EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed

Tox

Tox is free messaging software for private communication with friends and family.

Place
#26 of 43
Score
6.3
Tox's website

What Tox is

Tox is free messaging software for private communication with friends and family. It supports instant messages, encrypted voice calls, video calls, desktop screen sharing, file sharing without artificial limits or caps, and group chats with messaging, calls, video, and file sharing. Tox describes its network as decentralized, with no central servers and users forming the network. Its FAQ says messages are protected by end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy as the default and only mode, and names Curve25519, XSalsa20, and Poly1305 for cryptographic functions. Clients are listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows; the qTox desktop client also supports FreeBSD, while aTox is listed for Android. The plan is free, free forever, with no advertising. Tox also makes clear that it does not conceal a user's IP address from friends: adding someone as a contact reveals that address to them. Its download page warns that clients are alpha software, may have usability or security issues, and have not begun a professional security audit.

Good

  • Free forever, with no advertising.
  • Supports messaging, voice and video calls, and screen sharing.
  • File sharing has no artificial limits or caps.
  • Offers group chats with calls, video, and file sharing.

Watch out

  • Adding a contact reveals your IP address to them.
  • Clients are alpha software under heavy development.
  • No professional security audit has started.

Who it suits

Tox may suit people seeking free messaging, calls, and file sharing across Android or desktop platforms. Its IP-address disclosure and alpha development status are important considerations for anyone choosing it for private communication.

Verdict

Tox combines messaging, calls, group chats, and unrestricted file sharing in a free client-based service. The IP disclosure and alpha status warrant careful consideration before relying on it for sensitive communication.

Plans and prices

From Tox's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
ToxFreeFree forever · no advertising · no artificial file sharing limits or caps

The facts

Each one read from Tox's own pages, with the date it was checked.

Where it runs

Android client
The official client list includes aTox for Android.checked 9 Oct 2026

What it does

Cryptography
The FAQ names Curve25519 for key exchanges, XSalsa20 for symmetric encryption, and Poly1305 for message authentication codes.checked 9 Oct 2026
Decentralized network
Tox says it has no central servers and that its network is made up of its users.checked 9 Oct 2026
Desktop client
The qTox client supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, with text messaging, audio and video calls, screen sharing, file transfers, and text and audio group chats.checked 9 Oct 2026
Development status
The download page warns that clients are alpha software under heavy development, may have usability bugs or security vulnerabilities, and have not had a professional security audit started.checked 9 Oct 2026
Encryption
The FAQ says end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy is the default and only mode for messages.checked 9 Oct 2026
File sharing and groups
Tox supports file sharing without artificial limits or caps, plus group chats with chat, calls, video, and file sharing.checked 9 Oct 2026
Messaging and calls
Tox supports instant messaging and encrypted voice calls.checked 9 Oct 2026
Privacy limitation
Tox says it does not cloak a user's IP address when communicating with friends, and that adding someone to contacts reveals the IP address to that person.checked 9 Oct 2026
Project structure
Tox describes itself as a volunteer-developed free and open-source project, not a company or other legal organization.checked 9 Oct 2026
Purpose
Tox is messaging software that connects users with friends and family for private communication.checked 9 Oct 2026
Support
The About page directs general user support questions to Reddit forums or mailing lists and says emails asking the project for general support will be ignored.checked 9 Oct 2026
Video and screen sharing
Tox supports video calls and desktop screen sharing.checked 9 Oct 2026

Alternatives to Tox

All alternatives
  1. 1

    SimpleX Chat

    Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSAPILinux
    8.0Free plan
    Visit
  2. 2Jami logo

    Jami

    Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI
    7.9Free plan
    Visit
  3. 3Wire logo

    Wire

    Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux
    7.9From €7.45 a month
    Visit
  4. 4

    WhatsApp

    Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI
    7.7Free plan
    Visit
  5. 5Olvid logo

    Olvid

    Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux
    7.5From €990 a year
    Visit
  6. 6Session logo

    Session

    Free planAndroidiOSLinuxmacOS
    7.4From $2.99 a month
    Visit