How do I self-host a SimpleX server?

Deploy using the Haskell SMP server implementation; the README includes guides for one-click Linode setup and advanced configuration. You can run your own relays while still connecting to the broader network.

SimpleX Chat vs Signal: which is better for privacy?

SimpleX Chat eliminates all user identifiers, protecting metadata like who you talk to, whereas Signal uses phone numbers. However, Signal has a larger user base and more mature features.

Can I use SimpleX Chat without a phone number?

Yes, it requires no phone number or email; you create anonymous profiles and connect via shared links or QR codes, making it ideal for privacy-focused users.

How to build a chat bot with SimpleX?

Use the terminal CLI as a WebSocket server or the TypeScript client SDK; the README provides examples and API references for developing bots in various languages.

Does SimpleX Chat support video calls?

Yes, it includes end-to-end encrypted WebRTC audio and video calls, as listed in the implemented features and roadmap updates.

How does SimpleX protect my IP address?

It uses private message routing by default to conceal IPs from relays, and supports Tor access for additional anonymity, detailed in the security limitations section.

SimpleX Chat

AGPL-3.0Haskellv6.4.11Self-Hosted

A private messaging platform with no user identifiers, using disposable relay nodes for metadata protection.

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What is SimpleX Chat?

SimpleX Chat is a private messaging platform that operates without any user identifiers, protecting both message content and metadata. It uses a unique network of disposable relay nodes to deliver messages, ensuring that who you communicate with remains hidden. The platform solves the problem of metadata leakage common in other encrypted messengers.

Target Audience

Privacy-conscious individuals, activists, journalists, and developers who require secure communication without exposing their social graphs. It's also suited for organizations needing self-hosted, decentralized chat solutions.

Value Proposition

Developers choose SimpleX for its unique architecture that eliminates user identifiers entirely, providing stronger metadata protection than Signal or Matrix. Its open protocol, self-hosting capability, and support for chat bots offer full control and extensibility.

Overview

SimpleX - the first messaging network operating without user identifiers of any kind - 100% private by design! iOS, Android and desktop apps 📱!

Use Cases

Best For

Secure communication where hiding your contact list is critical

Related Projects

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Self‑hosted messaging infrastructure for organizations

Building privacy‑focused chat bots and integrations

Communicating over Tor or VPNs with reduced correlation risk

Groups and communities requiring metadata‑private discussions

Research or activism in high‑risk environments

Not Ideal For

Casual users wanting quick signup via phone number or email like WhatsApp
Enterprise environments needing integration with existing identity providers (e.g., SSO, Active Directory)
Applications requiring guaranteed uptime SLAs for messaging servers
Social platforms where user discoverability and network effects are critical

Pros & Cons

Pros

No Identifier Design

Uses pairwise per-queue identifiers instead of user IDs, eliminating metadata about social connections as described in the whitepaper and FAQ.

Post-Quantum Encryption

Implements double ratchet encryption with quantum-resistant key exchange on every step, highlighted in the v5.6 release announcement for future-proof security.

Self-Hostable Infrastructure

Allows users to run their own SMP servers while communicating with others, supporting decentralization and control as outlined in the self-hosting section.

Spam-Resistant Contacts

Contact is only possible via one-time invitation links or temporary addresses, reducing spam without centralized moderation, per the privacy features.

Cons

Incomplete Feature Set

Roadmap items like automatic queue rotation and message mixing are not yet implemented, limiting full privacy protections as admitted in the technical details.

Manual Connection Process

Requires sharing links or QR codes for each contact, which is cumbersome compared to identifier-based systems like Signal or Matrix.

Limited Ecosystem

Smaller user base and fewer third-party integrations than established messengers, affecting adoption and tooling for developers.

Best-Effort Servers

Default servers have no SLAs and are provided on a best-effort basis, which may not suit mission-critical applications.

Open Source Alternative To

SimpleX Chat is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service known for its speed, security, and support for large group chats and channels.

WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Meta that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share media.

Signal

Signal is a secure messaging app that provides end-to-end encrypted voice calls, video calls, and text messaging for private communication.

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