Showdown: Signal, Session, SimpleX, Matrix, XMPP, vs Briar

It’s a battle! Let’s compare these epic competing encrypted messengers.

Showdown: Signal, Session, SimpleX, Matrix, XMPP, vs Briar

Let’s compare Signal, Session, SimpleX, Matrix, XMPP, and Briar, so you can decide which one is right for your particular situation.

Who is the…


Most adopted by everyday people:
Signal

Most adopted on darkweb:
XMPP

Most adopted by corporations:
Matrix

Most adopted by militaries:
XMPP

Least Censored for individuals:
Session

Least Censored against platform level bans:
Briar

Most likely to confuse criminal courtrooms:
SimpleX

Best for Journalists:
Session
(due to first contact metadata & verification of identity)

Best for political revolution:
Briar

Most vulnerable to psychological phising:
SimpleX

Most vulnerable to metadata attacks:
Signal

Most vulnerable to backdoor updates:
Signal

Most device-to-device sync issues:
Matrix

Least device-to-device sync issues:
Signal

Most audited:
XMPP

Most centralized network:
Signal

Most decentralized network:
Briar

Most decentralized development:
XMPP

Most misunderstood & untapped potential:
Session

Most likely to grow:
SimpleX
(due to corporate APIs)

My personal favorites:
Session for censorship
SimpleX to hide
XMPP for strangers/friends
Signal for family
(Because good luck getting your grandma on Briar)


If you really want to learn and take your privacy to the next level, subscribe to our new content via: Podcast RSS, Session list, Nostr, Bastyon, Article RSS, or join the Signal Group

Related Posts

Stop asking which is better

Stop asking which is better

Instead ask: Which is better at what?

[SP]

Apr 20, 2025

Why XMPP is Better Than Signal

Why XMPP is Better Than Signal

Trump's Signal leak is a great time to educate you on XMPP

[SP]

Mar 27, 2025

Crypto-Anarchy 101: Protocols over Pictures

Crypto-Anarchy 101: Protocols over Pictures

In 5 minutes, learn the structure of liberty tech.

[SP]

Mar 8, 2025

Interview: KeeJef on Session Messenger Misunderstandings

Interview: KeeJef on Session Messenger Misunderstandings

Interview with the developer on one of most censorship resistant tools out there.

[SP]

Mar 4, 2025