Looking for an Omegle alternative? 7 things to check first

Omegle closed in November 2023 after 14 years. Its founder said running it had become impossible, both because of the cost and because of how badly some people misused it.

Since then, many sites have appeared calling themselves "the new Omegle". Some are fine. Some are packed with ads, bots and fake profiles, and some collect far more about you than you would expect. Before you pick one, check these seven things.

1. What does it ask for before you can chat?

A stranger chat site has no good reason to need your phone number or your real name. The less you hand over, the less there is to leak. On DiffWeb, a temporary room needs nothing at all, and Anonymous Chat needs only a username and a password.

2. Are the messages end-to-end encrypted?

"Encrypted" can mean many things. End-to-end encrypted means messages are locked on your device and only the people in the chat can unlock them, so not even the company running the site can read them. Look for that exact phrase, and for a privacy policy that explains it.

3. Is it only for adults?

Random chat with strangers is not a place for children. A responsible site says clearly that it is 18+ and has a public child safety policy. If a site seems to welcome kids, leave.

4. Can you report someone, and does it do anything?

Look for a report button inside the chat, not just an email address hidden in the footer. Good reporting includes the actual messages, so moderators can act on facts.

5. How is it paid for?

If a site is covered in pop-up ads, your attention and your data are probably the product. DiffWeb has no ads.

6. What does it do with your gender, age or location?

Some sites let anyone filter by gender or show your country to everyone you meet. That can make people a target. On DiffWeb, you can tell us your gender to help matching, but it is never shown to the people you chat with, and we do not match people by location.

7. Can you leave cleanly?

You should be able to skip someone instantly, block them, and delete your account without emailing support. Chats that delete themselves are a bonus.

The short version

A good Omegle alternative asks for little, encrypts properly, is clearly 18+, lets you report in one tap, and is honest about how it makes money. Whatever site you use, follow our guide on how to chat with strangers safely.