Software Alternatives & Startups

Retro VS OffCode Tor Chat E2EE

Compare Retro VS OffCode Tor Chat E2EE and see what are their differences

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Retro logo Retro

Instagram viewer for iPad

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE logo OffCode Tor Chat E2EE

Setting up your own self hosted chat server has never been this easy. No port forwarding, no cloud account, and no complicated setup. Tor Chat is designed to make secure self hosting simple. Every message is encrypted in the browser with WebCrypto.
  • Retro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-08
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE First page
    First page //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Chat
    Chat //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Room Settings
    Room Settings //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Room Settings2
    Room Settings2 //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Profile
    Profile //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Server manager
    Server manager //
    2026-07-23
  • OffCode Tor Chat E2EE Server manager2
    Server manager2 //
    2026-07-23

Host with Server Manager on Windows, or headless Docker (ChatServer + Tor HS). Password rooms are server blind E2EE, so the host cannot derive the room key. Open rooms still encrypt in the browser, but the key is derived from the room ID, creating intentional public channels. Hidden rooms stay off the public list and use invite links. Add a password for private E2EE. Creators get Settings for closed joins, slow mode, lock later, and delete room, plus a Profile recovery code (My Rooms for hidden). Required message TTL, E2EE attachments, and optional Full Vanguards complete the stack.

Server Manager is the host-side control panel: it starts and stops ChatServer plus a Tor v3 Hidden Service, shows the .onion URL to share, optionally enables Full Vanguards, and lets you administer rooms and storage. The host never receives plaintext from clients; password-room keys stay in browsers. Open-room keys are derivable from the room id by design.

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

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)

Retro features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Retro provides a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and participate in retrospectives. This simplicity enhances the overall user experience.
  • Collaborative Features
    The app supports real-time collaboration, allowing team members to simultaneously add feedback and comments, which fosters a more interactive and engaging retrospective process.
  • Customizable Templates
    Users can choose from a variety of templates or create custom ones to suit the specific needs of their retrospective meetings, offering flexibility and adaptability.
  • Integrated Voting System
    Retro includes a voting mechanism that helps prioritize discussion points or improvement ideas, making decision-making more democratic and efficient.
  • Action Item Tracking
    The app provides features for tracking action items and ensuring follow-up, which helps teams to not only discuss past performances but also implement tangible improvements.

Possible disadvantages of Retro

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Retro has limited features compared to the premium offering, which might restrict its usability for teams that are unable to invest in paid plans.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    While the interface is user-friendly, new users may still require some time to familiarize themselves with all the features and functionalities available.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    As a web-based application, Retro requires a stable internet connection to function, which could be problematic in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Potential for Feature Overload
    The wide array of features might be overwhelming for smaller teams or those new to retrospective tools, leading to underutilization of the available functionalities.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    As with any online tool, there might be concerns regarding the privacy and security of data entered into the platform, particularly for sensitive or proprietary information.

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)

Retro videos

1994 Pontiac SLP Firehawk | Retro Review

More videos:

  • Review - 1986 Honda Accord LXi Sedan | Retro Review
  • Review - Retro Review: 1991 Ford F-150 SuperCab

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE videos

OffCode Tor Chat Showcase

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Retro and OffCode Tor Chat E2EE)
Social Networks
100 100%
0% 0
Group Chat & Notifications
Social Network
100 100%
0% 0
Instant Messaging
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Retro and OffCode Tor Chat E2EE.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE's answer:

C#, python , javascript

What makes your product unique?

OffCode Tor Chat E2EE's answer:

Self-hosted easy setup! Never been that easy

User comments

Share your experience with using Retro and OffCode Tor Chat E2EE. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Retro and OffCode Tor Chat E2EE, you can also consider the following products

BeReal - Everyday at a different time, everyone is notified simultaneously to capture and share a Photo in 2 Minutes.

Session Messaging App - Session is a private messenger that aims to remove any chance of metadata collection by routing all messages through an onion routing network.

Instagram - Instagram is a mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly, or privately to pre-approved followers.

SimpleX chat - 🚀 SimpleX - the most private and secure chat - now with double ratchet E2E encryption!

Rewind - Rewind Backups is a top-rated cloud-to-cloud backup solution for SaaS applications. Back up, restore, and copy the critical information stored in your SaaS applications.

Briar - Secure messaging, anywhere