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Session screenshot

What is Session?

Session is a private messaging application built on onion routing technology to prevent metadata collection. Unlike standard messaging apps that may log who you're communicating with and when, Session routes conversations through multiple servers, making it difficult for anyone to link messages to specific users. The app works as both a direct messenger and a decentralised social network, available across multiple platforms. It's free to use and doesn't require a phone number or email to register, relying instead on session IDs. Session is maintained by the Loki Foundation and is based on the Signal protocol, combining strong encryption with network-level privacy protections.

Key Features

Onion routing

Messages pass through multiple servers before delivery, obscuring sender and recipient metadata

No phone number requirement

Registration uses anonymous session IDs instead of traditional contact details

End-to-end encryption

Conversations are encrypted throughout transmission and storage

Decentralised network

Runs on community-operated nodes rather than centralised servers

Cross-platform support

Available on desktop, mobile, and web without requiring consistent login credentials

Public groups

Can create and join group chats without revealing membership to a central authority

Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • Strong privacy protections through onion routing reduce metadata leakage compared to standard messaging apps
  • Open-source codebase allows independent security audits and community scrutiny
  • Free to use with no premium tier removing core functionality
  • Decentralised architecture means no single company controls all user data

Limitations

  • Smaller user base compared to mainstream messaging applications may limit practical usefulness for reaching contacts
  • Onion routing introduces some latency; messages may take slightly longer to deliver than standard apps
  • Less battle-tested in the wild than Signal or other established encrypted messengers

Use Cases

Activists and journalists operating in countries with surveillance concerns or restricted internet access

Privacy-conscious individuals wanting to communicate without phone number associations

Distributed teams needing encrypted group communication without centralised server oversight

Communities requiring anonymous coordination without membership tracking

Users seeking alternatives to mainstream messaging platforms for sensitive conversations