Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

Subtle.sh is a web-based encrypted messaging application that requires no account setup or installation. Users generate ephemeral sessions with OpenPGP.js encryption, share a link with recipients, and all messages… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Subtle.sh – Zero-setup E2E encrypted messaging using OpenPGP and Soketi launched in 2024; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Burner Note▲222

   In 2021 after getting thoroughly sick of Privnote, i built "Burner Note". Even though i didn't promote it in anyway other than a post here and a post on reddit, it ended up getting about 7000(ish) unique users per month. I kinda let it die about 18 months ago but i've resurrected it with some big upgrades. Most botable the app is now truly end to end encrypted (previously was just server side), and I've added dark mode as well as a few other bells and whistles. Feedback welcomed.

   Jan 2026 · burnernote.com · its alternatives →

2. 2KS
   Keypub.sh – OAuth for the terminal using SSH keys▲222

   Hi HN! I built KeyPub.sh to solve the problem of user verification for CLI applications. It's essentially OAuth for the terminal, but using SSH keys that developers and users already have. - No installation needed - works with existing SSH setup - Privacy-focused: users control what email info is shared - Simple email verification process - Free public service - Perfect for CLI app developers who don't want to build user verification Try it with: `$ ssh keypub.sh about` Source code: https://github.com/skariel/keypub

   2024 · keypub.sh · its alternatives →

3. 3
   hat.sh▲212

   Free, fast, secure and serverless file encryption

   2019 · hat.sh · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Disposable▲126

   A real-time, e2e encrypted ephemeral communication tool

   2023 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Crypton.sh - SMS▲85

   Secure Anonymous SMS in the cloud (and a phone number)

   2018 · crypton.sh · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Virgil Security▲74

   Build privacy-first apps on Firebase

   2018 · virgilsecurity.com · its alternatives →

7. 7PP
   Puree – Password-based Uniform-Random-Equivalent Encryption▲190

   2020 · puree.cc · its alternatives →

8. 8
   ChatSecure iOS v4.0 – OMEMO and Signal Protocol▲107

   Free and open source encrypted chat for iOS.

   2017 · chatsecure.org · its alternatives →

9. 9
   An Elliptic Curve-Based Secure Chat, Written Using Rust and Protobuf▲66

   This is a project I made to learn more about crypto. I've also written a [post](https://vaktibabat.github.io/posts/ecurvechat/) that explains all the crypto concepts and algorithms used in the project, and how I implemented them. I'd be very glad for any feedback about both the code and the post :)

   2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    saltify.io▲164

    A simple, secure and free to use tool for sharing secrets

    2017 · saltify.io · its alternatives →

11. 11
    DataSafe – Encrypted messages via hotkey▲86

    A tiny app to quickly send encrypted messages with a hotkey

    2025 · its alternatives →

12. 12
    A Node.js open source library to send transactional notifications▲84

    A Node.js library to send all kinds of transactional notifications. - notifme/notifme-sdk

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Encrypted Communication via GitHub Using Node.js and SSH Keys▲39

    2015 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Cyph – Encrypted chat in 30 seconds▲39

    Cyph is the most powerful & easiest to use encryption software available. Open source, audited, trusted. Secure your chats, video calls, files, and more.

    2014 · cyph.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Node.js port of WhisperSystem's libsignal▲88

    Signal protocol implementation for Node.js. Contribute to ForstaLabs/libsignal-node development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

16. 16HS
    Hidetext.sh – encrypted pastebin where the server never sees the key▲7

    Hi HN! I built hidetext.sh — a way to share text, code, and files through links the server can't read. How it works: your browser generates a random key and encrypts everything locally (NaCl secretbox, XSalsa20-Poly1305). Only ciphertext is uploaded. The key goes into the URL fragment — the part after # — which browsers never send to servers. The link carries the key, my server stores the locked box, and the two only meet in a browser. A design detail I'm fairly happy with: burn-after-read doesn't destroy the paste on the first HTTP request. The naive version means a Slack or iMessage link…

    Jul 2026 · hidetext.sh · its alternatives →

17. 17
    GpgFrontend▲87

    Take the initiative to protect privacy in your own hands

    2021 · github.com · its alternatives →

18. 18CM
    Cipher – Mobile Ethereum Web3 DApp Browser▲76

    2018 · cipherbrowser.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Hat.sh V2▲73

    Simple, fast, secure in-browser file encryption

    2021 · hat.sh · its alternatives →

20. 20
    CypherChat▲69

    Secure. Encrypted. Peer-to-Peer. No Personal Info Sign-up.

    2022 · cypherchat.app · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Cryptocat▲61

    In-browser encrypted chat (open source)

    2014 · its alternatives →

22. 22OS
    Open-Source Anonymous Encrypted TLS+OTR Messaging Written in Go▲25

    2015 · hacktunnel.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Opensource Desktop Implementation of the Threema Crypto Messenger▲39

    An open source implementation and desktop client of the Threema Messenger App. - blizzard4591/openMittsu

    2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

24. 24ES
    Exploiting Slack's video embeds to achieve E2EE communication▲31

    Using Slack video blocks to share PGP encrypted messages inside the Slack client

    Jun 2026 · v1c.rocks · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →