Security & Privacy
Best Encrypted Messaging Apps in 2026
Choosing an encrypted messaging app means checking which features are protected and which ways of communicating it supports. Compared on encryption coverage, voice and video calls, disappearing messages, encrypted backups and maximum group size, these entries also show desktop availability, linked-device limits, free plans and paid starting prices.
- 01
BitChat BitChat suits people seeking nearby messaging that can work without internet, including during outages or in areas with limited connectivity.
Free plan macOS · iOS · Android8.9 Visit Specs - 02
Jami Jami suits people seeking free/libre messaging and calls without requiring personal information to create an account.
Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.8 Visit Specs - 03 SimpleX Chat
SimpleX Chat suits people who want messaging without assigned profile identifiers and need apps across mobile and desktop platforms.
Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS8.4 Visit Specs - 04
Delta Chat Delta Chat suits people who want encrypted messaging across mobile and desktop, including those who need multiple profiles or devices.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS8.3 Visit Specs - 05 Dino Free plan Linux8.3 Visit Specs
- 06
Olvid Olvid suits people who want messaging across phones and computers without providing personal details to operate the app.
From €82.50/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.3 Visit Specs - 07
Session Session suits people who want private messaging without registering a phone number or email address, and who need encrypted group chats or disappearing messages.
From $2.99/mo Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS8.3 Visit Specs - 08
Wire Wire suits organizations seeking encrypted communications, including those needing private-cloud or on-premises deployment.
From €7.45/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.3 Visit Specs - 09 Briar
It suits activists, journalists and others needing encrypted communication across internet and offline connections.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Android8.2 Visit Specs - 10 imo
imo suits people seeking free internet calls and messaging across mobile, desktop, and web platforms.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · iOS8.2 Visit Specs - 11 WhatsApp
WhatsApp suits people who want free messaging, voice and video calls, and group conversations across mobile, desktop, and web.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · iOS8.2 Visit Specs - 12 Berty Free plan iOS · Android8.1 Visit Specs
- 13
Cwtch Cwtch suits users seeking decentralized, Tor-based messaging across desktop and Android platforms.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Android8.1 Visit Specs - 14
Cyph Cyph suits people seeking private messaging, encrypted meetings, and cloud storage across desktop, mobile, and web.
From $7/mo Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.0 Visit Specs - 15
FluffyChat It suits people seeking a free Matrix client across mobile, desktop, and web platforms.
Free plan Web · Linux · iOS · Android8.0 Visit Specs - 16
Keet Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS8.0 Visit Specs - 17 Messenger
Messenger suits people who want messaging and calls across mobile, desktop, and web, including chats without a phone number.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · iOS8.0 Visit Specs - 18
Threema Threema may suit people seeking messaging without providing a phone number or email address, as well as organizations needing messaging integrations and administration tools.
From $3/mo Free trial Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.9 Visit Specs - 19 Conversations From €1/mo Android7.8 Visit Specs
- 20
Gajim Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux7.8 Visit Specs - 21
Signal Signal suits people seeking encrypted messaging and calls across mobile and desktop platforms.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS7.8 Visit Specs - 22 ChatSecure Free plan iOS7.7 Visit Specs
- 23 Keybase
Keybase suits people and teams seeking encrypted messaging, file sharing and Git collaboration across desktop, mobile and web platforms.
Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.7 Visit Specs - 24
Monal Free plan macOS · iOS7.7 Visit Specs - 25
Status It suits people seeking a combined wallet, private messenger, browser connection, and community tool.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS7.6 Visit Specs
Wire and Olvid appear first, with Signal and Element close behind. Consider which devices you need to connect, how large your groups are, and whether calls, backups or message controls matter most in your conversations. The ranking gives you a way to weigh those details across the apps.