Element
Focus: matrix, self-hosted and slack alternative. Shares messaging and open source with Jami. A web app, not a mobile app. Freemium (Jami: Free). Adds Web. Same 4.3 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.3Visit
Mobile App
Jami
A free, private messaging and calling app that connects people directly, without a central server.
Rating
4.3 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Cross-Platform, Windows, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Jami?
Jami is a free and open-source communication app. It offers instant messaging, audio and video calls, group chats, video conferences and screen sharing. Calls and messages are end-to-end encrypted and travel peer-to-peer, and creating an account does not need any personal information. One account can be linked to several devices. Jami is a GNU project and is licensed under GPLv3 or later, and its site says there will never be any advertising.
Pros: what Jami does well
- Free with no advertising
- Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted
- Works on phones, computers and Android TV
Cons: where it falls short
- Fewer of your contacts will already be on it
- Smaller community than the big messaging apps
Who Jami is for
People who want private calls and chats without handing over personal details.
Who can skip it
People who need to reach contacts who only use mainstream messaging apps.
Jami alternatives
Not sold on Jami? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Jitsi Meet
Focus: self-hosted and zoom alternative. Shares video calls and open source with Jami. A web app, not a mobile app. Adds Web. Same 4.3 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Android
4.3Visit
Screenity
Focus: screen recorder, loom alternative and annotation. Shares open source with Jami. A browser extension, not a mobile app. Adds Chrome. Rated 4.7 (Jami: 4.3).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome
4.7Visit
Cap
Focus: screen recording, async video and share links. Shares open source with Jami. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Freemium (Jami: Free). Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Jami: 4.3).
Desktop AppFree planmacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Google Meet
Focus: video conferencing and zoom alternative. Shares video calls with Jami. A web app, not a mobile app. Freemium (Jami: Free). Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Jami: 4.3).
Web AppFree planWeb, Android
4.5Visit
Kooha
Focus: screen recorder, video and tutorials. Shares open source with Jami. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Rated 4.5 (Jami: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreeLinux
4.5Visit
Free alternatives to Jami
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Mumble
Focus: voice chat, audio and self-hosted. Shares open source with Jami. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Rated 4.4 (Jami: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
Ferdium
Focus: all-in-one, workspaces and franz alternative. Shares messaging and open source with Jami. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Rated 4.5 (Jami: 4.3).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
OpenWA
Focus: whatsapp, api and self-hosted. Shares messaging and open source with Jami. A web app, not a mobile app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Jami: 4.3).
Web AppFreeWeb, Linux
4.5Visit
Briar
Focus: peer-to-peer and offline messaging. Shares messaging and open source with Jami. An Android app, not a mobile app. Rated 4.2 (Jami: 4.3).
Android AppFreeAndroid
4.2Visit
Signal
Focus: encrypted messaging, private chat and group chat. Shares video calls with Jami. Rated 4.7 (Jami: 4.3).
Mobile AppFreeAndroid, iOS
4.7Visit
handmux
Focus: tmux, mobile and claude code. Shares open source with Jami. Adds Web. Rated 4.4 (Jami: 4.3).
Mobile AppFreeAndroid, iOS
4.4Visit
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