Briar Messenger — Peer-to-Peer Messaging over Tor

Briar routes all internet-based communication through the Tor network by default — there is no option to use clearnet. When two Briar users communicate over the internet, each device runs a Tor hidden service, and messages are exchanged directly between these hidden services. No central server ever sees your messages, metadata, or contact list.

This architecture means there is no single point of failure or surveillance. Even if an adversary compromises a server, there is no server to compromise. Each device is both a client and a server, communicating through Tor's onion routing. The Tor hidden service model also means neither device needs to reveal its IP address to the other.

Briar can also communicate over local Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when internet access is unavailable. This makes it uniquely valuable during internet shutdowns, natural disasters, or in areas with unreliable connectivity. Messages sync automatically when a connection is re-established.

Briar is available for Android on Google Play and F-Droid. A desktop version (Briar Desktop) is available for Linux as a Flatpak. Install Briar, create an account with a display name (use a pseudonym), and set a strong password. No phone number, email, or any personal information is required.

Adding contacts in Briar requires a one-time exchange of links or QR codes — there is no phone number lookup or contact discovery server. This means you must have another secure channel to initially connect with someone. Share your Briar link over Signal, via PGP-encrypted email, or in person via QR code scan.

Briar stores all data locally on your device, encrypted with your account password. There is no cloud backup, no server-side storage, and no way to recover your account if you lose your device and password. This is a deliberate security design: your messages exist only on the devices involved in the conversation.

Signal offers the best balance of usability and security for everyday messaging but requires a phone number and relies on central servers. Briar requires no personal information and has no central infrastructure, but is limited to Android and Linux, and contacts must be added manually.

Ricochet Refresh is another Tor-based messenger that works on desktop platforms. Like Briar, it uses Tor hidden services for direct peer-to-peer communication. Ricochet is simpler than Briar (text-only, no groups, no forums) but runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

For high-risk situations where the existence of a communication channel must be hidden, Briar and Ricochet are superior to Signal because they leave no metadata on any central server. Use Signal for daily communication with trusted contacts, and Briar or Ricochet when metadata protection is critical. Combine any of these with a VPN plus Tor for layered protection.

While Briar itself does not require a server, the broader privacy ecosystem depends on Tor relay operators, bridge hosts, and infrastructure providers. AnubizHost offers offshore hosting in Iceland, Romania, and Finland where you can run Tor relays, bridges, and other privacy infrastructure without fear of censorship or legal harassment.

Deploy Tor bridges to help users in censored regions access the Tor network. Run a Tor relay to strengthen the network that Briar depends on. Host a private XMPP server, a Matrix homeserver, or any communication tool as a Tor hidden service on our infrastructure.

AnubizHost accepts Monero, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies with no KYC requirements. Our servers include full root access, NVMe SSD storage, and DDoS protection. Strengthen the Tor network and protect private communications by hosting with AnubizHost today.