Cryptocat is open-source secure chat software for desktop computers released under the GPL-3.0 license.

Is Cryptocat open source?

Yes. Cryptocat is open source under the GPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at cryptocat/cryptocat and is written mainly in JavaScript.

Yes. Cryptocat is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host Cryptocat?

Yes. Cryptocat can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What are some alternatives to Cryptocat?

Similar open-source tools in the Team Chat category include Darkwire.io, Signal Android and SimpleX Chat. SaaS products in the same category include Kik, Symphony and Telegram.

Is Cryptocat actively maintained?

The most recent commit to Cryptocat was on 21 January 2019. The project has 1.1k stars on GitHub.

Cryptocat: open-source team chat

About Cryptocat

Crypto, published on GitHub as Cryptocat, is secure chat software for your computer. It is a JavaScript project with a focus on private messaging and cryptography, as shown by its repository topics covering secure messaging, security and chat. The project is released under the GPL-3.0 license.

The repository documents how to install dependencies, run the application and package it for Windows, Linux and macOS, which suggests it is built as a desktop app. Beyond the build instructions, the repository gives little detail, so check the project website and the repository's documentation and security pages for specifics.

Key features

Secure chat for desktop computers
Focus on cryptography and private messaging
Packaging for Windows, Linux and macOS
Open source under GPL-3.0

Built with: JavaScript
Tags: chat; secure-messaging; encryption; cryptography; security; javascript

Cryptocat: questions and answers

What is Cryptocat?: Cryptocat is open-source secure chat software for desktop computers released under the GPL-3.0 license.
Is Cryptocat open source?: Yes. Cryptocat is open source under the GPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at cryptocat/cryptocat and is written mainly in JavaScript.
Is Cryptocat free?: Yes. Cryptocat is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host Cryptocat?: Yes. Cryptocat can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What are some alternatives to Cryptocat?: Similar open-source tools in the Team Chat category include Darkwire.io, Signal Android and SimpleX Chat. SaaS products in the same category include Kik, Symphony and Telegram.
Is Cryptocat actively maintained?: The most recent commit to Cryptocat was on 21 January 2019. The project has 1.1k stars on GitHub.