horizontal-svg

Privacy Messaging with Secure & Encrypted Messengers in 2026

Private alternatives to WhatsApp, vetted against our public criteria.

#1
Session logo

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
Visit site →
#2
Status logo

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
Visit site →
#3
Signal logo

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
Visit site →
#4
Threema logo

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.…

Centralized Paid Plan Android iOS Huawei AppGallery Bitcoin
Visit site →
#5
Delta Chat logo

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
Visit site →
#6
Cwtch logo

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
Visit site →
#8
Briar logo

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.…

Decentralized Tor Android Phones Tablets
Visit site →
#9
Ricochet Refresh logo

Ricochet Refresh

Based on Ricochet but improved security and compatibility with Tor Onion Services v3 instead of older v2.

Decentralized Tor Win Mac Linux
Visit site →
#10
Tox logo

Tox

Wide range of features but a highly experimental protocol, use with caution.

Decentralized Tor Android Win Mac Linux
Visit site →
#11
Element logo

Element

A modern alternative to IRC or Discord. Good for team chats and groups.

Encrypted Hosted Self-Hosted Win Android iOS Mac Linux Bitcoin
Visit site →
#12
Rocket.Chat logo

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
Visit site →
#13
Stoat logo

Stoat

Formerly Revolt. Ideal for gamers who prefer open source solutions over Discord. Early stage development and experimental.

Unencrypted Hosted Win Android Mac Linux Bitcoin
Visit site →
#14
Brave Talk logo

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
Visit site →
#15
Jami logo

Jami

Jami: Instant messaging and video calling

Encrypted Win Android iOS Mac Linux
Visit site →
#17
Jitsi Meet logo

Jitsi Meet

Desktop version downloads can be found here .

Encrypted Win Android iOS Mac Linux Bitcoin
Visit site →

Stay in touch with friends, family, colleagues and more with secure and encrypted private messaging apps. Your messages are kept private and secure with end-to-end encryption, ensuring your conversations remain private and secure from any third-party access. Enjoy the latest privacy messaging apps for a secure and private conversation.


Anonymous Instant Messaging via Tor


Private and Secure Team Chats - Open-Source


Encrypted Video & Voice Messengers

The popularity of video calling apps like Skype and FaceTime has significantly increased in recent years. However, these apps are not as secure as people might think. Most are free to use and provide minimal security features. If you have any older videos or images on your computer around 5 minutes in length, they can be snooped by someone else and used against you. To protect yourself from this, make sure to get a messenger app with end-to-end encryption, video compression and file transfer encryption services.

Messengers such as Signal, Lifeline, ProtonMail, Pidgin and others make it easy for users to communicate securely over the internet. This means that the user’s privacy will not be violated, and there is no possibility of the user being spied on or tracked by anyone. Users should ensure that all of their communications are secure with these instant messaging apps and tools.