Performance-wise right now (very first version) this probably will feel like a 3 star experience for the uninitiated average user looking for normal chat. But among the P2P, encrypted, private, decentralized chat apps, there is no comparison; easy 5 stars. So I decided to split the difference at 4 — when the mobile version works as well as their desktop, it’ll be 5.
This is *truly* P2P and encrypted by default, in fact the encryption is built into the very means by which you find and connect to peers, such that the encryption can’t even be removed. Right now, being a server-less system, data availability is hit or miss, but should improve significantly with time and more users. Also rooms with 50+, or 100+ peers can get really sluggish to load. But the desktop version had these problems and were all sorted out after a few months, and they specifically say the software is still “alpha.” Best way to use it is in conjunction with the desktop version, that way your desktop acts like a more permanent “seeder” of the chat room. This helps keep it updated and available for your mobile device and anyone else who joins.
Keep an eye on this app and Holepunch, I think they are building something incredible.