A messaging app and network that uses no user identifiers, with end-to-end encryption and private message routing across iOS, Android, desktop and CLI.
19.6K1.4KHaskellAGPL-3.0Updated 5 hours ago
2 alternatives
Best open-source alternatives to WhatsApp (2026)
Looking for a free, open-source alternative to WhatsApp? These 2 projects can replace it. Each one is reviewed by a human and explained in plain words, so you can compare stars, license and maintenance at a glance.
Quick comparison
| Project | Stars | License | Last commit |
|---|---|---|---|
| simplex-chat/simplex-chat | ★ 19.6K | AGPL-3.0 | 5 hours ago |
| markqvist/Sideband | ★ 1.9K | Other | 17 days ago |
Sideband is an LXMF messaging and LXST voice client for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows that runs over Reticulum networks such as LoRa, packet radio and WiFi.
1.9K166PythonOtherUpdated 17 days ago
FAQ
- Is there a free, open-source alternative to WhatsApp?
- Yes. The most popular open-source alternatives to WhatsApp on Repolode are simplex-chat, Sideband.
- Which WhatsApp alternative should I choose?
- simplex-chat has the most GitHub stars and is released under AGPL-3.0. Compare the license and last commit of each option in the table above before choosing.