Briar
A messenger that works with no internet, through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor.
Instead of WhatsApp
Screenshot from briarproject.org, taken 2026-10-23, shown to help you recognise the tool. It belongs to its maker. Ask us to remove it.
Briar sends messages straight between phones, and over Tor when there is a connection, so there is no central server in the middle. It was built for activists and journalists and keeps working during outages. It is free, open source and runs on Android only.
Briar scores a 5 on self-direction and power, a 4 on footprint, a 3 on lock-in and longevity and a 2 on delivery.
Both people need the app open to talk, and Delivery is a 2.
- Messages go from phone to phone, with no central server
- Works over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi without internet
- Android only
What stands out
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For comparison, we also reviewed WhatsApp (14/30) as a benchmark.
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