GitHub - blueprint-freespeech/ricochet-refresh: Anonymous peer-to-peer instant messaging
🪙 Funding the Commons 🪙
In 2025, global internet freedom declined for the 15th consecutive year and tens of millions of dollars in public funding for internet freedom projects was cut. Without innovative ways of support, many critical projects could shut down and put millions of people at risk of losing access to the internet. That's why the Tor Project and Funding the Commons are launching a crowdfunding campaign benefiting the internet freedom ecosystem. This campaign runs from May 19, 2026 through June 18, 2026.
Donors can contribute ETH, BTC, or other cryptocurrencies to support internet freedom projects like Ricochet Refresh. Thanks to quadratic funding, even a $1 donation can be matched with tens or even hundreds of dollars in additional funding. Instead of rewarding projects with the largest donations, quadratic funding rewards those with the most contributors.
Help keep the internet free! Donate to support Ricochet Refresh before June 18th at:
Also support the other projects!
- Miaan Digital Security Help Desk: Internet freedom for Iranians
- Onion Browser: Tor-endorsed free, open-source anti-censorship browser for iOS
- OnionShare: Securely share files, host websites, and chat using the Tor network
- OONI: Free tools and open data to detect and document internet censorship worldwide
- Osservatorio Nessuno OdV: Software that leaves no trace
- Paskoocheh: Countering digital authoritarianism
- Save by OpenArchive: Secure mobile archive app for journalists and human rights defenders
- SecureDrop: Anonymous whistleblowing submission system for journalists and sources
- Unredacted: Global censorship evasion infrastructure: proxies, Tor relays, encrypted messaging
Thank you for your support!
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This is the development branch of Ricochet-Refresh. Things here may be unstable, in-flight, and untested. For the current release version, see the maint-3.0 branch.
R2: Ricochet Refresh
Ricochet Refresh is the new updated version of Ricochet, supported by Blueprint for Free Speech. We are a non-government, not-for-profit organisation working to safeguard the freedom of expression for whistleblowers, activists, and everybody else, worldwide. To find out more, check out our profile, or head to blueprintforfreespeech.net. Blueprint was the original sponsor of Ricochet, written by developer J. Brooks.
Ricochet Refresh is currently available for Windows, macOS (10.14 or later), and Linux. Visit the releases page for the latest version and changelog.
What is Ricochet Refresh?
Ricochet Refresh is an instant messenger where no one knows your identity, who you're talking to, or what you're talking about.
- You can talk to whoever you want, without them knowing your identity (or IP address)
- No one can know who you're talking to, or when you're talking to them* (no metadata)
- You talk directly to your contact - there's no middleman server that could be compromised, putting you at risk.
- It's cross-platform, easy to install, and easy to use!
- It's open source, and open to contribution!
How to use
Please consult our usage guide:
How it works
Ricochet Refresh uses the Tor network to establish a peer-to-peer connection between you and your contact. Ricochet Refresh creates a service on the Tor network which contacts can connect to. Tor's rendezvous system makes it extremely difficult for anyone to learn the identity of a Tor user, including you.
Ricochet Refresh is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, The Tor Project.
For more information about Tor, you can:
For more information about Ricochet Refresh, you can:
Disclaimer
Security and anonymity are difficult, complicated, and deep topics. We strongly encourage you to evaluate your risks, threats, and exposure with any software. Do not rely on Ricochet Refresh for your safety. We believe Ricochet Refresh does a really good job at protecting your privacy and anonymity, however, we can not guarantee this protection.
Building from source
See BUILDING for Linux, OS X, and Windows build instructions.
Other
Bugs can be reported on the issue tracker.
You should support The Tor Project, EFF, and run a Tor relay.