Delta Chat is an innovative email application that features a modern chat interface, transforming the traditional email experience. It is designed to keep chat and contact information secure on users' devices, eliminating the need for uploads or centralized control over personal data such as address books and calendars. One of the key aspects of Delta Chat is that there are no servers where data can be stored or uploaded, ensuring user privacy and control over their information.
The application allows users to communicate with a wide network, as it can be used to message anyone with an email address, which opens the doors to billions of potential users. When a Delta Chat user sends a message, the recipient receives a regular email, enabling seamless communication without needing them to install any new applications, visit websites, or sign up for services. This means that pictures and other media sent in group chats will appear as regular email attachments for recipients, who can easily reply through their preferred email clients.
Delta Chat operates through the user's chosen email account and provider, offering flexibility that includes the ability to change mobile numbers without complications. Users can operate the application even without a SIM card or phone number, which adds to its usability. Furthermore, end-to-end encryption is automatically established when two chat partners begin their conversations, ensuring that messages are secure and private from the outset.
This relatively young project emphasizes a pragmatic and usability-focused approach to decentralized messaging. The development team is mindful of not unnecessarily complicating the application, aiming instead for simplicity while addressing any significant issues that may arise. Delta Chat integrates various popular programming languages and supports multiple human languages in its development process. The team actively encourages contributions from the community, whether through bug reporting, user assistance, open development participation, translations, bot creation, or the establishment of new experimental mail servers.