Briar vs Session
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted chat & communication options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Briar | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Chat & Communication | Chat & Communication |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | source | bare-metal, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 800 | ★ 585 |
| First released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Signal, WhatsApp | Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram |
What are Briar and Session?
Briar
Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone who needs censorship-resistant communication. Messages sync directly between devices over Tor, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth without central servers.
- Works without internet
- Tor-based message routing
- No central servers
- Censorship resistant
Session
Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that routes messages through a decentralized onion network of community-operated nodes. It requires no phone number or email to sign up.
- Onion-routed message delivery
- No phone number required
- Decentralized service node network
- End-to-end encryption
Briar vs Session: key differences
Briar is written in Java, while Session is built with TypeScript. Briar is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Session. Briar is the more established project (first released 2018), while Session arrived in 2020.
Why pick each one
Choose Briar if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Choose Session if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Watch out for
- Relies on the Session node network
- Message delivery can be slower
Frequently asked questions
Is Briar or Session better?
Neither is universally better. Briar has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Briar and Session free and open-source?
Yes. Briar is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Session under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Briar and Session with Docker?
Briar: check the project docs for container support. Session: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Briar or Session?
Briar has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Session. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.