{
  "slug": "simplex",
  "category": "messengers",
  "name": "SimpleX",
  "description": "End-to-end encrypted messenger that has no user identifiers of any kind, not even random ones. Messages pass through relay servers that anyone can run.",
  "website": "https://simplex.chat",
  "source": "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat",
  "license": "AGPL-3.0",
  "platforms": [],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "GB",
    "name": "United Kingdom",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": true,
    "cloud_act": "agreement"
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "A",
  "score": 94,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "SimpleX scores 94 out of 100 (grade A) on the messengers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, end-to-end encrypted by default, no phone number needed, metadata protection and decentralized. It partly meets independent audit. It is based in the United Kingdom: Five Eyes member; GDPR-style data protection law; CLOUD Act data access agreement with the US.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/messengers/simplex/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/messengers/simplex/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/LICENSE",
      "note": "AGPL-3.0."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/privacy/",
      "note": "The privacy policy states client apps contain no tracking or analytics code."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/faq/",
      "note": "Funded by venture investment and donations, with no ads; the privacy policy states user data is not sold or monetized."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/blob/stable/docs/SimpleX_Design_Review_2024_Summary_Report_12_08_2024.pdf",
      "note": "Trail of Bits reviewed the protocol design, but only a summary report is public; the earlier full audit is older than three years."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "e2ee_default": {
      "title": "End-to-end encrypted by default",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/privacy/",
      "note": "All direct and group messages and files are end-to-end encrypted with a quantum-resistant double ratchet."
    },
    "no_phone_number": {
      "title": "No phone number needed",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/privacy/",
      "note": "No phone number, email or user ID is needed."
    },
    "metadata_protection": {
      "title": "Metadata protection",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/privacy/",
      "note": "There are no user identifiers; each contact uses separate pairwise message queues, and private routing hides the sender IP from the recipient's server."
    },
    "decentralized": {
      "title": "Decentralized",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://simplex.chat/docs/server.html",
      "note": "Anyone can run SMP and XFTP relay servers, and users on different servers can message each other."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:00:48.361Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}