Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Librem Chat VS Tox

Compare Librem Chat VS Tox and see what are their differences

Librem Chat logo Librem Chat

End-to-end encrypted chat, VOIP, and video calling used by millions of people

Tox logo Tox

Send messages, files, create groups and make Tox to Tox audio and video calls. Securely.
  • Librem Chat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02
  • Tox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Librem Chat features and specs

  • Privacy Focused
    Librem Chat is designed with privacy in mind, offering end-to-end encryption to ensure that users' conversations remain private and secure from eavesdroppers.
  • Open Source
    As part of the Purism suite, Librem Chat is built on open-source software, allowing for greater transparency and community-driven development.
  • Decentralized
    Librem Chat supports decentralized communication, meaning there is no single point of control or failure which enhances resilience and control for users.
  • Integration with Librem One
    It integrates seamlessly with other Librem One services such as Librem Mail and Librem Social, providing a cohesive ecosystem for privacy-centric users.

Possible disadvantages of Librem Chat

  • Limited User Base
    Compared to mainstream chat applications, Librem Chat has a smaller user base which may limit its usability for those looking to connect with a wider audience.
  • Subscription Cost
    To access Librem Chat, users must subscribe to Librem One premium services, which could be a deterrent for those looking for a completely free option.
  • Feature Set
    While it covers the essentials, Librem Chat may lack some advanced features found in other popular chat applications, such as extensive media integration or custom themes.
  • Learning Curve
    New users accustomed to mainstream chat services might experience a learning curve due to different user interface and feature sets focused on privacy and security.

Tox features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    Tox uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that all communications are private and secure from eavesdropping.
  • Decentralized
    By not relying on a central server, Tox avoids single points of failure and the risk of data breaches associated with centralized services.
  • Open Source
    Tox is fully open source, which allows anyone to audit the code for security vulnerabilities or to contribute improvements.
  • Cross-Platform
    Tox supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Multi-functional
    In addition to text messaging, Tox supports voice and video calls, as well as file sharing, making it a versatile communication tool.

Possible disadvantages of Tox

  • Resource Intensive
    Running a decentralized network can be more resource-intensive compared to using a lightweight centralized service.
  • Network Reliability
    Decentralized networks may face issues with reliability and speed, particularly if there are not enough nodes available.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of some Tox clients can be less polished compared to mainstream messaging apps, affecting user experience.
  • Learning Curve
    The decentralized nature and specialized features of Tox may require a learning curve for users unfamiliar with such systems.
  • Dependencies
    Setting up and maintaining a Tox node may require additional software dependencies and technical knowledge.

Analysis of Tox

Overall verdict

  • Tox is generally considered a good option for users who value privacy and security in their communications. It effectively protects user data, but it may lack some user-friendly features found in more mainstream messaging apps. Additionally, its decentralized nature could lead to slower performance compared to centralized services.

Why this product is good

  • Tox (tox.chat) is a peer-to-peer instant messaging platform that prioritizes privacy and security. It uses end-to-end encryption to protect user communications, ensuring messages, calls, and file transfers remain private. Since it's decentralized, there is no central server that can be compromised, providing resilience against server attacks and censorship. Its open-source nature allows for community scrutiny and contributions, improving reliability and trustworthiness.

Recommended for

    Privacy-conscious individuals, security experts, activists operating in sensitive environments, and users looking for an open-source, decentralized messaging solution.

Librem Chat videos

Librem Chat - Let's Start a Riot(.im)

Tox videos

CRYPT SKIP TOX MESSENGER REVIEW PART 1

More videos:

  • Review - ULTIMATE BODY TOX REVIEW
  • Review - CRYPT SKIP TOX MESSENGER REVIEW PART 3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Librem Chat and Tox)
Group Chat & Notifications
Communication
4 4%
96% 96
Messaging
5 5%
95% 95
Instant Messaging
6 6%
94% 94

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Librem Chat and Tox

Librem Chat Reviews

We have no reviews of Librem Chat yet.
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Tox Reviews

Top 10 Apps like Telegram for Android and IOs [2023]
Contrary to other Telegram alternatives, the Tox network is developed by its users rather than central servers that may be raided, shut down, or required to turn up data. Tox uses open-source libraries to encrypt anything you do with it. Your chat partners are the only ones who can see what you're saying.
5 best secure private messengers
Users are identified with a Tox ID, but one consequence of being a P2P platform is that Tox contacts can see other contacts IP addresses. The official documentation suggests a workaround for this being to route your Tox connections through Tor, although we canโ€™t see why routing it through a VPN wouldnโ€™t also work (with the proviso that a using a VPN does not provide the...
Source: proprivacy.com
Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Another instant messaging application for large corporations and governments. TOX is a free, easy-to-use messaging tool that comes without advertising. It's a people made a tool, that is highly encrypted and distributed. The other features of Tox include; voice, video, screen sharing, file sharing and groups
The 7 Best Texting Apps
There are a variety of clients you can use, depending on your hardware. On iOS, there's an app called Antidote for Tox, which provides basic access to the service. On Android, an app called Antox does the same. For desktop platforms, you've got a choice of qTox and uTox. You can check out the official wiki to learn more about the different types of clients.
Source: zapier.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Tox should be more popular than Librem Chat. It has been mentiond 29 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Librem Chat mentions (7)

  • Instances that doesn't block any instance
    Librem Chat is one of the most liberal instances since their business revolves around privacy and free speech, the free option gives access to Mastodon, the optional paid plan adds email and a VPN to Mastodon. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Librem 5 first impressions; comparison to Pinephones
    The "librem.one" entry in the Online Accounts doesn't work either. I get a TLS error IIRC. It's a crime that their bug tracker isn't free for all. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Does it make any difference which Matrix server you join?
    Or any recommendations? I was thinking of joining unredacted.org or librem.one or is there no point not just going with matrix.org which has the more up to date server version and most likely best maintenance and uptime? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • what's a lesser know distro that surprised you in a positive way?
    The main thing I would personally be worried about with Purism is a lack of timely software updates, as they were not good with them when it comes to their Librem One ecosystem (why even offer something like it, when you don't have the resources to administrate it properly?). Therefore I wondered if that might have been an issue with PureOS. Source: about 3 years ago
  • At wits end about managing privacy and Living My Life
    Https://librem.one/ is a step in the right direction. Iโ€™m going with Microsoft plus third party privacy services for the moment but biting the bullet in regards to my DAW and switching to Reaper. Framework laptop and building a new PC. Making my current pc a steambox. This should be interesting. Source: about 4 years ago
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Tox mentions (29)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Librem Chat and Tox, you can also consider the following products

Element.io - Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. Itโ€™s superfast, simple and free.

Matrix.org - Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.

Signal - Fast, simple & secure messaging. Privacy that fits in your pocket.

Conduit Chat Server - Conduit is a simple, fast and reliable chat server powered by Matrix.

Skype - Stay in touch with your family and friends for free on Skype. Download Skype today to chat and call on desktop and mobile.