner enables it); no special chat type [10]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's groups guide, FAQ or README, which give no member limit [8][11]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | Yes | 5/5 | One-to-one audio and video calls are described as end-to-end encrypted; the FAQ says some older systems may connect without it [8][9]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 10/12 | Downloads page lists a Windows MSI, macOS DMG, Linux packages, App Store and Google Play; no web app, no beta label [7]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | Yes | 4/4 | No phone link needed: the FAQ says you can create a separate profile on each device; linking to a phone is optional [8]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $0 | 8/8 | No price or paid plan appears on the README or downloads page; the project asks for donations [2][7]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [2][7] | $0 | ## Strengths - No phone number and no user identifier; contacts connect through one-time links or an optional address [3][12]. - Outside reviews by Trail of Bits in 2022 and 2024, with the 2022 report published [4][5]. - A transparency report for 2025 reports 12 law-enforcement requests [6]. - Post-quantum key exchange is part of the message encryption [3][8]. - Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux are listed on the downloads page [7]. ## Limits - No web app is offered on the downloads page [7]. - Calls are one-to-one only; group calls are not supported [9]. - Disappearing messages need both sides to enable them in a chat, or the owner in a group [10]. - The project says secret groups suit only smaller groups, and gives no member limit [11]. - Using one profile on both phone and desktop needs both on the same network [8]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - SimpleX says it is the first network without user IDs [1]. ## Sources 1. [SimpleX Chat](https://simplex.chat/), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [simplex-chat/simplex-chat](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [SimpleX Chat README](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/README.md), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [SimpleX Chat security policy](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/docs/SECURITY.md), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [SimpleX Chat v4.2 security audit](https://simplex.chat/blog/20221108-simplex-chat-v4.2-security-audit-new-website.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Transparency reports](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/docs/TRANSPARENCY.md), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Download SimpleX Chat](https://simplex.chat/downloads/), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [SimpleX Chat FAQ](https://simplex.chat/faq/), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Audio and video calls](https://simplex.chat/docs/guide/audio-video-calls.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Send messages](https://simplex.chat/docs/guide/send-messages.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Secret groups](https://simplex.chat/docs/guide/secret-groups.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Making connections](https://simplex.chat/docs/guide/making-connections.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Managing your data](https://simplex.chat/docs/guide/managing-data.html), SimpleX Chat, accessed 2026-10-08