The Serval Mesh vs Briar

Struggling to choose between The Serval Mesh and Briar? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

The Serval Mesh is a Network & Admin solution with tags like mesh-networking, offline-communication, peertopeer, adhoc-networking.

It boasts features such as Creates mesh networks using WiFi, Bluetooth and peer-to-peer protocols, Allows communication between phones without cellular coverage, Supports voice calls, text messaging, file sharing over the mesh, Works with Android phones, Open source software and pros including Enables communication in areas without cellular connectivity, Free and open source, Decentralized network not dependent on cellular infrastructure, Uses existing hardware in phones (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc).

On the other hand, Briar is a Security & Privacy product tagged with p2p, encrypted, messaging, privacy, security, activists, journalists, censorship-resistance.

Its standout features include Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging, Designed for high-risk users like activists and journalists, Uses Tor network for anonymous communication, Works without internet access using Bluetooth or WiFi, Open source and transparent codebase, and it shines with pros like Very secure and private, Resistant to surveillance and censorship, Works offline, Active development community, Available on multiple platforms.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

The Serval Mesh

The Serval Mesh

The Serval Mesh is an open-source software that allows mobile phones to communicate in a mesh network without cellular coverage. It uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and peer-to-peer protocols to connect phones directly to each other.

Categories:
mesh-networking offline-communication peertopeer adhoc-networking

The Serval Mesh Features

  1. Creates mesh networks using WiFi, Bluetooth and peer-to-peer protocols
  2. Allows communication between phones without cellular coverage
  3. Supports voice calls, text messaging, file sharing over the mesh
  4. Works with Android phones
  5. Open source software

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Enables communication in areas without cellular connectivity

Free and open source

Decentralized network not dependent on cellular infrastructure

Uses existing hardware in phones (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc)

Cons

Requires many users in an area to create an effective mesh

Only available on Android currently

Setup and configuration can be complex for non-technical users


Briar

Briar

Briar is a peer-to-peer encrypted messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and people at risk of persecution. It allows secure communication without relying on a central server, making it resistant to surveillance and censorship.

Categories:
p2p encrypted messaging privacy security activists journalists censorship-resistance

Briar Features

  1. Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging
  2. Designed for high-risk users like activists and journalists
  3. Uses Tor network for anonymous communication
  4. Works without internet access using Bluetooth or WiFi
  5. Open source and transparent codebase

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Very secure and private

Resistant to surveillance and censorship

Works offline

Active development community

Available on multiple platforms

Cons

User base still small

Some usability issues

Setup can be complicated for less tech-savvy users