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patogit edited this page Aug 17, 2018 · 10 revisions

What p2p apps do we know of that work on computers and/or cell phones that can do chat (asynchronous?), calls, and/or file sharing on the LAN? Peer auto-discovery is optional? By p2p I mean that I install the app on two phones and now they can communicate, without installing an always-on server anywhere. We could also list server-dependent apps if that server can be installed on a router running LibreMesh. This is starting as a list based on our needs, inspired by and simpler than the charts at https://secushare.org/comparison. This page grew from this thread. Maybe someone can make a chart based on this info.

RetroShare

  • platform:
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website:
  • other notes:

Ring

  • platform:
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website: https://ring.cx/

Briar

  • platform: Android
  • LAN peer auto-discovery: no, initial connection face-to-face
  • functions: text chat
  • stability/usability:
  • website: https://briarproject.org/

Scuttlebutt / Patchwork / Patchbay

  • platform: Linux/Windows/Mac yes, Android in alpha
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website: www.scuttlebutt.nz

Bitmessage

  • platform:
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website:

ZeroNet

  • platform:
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website:

KouChat

  • platform: Linux, Android
  • LAN peer auto-discovery: yes
  • functions: synchronous text messaging, file sending
  • stability/usability: some messages get dropped, otherwise very simple and easy
  • website:

WiFi Walkie Talkie

  • platform:
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability:
  • website:

Tox

  • platform: Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mac, FreeBSD
  • LAN peer auto-discovery: maybe? LAN discovery thread
  • functions: chat, file transfers, audio/video calling, desktop sharing (both as video and inline screenshots), text group chats with audio groups
  • stability/usability: no real offline messaging yet, how does it affect phone battery life?
  • website: https://tox.chat/
  • notes:

Twisted

  • platform: LibreMesh/OpenWRT
  • LAN peer auto-discovery:
  • functions:
  • stability/usability: I don't know if this is actually a useful thing. It's on the list of search results for "chat" in the LibreMesh package database.
  • website:

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