Delta Chat

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Score7.3

Rank#6 of 43

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, iOS, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

Delta Chat is a free, open-source instant messaging app for mobile and desktop, available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, with self-hosting also listed. It supports multiple profiles and devices and relays messages through secure, interoperable chatmail relays. Messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, including attachments and their metadata, using a secure subset of OpenPGP with Secure-Join and Autocrypt. Servers can still see sender and receiver addresses and message size; other message, contact, and group metadata is encrypted. Chats can include interactive web apps for gaming and collaboration. Audio and video calls on Android and iOS use peer-to-peer WebRTC, but the feature was still behind a debug setting in a March 2026 post. A classic email address can be used as a relay only when used exclusively by chatmail clients, and classic email providers generally do not support push notifications. The FAQ says there are no immediate plans for a web client. The project links to a forum for support and feedback.

Who it is for

Delta Chat suits people seeking a free messaging app across mobile and desktop platforms, including those who want end-to-end encryption by default. It may not suit people who need a web client or dependable push notifications through a classic email provider.

What is good

Free and open-source software.
Messages and attachments are encrypted by default.
Supports multiple profiles and devices.
Available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

There are no immediate plans for a web client.
Calls were still behind a debug setting in March 2026.
Classic email relays generally lack push notifications.

Verdict

Delta Chat offers encrypted messaging across several mobile and desktop platforms, with chatmail relays and in-chat web apps. Note the stated limits around classic email relays, calls, and web access.

Delta Chat plans and pricing

All plans

Delta Chat Free Free and Open Source software delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026

Compared on encrypted messaging apps

Free plan: Yesdelta.chat
Encryption coverage: defaultdelta.chat
Desktop app: Yesdelta.chat
Voice and video calls: Yesdelta.chat
Disappearing messages: Yesdelta.chat
Encrypted backups: nonedelta.chat

Facts

Product: Delta Chat is a reliable, decentralized and secure instant messaging app for mobile and desktop.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Messaging: The app supports multi-profile and multi-device use, and relays messages through secure, interoperable chatmail relays.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
In-chat apps: Delta Chat supports interactive web apps in chats for gaming and collaboration.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Encryption: All messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, and attachments and their metadata are included in the encryption.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Encryption standards: Delta Chat uses a secure subset of OpenPGP with Secure-Join and Autocrypt to establish end-to-end encryption.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Security audits: The project says its encryption and network components have undergone multiple independent security audits, including audits in 2024.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Metadata: The FAQ says servers can see sender and receiver addresses and message size, while other message, contact and group metadata is end-to-end encrypted.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Calls: Audio and video calls on Android and iOS use peer-to-peer WebRTC with signaling through Delta Chat messages; the March 2026 post says the feature was still behind a debug setting.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Integrations: Delta Chat supports chatmail relays and in-chat web apps, and can use a classic email address as a relay with limitations.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Classic email limitation: The FAQ says a classic email address is supported only when used exclusively by chatmail clients, and classic email providers generally do not support push notifications.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Web client: The FAQ says there are no immediate plans for a Delta Chat web client and points users to portable Windows or Linux AppImage clients when they cannot install software.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Platforms: The download page lists Android, iPhone/iPad, macOS, Windows, GNU/Linux, and a community-driven Ubuntu Touch effort.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Support: The site links to a Delta Chat forum for support and feedback.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026
Maintainer: The imprint identifies Delta Chat as an open source community project and lists merlinux GmbH in Freiburg, Germany as responsible for website content.delta.chat · 1 Oct 2026