# Bitchat 56 Hacker News commenters recommended Bitchat and 24 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule. **Verdict:** Bluetooth mesh chat app that works without internet or cell service, useful in outages and emergencies. Main caveat: critics say its security is weak and it only reaches people nearby. ## Why people recommend it - Works during internet shutdowns and outages (2 comments): "Could be useful in india (especially Kashmir) where govt shut down internet during protest" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46641959)) "the network remains functional during internet outages" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46677552)) - Works without internet or cellular (2 comments): "I tested it and it's surreal to text without WiFi or cellular." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49049541)) "bitchat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over bluetooth mesh networks" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545923)) - No extra hardware needed (2 comments): "something like BitChat (no hardware needed) for smaller groups and adhoc use" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48068605)) "BitChat works with tech people already have as well" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46609259)) - Mesh reaches beyond normal range (2 comments): "can work over larger distances (and with a mesh architecture which lets you reach people that you wouldn't normally be able to reach)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49051681)) "I have seen a test of bitchat using radio communication over a distance of more than 5 km." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46677794)) ## What people warn about - Security and privacy not audited (4 comments): "It doesnt actually have basically any security or privacy from all the dozens of independent security audit findings." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46643805)) "free advertising for a vibcoded and questionably secure entry in a space with plenty of competitors" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49045082)) "Bitchat doesn't actually have either according to !any independent security audits" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46643819)) - Only reaches nearby people (4 comments): "This seems better suited for chatting with arbitrary people nearby, but with zero verification of who you're talking to." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45932172)) "I don't understand why it's Bluetooth only. I would think Wifi reaches further." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48922329)) "it does not allow long distance communication the way internet based apps do." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46678671)) - Few users, needs others nearby (4 comments): "It has potential but I think it needs something to make it scale to a small town" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46963809)) "I could never find anyone else on Bitchat, it was just me when I opened it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46962993)) "bluetooth connectivity only works at scale if everyone has the app" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49043098)) - Feels unfinished, early stage (2 comments): "Bitchat only just recently even added ad hoc wifi support, so it's still very early days." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46678971)) "Unfortunately Bitchat feels like an unfinished proof of concept." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49039162)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Signal](https://hackerapproved.com/p/signal.md): 486 recommend - [Element](https://hackerapproved.com/p/element.md): 50 recommend - [Briar](https://hackerapproved.com/p/briar.md): 50 recommend - [Delta Chat](https://hackerapproved.com/p/delta-chat.md): 48 recommend - [SimpleX Chat](https://hackerapproved.com/p/simplex.md): 45 recommend ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Bitchat", https://hackerapproved.com/p/bitchat/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).