How HN: A messaging app that keeps all your data local – no cloud, no tracking

1 annuaicoder 2 8/9/2025, 2:10:02 PM
I got tired of messaging apps that send all my data to the cloud, so I built Links Messenger - a desktop app where everything stays on your device.

Privacy features: - Local SQLite database - no cloud storage - Encrypted passwords with bcryptjs - Peer-to-peer voice calls via WebRTC - No analytics, tracking, or external requests - Open source so you can verify everything

It's like having your own private messaging server, but simpler. The app includes real-time messaging, voice calls, emojis, and contact management - all running locally.

Perfect for teams that want to communicate without sending data to third parties, or anyone who values privacy.

The code is open source and you can build it yourself or download the pre-built version.

Try it: https://annuaicoder.github.io/Links-Messenger Code: https://github.com/annuaicoder/Links-Messenger

What do you think about local-first messaging apps?

Comments (2)

Bender · 1h ago
The source code is just an html download page. The artifact is too big for virustotal to scan. What is this? What type of encryption is used for text and voice? Where is the source code? Where are the details about the fixes? What was the original Chrome webstore URL for this application?

Something seems very off about this, like I am being red-teamed.

jqpabc123 · 1h ago
What do you think about local-first messaging apps?

I think --- it is an interconnected world and not too many people can exist with only *local* communication.

For those who can't, they will need to find an alternative with broader reach. And once a broader, more general purpose solution is found, they will be inclined to use it locally too.