Suppose you are concerned about third parties reading your chats or want a private conversation. We’ve curated a list of the best-encrypted messaging apps to help you protect yourself from corporate eavesdropping on your private chats and calls.
Some of these apps are developed by large companies. Some of the messengers on the list are so heavily encrypted that even government intelligence agencies cannot penetrate them.
What is an encrypted message?
Encrypted messaging is a secure method for online communication. In messaging apps that have end-to-end signaling encryption using special software, messages are converted into code that only the sender and receiver can read. This makes it impossible for others to intercept and read your messages, even if they have access to your data.
In addition to personal use, businesses and organizations often use encrypted messaging to protect sensitive information. Encrypted messaging provides an extra layer of security essential for privacy.
Why do messaging apps need end-to-end Encryption?
There are mainly two types of Encryption used in messaging apps, Server-side Encryption and End-to-End Encryption.
Now, the first one works by storing the message on the server along with the key to decrypt the stored message only in your account.
This may sound promising enough, but they can share the data with third parties and have to hand over the actual data if the government asks.
So even if you have a key to your data. It can be brute-forced and used to decrypt the actual data.
The other is end-to-end, considered best for secure messaging apps, as data only exists between the user and the sender or receiver. This means that even if a company wants to share or study data, it simply cannot because there is none.
Here are the Best Encrypted Messaging Apps to use in 2023
There are many possibilities when choosing the best secure chat platform that emphasizes privacy over data. Therefore, the list below has been compiled of the best messaging apps to give you a clear idea of end-to-end Encryption, multi-platform support, and multi-mode communication, along with specific additional features.
1. Signal
The Signal app is one of the best secure messaging apps of 2023, with millions of trusted people using Signal for an instant, accessible, and encrypted communication that’s incredibly easy to use.
Secure Messaging uses privacy technologies to avoid the risk of sending messages or sharing moments with unintended recipients.
All data is protected using advanced end-to-end Encryption. Because it is open source, the app’s code is freely inspected for security.
However, other features don’t require a PIN code or other credentials, including group chats, encrypted voice calls, archive features, and media transfer.
One of the best things about this app is it’s compatible with Android, iOS, iPasOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms.
2. iMessage
iMessage is one of the most private chat messaging apps for iPhone users due to its end-to-end encrypted nature. Users also control how long messages are retained and how often recipients can view them.
Strange as it may sound, this is one of the main reasons for securing user data. But still, all private chat messaging apps have some negatives to deal with.
Even iPhone users have complaints regarding the cloud backup option. Here, the data stored in the cloud is encrypted by the key controller, Apple, so your messages can easily be exposed if iCloud is hacked.
Access the internet instead of the phone network while communicating with other iOS or macOS users. You can complete control over Receipt Acknowledgments. Also, customize your message profile/personality with GIFs, Memojis, and Animations.
3. Threema
Threema is a highly secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging app that utilizes the NaCl encryption library for privacy. This application keeps your identity anonymous by generating a unique Threema ID key without asking for personal information.
However, you may associate your account with a phone number or email address so that other users can easily find you. If you’ve met another Threema user in person but don’t want to exchange names, you can use a scannable QR code to connect.
Besides various messaging features such as encrypted text, voice, picture, and video messaging, the application offers a file-sharing limit of 20 MB and a polling system for feedback.
4. WhatsApp
WhatsApp has single-handedly become the most widely used chat and calling app. The free encrypted messaging app uses Signal’s end-to-end Encryption, which developers have been tweaking since 2016.
The app’s security and privacy features allow users to fine-tune group invitations. This, in turn, will enable you to control them.
After Whatsapp was sold to Facebook, the company now uses behavioral data, but messages remain entirely blocked. WhatsApp is still the most accessible end-to-end encrypted messaging application.
You can always select another application from this list for those unfamiliar with Facebook. WhatsApp’s ease of use, ubiquity, ability to send voice and video messages, and ability to send photos make WhatsApp a powerful and fully encrypted mobile messaging app.
5. Telegram
Like Signal and WhatsApp, Telegram allows users to link their phone number to their Telegram account to send fast, encrypted messages over the internet using client-server Encryption for standard chats.
But Telegram is more than just a messaging service. The account has grown into a global social media platform with huge user groups and broadcasts that can reach millions of followers in no time. Its use goes far beyond secure messaging.
However, end-to-end Encryption is not enabled by default in Telegram. To get it, you need to switch to private chat mode. You can set messages to self-destruct, share videos and documents, and join group chats of up to 200,000 users.
However, conversations with more than one participant are not end-to-end encrypted. Telegram uses its own custom MTProto encryption rather than a more proven system. A common opinion among information security experts is that, except for group chats.
6. Wire
The wire is another messaging app that has defaulted to end-to-end Encryption as its primary target and protects user data such as messages, images, documents, and more.
The wire is always on and works transparently. No need to activate it. It also uses a new encryption key for all messages, which reduces the impact of a single compromised key.
