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Delta Chat

Rating: 4.2
User Satisfaction: 82%
Delta Chat is a tool that lets individuals and organizations use their email account as a chat platform so they can message (and group chat) securely, control their own server or infrastructure, and avoid relying on a centralized service.

Alternative To

Overview

Delta Chat is a messaging application that works by using standard email infrastructure (IMAP/SMTP) rather than requiring you to sign up for a proprietary chat server. You install the app (on mobile or desktop) and either use your existing email account or a chat-optimized “chatmail” server. From there you chat much like in a typical instant-messaging app. 

 

If you care about decentralization, privacy, avoiding vendor lock-in and centralized servers, this is a strong choice. You don’t need a phone number, the network is federated (you could run your own server) and you remain in control of your communications infrastructure. Many messaging apps require trust in large corporations and collect metadata; Delta Chat takes a different route.

Details

Tool Launch / Founded Date

Approx. 2019-02 (public release early 2019)

Best for

Users and organisations who want messaging without relying on major platforms, want full control of their server/mail infrastructure, or prefer minimal metadata and decentralised architecture.

Access Type

Free to use. (Open-source software, no central subscription required.)

Licensing Model

The app is Free/Libre-Open Source Software (GPLv3 or later) as per F-Droid listing. (F-Droid) You own your email/chat data insofar as you control your email account or server.

Feature

  • Lets you use your existing email address (or a dedicated chatmail) so you avoid creating a separate account just for chat.
  • Full multi-profile and multi-device support (you can login on different devices, sync chats).
  • End-to-end encryption support via Auto crypt/OpenPGP when both endpoints are compatible.
  • Decentralized: No mandatory central server — you can run your own mail server or choose a chat-optimized one.
  • Messaging to non-app users: If the recipient doesn’t have the app, they receive email and can reply, bridging chat and email.
  • Fully open source (you can inspect the code, contribute) and uses standard Internet protocols (IMAP/SMTP) and widely-understood encryption.
  • Extensible: The app supports “webxdc” apps (mini web applications) inside chats (calendar, tasks) and has modular architecture.

Pricing Tables

Free Plan
$0
  • Full access to the app.
  • No subscription.
  • Usage limited only by your email provider / server setup.
  • No paid tiers publicly listed (as of now) — self-hosting or using a public chatmail server is free.

Analytics

Traffic Analysis

Domain Rating
70
Organic Traffic
492
Majority Users
United States

Visits Over Time

No visit data found.

Traffic Sources

No traffic data found.

Last Update Date: 2025-11-21

FAQ

Can I use Delta Chat commercially (in an organisation)?
Yes — because you can run or choose your own server (or use chat-optimized mail servers) you can deploy it within an organization. However you’ll be responsible for server infrastructure, mailbox management, and supporting users.
Do messages stay end-to-end encrypted all the time?
Not necessarily. Encryption works best when both users’ clients support Autocrypt/OpenPGP and you use a mail server configured for secure transport. If one party uses a non-compatible mail setup, the message might be sent as regular email.
Can I make voice or video calls inside the app?
Built-in voice/video call support is currently limited. The core app focuses on chat over email infrastructure. External integrations (e.g., WebRTC via web apps) may provide such features but not as fully as dedicated calling apps.
Does the app collect my contacts or other metadata?
Because you are using your own email address/server, the metadata collected depends on your mail provider. One key design goal of Delta Chat is minimal metadata and decentralized architecture.
What do I get on an organisation-hosted server compared to using a public mail provider?
If you self-host or use a server you control, you have full control over retention policies, encryption configuration, and metadata. Using a public/free mail provider is more convenient but you share server control/trust with that provider.
How many devices can I use?
Multi-device support is built-in: you can add devices and sync chats by transferring keys/QR code as part of setup.
Is there a cost for the software itself?
No — the app is free, open-source and there are currently no paid subscription tiers. Costs occur only if you host your own server (mail server, chatmail server) or choose commercial infrastructure.

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