SimpleX Chat

A private messenger with no user IDs or phone numbers at all, end-to-end encrypted, with apps for Android, iOS, desktop and the terminal.

19.6k stars, 1.3k forks Haskell On GitHub since December 2019

Visit website View on GitHub How to run it

What is SimpleX Chat?

SimpleX Chat connects people through one-time links or addresses instead of accounts, so the network never assigns a user identifier that could tie your contacts together. Messages use double-ratchet end-to-end encryption with an extra encryption layer, and the design aims to protect metadata such as who talks to whom and when. Groups and communities can be found in the SimpleX Directory, and bots can be built on the platform. You can use the preset relay servers or host your own. The apps are localized into 22 languages.

Good fit if

  • You want a messenger that does not require a phone number or email address.
  • Metadata privacy matters as much as message content for you or your group.

Look elsewhere if

  • You need a workplace chat with channels, integrations and admin controls: Zulip or Mattermost.
  • You want federation with an existing open network: Element uses Matrix.

Before you adopt it

SimpleX Chat is AGPL-3.0 with no paid parts in the repository, and contributors sign a CLA. A small core team develops it and has raised money from users through Wefunder. Ready apps exist for Android, macOS, Windows and Linux; self-hosting relay servers with Docker is optional.

Drafted with AI from the project's README and repository data, then checked against that data on 31 October 2026. Report a correction

SimpleX Chat health: is it still maintained?

65 of 100, actively developed

  • Activity
    42 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 21 October 2026.
    20 / 30
  • Contributors
    5 people wrote the 42 commits of the last 90 days; the most active wrote 43% of them.
    10 / 20
  • Releases
    3 releases in the last 12 months; the latest, v7.0.3, on 26 September 2026.
    15 / 20
  • Replies to issues
    Maintainers answered 43% of recent issues, with a median first reply after 19 hours.
    15 / 20
  • Security practices
    No OpenSSF Scorecard for this repository yet, so this part gets a neutral score.
    5 / 10

Read from GitHub on 3 November 2026. How the score works

SimpleX Chat license: is it open source?

SimpleX Chat uses AGPL-3.0, an open-source license approved by the OSI. Contributors sign a contributor license agreement, which lets the owner relicense their work later.

  1. December 2019First published on GitHub.
  2. TodayAGPL-3.0. A contributor license agreement is required.

How to run SimpleX Chat yourself

Docker
Dockerfile or compose file in the repository
Compose file
scripts/relay/docker-compose.yaml: 3 services (postgres)
Setup effort
2 of 5, judged from the compose file
Kubernetes
No Helm chart in the repository
Desktop and mobile
Builds for Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, including ARM in GitHub releases
Interface languages
22 languages

Install instructions: simplex.chat or the README on GitHub.

Alternatives to SimpleX Chat

  • TinodeInstant messaging platform. Backend in Go. Clients: Swift iOS, Java Android, JS webapp, scriptable command… 59 health · GPL-3.0 · 13.5k stars
  • ZulipZulip server and web application. Open-source team chat that helps teams stay productive and focused. 93 health · Apache-2.0 · 26.2k stars
  • Rocket.ChatThe Secure CommsOS™ for mission-critical operations 82 health · MIT · 46.4k stars
  • FluxerA free and open source instant messaging and VoIP chat app built for friends, groups, and communities. 65 health · AGPL-3.0 · 10.8k stars
  • ElementA glossy Matrix collaboration client for the web. 90 health · AGPL-3.0 · 13.6k stars

All 7 projects in Team chat

Questions about SimpleX Chat

Is SimpleX Chat open source?

Yes. SimpleX Chat is published under AGPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Is SimpleX Chat still maintained?

Its health score is 65 of 100 (actively developed). It had 42 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 21 October 2026, and its latest release came out on 26 September 2026.

How do I run SimpleX Chat?

You can run it with Docker, as an app for Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, including ARM. The README on GitHub has the exact steps.

What are the alternatives to SimpleX Chat?

Close alternatives in the Team chat category include Tinode, Zulip, Rocket.Chat.