The Best Tox AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like Tox

Tox is described as 'With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Tox for a variety of platforms, including Android, Windows, iPhone, Linux and Mac apps. The best Tox alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Tox are Element, Telegram, Jami and Mumble.

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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1390 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    223 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Signal vs Tox Comments
    WestFlame
    Positive
    13

    Currently is intended mainly for mobile devices.

    chopin2712
    Positive
    10

    I love signal but Signal cannot be used without phone and I don't like this idea. I use Signal only for my phone. not my computer but it's good!

    Foad
    Negative
    0

    Tox is for mesh networking

    3 of 4 comments
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceTox is also Free and Open Source
  2. Element icon

    Element

     799 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    317 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    5
    Element vs Tox Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    joshuahumbert
    5

    Decentralized messenger which supports audio and video calling as well as group chats and offline messaging.

    Top Negative Comment
    Foad
    0

    Tox is for mesh networking

    Darren de Lima
    Positive
    0

    Federated, though not completely P2P, and a pain to set up.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceTox is Free and Open Source
  4. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2092 likes

    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    295 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
     
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    5
    Telegram vs Tox Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    11

    It's not open source and they've made some questionable decisions lately such as banning anything vaguely defined as "adult content" from appearing in searches.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    alpeg
    7

    Tox is fully P2P and always end-to-end encrypted. Telegram is not open source (published source differs from play store app), uses it's own server, requires a phone number and non-desktop app to register, most chats are not e2e-encrypted, secret chats are not available on desktop and web.

    Foad
    Negative
    0

    Tox is for mesh networking

    3 of 5 comments
    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryTox is Free and Open Source
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  6. Jami icon

    Jami

     242 likes

    Open source decentralized communication platform supporting secure end-to-end encrypted calls, messaging, group conferencing, file and media sharing, SIP compatibility, multi-device sync, and strong privacy, available across desktop and mobile systems.

    166 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    3
    Jami vs Tox Comments
    UsernameUn
    Positive
    1

    Decentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Its more decentralized than Tox is, and that is a great thing that it has over it. The only issue is that this is alpha software.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    0

    Jami is not peer to peer, therefore it is not a valid alternative to Tox.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Jami is Free and Open SourceTox is also Free and Open Source
  7. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     488 likes

    Free, open source voice chat featuring low-latency, high quality audio, secure encrypted communication, self-hosting options, in-game overlays, positional audio, scripting support, low resource usage, and robust user permission controls for gaming and collaboration.

    61 Mumble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Client (Mumble 1.3.0)
     
    |
    2
    Mumble vs Tox Comments
    Darren de Lima
    Positive
    0

    P2P messenger, very similar to Tox. Tox has a better UI, is less hassle to set up, and scales to the WWW more easily.

    RemovedUser
    Negative
    0

    Not peer to peer like Tox.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Mumble is Free and Open SourceTox is also Free and Open Source
  8. Wire icon

    Wire

     324 likes

    Secure communication platform featuring encrypted chats and calls, file and media sharing, self-deleting messages, device verification, group collaboration, and customizable settings. Supports use across multiple devices with no phone number required for access.

    287 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Wire screenshot 1
     
  10. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     98 likes

    Open-source messaging platform enabling private, identifier-free chats, encrypted group discussions, file and media sharing, plus audio and video calls. Employs double-ratchet protocol, stores user data on-device, protects metadata, and lets users self-host relay servers.

    72 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • Android Tablet
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  11. Threema icon

    Threema

     141 likes

    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    127 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
  12. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     74 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    82 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
  13. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    233 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
  14. RetroShare icon

    RetroShare

     163 likes

    Open source, decentralized platform enabling encrypted chat, secure voice and video calls, anonymous file sharing with swarming, censorship-resistant forums, channels, link sharing, and offline messaging. Uses OpenPGP and OpenSSL for robust privacy and security.

    141 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenPGP
    Network tab with contact list and broadcast subtab open. The subtab shows text and image sent by one contact to all connected contacts.
     
  15. Molly icon

    Molly

     48 likes

    Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
     
12 of 216 Tox alternatives