simplex-chat
by simplex-chat
SimpleX Chat is a private messaging app for iOS, Android and desktop that does not use phone numbers, usernames or any other user identifiers. It uses end-to-end encryption and aims to hide who talks to whom as well as the message content.
- Stars
- 19.6k +4 a day
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0
- Runs on
- A phone
- Setup
- Easy
- Language
- Haskell
- Age
- 2508 days
What you can do with it
- Message contacts privately by sharing a link or scanning a QR code, with no account or phone number
- Create and join private groups and communities
- Build chat bots and integrations on the SimpleX platform
Make money with it
A developer could build and sell custom chat bots or support integrations for businesses that want private customer messaging on the SimpleX platform.
An idea, not financial advice. Check the licence before charging for anything built on it.
Ways a business could use it
- Talk to clients and contractors about sensitive matters without sharing phone numbers or personal accounts
- Run a private team or community chat group without paying for a business messaging platform
Can you use it commercially?
Free to use. Anything you distribute that includes it must be open-sourced under the same licence. Running it as an online service also counts, so a hosted version must offer its source.
Not legal advice. Read the project's licence file before building a product on it.
Getting it running
Install the app from the App Store, Google Play or an Android APK, or use the terminal app on Linux, macOS or Windows from the releases page.
Follow the official instructions in the project README.
Things to check
- Both people must connect through a shared link or QR code, so onboarding contacts takes more effort than usual messaging apps
- Licensed under AGPL-3.0, which has obligations if you modify and host it
- Team replies to support questions manually and can take up to 24 hours
Checked 02 Nov 2026. Summary drafted by AI from the project's README.
