Briar

Website

briarproject.org

Pricing URL

-

$ Details

Release Date

-

Categories

#Communication #Instant Messaging #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging

Startup details

Country

Germany

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE

Website

dev-offcode.com

Pricing URL

Official OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Pricing

$ Details

freemium $49.0 / One-off (Source-code)

Release Date

2026 July

Categories

#Chat #Group Chat & Notifications #Network Security #Security & Privacy #Encryption #Messaging #Group Messaging #Instant Messaging #Web App #Web Hosting #Self Hosting #Tor

Startup details

Country

Finland

Briar features and specs

• Privacy-focused
  Briar prioritizes user privacy by encrypting all messages end-to-end, ensuring that only the intended recipients can read the content.
• Decentralized
  The app operates in a decentralized manner, meaning it doesn't rely on a central server, which reduces the risk of censorship and server-based attacks.
• Peer-to-peer Communication
  Briar uses peer-to-peer communication methods, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the internet, enabling connectivity even without a central network or in environments with internet censorship.
• Open-source
  Briar is open-source software, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to its codebase, which helps with transparency and trust in the platform.
• Offline Messaging
  Briar supports offline messaging via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi direct, which is particularly useful in regions with limited internet access.

Possible disadvantages of Briar

• Limited User Base
  Due to its niche focus on privacy and security, Briar may have a smaller user base compared to more mainstream messaging apps, potentially limiting its network effects.
• Resource Intensive
  The app can be resource-intensive, consuming more battery and data than traditional messaging apps due to its encryption and peer-to-peer communication methods.
• Lack of Features
  Briar may lack some of the features found in popular messaging apps, such as media-rich messages, stickers, or integrated services, which might not appeal to all users.
• Learning Curve
  New users may find the app less intuitive and harder to use compared to mainstream messaging apps, potentially creating a barrier to entry.
• Android-only
  As of now, Briar is limited to Android devices, which excludes users on other platforms like iOS and may restrict its overall user adoption.

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE features and specs

• Ciphertext storage
  SQLCipher database under LocalAppData (Windows) or Docker volume. DPAPI / env key. Parameterized queries. Plaintext is never written to disk.
• Close room to new members
  blocks all joins (including invites); members stay
• Slow mode
  Send cooldown 1 min … 4 h (applies to everyone, including creator)
• Delete this room
  Same wipe path as Server Manager room delete
• Creator recovery code
  Binds rooms you create; My rooms lists hidden; Copy / Restore
• Rooms, invites & TTL
  Open, password-protected, and/or hidden rooms with invite links and required per-message lifetime.
• Server manager
  Start ChatServer first (Production, waits for /api/health), then enable Tor Copy and share the published .onion URL Optional Full Vanguards checkbox (Python + Stem) for long-lived HS hardening Locks CORS to your onion: TORCHAT_ALLOWED_ONION on start + live POST /api/admin/cors-onion (no ChatServer restart) Live room list (room id, locked flag, online count only, no message content) Remove a selected room in realtime: connected users are forced back to the lobby; ciphertext for that room is deleted with secure_delete + VACUUM Remove SQL data: securely overwrites (then deletes) the SQLCipher DB, WAL/SHM, and db.key.dpapi; optional checkbox also wipes Tor Hidden Service keys (.onion identity) Generate new address: securely wipes HS keys and publishes a new .onion (chat DB unchanged) Point at your ChatServer project path and load/save host config as needed
• Full Vanguards Guard-Discovery Protection
  A standard Tor Hidden Service chooses its entry (guard) nodes randomly on every circuit build. Over time a network-level adversary can watch which relays the server connects to and gradually narrow down the real server IP. This is called a guard-discovery attack and is especially dangerous for long-lived hidden services.
• Encryption
  WebCrypto AES-256-GCM; PBKDF2-v2 domains at 600 000 iterations (torchat-join-v2 / torchat-e2ee-v2 locked = server-blind; torchat-open-v2 open = public key material). Envelopes: pbkdf2-v2 / ecdh-hybrid-v1
• XSS hardening
  No user innerHTML; messages and room ids via textContent / createElement
• ECDH + safety number
  1:1 hybrid ECDH; safety number from sorted SPKI pubs (3×5 decimal); Mark verified / TOFU change warning (sessionStorage)

Analysis of Briar

Briar for Android

More videos:

OffCode Tor Chat Showcase