Freedom251 › Secure messaging apps
Snikket
What Snikket is
Snikket is an open-source private messaging platform for families, friends, clubs, and small organisations. It supports text chats with typing and read indicators, photo, video and document sharing, voice messages, and private location sharing. Users can create private or public groups and make encrypted audio or video calls. End-to-end encryption protects conversations, and encrypted conversation backups are available. Services can communicate in a decentralized messaging network. You can run your own service or use Snikket Hosting, which starts from a dashboard without technical expertise. Accounts use a username rather than a phone number, work on multiple devices, and synchronize conversations. Snikket says it has no ads or trackers and does not share personal data. It is available on Android, iOS, Linux, self-hosted installations, and the web. Hosting costs $6 a month for one instance, supports up to 10 active users, and includes a 14-day trial.
Who it suits
Snikket suits families, clubs, friends, and small organisations wanting private group messaging. It also fits people choosing between self-hosting and managed hosting.
What it does well
- End-to-end encryption and encrypted conversation backups
- Audio and video calls for private or public groups
- Multi-device accounts synchronize conversations
- No phone number required for accounts
- Android, iOS, Linux and web availability
What to know first
- No free plan
- Maximum group size is 10 members
- Self-hosting requires Linux server and domain access
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Snikket Hosting — single instance type | $6 USD or less per month; final price depends on region, currency, tax, and billing frequency · Up to 10 active users · 14-day trial | $6 a month |
As snikket.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Snikket combines encrypted messaging, group communication, and decentralized services with self-hosting or managed hosting choices. Check the 10-member group limit and hosting requirements before choosing it.
Facts from Snikket's own pages
- Accounts and devices
- Snikket does not require a phone number, and accounts can be used on multiple devices with conversations synchronized across them. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The self-hosting guide says Snikket is incompatible with Debian 10 or Raspbian 10 on Raspberry Pi or other ARM devices, and Docker versions older than 20.10.10. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Decentralized network
- Independent Snikket services can communicate with each other as part of a decentralized messaging network. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Encryption and backups
- The app uses end-to-end encryption, and includes a feature for creating encrypted conversation backups. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Groups and calls
- Snikket supports private or public groups and encrypted audio and video calls. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Worcester, England, United Kingdom · snikket.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosted domain limitation
- A custom domain used for a hosted Snikket instance cannot also serve a website or another service; a subdomain can be used instead. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Hosted location and domain
- The hosted service is currently in Germany, offers a managed free subdomain, and allows custom domains at no extra cost. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Hosting choices
- Users can run their own Snikket service or use Snikket Hosting, which can be launched through a dashboard without technical expertise. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Messaging features
- The app supports text messaging with typing and read indicators, sharing photos, videos and documents, voice messages, and private location sharing. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Snikket says it has no ads or trackers and does not share users’ personal data. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Snikket is an open-source private messaging platform for groups such as families, friends, clubs, and small organisations. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- Security vulnerabilities in Snikket software or its hosting platform can be reported to [email protected]. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Self-host requirements
- The self-hosting quick-start guide requires a Linux server with terminal or SSH access and a domain with configurable subdomains. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Snikket lists hosting support at [email protected] and requests the instance domain when reporting connection problems. · snikket.org, 7 Oct 2026
Where Snikket stands on Freedom251
- Secure messaging apps#34 of 36