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Session

Session

A decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messenger that needs no phone number or email to use.

softwareMessaging Appsencrypted-messagingprivacydecentralized
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What is Session?

Session is a private messaging app built and operated by a global community of privacy experts. It uses Account IDs instead of phone numbers or email addresses for signup, encrypts every message with the Session Protocol (built on libsodium), and routes conversations through onion-routed paths across thousands of community-run nodes so no single server can see both the sender and recipient of a message.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentMobile App
open source✅ Yes
api available❌ No
support optionsDocumentation site, FAQ, GitHub issue trackers

Key Features of Session

Users sign up with an Account ID instead of a phone number or email address, so no personal identifier is tied to the account.
Messages are encrypted end-to-end using the Session Protocol, which is built on the libsodium cryptography library rather than custom cryptography.
Conversations are routed through onion-routed paths across a decentralized network of community-run nodes, so no single server can see both a message's origin and destination.
Disappearing messages let users set conversations to automatically delete after a chosen time.
Group chats and larger Community chats support more than 100 members.
The network infrastructure runs on thousands of nodes operated by a global community rather than centralized company servers.
Session's client and network code is open source and available for anyone to view, audit, or contribute to on GitHub.
Apps are available for Android (Google Play, APK, and F-Droid), iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Use Cases for Session

1

Private personal messaging

Individuals who want to chat without linking their identity to a phone number or email address.

2

Activist and journalist communication

Users in high-risk environments who need metadata-resistant, onion-routed communication to reduce traceability.

3

Community and group discussion

Communities that want encrypted group chats supporting more than 100 members without a centralized provider.

Pros & Cons of Session

Pros

  • No phone number or email required, reducing identity exposure at signup
  • Decentralized onion-routed network avoids reliance on centralized servers
  • Open-source code that can be independently audited
  • Free to use across all supported platforms

Cons

  • Decentralized onion routing can introduce more latency than centralized messaging services
  • Lack of phone-number-based contact discovery makes finding contacts less convenient than mainstream messengers
  • Project funding model is tied to the Session Token cryptocurrency, which some users may be wary of

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Session free to use?

Yes, Session will always remain free to use; the project is funded through the Session Technology Foundation and the Session Token network rather than subscription fees.

Do I need a phone number to use Session?

No, you don't need a mobile number or an email to create a Session account.

Is Session open source?

Yes, Session's code is open-source and can be independently audited at any time.

What encryption does Session use?

Session encrypts messages using the Session Protocol, built on libsodium, a widely used and highly-regarded cryptography library.

Pricing Overview

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Free

Free

$0

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About the Product

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Socials
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Platforms
WindowsMacLinuxiOSAndroid
Target AudiencePrivacy-conscious individuals, activists, and communities who want encrypted messaging without linki

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