# KouChat

> Chat and transfer files with others on your WiFi network.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.usikkert.kouchat.android](https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.usikkert.kouchat.android)

## Overview

- **ID:** `net.usikkert.kouchat.android`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Christian Ihle
- **Category:** COMMUNICATION
- **Downloads:** 10,035
- **Rating:** 3.83 / 5 (99 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.1.1
- **Last updated:** 2018-08-07
- **First published:** 2011-11-29
- **Publisher country:** NO
- **Size:** 2.46 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-14
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.usikkert.kouchat.android)
- **Website:** [http://www.kouchat.net/](http://www.kouchat.net/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.kouchat.net/privacy/](https://www.kouchat.net/privacy/)

## Description

"KouChat" is an open source, serverless LAN chat application that allows users to communicate and transfer files with others on the same WiFi network, requiring no internet connection or setup. It features group and private chats, file transfers, and customizable notifications, making it ideal for use at home, in coffee shops, or workplaces.

## Rankings

- #564,397 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`

## Review summary

KouChat is valued for cross-platform LAN messaging and long-term usefulness, with background message reception and office/off-grid chat capability. Recurring drawbacks include weak notification support, potential message delivery issues, LAN visibility problems between devices, and device compatibility/file-sharing limits on some devices.

### Pros

- Cross-platform LAN messaging and data transfer (e.g., Windows LAN to Android) with off-grid usability.
- Very useful and generally reliable across devices and years of use.
- Background reception: can receive messages after closing the app.
- Chat feature available for office/off-grid communication and basic data transfer.

### Cons

- Weak or intrusive notifications: no push notifications and persistent notification can be annoying.
- Unreliable delivery with no clear delivery/read receipts; messages can be dropped.
- LAN visibility/connectivity issues: some devices cannot see others on the same network.
- Device compatibility and feature limitations (e.g., Redmi 2 compatibility issues; can share files but not folders; limited integration with some file explorers).

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Wifi Smart Chat -File Transfer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.smartshare.transfer.app) — 104,326 users, 2.74 / 5
- [Simple Chat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.forestany.simplechat) — 82 users
- [FileChat: File Transfer App](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.buttressys.filechat) — 1,546 users
- [BroChat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.brodjag.mybrochat) — 28 users
- [KChat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.itc.kchat) — 837 users
- [WiFiSet - Offline Chat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.wifiset.chat) — 284 users
- [AirChat - Local Messaging](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.binaryscript.airchat) — 11,364 users
- [WiFi Chat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/wifi.chat) — 7,144 users
- [Konvo Talk](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.my.convo) — 18 users
- [Chat Local Offline Video Calls](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.offline.calling.chat.router.communication) — 318,022 users, 4.11 / 5
- [LanChGo: LAN Tool](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.lanchgo.lanchgo_mobile) — 797 users
- [LAN Chat](https://chrome-stats.com/d/cn.sleepycoder.lanchat) — 2,421 users, 3.60 / 5

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.usikkert.kouchat.android)