Type: Encrypted messaging, file sharing, identity verification
Access: Tor Browser or desktop app
Acquired by: Zoom in 2020
Clearnet: keybase.io
Last verified: March 2026
Onion Address
Identity Verification — Keybase’s Distinctive Feature
Keybase lets users prove they control specific accounts elsewhere — Twitter, GitHub, Reddit, personal websites — by posting cryptographic proofs on those platforms. Anyone can verify the proof without trusting Keybase. This means if someone claims their Keybase account belongs to a specific developer or journalist, you can verify the claim independently rather than taking Keybase’s word for it.
For journalists confirming that a source is who they claim to be, or for security researchers verifying a contact’s identity across platforms, this cross-verification is a meaningful tool that other messaging apps do not offer.
Limitation: Zoom Acquisition
Keybase was acquired by Zoom in 2020. Active development has slowed significantly since the acquisition. New features are not being added and some existing features have degraded. Keybase remains functional but its long-term maintenance trajectory is unclear. For new deployments of encrypted team communication, consider alternatives with active development.
