Freedom251 › Encrypted Messaging Apps
Tox
What Tox is
Tox is free, open-source messaging software for private communication with friends and family. It combines instant messaging with encrypted voice calls, video calls, desktop screen sharing, file transfers, and group chats that support text, calls, video, and files. File sharing has no artificial limits or caps, and the free plan is free forever without advertising. Tox describes its network as decentralized: there are no central servers, and users form the network. Messages use end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy as the default and only mode. Its FAQ identifies Curve25519 for key exchange, XSalsa20 for symmetric encryption, and Poly1305 for message authentication. The qTox desktop client supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, while the official client list includes aTox for Android. Tox also lists Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows platforms. The project is volunteer-developed rather than a company or legal organization. Its clients are alpha software under heavy development, with possible usability bugs or security vulnerabilities, and no professional security audit started. Tox also warns that adding a contact reveals your IP address to that person.
Who it suits
Tox suits people seeking free messaging, calling, group communication, and file sharing across desktop and Android clients. It is also aimed at users who want decentralized, open-source software with default end-to-end encryption.
What it does well
- Free forever with no advertising
- No artificial file-sharing limits or caps
- End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy
- Voice, video, screen sharing, and group chats
- Decentralized network without central servers
- Supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
What to know first
- Adding a contact reveals your IP address
- Clients are alpha software under heavy development
- Possible usability bugs or security vulnerabilities
- General support is directed to forums or mailing lists
Limits
The free plan is free forever and has no artificial file-sharing limits or caps. Tox's clients remain alpha software under heavy development.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tox | Free forever · no advertising · no artificial file sharing limits or caps | Free |
As tox.chat lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Tox website and download a supported client
- Choose qTox for Windows, Linux, macOS, or FreeBSD
- Choose aTox from the official Android client list
- Install the client on your device
- Add contacts and start messaging, calling, or sharing files
Verdict
Choose Tox if you want free, open-source communication with messaging, calls, video, groups, and uncapped file sharing. Look elsewhere if hiding your IP address, professionally audited software, or formal general-user support is essential.
Questions
Is Tox free?
Yes. The Tox plan is listed as free, with free access forever and no advertising.
Which platforms support Tox?
Tox lists Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The qTox desktop client also supports FreeBSD.
Does Tox support video calls and screen sharing?
Yes. It supports video calls and desktop screen sharing, along with voice calls and messaging.
Is Tox open source?
Yes. Tox describes itself as a volunteer-developed free and open-source project.
Does Tox hide my IP address?
No. Tox says communication with friends does not cloak your IP address, and adding a contact reveals it to that person.
Facts from Tox's own pages
- Android client
- The official client list includes aTox for Android. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Cryptography
- The FAQ names Curve25519 for key exchanges, XSalsa20 for symmetric encryption, and Poly1305 for message authentication codes. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Decentralized network
- Tox says it has no central servers and that its network is made up of its users. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop client
- The qTox client supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, with text messaging, audio and video calls, screen sharing, file transfers, and text and audio group chats. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The download page warns that clients are alpha software under heavy development, may have usability bugs or security vulnerabilities, and have not had a professional security audit started. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The FAQ says end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy is the default and only mode for messages. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- File sharing and groups
- Tox supports file sharing without artificial limits or caps, plus group chats with chat, calls, video, and file sharing. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Messaging and calls
- Tox supports instant messaging and encrypted voice calls. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy limitation
- Tox says it does not cloak a user's IP address when communicating with friends, and that adding someone to contacts reveals the IP address to that person. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Project structure
- Tox describes itself as a volunteer-developed free and open-source project, not a company or other legal organization. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Tox is messaging software that connects users with friends and family for private communication. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The About page directs general user support questions to Reddit forums or mailing lists and says emails asking the project for general support will be ignored. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
- Video and screen sharing
- Tox supports video calls and desktop screen sharing. · tox.chat, 9 Oct 2026
Where Tox stands on Freedom251
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