Session
No phone number or email address is required to signup. Similar functionality like Element, but still in an earlier stage of development. Decentralized servers routed through…
Decentralized Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Best WhatsApp Alternatives in 2026
17 private alternatives, vetted against our public criteria.
WhatsApp’s content is encrypted, but Meta still harvests who you talk to and when. These messengers protect the metadata too.
Status
No phone number or email address is required to signup. Uses the peer-to-peer (p2p) messaging protocol Waku that removes centralized third parties from messages.
Decentralized Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Signal
Similar look and feel of WhatsApp and other commonly used messaging apps, makes switching easy. Signal requires your phone number as an personal identifier.
Centralized Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Threema
No native desktop apps available yet, but there is a web version for your browser. No phone number is required to signup but there is a payment involved to get the app.…
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Delta Chat
Delta Chat doesn't have their own servers but uses the most massive and diverse open messaging system ever: the existing e-mail server network. Chat with anyone if you know…
Decentralized Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Cwtch
User friendly, lightweight, for desktop and Android. End-to-end encrypted and takes place over Tor v3 onion services. Privacy-preserving, multi-party messaging protocol. Built…
Decentralized Tor Android Win Mac Linux
Speek! Easy to use, file transfer and metadata resistant
Based on Ricochet with an improved user interface to make onboarding easy and achieve mass adoption.
Decentralized Tor Win Mac Linux
Briar
Briar doesn't rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the users' devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Online sync via the Tor network is possible, too.…
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Ricochet Refresh
Based on Ricochet but improved security and compatibility with Tor Onion Services v3 instead of older v2.
Decentralized Tor Win Mac Linux
Tox
Wide range of features but a highly experimental protocol, use with caution.
Decentralized Tor Android Win Mac Linux
Element
A modern alternative to IRC or Discord. Good for team chats and groups.
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Rocket.Chat
Professional approach for real-time conversations with your colleagues, other companies or customers.
Encrypted Hosted Self-Hosted Win Android iOS Mac Linux Bitcoin
Stoat
Formerly Revolt. Ideal for gamers who prefer open source solutions over Discord. Early stage development and experimental.
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Brave Talk
The person creating the call requires to use Brave Browser, but the participants can join from any browser.
Encrypted Freemium Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Jitsi Meet
Desktop version downloads can be found here .
Encrypted Win Android iOS Mac Linux Bitcoin