Briar vs Tox (qTox)
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Briar is a free, open-source messaging and forums app designed for situations where regular internet access is unreliable or censored. It connects directly with nearby contacts over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or routes messages through the Tor network when online, storing all data locally on the device rather than in the cloud. Briar started as an Android-focused app and now also has a Briar Desktop beta for Windows, macOS, and Linux. In mid-2026 the project announced it has entered maintenance mode, meaning it will continue receiving bug and security fixes but is not planned to get major new features, due to funding constraints and long-standing technical challenges like Android battery drain.
Tox is an open, peer-to-peer messaging protocol built to let people communicate without anyone else listening in, and without relying on centralized servers that could be compromised or monitored. Official and community clients built on the protocol - including qTox for desktop, Toxic for Linux terminals, and aTox for Android - provide encrypted instant messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and file transfers with no artificial size limits. Tox is completely free and comes with no advertising, ever, and is developed openly by its user community rather than a company. Its distributed network architecture means there is no central point of failure or control, and both the protocol and its libraries are free and open source.
- Unique ability to keep working via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi even with no internet connection
- Strong privacy design: local-only storage, no cloud backend, optional Tor routing
- Completely free and open source
- Now offers a desktop client in addition to the original Android app
- Fully decentralized protocol with no central servers to compromise or shut down
- Completely free with no ads and no paid tier, ever
- Unlimited file transfer size compared to many mainstream messengers
- Open source protocol and clients allow independent security review
- Project entered maintenance mode in mid-2026, so only bug/security fixes are planned going forward, not new features
- Known issues include high battery consumption and unreliable background operation on Android
- Lacks features like account backup and file attachments that mainstream messengers take for granted
- Smaller ecosystem and user base than mainstream apps makes finding contacts harder
- Peer-to-peer connections can be less reliable behind restrictive NATs/firewalls without relays
- Client polish varies since Tox itself is a protocol implemented by separate community-maintained apps
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Briar
View all →Free, distributed, encrypted messaging protocol with no central servers and no ads, ever.
A decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messenger that needs no phone number or email to use.
Alternatives to Tox (qTox)
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are free, open‑source, decentralized messengers, but Briar excels at offline, censorship‑resistant texting, while Tox offers richer real‑time media and file sharing.
Key differences
- •Briar works without internet via Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi and routes through Tor; Tox requires an internet connection for its P2P links.
- •Tox supports voice/video calls, screen sharing, and unlimited file transfers; Briar only supports text and limited attachments.
- •Briar’s project entered maintenance mode in mid‑2026 (bug/security fixes only); Tox’s protocol continues active community development.
- •Briar stores all data locally with no cloud backup; Tox also has no central servers but relies on each client’s storage.
- •Desktop availability: Briar offers a beta desktop client; Tox has multiple mature desktop clients (qTox, Toxic, etc.).
Pricing & value
Both are free of charge with no paid tiers.
Ease of use / learning curve
Briar provides a single Android app plus a desktop beta, whereas Tox’s multiple clients vary in polish.
Features & depth
Tox includes voice/video calls, screen sharing, and unlimited file transfer; Briar is text‑only.
Integrations & ecosystem
Tox has several community‑maintained desktop clients; Briar has only one official desktop beta.
Collaboration
Tox supports group calls and screen sharing, enabling richer collaboration than Briar’s text‑only groups.
Scalability
Tox’s protocol handles larger groups with media; Briar’s offline mode limits scale to nearby devices.
Support
Briar offers documentation and community/news updates; Tox relies on GitHub issues and community docs, which are less centralized.
Security & privacy
Briar adds Tor routing and stores data locally, providing stronger anonymity and offline resilience.
Migration / lock‑in
Both are open source with no proprietary lock‑in; migration requires manual data export.
Choose Briar if…
Activists, journalists, or users needing secure, offline messaging without internet.
Choose Tox (qTox) if…
Teams or individuals needing voice/video calls, screen sharing, and large file transfers.
Common questions
Can I use either app without an internet connection?
Briar works via Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi and Tor offline; Tox requires an internet connection for its P2P links.
Which tool supports voice and video calls?
Tox (qTox) provides end‑to‑end encrypted voice and video calling; Briar does not.
Is there any cost or subscription for either messenger?
Both Briar and Tox are free and open source with no paid tiers or advertising.