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Tox (qTox)

Tox (qTox)

Free, distributed, encrypted messaging protocol with no central servers and no ads, ever.

softwareMessaging Appsencrypted-messagingp2p-protocolopen-source
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Our Verdict

Best for

Privacy-focused users who want a free, decentralized, ad-free messaging and calling protocol.

Skip if

You need a large, mainstream contact network or guaranteed connection reliability.

What is Tox (qTox)?

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.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

open source✅ Yes
api available❌ No
support optionsCommunity documentation, GitHub issues

Key Features of Tox (qTox)

Provides end-to-end encrypted instant messaging built on a fully distributed, serverless network protocol.
Supports voice and video calling directly between contacts using the same underlying protocol.
Allows screen sharing during calls for collaboration or remote assistance.
Offers file transfer with no artificial size limits, unlike many mainstream chat services.
Supports group chats that combine messaging, calls, and file sharing in one conversation.
Has no central servers, so there is no single company or server that can log or monitor conversations.
Is completely free with no advertising or premium tier, funded and developed by its community.
Available through multiple official/community clients: qTox (desktop), Toxic (Linux terminal), and aTox (Android).

Use Cases for Tox (qTox)

1

Private one-on-one and group messaging

Chat with encrypted messaging that isn't routed through a central company server.

2

Encrypted voice and video calls

Make peer-to-peer voice and video calls as a privacy-respecting alternative to Skype or Zoom.

3

Transferring large files without limits

Send files of any size directly to a contact without hitting a service-imposed size cap.

4

Terminal-based secure messaging on Linux

Use the Toxic client for a lightweight, terminal-based Tox messaging experience on Linux servers or minimal systems.

Pros & Cons of Tox (qTox)

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tox free?

Yes, Tox is completely free and comes without advertising, forever.

What is the difference between Tox and qTox?

Tox is the underlying protocol; qTox is one of several official/community client apps that implement it, mainly for desktop use.

Does Tox have a central server?

No, Tox uses a distributed, peer-to-peer network with no central servers.

What platforms can I use Tox on?

Desktop via qTox (Windows, Mac, Linux), Linux terminals via Toxic, and Android via aTox.

Pricing Overview

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Free

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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About the Product

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Platforms
WindowsMacLinuxAndroid
Target AudiencePrivacy-focused users wanting a decentralized, ad-free alternative to Skype/mainstream chat apps

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Tags

encrypted-messagingp2p-protocolopen-sourcevoice-video-callsdecentralized-chat

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