The wire is an open-source platform allowing users to rate, inspect, and improve the source code via GitHub. Wire cares about your data, so they do not sell your analytics or usage data to third parties.
7. Viber
This is one of the most secure free messaging apps for Android and iOS. As well as messaging, Viber has several calling features. Viber is a social platform where users can chat about any topic they care about, become part of a large community, and create connections.
Viber ensures that all its users’ chats are protected and remain private. The app itself cannot read or listen to texts or calls. Files shared via Viber cannot be accessed by apps or third parties. Therefore, you will not be targeted by third-party advertisements in the future.
You can easily switch to a video call during a voice call. You can create specialized group chats among thousands of members. A phone number is required. This app allows you to communicate with other Viber users free, but you have to pay to call non-Viber users.
8. Snapchat
This multimedia app allows you to chat and make video calls. You can also share photos and videos called snap. These snaps and chats disappear after you view them.
Snapchat also circulates short articles, image-driven stories, and more. The platform is also great for keeping up with the latest news.
9. CoverMe
With CoverMe, you can call or text worldwide at the lowest cost without sharing your phone number. Protect private conversations with military-grade Encryption.
The app also has a secure vault for storing photos, videos, important documents, passwords, and notes with cloud backup.
You can make secure phone calls worldwide without revealing your actual phone number. There is no way to recover a lost password.
You can send text messages that disappear automatically. All critical files and passwords can be kept in secure storage.
10. Line
The Line is the best secure messaging app expected to be on a new level of communication, mainly because of its different infrastructure. The Line is free and the best secure messaging app for various smartphone devices and desktops.
The Line was founded by a team of Japanese engineers after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, primarily as a means of communication.
As soon as this messaging app was built, Line added end-to-end Encryption, enhanced general privacy, and gave those features a name with letter sealing. This feature is accessible to anyone, but the mode must be turned on manually to benefit from it. Access to over 10,000 stickers featuring characters and celebrities
Every app has its strengths and weaknesses, so answering the question of which one is the best is quite complex, but still, the details above can give you a vision of the most compatible and safest chat apps on the market.
11. Silent Circle
Silent Circle is a secure communications software that provides encrypted voice and video calls. It also provides self-destructing encrypted messaging and file transfer.
The best part is that the subscriber holds the encryption key, not the Silent Circle. Even if an encrypted message passes through Silent Circle’s network, the data cannot be read.
However, the downside to this encrypted messaging app is its high price. It’s free to install but doesn’t work until you pay $9.95 per month.
Silent Circle aims to provide corporate users with complete privacy for their work. This also means that fewer people use it for personal communication.
12. Wickr Me
Wickr Me is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app that lets you send private, self-destructing messages for free. This encrypted messaging app takes your privacy seriously, so we use strong Encryption.
Wickr allows you to configure the number of times messages automatically expire. A new layer of security is added by a video essential verification system that will enable users to identify each other with a short encrypted video.
The app also has a $100,000 bug bounty program where anyone can point out security flaws. However, Wickr is not as versatile as you might think. Audio and video calls are one-to-one only, and group chats are limited to 10 people.
13. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger may not be the first app that comes to mind when you think of encrypted messaging, but the mobile version includes end-to-end encrypted communication.
This application uses the same encryption system used by Signal but requires you to select the secret chat feature.
You can also send and receive encrypted texts, photos, and stickers with time-limited self-destructing message options.
How to choose the most secure messaging app?
In a world where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming more common, keeping your communications secure is essential.
Many people are turning to messaging apps that use end-to-end Encryption. But with so many apps on the market, how can you choose the one that best suits your needs?
Consider what kinds of features are essential to you: Consider the platform you are using. Some apps only work on one type of phone, while others are available on multiple platforms.
Think about the price. Some apps are free, while others charge a monthly or annual subscription fee. Considering all these factors, you can choose the best end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app for your needs.
FAQs
Is Viber encrypted?
Each Viber account has a unique key. When you send a message using Viber, it is encrypted (locked) while in transit and then decrypted (unlocked) when it reaches the intended recipient.
Is WhatsApp more secure than Viber?
WhatsApp can deliver all of this in one form or another, but it’s not as simple as Viber. Second, Viber is a much safer app. You can hide from contacts in your contact list and protect individual chats with a PIN.
Is Telegram more secure than Viber?
If you choose Telegram, you get better privacy and Encryption, unlimited file sharing, and sticker packs. You get excellent Encryption and a free messaging platform if you decide on Viber. However, you can use all three free applications on any device.
Which is more secure: Telegram or WhatsApp?
Compared to WhatsApp, Telegram is considered a more secure and privacy-preserving app among many users. However, Telegram lacks one key element in securing user data: end-to-end Encryption for chats. This means that Telegram can access user chats stored on our servers.
Are Facebook Messenger messages encrypted?
Yes, Facebook messages are encrypted in private conversation mode.
