Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Tox VS Vesktop

Compare Tox VS Vesktop and see what are their differences

Tox logo Tox

Send messages, files, create groups and make Tox to Tox audio and video calls. Securely.

Vesktop logo Vesktop

Vesktop is a custom Discord App aiming to give you better performance and improve linux support - Vencord/Vesktop
  • Tox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Vesktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2026-04-29

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.

Vesktop features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy and Performance
    Vesktop is a standalone desktop application that doesn't rely on the official Discord Electron client. It uses a more lightweight approach, often resulting in better performance and reduced resource usage compared to the standard Discord desktop app.
  • Built-in Vencord Integration
    Vesktop comes with Vencord pre-installed, giving users immediate access to a rich ecosystem of plugins, themes, and customization options without needing to manually patch the Discord client.
  • Screen Sharing with Audio on Linux
    One of Vesktop's standout features is native support for screen sharing with audio on Linux, which is a long-standing limitation of the official Discord client on that platform. This makes it especially valuable for Linux users.
  • Open Source and Transparent
    Vesktop is fully open source, allowing the community to audit the code, contribute improvements, and verify that no malicious or unwanted behavior is present. This fosters trust and community-driven development.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Vesktop supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent and enhanced Discord experience across all major desktop operating systems.

Possible disadvantages of Vesktop

  • Violation of Discord's Terms of Service
    Using Vesktop and Vencord involves client modification, which is against Discord's Terms of Service. This means users risk account suspension or termination, although enforcement has historically been rare.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Since Vesktop is an unofficial third-party client, it may experience bugs, crashes, or compatibility issues that don't exist in the official Discord app, especially after Discord pushes updates that change their internal APIs.
  • Delayed Feature Parity
    When Discord introduces new features or UI changes, Vesktop may take time to catch up or adapt, leaving users temporarily without access to the latest official functionality.
  • Smaller Community and Support
    Compared to the official Discord client, Vesktop has a much smaller user base and support network. Users may find it harder to get help with issues, and documentation may be less comprehensive.
  • Security Risks from Third-Party Plugins
    While Vencord's core plugins are reviewed, the ecosystem of community plugins can introduce security risks. Users who install unvetted plugins could potentially expose their accounts or systems to vulnerabilities.

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.

Analysis of Vesktop

Overall verdict

  • Vesktop is a well-regarded, community-built alternative Discord desktop client that combines Vencord's client-side mods with better performance and Linux support, making it a solid choice for users seeking a lighter, more customizable experience.

Why this product is good

  • It's a lightweight, faster alternative to the official Discord client, using less memory and resources.
  • It comes with Vencord preinstalled, offering built-in plugins, themes, and quality-of-life customizations.
  • It has significantly better Linux support, including proper screen sharing with audio (a common pain point with official Discord on Linux).
  • It's free and open source, giving transparency and community-driven development.
  • It respects privacy better by stripping out some of Discord's telemetry through Vencord.

Recommended for

  • Linux users who want reliable screen sharing with audio
  • Users who want a lighter, more performant Discord client
  • People who enjoy customizing their Discord experience with themes and plugins
  • Privacy-conscious users looking to reduce telemetry
  • Open-source enthusiasts who prefer community-maintained software

Tox videos

CRYPT SKIP TOX MESSENGER REVIEW PART 1

More videos:

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

Vesktop videos

HOW to INSTALL VENCORD CLIENT | Vesktop: BetterDiscord Alternative

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Tox and Vesktop)
Communication
96 96%
4% 4
Group Chat & Notifications
Work Management
0 0%
100% 100
Messaging
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Tox and Vesktop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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

Vesktop Reviews

We have no reviews of Vesktop yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Tox seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 30 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.

Tox mentions (30)

View more

Vesktop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Vesktop yet. Tracking of Vesktop recommendations started around Apr 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Tox and Vesktop, 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.

Vencord - The cutest Discord client mod

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

Aliucord - A modification for the Discord Android App.

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

Discord - Step up your game with a modern voice & text chat app. Crystal clear voice, multiple server and channel support, mobile apps, and more.