Session
End-to-end encrypted messenger that protects your privacy by routing messages through an onion network. No phone numbers or email required for sign-up.
Session is an open-source alternative to:
Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messenger designed to protect your private data. By routing all messages through an onion routing network, it eliminates metadata collection risks while ensuring your conversations remain secure and private.
Key Features
- Metadata-Free Routing: All messages are routed through an onion network to prevent metadata collection.
- No Phone Numbers: Sign up using only an Account ID—no phone number or email required.
- End-to-End Encryption: Messages are encrypted so only you and the recipient can read them.
- Disappearing Messages: Set messages to auto-delete after a set time for added privacy.
- Group & Community Chats: Securely chat with groups of up to 100+ members.
- Open Source: Fully open-source codebase, allowing anyone to audit and contribute.
- No Trackers: Your data is never collected, tracked, or sold to third parties.
- Decentralized Network: Powered by thousands of nodes run by a global community.
Tech / Self-Hosting
Session is a decentralized application built on a peer-to-peer network. While the official app is available for Android, iOS, and Desktop, users can also run their own nodes to contribute to the network. The project is maintained by the Session Foundation.