Freedom251 › Encrypted Messaging Apps
Session
What Session is
Session is a decentralized private messaging app with end-to-end encrypted chats on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Account creation does not require a phone number or email address. It routes messages using onion requests, intended to keep any one server from knowing both who sent a message and who received it. Chat options include disappearing messages and encrypted group conversations for up to 100 people. Attachments up to 10MB are encrypted on the device and stored through the Session File Server. Communities are self-hosted public channels, but they do not have full end-to-end encryption. Voice and video calling remain beta, are limited to one-to-one calls, and may reveal a user's IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. Session's code is open source, and Quarkslab audited its desktop, Android, and iOS clients. The free plan includes encrypted messaging and attachments up to 10MB. Pro is $2.99 a month and adds messages up to 10,000 characters, unlimited pinned conversations, animated display pictures, and badges.
Who it suits
Session may suit people who want private messaging across desktop and mobile platforms without registering a phone number or email address. It may also suit users who want open-source code and encrypted group chats, while accepting the limits on communities and beta calls.
What it does well
- Sign-up does not require a phone number or email.
- Encrypted group chats support up to 100 people.
- Attachments are encrypted on-device up to 10MB.
- Open-source code can be independently audited.
- Free plan includes encrypted messaging.
What to know first
- Communities are not fully end-to-end encrypted.
- Calls are beta and one-to-one only.
- Calls may expose an IP address to specified parties.
- Account recovery retrieves messages from the last 14 days.
Limits
The free plan includes encrypted messaging and attachments up to 10MB. Account recovery retrieves messages from the last 14 days, and contacts may be unrecoverable if all devices have been offline for more than 30 days.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Encrypted messaging · attachments up to 10mb · no phone number required | Free |
| Pro | From $2.99 USD/Month · Messages up to 10,000 characters · unlimited pinned conversations · animated display pictures · badges | $2.99 a month |
As getsession.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://getsession.org/.
- Choose the app for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- Create an account without entering a phone number or email address.
- Start an encrypted conversation or group chat, with a maximum of 100 people in a group.
- Choose Pro at $2.99 a month if you want its longer messages and listed extras.
Verdict
Session offers private messaging across mobile and desktop, with a free plan and a $2.99 USD monthly Pro option. Note that communities lack full end-to-end encryption and beta calls may expose an IP address.
Questions
Is Session free?
Yes. The Free plan includes encrypted messaging and attachments up to 10MB.
How much is Pro?
Pro costs $2.99 a month.
Which platforms are supported?
Session is available for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Is Session open source?
Yes. Its code is open source and can be independently audited. Quarkslab audited the desktop, Android, and iOS clients.
How many people can join a group chat?
A group chat supports up to 100 people.
Are calls end-to-end encrypted?
Calls are beta features using peer-to-peer networking. The listed encryption coverage is mixed; calls may expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server.
Facts from Session's own pages
- Account signup
- Users can create an account without a phone number or email address. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Attachments
- Attachments can be up to 10MB, are encrypted on the device, and are stored through the Session File Server. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Call limit
- Session currently supports one-to-one voice and video calls, not group calls. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Calls
- Voice and video calls are beta features, use peer-to-peer networking, and can expose a user’s IP address to the call partner and an STF-operated STUN/TURN server. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Communities
- Communities are large public channels that are self-hosted and are not fully end-to-end encrypted. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Group limit
- A group chat supports up to 100 people. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Switzerland · getsession.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Messaging features
- Session supports disappearing messages and encrypted group chats. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Notification integrations
- Mobile push notifications can use Firebase Cloud Messaging on Android and Apple Push Notification Service on iOS. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Open source
- Session’s code is open source and can be independently audited. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- The maker’s download page offers apps for Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, and Linux. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Product
- Session is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted private messaging app. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Recovery limit
- Account recovery retrieves messages from the last 14 days, and contacts may be unrecoverable if all devices have been offline for more than 30 days. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Routing
- Session uses onion requests so no single server knows both a message’s origin and destination. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Security audit
- Session’s desktop, Android, and iOS clients have been audited by Quarkslab. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users needing help to its support portal. · getsession.org, 30 Sept 2026
Where Session stands on Freedom251
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