Berty
Berty is a free messaging app for Android and iOS, with a desktop app also listed.
What Berty is
Berty is a free messaging app for Android and iOS, with a desktop app also listed. It is built on the Wesh Network protocol and uses a distributed peer-to-peer network; Berty says it has no servers or cloud storage for user data. Messages and files are end-to-end encrypted by default. Bluetooth Low Energy can support messaging when internet access and cell coverage are unavailable. Contacts can be added with a QR code, public key, or invite link, and registration does not require an email address or phone number. Berty Technologies is a Paris-based non-profit founded in 2018. The project describes the app as an early version under active development. Berty says it cannot currently hide users’ IP addresses, and its protocol has not been independently audited. Voice and video calls, disappearing messages, and encrypted backups are unavailable. File sharing and calls are future possibilities rather than short-term roadmap items.
Good
- Free forever and open source
- End-to-end encryption enabled by default
- Bluetooth messaging can work offline
- No email or phone registration
- Peer-to-peer network without cloud storage
Watch out
- IP addresses are not currently hidden
- Protocol has no independent audit yet
- No voice or video calls
- No disappearing messages or encrypted backups
Who it suits
Berty suits people seeking peer-to-peer, encrypted messaging without phone or email registration. It is designed with higher-risk groups such as journalists, activists, lawyers, and whistleblowers in mind.
Verdict
Berty combines peer-to-peer messaging, default encryption, and offline Bluetooth support in a free app. Its early development status and stated security and feature limitations should guide your choice.
Plans and prices
From Berty's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Berty Messenger | Free | Free forever · open-source |
The facts
Each one read from Berty's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Contact sharing
- Users can add contacts through a QR code, public key, or invite link.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The FAQ describes the app as under active development and says an early version is available.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Messages and files are end-to-end encrypted by default, according to the FAQ.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Identity
- The FAQ says registration does not require an email address or phone number.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Berty says it designed the messenger with higher-risk groups such as journalists, activists, lawyers, and whistleblowers in mind.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The FAQ says file sharing and voice and video chat are planned for the future, but are not on the short-term roadmap.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Offline messaging
- Berty says Bluetooth Low Energy can support messaging without internet access or cell coverage.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Peer-to-peer
- The app uses a distributed peer-to-peer network and says it has no servers or cloud storage for user data.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Berty is a privacy-first messaging app built on the Wesh Network protocol.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security audit
- Berty says its protocol has not yet been independently audited.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- The FAQ states that Berty has no mechanism in place to hide users’ IP addresses at present.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support and access
- The contact page offers an application for preview access and links to the Berty Discord community.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2018checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Paris, Francechecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Berty Technologies describes itself as a non-profit organization based in Paris, France.checked 7 Oct 2026
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